bar side Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi What was the preferred RAF tug vehicle in late 70s / early 80s for the likes of the Phantoms and Tornados? I have seen the USAF 1/48 kits with a Harlan tow tractor, but I doubt the RAF had them - wonder if they made it to UK USAF bases like Lakenheath & Bentwaters (if so were they yellow or green?)? I have a feeling I have seen yellow Ford 5000 tractors as RAF tows from this era. If so that is roughly do-able for 1/48 via 1/43 o-gauge models. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 We used to use the Douglas Taskmaster https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexandernilssen/3979992858/ in the 70's for everything from Phantoms to Canberras then moved onto the Douglas Super Taskmaster in the late 70's and into the 80's http://www.mod-natodisposals.com/ljdbase/files/IMG_0907-20110428-150644.JPG. XVTonker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 Cheers XVTonka & thanks for the links - I think a 1/48 Taskmaster is going to be wishful thinking. One for a scratch build one day. Might settle for a Harlan and scratch build a cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 You may be in luck because I know that Neil Gaunt at AIM was looking at producing a Douglas Taskmaster in 1/72 & 1/48 scale. I should be talking with him tomorrow (Sunday) and I'll ask the question. XVTonker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onosendai Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 We used to use the Douglas Taskmaster ....Interestingly, missing in my catalog, I was thinking of doing something sooner or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldeagle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I would like to build a model of the Taskmaster.It would go nicely with my dual-serialled Gnat model.While he was on detached duty at Machrihanish,a bored J/T decided to play silly beggars with the towing vehicle in the nearly-empty Gaydon hangar,resulting in a visiting Gnat having to fly out the following week with the rear fuselage of a sister aircraft fitted,after it was brought up from Valley in a Hercules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 The Taskmaster looks just like a Fordson Major tracktor weith soem bodywork attached. The Super looks like it could be the same underpinnings with some less than fancy shaped (boxy) body work. The former, not too difficult to kit bash for a die-cast model. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldeagle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I am no expert on tugs,but I have now realised that the tug involved in the accident(?) at Machrihanish was a Sentinel Tugmaster,not a Taskmaster,and that a kit is available.Please excuse my ignorance on the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 So there is a Tugmaster 1/48 kit - bit pricey but I guess it's a low volume resin kit https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE48050 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 I should be talking with him tomorrow (Sunday) and I'll ask the question. XVTonker I'd be interested to hear what you find out XV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldeagle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I think that I will have to break the bank and buy the Tugmaster kit before I finish the Gnat.Luckily the Gnat that came to grief is XP500,as depicted in the 1/48TH Airfix kit,so all that I have to do is change the serial number and tail code.Unfortunately,I didn't record the registration number of the Tugmaster.I wonder if the accident report is recorded somewhere?The airman left the station in deep trouble,so something must be recorded! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evalman Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 The Massey Ferguson was a very common sight towing early Tornados etc. This one has recently been restored into colours worn during the early 1980s. Unfortunately I don't think there are any kits available. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Lovely looking Massey there Evalman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldeagle Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I intend to make this my last posting on this subject,as four-wheeled thingies are not usually in my sphere of interest.Have you tracked down the thread,R.A.F.tug for V-bombers,started by Bravo Lima,Mar 19,2009?There are loads of tug pictures,and even drawings for the Tugmaster and another tractor.On the web there is a video of a tugmaster towing XM655.I remember the one at Machrihanish was supporting a Buccaneer detachment,by the way.I am amazed at all the different tug types that seem to have been used,and there is even an M.T.Drivers dedicated web-site which deals with them.I'm getting out of here! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasacop Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 The Massey Ferguson was a very common sight towing early Tornados etc. This one has recently been restored into colours worn during the early 1980s. Unfortunately I don't think there are any kits available. The good old Massey Ferguson MF50 or as we used to know them The Pope! Named after the Popemobile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 A range of 1/72, 1/48 models of the various tugs used from the 1970's to 90's has been long overlooked. They're vital for any diorama to look the part.. XVTonker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) I've just had a very interesting chat with Neil Gaunt at AIM and he thinks the idea of producing a range of post-war aircraft tugs in 1/72 & 1/48 scale very appealing, in fact he sent me the following screenshots of a Douglas Super Taskmaster design within half an hour showing his Catia design. It seems that this is another of the kits delayed due to his wife's illness and death. The kits will be available in 1:72 & 1:48, not 1:144 but possibly 1:32 It would be very interesting to see whether a kit of the Super Taskmaster would be of interest to other Britmodeller? I know I'll be getting a couple of each in 1/72 & 1/48 scales for future dioramas... XVTonker Edited February 14, 2016 by xvtonker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ascoteer Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I shall definitely have a couple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 That would look good on a diorama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 ....Interestingly, missing in my catalog, I was thinking of doing something sooner or later. go for it !!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evalman Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I would certainly have a couple in 1/72 scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) I've been talking with Neil and have some news on the RAF tractor/tug front. He's received the test etchings for the Super Taskmaster, which he says are excellent and of high quality. Also, after much discussion I've managed to persuade him to produce a model of the Douglas Taskmaster, also known as the Medium tractor that was widely used in the 1970's. He provided me with some CAD shots that look amazing. ​ Neil expects masters in 1/72 & 1/48 scale for both tractors to arrive next week so hopefully we'll see them available in the very near future. XVTonker Edited March 24, 2016 by xvtonker 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 The Taskmaster CAD looks very good. So that would be an etch kits too I presume? Saw an old ESCI kit on ebay last week with a Ford tractor tug - the attached website suggests this could be seen in Germany at RAF bases? http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/164727.aspx With a US take on things there is an offering from Skunkworks which looks nice http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skunkworks-Tow-Tractor-Force-48028/dp/B00A4U3ZVM Kind of tempted to go with the Hasegawa US ground crew set & replace the tractor when a taskmaster comes along & a proper houchin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) The Taskmaster CAD looks very good. So that would be an etch kits too I presume? Saw an old ESCI kit on ebay last week with a Ford tractor tug - the attached website suggests this could be seen in Germany at RAF bases? http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/164727.aspx With a US take on things there is an offering from Skunkworks which looks nice http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skunkworks-Tow-Tractor-Force-48028/dp/B00A4U3ZVM Kind of tempted to go with the Hasegawa US ground crew set & replace the tractor when a taskmaster comes along & a proper houchin The Ford tractor tug wasn't used on RAF bases in Europe, but was used on the USAF bases.AIM's medium tractor is made up of resin and white metal parts. Don't think there will be an etched set. XVTonker Edited March 24, 2016 by xvtonker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 Resin & white metal sounds much more do-abe than etch. Thanks for the info on the Ford tractors - I had sen them in green so must have been USAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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