Devilfish Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 No, not a Whif.... 85 Sqn operated Defiants for one whole month, in January 1941. They were assigned for use shortly after the squadron took up it's night fighter role, it's Hurricanes not being suitable for the job. Unfortunately, the Defiants that were given to the squadron were early mk1s and we're not fitted with AI radar, so relied on ground controlled interception. By February 1941, the squadron were re-equipping with American Havoc night fighters. No photos seem to exist of 85s Defiants, so I have used artistic licence with the finish of this kit. Built from Airfix's excellent 1/48 kit. The build was quick and viceless. The worst part of the build was the paintwork. In order to get the intensely matt look, I tried several varnishes, all without success. Normally tamiya matt gives me a semi matt finish, but, after several coats of Revell and Humbrol matt, the Tamiya seems to have done the trick. The only addition to the kit, other than the sqn codes, was the pilots harness, which is an Eduard part. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I like the way you've weathered this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Great looking Defiant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Devilfish- love the model. I've been looking for a photo of an 85 Sqn. Defiant to do as well but unsuccessfully. Do you know any serial numbers? I may have to take a look at some of the Sqn documents when I go to kew at some point. Best regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 9 hours ago, 85sqn said: Devilfish- love the model. I've been looking for a photo of an 85 Sqn. Defiant to do as well but unsuccessfully. Do you know any serial numbers? I may have to take a look at some of the Sqn documents when I go to kew at some point. Best regards Nick Unfortunately not. I'm having a hard time with a lot of the 85 Sqn builds I have planned. The Mossie NF36 I have already done was, I thought, the most straight forward, until yesterday, when I saw that all other sqn types carrying the chequerboard had them the other way up to the way the decal sheet shows. But one of the clearer photos I have found shows mine to be half right. Very confusing! The Hurrcane Nightfighter I have planned is also causing me grief. BBMF repainted their Mk IIc as VY-X a few years ago. But records show the sqn to only have flown Mk1s, as far as I can make out. Simple enough. But then I find a photo of an aircraft which looks like a MkII...Turns out it was a Mk1 with a MkII prop and spinner. And of course, no one makes a 1/48 Sopwith Dolphin or Grob Tutor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Nice build. And to answer the raised question... The following Defiants were on strength with 85 Squadron : N1803; N1805; N3327; N3328; N3374; N3389; N3433; N3434; N3436. HTH, Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 5 hours ago, AndyL said: Nice build. And to answer the raised question... The following Defiants were on strength with 85 Squadron : N1803; N1805; N3327; N3328; N3374; N3389; N3433; N3434; N3436. HTH, Andy. Awesome, any codes? Devilfish: I'm also working my way through the Sqn's various aircraft. I went for an NF30 mossie. How did you do the clear radome? Have you seen this before: I flew BYUS, BYXT on 85(R) Sqn and BYUJ which was the first a/c I soloed on at Southampton UAS and also flew it again on 85(R) Sqn. Best regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted January 9, 2017 Author Share Posted January 9, 2017 I didn't do the clear radome. From photos, it appears not all had them, so I went with that... Current jobs are the aforementioned nightfighter Hurricane, a NFII Mossie and this.... The MkXV I got a Boston/Havoc for Christmas, which I will be adding a gun nose conversion to. Recently picked up the Airfix Meteor F.8, and I have a Flightpath Bloodhound Mk2 on the shelf that has been started. (the only kit that won't be 1/48 In the stash I have a Javelin, a Canberra, an SE.5a, a couple more Hurricanes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 great looking build. the paint work and weathering look fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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