Peter Roberts

😕 Humpf, back to the model desk then….. 😉

I agree, ship alphabetically, starting with Australia

Ahhhh! Bl**dy spell check! Sorry 'bout that

Thank you Mike - I appreciate your input here. That is good clarification. Rats, looks like more decals needed. Plea posted in Wanted section.

Noice. Wigwam?

(Big intake of breath)….. SACRILEGE! Tar and feather that man!! Next you’ll be installing RED crowbars!! 😯

Now that’s some good news, at last. Thx for the heads up

Thanks guys - will try to stay patient! Amen! The mail, she ain’t what she used to be.

Hannants have the following decals: DK Decals DK48018 - will let you do AZ-D, X4036, usually flown by Bob Doe. You can also cobble together AZ-Q, X4009, flown by Pat Hughes. Both 234 Sqn Possum Werks PW48004 - Has two aircraft flown by John Dundas (609 Sqn), but they messed up a bit. The codes are in Sky not Medium Sea Grey (MSG), wrong font for the a/c code letter, and missing artwork for ‘Q’. Note 609 Sqn a/c also usually carried the a/c code on the nose. R6699, while often associated with David Crook, was usually flown by John Curchin. Edit: the Aeromaster sheets in the link above have the artwork for PR-Q, but again have the font wrong for the ‘Q’ which appears to be more oval in a photo of the a/c, differing from the font of the Squadron codes. Also, their interpretation of MSG appears to be a bit dark. Edit 2 : I think Ultracast have been known to have old Aeromaster decals sheets, but for a bit more than when first released.

I don't want to start up another RM/Hannants abuse campaign, but I am interested to know if overseas customers are now getting their mail. I have many Hannants orders still in limbo somewhere - one dated back on 12 January is still showing in tracking as on it's way to the RM - !!!???

Many years ago I applied for, and got, a photographers pass. There was a separate marque with tea and coffee, and tables and chairs, and a bus to take you to various strategic locations around the airfield. Still recall a MiG 15 diving straight down on me as I lay on the ground. Not sure if these passes are still available, or so easy to get, but may be worth a search? Lens? Sorry, I haven't a clue, not that much into it. I know, sacrilege.

More great analysis! Thank you, KG3 it is then. I have those shots but never noticed the dachshund before. Nice one of the driving permit. That last shot suggests a pretty sloppy paint job, and the last minute application of the census number. Found some shots of the engine so may pose it with the bonnet up. Or not. Wonderful help mate, thank you Edit: Just found hub caps are separate items in the Tamiya kit

Yes. I did notice that hub cap - I'll see if I can vac form something, or cast it. Good idea with the tyre - thank you. The surface gives the impression of a brush paint job (!) and I am thinking the interior may have stayed the original colour - me thinks SCC2? From what I have seen these vehicles got the same colour inside and out. There are a few dings in it when you start to look closer, and as you picked up, some missing rivets.

Wow, nice analysis and some great pick ups. Thank you. I like your thinking re: paint job. I have been able to get the Hussar and Legend resin sets so will put those to good use. Not sure what to do about the roof tyre - may just squib it and use the OOB version. I’ll sus out the net and see what I find. The rear ‘L’ plate shouldn’t be too hard to find, but good spotting re: only one census no up front. Might squib the rear one too on that account. Do appreciate you expertise on this one - I hope others benefit too. Thank you.

Brilliant! Thank you very much, I think even my dim brain gets that. Would the census number be on both sides of the bonnet? Edit: Hmm, kit only has one census no. and 'L' plate. Will see if I can hunt up some others.

Thanks guys! Great info. Probably doesn't help that it has been given a shine! My apologies mate, but not sure what these are - ? I see a black square, a number plate (?), a no. '2' on a yellow disc, a red 'L' on a white square (learners plate?) and a black/white chequer square. Not sure which is which. When you say 'mirror of those on the front', do you mean they swap sides on the rear, or have the same sides when viewed from behind but would appear mirrored if looking at their positions from the front (and through the tailgate)? As you may see, I am completely ignorant with this stuff, sorry, back to kinder for me. Edit: Okay, did some quick Googling: Census no. is on the side of the bonnet (?) - "M1136086" so would also be on the tail gate? The 'Arm of Service' is the black/white chequer on the off-side of the car, and would be on the off-side at the rear too (?) Is this correct and what about the other symbols - on the tailgate too?

One other question if I may please. What markings are likely to have been on the rear of the ‘Princess’s’ Tilly?

Thank you gentlemen - that is wonderful information! I appreciate you both taking the time to spell this out for me - just what the ‘doctor ordered’ for this newby. Very much appreciated.

Okay, got the kit and some bits to help, but what colour is that Tilly!? I am tempted to go with olive drab but my basic research says something called SCC2 - ?? Sorry folks, I am but an ignorant a/c builder and this is WAY out of my comfort zone. Any help/guidance with colour appreciated. Thank you PS Also any recommended paint sources would be much appreciated - the builds I have found don't say what paint was used (!)

Good grief Andy! I am so sorry to hear of your trials, what a nightmare but some good upsides as you say. My best wishes to you as you reconstruct the book - one definitely to look forward to - and hopefully some employment soon to help pay for things. I don’t think they’d be stupid to employ you - that is a great effort you’re under talking there.

Thank you very much Andy, that is brilliant. I am amazed that the pilot effectively had no forward protection, and no armoured windscreen. Not a lot for the gunner either by the sound of it. Unlike the Hurricane and the Spitfire, it looks like the Defiant Mk I didn’t get much altered up to and including the Battle of Britain, aside from constant speed props and overcoming a few mechanical issues. I believe you are/were working on a Defiant book Andy - did that get done/published?

Does anyone have any information on what armour was installed in the Boulton Paul Defiant prior to the Battle of Britain, and when? Or any good references to consult? The ‘Defiant File’ appears mute on the subject, unless I have missed something (which isn’t out of the question! )

Nice assessment - thank you. Still waiting on these in Aus - apparently March arrival according to my LHS who heard it from the distributor.

The Wingleader books are great aren’t they, especially at highlighting lots of little details sometimes overlooked.

Have you tried retail outlets? Plenty of these on the Kingkit site for instance