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Found 12 results

  1. Hong Kong (HK) Models Co Ltd has just announced they will attend the IPMS Scale Model World in Telford with a Douglas A-20 Havoc/Boston flight formation picture... A clue ? Wait & see. Source: https://www.facebook.com/hkmmodels/posts/pfbid02wxtM6bS7UkbaG4fYee2s8AAkegtpvHxYQEDKVvwC3rjoPpNtvt6Pin7ztfoGf5SEl V.P.
  2. Special Hobby is to release in June 2016 a 1/72nd Douglas A-20B\C Boston with a UTK-1 dorsal turret kit - ref. SH72337 Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2016/05/sh72337-20bc-boston-with-utk-1-turret.html V.P.
  3. You might think I'm fooling myself, but it wasn't until today (after 50 years of interest in aviation and modeling), that I discovered that the three basic World War II American light and medium bombers (A-20, B-25 and B-26) most likely have no anti-icing installation whatsoever on the wings. I know that high-altitude flying heavy bombers (B-17, B-24 and B-29) and airliner-derived designs (C-47, A-29) have black rubber boots integrated with the wing leading edge. PBY and British Blenheim are similar. And here what's going on? Was it assumed that a twin-engine bomber would never have to get through the clouds of a stormy weather front? Shed some light on this at least, please. Cheers Michael PS. Although Wikipedia mentions the anti-icing installation as the basic change introduced in the B-25C, but the B-25H/J cutaways by Mike Badrocke/Aviagraphica are completely silent on this subject
  4. First Raids For the Mighty Eighth is certainly an interesting topic to depict in a model. My question is - were USAAF roundels ever used by the 15th Bombardment Squadron on any operational missions? The crews were American, but on the other hand, they were flying under No. 226 Squadron RAF... img source: Warfare History Network Thanks in advance!
  5. Edit 30.5.2021: I sold this kit! I had only assembled the six parts in the cockpit, and seriously disliked the somewhat limited run feel of the kit. Yes I know, but after just finishing the SWEET! Airfix B-25 and starting Revell Ju 88:s I was a spoiled brat and the MPM kit just didn't make it. End edit! Springtime is usually good model building time for me. That´s why I dare to start a third build thread! This MPM kit has been in my stash for a few years and waited for its turn. Well the Douglas GB went bust along the other US manufacturer specific GB proposals as they were unsuccessfully merged to a MEGA proposal. Here´s a pic of the essentials: MPM plastics that can be built as USAAF A-20B or Lend-lease Boston III. Maybe even some other variants, I don´t know. I have a MAV decals set for a SAAF Boston III in North Africa but they appear to have inaccurate type (C1) of roundels for the W8376, damaged in action and struck off charge 22.6.1942. They are correct type A1 in the instructions, but not on the decal sheet . V-P
  6. Hello, I often see this aircraft depicted in British two-color cammo as a base behind the sand blotches. Such as here on the old Revell box-art: Or here in FCM decals set No. 72045 source: Hannants I have always found this odd, as other aircraft of 47th BG in Tunisia '43 (mostly A-20Bs turned up in photos so far) have a standard Olive Drab upper surface as a base... What are your opinions on this aircraft's cammo? Did it exist at all? Thanks
  7. HpH is to release in 2017 a 1/32nd Douglas A-20G Havoc resin kit. Source: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=28641&p=801592 V.P.
