Graham

Hi folks, would anyone know of someone who makes custom masks for a future 1/32nd project. It’s mainly nose/tail art, tail codes and bomb tally markings. Thanks

My dad always said they were known as blackfish while Fairey built were referred to as swordfish hence why I titled it as Blackburn. I had a little accident where I dropped one wing and 2 of the etched parts snapped, so I ordered a spare etched set from China and it arrived a few days ago 12 days in total so not bad. So decals are on, wing repaired and no it's complete.

Here is my Trumpeter Swordfish which I am building as an 825 Sqd machine on HMS Victorious while chasing the Bismark. My late dad was on board as an air fitter so I thought why not build it as I've never built one of the aircraft from any of the squadrons he served on. I'm quite far into the build so please excuse my laziness for lack of progress pics, she was carrying the early ASV radar which are not included in the kit.

This is my dad on the “USS Robin” and the 8H on the cowl looks lighter than the sky camo but it could be the light. It’s a Mk IV with 896 Sqd, the old Frog kit for the MkV has the codes in white.

Hi Ed going by Bruce Archers article the IV’s were FN while the V’s were JV 325-636. I’ve also found a build of an old Frog kit of JV429 which also claims it’s with 896, if only someone made the shorter cowl for a Mk IV in 32nd scale.

Hi guys, for my next build I’m planning on building the old Revell Martlet MkV. I have found a photo of one which says it’s from 896 Sqd, 8N, JV429 onboard HMS Pursuer. Can anyone confirm that the information is correct also what colour are the code letters as they appear to be white/light grey. Thanks

Cheers Dave, I had never seen that pic before so as Tony said it confuses things even more. As I’m doing a 825 Sqd Swordfish and they were hurried onto the Victorious for the Bismark attack it sort of makes sense it might have been placed there. But the tunnel also makes sense as they were going on a torpedo mission so no need to use it, might just toss a coin to decide its location.

In the Swordfish MkI’s on the Bismark chase how was the ASV positioned? I’ve only found 1 pic and it appears to be from a later mark as it’s mounted horizontally on the bulkhead behind the pilot but also under a small portion of fuselage, where the Mk1 was open. I found one model built where the modeller has positioned it vertically from the floor near the foldaway seat. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's the Wildcat pics, plus a couple on deck my Dad is the solo and then guy on the right with the cap and a US battlewagon for good measure. Graham

Hi Richard, I’ll look them out and post them hopefully tomorrow. As far as the Wildcats that they had I believe they started off with 6, they were the 3 gun folding wing type the F4F-4B. From what I think I can make out from the pics are that the serial numbers appear black and the single code letter looks like dull red. I’m also wondering as A was FN290 and B was FN291 that the other aircraft were C-F if the serial numbers were 292-295?

Just stumbled across this topic, my dad was on 896 Sqd as an air fitter and he has photos of the Wildcats that they had at Quonset point. 2 of the aircraft that I can read serial numbers on are A, FN290 the C/O’s aircraft Lt:Orr and B, FN291. There’s 2 more but I’m unable to read them if you’d like to see the pictures let me know.

I broke mine and they sent me the full clear sprue in about 2 weeks, I’m in the UK.

Hi folks, would anyone know where I could get 2 ASV antennas in 32nd scale? If not would anyone know what the dimensions are so I could try and scratch build them, they are for a Swordfish project.

Thanks Ian.

Thanks Ian, I found a free PDF of the Warpaint mag. So am I right in thinking that the camouflage colours are extra dark sea grey and dark slate grey on both wings and fuselage with sky grey lowers?