CedB Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 The 5th April this year is the 50th anniversary of Alan Pollock's flight through the span of London's Tower Bridge in protest against the government's lack of celebration for the RAF's 50th anniversary. Alan wrote up the episode in 'FlyPast' magazine, article here. I decided I'd like to mark this by bashing together a kit of his Hunter FGA.9 XF442 of No. 1 Squadron. Then 'the fun' started... 1/72 kits of the FGA.9 are out of production and old copies are hard to find. I found this one at a show: A few people have built this subject before; our own Devilfish built a beautiful 1/48 here and there's a thread of a 1/32 build on 'The Aviation Forum' here. Not many reference photos exist of the actual aircraft at that time (that I could find) but there's a few paintings. Hmmm. Let's have a look at what's in the box: ... with some bits and pieces, hopefully none missing: The canopy's not too bad: ... but the transfers are dead to me: Luckily I wouldn't be using them anyway. It looks as though I'll be printing custom decals and / or painting the roundels. Should be fun? Any help on colours, markings and anything else I don't know about gratefully received! 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) The incident is also related by Flt Lt Pollock in Hunter Boys - it's a while since I read this, but it's the article word-for-word or expanded a bit. [Edit] Just reread the book chapter, and my memory's obviously getting "older:" it's not a verbatim copy. Both article and book chapter are complementary. My apologies if I've misled anyone. Edited March 22, 2018 by MikeC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amblypygid Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Can't help with any advice on this build, Ced, but I'll be following along for sure. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) This Xtradecal Sheet may help with the Squadron markings, I'm sure if you didn't want to get the whole sheet a request in the wanted section would yield dividends. ISTR there was some debate over the serial number and code of the aircraft he flew on that day insofar it wasn't his usual aircraft. EDIT: I've now read the article (hadn't noticed the link before ), that clarifies the matter regarding the correct serial number and code of the jet on the day (now where did I put those spec's)? Wez Edited March 18, 2018 by Wez Extra words 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Nice choice and interesting preview!!! I'll be watching! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Me me me I'm in 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I'll join in too if I may, love the Hunter and with your skills a superb result is guaranteed! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoshenko Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Me me me, in in in, now now now. I'll be up the bar with Bill, within clear sight of the telly and close to the toilets 14 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 It is a great back story. and a worthy tribute especially in this the year of the 100th anniversary. Maybe you could include your build in the RAF 100th Anniversary GB starting very soon. Whatever will be watching with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 What? No first row seats already? OK, OK, I'll sit at the back Ciao 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 12 minutes ago, giemme said: What? No first row seats already? OK, OK, I'll sit at the back Ciao You can have mine, I'll have to sit at the back as I've forgotten my spec's and with my long sightedness anything nearer than a go-go-gadget arms-length away is a blur! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Often thought this would make a splendid diorama - Tower Bridge, London Buses and a Hunter suspended on fishing line shooting the gap! Don't suppose you fancy doing the whole shebang Ceb? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy G Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I'd like to follow along on this one, if that's ok? Thanks for the link to Flypast. If I remember correctly there's an account of the events in Hunter Boys. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Wow, what a crowd already! Welcome everyone Thanks Wez for the link to the decal sheet. My plan (before I get punched in the face) is to print some custom decals for the insignia, paint the roundels and fin flash and use 'standard' letters for the serials and 'H's. As far as I can see the only other large stencils are the ejector seat warning triangles and the 'Rescue' arrow and circle. I can probably do those and get away with missing out the rest at this scale? Roger thanks for the vote of confidence - I hope you won't be disappointed! Thanks Tomo for the picture - I have this blowup as my desktop background during the build Mark thanks to the link for the Centenary GB - interesting, but I'm hoping to post the RFI near the anniversary date and I'm not that quick! Dave - sorry, I don't do dioramas Colours... anyone have any details? I guess it's Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green with High Speed Silver undersides? Can I use the scheme pattern? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 1 minute ago, CedB said: Colours... anyone have any details? I guess it's Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green with High Speed Silver undersides? Can I use the scheme pattern? Ced, Spot on with the colours and that scheme pattern should be fine (I can't recall if that kit scheme calls up LAG undersides but it doesn't matter as the only difference between the two schemes was the change from silver to LAG). Intakes by that time IIRC were an off white colour, the upper surface colours wrapped around the underside and intakes too. Cockpit would be black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthemodeller Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 A story I’d actually never heard but this will be a fitting tribute. Can’t wait to see Tower Bridge in 1/72... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Just now, brianthemodeller said: A story I’d actually never heard but this will be a fitting tribute. Can’t wait to see Tower Bridge in 1/72... See! I'm not the only one Ced! Go on, go on, you know you want to... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Err...you're going to need some kind of fancy cutter if you're going to build the bridge too... Or is this in scale? 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missile-monkey Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Fascinating story....I like the idea of a 1/72 scale Tower Bridge ! ! Regards MM 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, CedB said: Luckily I wouldn't be using them anyway. It looks as though I'll be printing custom decals and / or painting the roundels. Should be fun? Any help on colours, markings and anything else I don't know about gratefully received! Hello Ced. Maybe this is a bit useful. Haven't heard of this story, so I'm in here for this Again, sadly the Hunter isn't one of my favourites, but a 1:72 Tower Bridge would be great (339cm/90,2cm). Maybe during the summer in your garage? Anyway: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Decals-Hawker-Hunter-The-Tower-Bridge-Incident-1-72-Scale-/202155871488 Edited March 18, 2018 by bbudde 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 OK, seeing as it's so cold outside cold snacks won't do, so I'm doing a list for the chippie - what does everyone want.... 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzn20 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, CedB said: The 5th April this year is the 50th anniversary Well now I know exactly where I was...Sat in Maths 3rd floor of Thamesmead School, Shepperton facing Heathrow approach watching them land...Whats Pi in decimal form ? Who knows there is an IL62 coming in.. All of a sudden This Hunter at house roof height, okay a tiny bit higher looking for the Thames at Shepperton to follow to The Smoke..and it was shifting. I shouted Look at that Hunter Mrs James went nuts but saw the Hunter.....On the News that night.. Blimey I saw that Hunter Dad, he loved it ..In the 70s and now in the RAF I was in the Osprey telling my mate this story, bloke sat next to us at the bar was on the see out crew when this guy started this mission. Brilliant story and has to be told ! Now how do you get the area of a Circle? Missed that bit with the b*ll*king you won't get any where watching Aeroplanes all day ! Edited March 18, 2018 by bzn20 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, keefr22 said: OK, seeing as it's so cold outside cold snacks won't do, so I'm doing a list for the chippie - what does everyone want.... Currywurst Pommes Majo for me please Also called "Manta Platte" here. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 8 minutes ago, bbudde said: Currywurst Pommes Majo for me please Also called "Manta Platte" here. Hmmm, I'll ask for you Benedikt, but I doubt many of our local chippies will have it..... Curry sauce & chips OK if not?! Keith 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 27 minutes ago, keefr22 said: OK, seeing as it's so cold outside cold snacks won't do, so I'm doing a list for the chippie - what does everyone want.... Can I have sausage and chips please. Thanks Roger 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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