  8. RAAF A-20A's, in May 1943 it was agreed between 5th AF HQ and RAAF HQ that with the losses and shortage of new aircraft that the 89th BS 3rd BG would hand over their A-20A's to 22 Sqn RAAF when the total number got below 15 aircraft in the Sqn, in Oct 43 89th BS had reached that level and with new A-20G's being available in the new year, 9 of the last 15 A-20A's were transferred to RAAF control, these were war weary aircraft having served with the 89th since the start of 1941 and brought out to the Pacific when the unit deployed in 1942, these aircraft had upward of 70 + missions each and were worn out. These aircraft were transferred to 15 ARD in Nov 43 for repair and modification and the first aircraft was not issued to 22 Sqn till early 1944, several were broken up for parts and some stored at 15ARD, only about 4-5 were operated by 22 Sqn for only a few months mainly in the training role to take the load off the operational DB-7B's and A-20C's. These aircraft were in the Std US Olive Drab over Neutral Grey in US service but it appears were repainted into the same scheme as the DB-7B's of Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky (could be Sky , NG or Sky Blue), photo's exist of only 2 x A-20A's in RAAF service. While with 22 Sqn only 3 operational missions were ever flown with A-20A's, A28-34 and A28-35 , by Jun 44 all A-20A's were withdrawn from use , used as parts sources and converted to components in early 1945. The odd aircraft out was A28-39 this aircraft was transferred to 3AD and stripped to NMF, had all armour and armament removed and used as a test aircraft and test pilot and pilot training aircraft . it was struck off charge in 1945 and scrapped in 1948, the last Boston in RAAF service. A28-32, (US data 40-0085 "She's Right" with 89th BS) A28-33 , (US data 40-0143 "Cracker Jack" with 89th BS) A28-34, (US data 40-3160 "Hell's Fire/FIFI" with 89th BS) DU-B with 22 Sqn A28-35, (US data 40-0162 "Kentucky red/The Shadow" with 89th BS) A28-36, (US data 40-0077 "Baby Dumpling" with 89th BS) A28-37, (US data 40-0118 "Bloody Bucket" with 89th BS) A28-38, (US data 40-0139 "Maid in Japan" with 89th BS) A28-39, (US data 40-0144 "Salome" with 89th BS) A28-40 , (US data 40-3159) A28-34 DUB 22 Sqn 1944, note DG/DE scheme , std RAAF 36" 5/3 roundels in all 6 positions, 24" Sqn codes and serials in white, fin flash , note upper panel on nose is still the Perspex access panel , also 2 angled panels in lower nose remain Perspex, also ADF fitted. How she looked with 89th BS early 1943 A28-39, stripped to NMF and with post June 44 markings , 48" 5/2 roundels , fin flash and serial in black, note most of nose converted back to Perspex panels. Amberley 1945 used as a test and chase aircraft for new Mustangs, being in NMF and with all armament and armour removed was a very fast aircraft. being scrapped 1948. With 89th BS early 1943
  9. Special Hobby is to re-release the MPM 1/72nd Douglas Boston Mk.III Intruder kit - ref. 72398 Source: http://www.specialhobby.info/2018/11/sh72398-boston-mkiii-intruder-boxart.html Box art V.P.
  10. As a follow up to the A-20G's and Beaufighters in RAAF service I did , here is the A-20C's. By the end of Sept 1943 22 Sqn was in dire straits, they were down to about 6 operational DB-7B's and despite several more in Australia trying to be brought up to operational std the Sqn was almost non operational , in early Sept 43 steps were already in motion to get 22 Sqn more A-20 Boston's , 9 x A-20C's left over from the P-70 conversion program were made available and began arriving at 3AD Amberley from mid Sept to late Oct 43, these were quickly reconverted back to the Bomber/Strafer role and had long range tanks , bomb racks and ADF fitted, these aircraft were unique in that they had an armament of 5 x .50's fitted to the nose , unlike the DB-7B's and A-20A's which had their .50's clusted in a group of 4 firing thru what had been the bomb aimers panel , the A-20C's had 3 x .50's mounted across the nose above the bomb aimers glass panel, they also had the cheek .30's replaced with a .50 and the blister with the second .30 removed giving them 5 x .50's in the nose, also with the bomb aimers glass being retained a strike camera was mounted in the nose to record strafing attacks, these aircraft were turned around as fast as possible by 3AD Amberley and only had their US markings and serials crudely painted over and RAAF markings and serials applied, many publications in the past have stated these aircraft were painted all over Foliage Green, probably because they look very dark in B&W photo's , but as was pointed out to me by Peter Malone, the paint was too rough to be a new coat of Foliage Green and the aircraft were needed desperately by 22 Sqn, records show these aircraft were at 3AD for only 2-3 weeks each before dispatch to 22 Sqn only enough time to fit them out , and get them serviceable , not time for a repaint. A28-23 to A28-30 (23 DU-O, 24 DU-P, 25 DU-N, 26 DU-Q?, 27 DU-R?, 28 DU-U, 29 DU-V? and 30 DU-W) were all delivered to 22 Sqn thru Oct 43 in std US Olive Drab over Neutral Grey, RAAF markings were std 36" 5/3 ratio roundels in all 6 positions with the RAAF roundels covering the centre of the US stars and bars - (to give positions