FAA 815 Sqn Build

[SARowl]

As a former member of 815 Sqn, when I saw Xtradecal's 815 Sqn decal sheet (X72-108) I just had to start modelling the history of this illustrious squadron - Taranto etc. 

The squadron initially formed at RNAS Worthy Down on 9 October 1939, from the remnants of 811 and 822 squadrons that had survived the sinking of their carrier HMS Courageous in September 1939, with Fairey Swordfish aircraft. In June 1940, the squadron embarked on HMS Illustrious and sailed for the Mediterranean in August, attacking and minelaying the North African coast. The squadron gained early fame with its involvement in the Battle of Taranto in 1940. The battle consisted of a raid on the Italian Battlefleet in harbour at Taranto which redefined the use of air power from the sea. During the battle only one squadron aircraft was lost (unfortunately with the Squadron's Commanding Officer), compared to the crippling of half the Italian Fleet. In March 1941, the squadron was once again involved in a major operation at the Battle of Cape Matapan. The squadron re-equipped in August 1941 with a mixture of Swordfish and Fairey Albacore aircraft, operating from shore bases in support of the North African campaign. On 10 July 1943, before 815 Squadron was disbanded. To be continued...

 

Fairey Swordfish MkI, L7648/X of 815 NAS, Heliopolis, Egypt, 1942. The model is the 'old' Airfix mould and is showing it's age. The engineering and fit was poor, causing alignment issues. After market helped and was sourced from, Airwaves AC72-178 PE set, Pavla U72-135 resin oil cooler and generator pipes, Mini Part 0.303 Browning machine gun and a 'bodged' Quickboost QB72-363 exhaust.

 

815 Swordfish 1 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 2 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 6 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 5 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 3 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 4 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

What would I change? the Swordfish was based in the desert under the sun, I think it should be dusty and more weathered, sand is very abrasive. The rigging could be tighter. I've found out that the oil cooler is wrong for a MkI. The torpedo should be black with a yellow warhead?

 

815 builds to come are:

 

3 x Swordfish

Albacore

Fulmar

Barracuda

Avenger

Gannet

Whirlwind

Wessex

Lynx HAS 2/3

Lynx HMA 8

 

Cheers

 

John

 

[Procopius]

This is a great idea. Always wanted to work my way through the 74 Squadron sheet, myself.

[stevej60]

Great start to the collection John,not many would even consider Airfix's Swordfish these day's especially nice to see it built so well too.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Great looking Swordfish 👍 

[Paramedic]

Very well done on that old tool. Looking forward to the upcoming ones, especially the Albacore!

[Grey Beema]

Great idea to build to a theme - something I do myself.  Sometimes it makes the research harder and certainly means you will need to cobble up your own markings but the thats what Xtradecals sets are for and it makes it far more interesting.  It also keeps the stash down because the stash is focussed on the theme (well ish.....)..

 

Great start with the Swordfish, you did a good job on it..  Maybe, as you say, a bit dustier and a bit scruffier but that is largely a matter of taste, it also depends on where the airframe is in its career, fresh out of the MU and it wouldn't be as tatty...

 

Keep up the great work and keep showing us the progress..

 

 

[Dazey]

 

15 hours ago, SARowl said:

The model is the 'old' Airfix mould and is showing it's age.

13 hours ago, stevej60 said:

Great start to the collection John,not many would even consider Airfix's Swordfish these day's especially nice to see it built so well too.

 

Dear John,

 

Nicely finished Swordfish. Is this the kit that was repackaged by Revell? (that's the one I have waiting for me, but I like the idea of modelling one from the Bismarck attack...).

Regards,

David

[SARowl]

David,

 

the Revell Swordfish is the repackaged Matchbox kit. I've just finished building one and I'll post the Photos ASAP.

 

john

 

 

[SARowl]

815 NAS, Swordfish Mk II, HS180/S6B, Dekhelia Egypt, 1942.

 

815 Swordfish 7 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 8 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 9 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 10 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 11 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 12 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 13 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

This is the Revell/Matchbox kit and a much easier build than the Airfix old mould! I've weathered the aircraft to represent a dusty, sun bleached, worn, desert veteran.

[SARowl]

Swordfish Mkl L2810 '3UM', 815 Sqn, HMS Furious 1940

 

815 Swordfish 14 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

This is the old FROG kit bought at a reasonable price from eBay.

 

Frog Swordfish by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

Although an old kit, it's the best engineered and accurate of the kits so far.

 

815 Swordfish 15 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

Although it has raised panel lines, the engineering of the kit allows it to be built in the wings folded postion.

 

815 Swordfish 16 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

The decal roundels are original FROG, but I printed the letters and codes.

 

815 Swordfish 21 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

I tried to present the aircraft in a neat and tidy condition because 815 was only formed in 1940 so the Swordfish would have been fairly new.

 

815 Swordfish 19 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

815 Swordfish 20 by hegertyr, on Flickr

 

My next build is the latest Airfix Swordfish kit in the Taranto colours!

 

Enjoy

 

John