on wings and fuselage) Std RAAF fin flash and Mid Grey serials under the tail. these aircraft were the first to have ADF fitted to them with 22 Sqn as the role of 22 Sqn as the A-20C's was coming on strength was long range airfield suppression missions and barge strikes on New Britain from Goodenough Island in preparation for the landings on Cape Gloucester . The A-20C was faster and had longer range than the DB-7B's and took the majority of the missions thru late 43 into the first half of 1944 . There are two variations to the Std OD/NG scheme worn by the A-20C's at 22 Sqn and that was A28-25 DU-N which was badly damaged in a bombing mission in early Nov 43 when a bomb prematurely exploded under the aircraft doing serious shrapnel damage to the aircraft , it was returned to 26 MRU who rebuild it over 6 weeks and also repainted it in the same scheme as the DB-7B's Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky (lower surface could have been Neutral Grey, Sky Blue or Sky no-one knows), she then returned to service with 22 and served till scrapped in early 45, The other oddity was A28-31, this A-20 never served with 22 Sqn but was retained at 3AD Amberley as a test and training aircraft, this A-20 was the only A-20C Boston in RAAF service to actually be painted in the correct attack aircraft scheme of all over Foliage Green, she also had the later 32" 5/2 ration roundels , fin flash and grey serials, it was also the only A-20 in RAAF service to be fitted with tropical intake filters and despite having the 5 x .50 nose fit of the other A-20C's retained a full glass nose, she was scrapped in Tocumwall at 7 CRD in mid 1945. DU-O, DU-U and DU-W Sqn codes were not used on the later A-20G's as these A-20C's were still in use with the A-20G's. 3 x nose .50's on unidentified A-20C Loading nose guns , note strike camera behind bomb aimers glass unidentified A-20C, note upper single .50 , DB-7B's and A-20A's ran twin .30/.303 A-20C undergoing maintenance, nose and cheek .50's and strike camera visible, this is the same aircraft in the top photo with the nose guns , but I have not been able to identify it. Either A28-23 DU-O or A28-24 DU-P, unable to confirm which, note how far the .50's stick out of cheek position compared to .30/.303, and how rough the paint is, lines on all the panel joint lines is staining/fading from tape to seal joints during sea voyage from US, also note outline of removed cheek blister. A28-28 DU-U, note how rough the overpaint of the US markings are , also this was the only A-20C with an ADF loop not a faired ADF like all the others. A28-30 DU-W A28-31, note nice even all over Foliage Green Scheme, later style markings and tropical intakes and glass nose, photo 3AD late 1944 and at Tocumwall in 1945 awaiting scrapping.
  11. Ok after the Beaufighter thread with the minefield of schemes I thought I would do something a bit more definite, Boston's are my favourite subject and have been researching them for years, much is written about the early Boston III's but little is written about the A-20G's they were only used on ops for about 4 months before most were written off in a night bombing raid by Japanese aircraft on Morotai on 22/23 Nov 44 destroyed over half the Sqn which then converted to Aust build Mk 21 Beaufighter's, The Sqn did not want to convert to Beaufighter's as they much preferred the Boston ( many of the pilots in the Sqn had flown Beaufighter's and wanted to keep Boston's) and the US 5th AF was willing to supply more Boston's but the RAAF HQ decided to go with an all Beaufighter strike fleet. Unlike the earlier DB-7B Boston III's and A-20A's and A-20C's which were on RAAF strength , the A-20G's were on "Loan" from US 5th AF stock and all serviceable A-20G's were returned to 5th AF after withdrawal from service. In the 4 months of service with 22 Sqn they flew more missions then the previous 20 mths combined with the earlier model Boston's and build up an excellent reputation with A-20 units with the 5th AF, 22 Sqn operated side by side with the 417th BG for 3 months on Noemfoor Island and got most of there spares from the group , all serviceable A-20G's were assigned to the 417th after use with 22 Sqn. All RAAF A-20G's were brand new aircraft either straight from the US or from US stock held at Finschafen (not second hand as some sources quote)(except for 6 x early A-20G-10's used as training a/c) and as they were new aircraft and on loan from the US operated in Std US scheme of Olive Drab with Medium Green Blotches over neutral Grey, they were not repainted in any RAAF paint schemes but did have repairs painted Foliage Green or new Olive Drab paint. The 29 x A-20G's were delivered in 5 batches and this is were the markings changed with each batch. Sqn code letters were issued alphabetically on delivery or when an A-20G replaced one of the older DB-7B's or A-20C's. DB-7B's A28-11 DU-L , A28-18 DU-Y and A-20C's A28-23 DU-O, A28-28 DU-U and A28-30 DU-W stayed on strength at 22 Sqn when the A-20G's arrived so these Sqn code letters were not used on the A-20G's. Batch #1 A28-50 to 60 and 64 This first batch of A-20G's were new delivery -40 aircraft direct from the US to 3AD Amberley in Jun 44, these 12 aircraft were modified to RAAF spec and also had a RAAF designed strike camera fitted to the rear of the R/H engine nacelle, the rear cone of the nacelle was truncated and a strike camera fitted into the empty area in the back of the Nacelle, this was operated by the pilot on his strike run and took photo's of the bomb damage , it also allowed the lower .50 to be used during low level bomb runs something std US A-20's could not do if the rear crewman was using a camera for bomb damage assessment thru the lower hatch. These aircraft were marked exactly as per the RAAF instruction AGP Pt 3 issued 26/5/44, which we will see caused problems, "Bomber" roundels were to be of the 5/2 ration 48" in diameter, serials were to be 8" Medium Sea Grey on fuselage side fwd of leading edge of Horizontal stab and Sqn codes to be 36" high on each side of fuselage, 34 wide x 24 high fin flash and all US markings painted over. well the Boston fuselage was not big enough to take 48" roundels and 36" Sqn codes and with the serial fwd of the Horizontal stab the Sqn codes covered the serials, when the aircraft got to 22 Sqn and coded were applied , 24 " was as big as could be applied and on some aircraft the code letter even partially covered the fuselage roundel , the last two aircraft of this batch had unofficial 40" roundels applied to try and fit the fuselage better. Roundels in 6 places on these machines. A28-50 DU-A, A28-51 DU-B , A28-52 DU-C, A28-53 DU-D, A28-54 DU-E, A28-55 DU-F, A28-56 ?, A28-57 DU-J, A28-58 DU-K, A28-59 DU-M (DU-M applied both sides not the usual reverse on R/H side), A28-60 DU-P and A28-64 DU-N. Batch #2 A28-61 to 63. This second batch were also new delivery -40 aircraft from the US to 1AD Laverton in Jul 44, after 3AD tried to follow the official instructions 1AD interpreted them differently, the serials were applied under the horizontal stab on the fuselage side and 32" "fighter" roundels were applied which better suited the space on the Boston fuselage side, no fin flash was applied and all US markings over painted. The strike camera mod was not fitted. Roundels in 6 places on these machines A28-61 DU-R, A28-62 DU-S, A28-63 DU-T. serials in White not Medium Sea Grey, all later delivery batches also had all serials and Sqn codes in White. Batch #3 A28-65 to 68 This third batch came from US stock at Finschafen and were new delivery -45 aircraft in Aug/Sept 44, markings start to get rough now despite being new aircraft the US markings are just brushed over and 32" roundels applied , no fin flash is applied and the A28 is dropped from 65 onward only had two digit serials. Roundels in 6 positions on these machines. A28-65 DU-G, A28-66 DU-H, A28-67 DU-V ( DU-V was also the same both sides), A28-68 DU-X (also DU-X both sides) Batch #4 A28-69 to 74 This batch were the second hand A-20G-10's from the 417th BG only used as training aircraft not used on ops and never had Sqn markings applied Batch #5 A28-75 to 78 These last 4 Bostons were later model -45's (some of the last A-20G's built) straight from the US to 22 Sqn On Noemfoor island in Oct 44, these Boston's were unique as they ran mixed markings , the US stars and Bars were retained on the wings and the US serial retained on the tail with RAAF roundel applied to fuselage sides with Sqn codes and 2 digit RAAF serial under horizontal stab, why the mixed marking no one is sure, some of the reasons mentioned were friendly fire incidents from US troops (unless it had Stars and Bars they shot at it ), also these were Loan aircraft so maybe the MU became lazy and just applied RAAF markings to Fuselage sides ( I have seen RAAF P-40's and C-47's that retained the Stars and Bars on wings).Roundels only on fuselage on these machines. A28-75 DU-A, A28-76 DU-?, A28-77 DU-? , A28-78 DU-R. The CO of 22 Sqn did not like art work or individual markings so personalisation was rare, the CO's aircraft A28-60 DU-P had a May 44 Vargus pin up on his aircraft and was called "Hilda Shane" , after his Wife and Son and had approx. 20 mission marks on it ( ground crew applied the artwork one night , the CO relented and said it could stay but no other art work was to be applied it also had polished spinners as the CO's aircraft, A28-55 had 9 mission marks unusually on the R/H side not the normal L/H side and A28-78 was called "Topsy" also unusually marked on the R/H side, these are the only individual markings I can find on RAAF A-20G's. A28-52 DU-C, note large 48" roundel , Sqn codes (C) covering serials , note strike camera mod rear of R/H engine nacelle A28-54 DU-E, note 48" roundel , fin flash, Sqn code (E) covering serial, also in background A28-67 DU-V - reversed Sqn code on R/H side and 32 " "fighter" roundels and no fin flash applied and two digit serials to later batches.. A28-60 DU-P undergoing repair post raid on Ambon 05 Oct 44, note reduced 40" roundel , fin flash, Sqn codes covering serial and strike camera position A28-59 DU-M post raid on Morotai late Nov44 (Aircraft written off), note 48" roundel , reversed Sqn codes on R/H side, removal of modified aft R/H nacelle fairing for strike camera , fin flash and covered serials. A28-63 DU-T post crash landing Noemfoor 06 Sept 44, note serial under tail not covered by Sqn Code , 32" roundels. A28-67 DU-V L/H side. A28-78 DU-R, "Topsy" note mixed markings, US Stars and Bars under wing and serial retained on tail, overpainting of nose cone and around US star and bar on fuselage side , may be Foliage Green (note semi gloss finish), 32" roundel
  12. A-20B/C "Boston with UTK-1 Turret" 1:72 Special Hobby The A-20/DB-7 Havoc, known in Royal Air Force circles as the as the Boston, was a light bomber developed by the California-based Douglas Aircraft Company. Designed to a US Air Force specification issued in 1937, the aircraft’s first customer was actually the French Air Force, representatives of which had been impressed by its performance whilst visiting the USA as part of a pre-war purchasing commission. Those aircraft not delivered to France by the time the armistice had been signed in 1940 were taken up by the RAF instead. The Soviet Union was a major user of the type, with the Soviet Air Force and Soviet Naval Aviation acquiring nearly 3000 Bostons before the end of the war. In the harsh winter conditions on the Eastern Front, it was found that the rear gunners suffered in the elements and so the UTK-1 turret was fitted, sometimes with higher calibre armament. It's around nine years since the first iteration of this kit was released under the MPM Production label. The kit has been re-released at least eight times since then, including a re-box of the Boston Mk.V by big boys Revell. This time around the kit includes extra parts in resin, plastic and photo etched brass for a Soviet version fitted with the UTK-1 mid-upper turret. Inside the box are the usual five sprues of grey plastic and two sprues of clear plastic (the original sprue plus a new sprue for the turret transparencies. Together they hold over 160 parts, which is very respectable for a kit of this size. The mouldings look crisp and clean and there are no flaws in the plastic as far as I can tell. Surface details are comprised of fine, engraved panel lines and convincing textures on the rudder and horizontal tail. Although Special Hobby have had their money's worth out of these moulds, they seem to be holding up well and the overall impression is pretty good. The cockpit is rather well-appointed for a kit in this scale. It is made up of a floor, seat, rudder pedals, two-part control column, instrument panel, sidewalls and bulkheads. Details on parts such as the instrument panel are picked out with fine, raised details. The bomb aimer/observer position is just as good and includes a very nice bomb sight. The reworked rear gunner's position is just as good, with nice extra details such as spare magazines for the lower defensive machine gun. The new turret is a multi-media affair, with new plastic parts (including a gun moulded from clear plastic – presumably for logistical reasons) and photo etched details for the fine stuff. Once the fuselage halves have been joined together, the wings and horizontal stabilisers can be assembled and fixed to the fuselage. Unlike some limited run kits, the parts have location tabs and slots to help ensure a positive fit. The prominent nacelles, which house the large Double-Cyclone engines, are each made up of seven parts, while the engines themselves are made up of three parts – two rows of seven cylinders and the reduction gearing. They are nicely detailed and should look good once assembled. The undercarriage looks well detailed, but frighteningly complex. Each of the main gear legs is made up of no fewer than six parts, plus the wheels themselves. I would recommend taking great care over these stages in the instructions as you don't want to end up with a wonky aeroplane when you come to rest it on its boots. The main gear legs actually fit directly to the wings, and it is possible to fit the rear engine nacelles over these parts afterwards. This should make things a little less frustrating as you will be able to place the parts precisely rather than having to stuff them inside a cramped undercarriage bay, but it will obviously make the task of painting the model a little more laborious. The remainder of the build is concerned with the addition of the transparent parts and some fine details such as the the radio antenna and propellers. The transparent parts are thin and clear and shouldn’t present any problems, although I have not been able to check to see how well they fit at this point in time. Markings for two aircraft are provided on the decal sheet. A-20B Havoc 'White 20' in US camouflage scheme with over-painted markings and a caricature of the Adolf Hitler on the nose; and Boston III 'Yellow 5' in British camouflage with over-painted markings. The decals are nicely printed and look quite thin and glossy. Conclusion This is the only modern tooling of the Boston in 1:72 scale, so it’s fairly easy to recommend it to modellers interested in adding the type to their collection. It looks good on the sprue, although opinion seems to be divided as to how easy it is to build. Some people have reported fit issues whilst others have stated that the kit practically falls together. Nevertheless, it is still the best Boston out there and with the interesting twist of the new turret and marking options, it can be firmly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
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