SleeperService

Without being able to find the orders stating so my researches at Kew found entries in several War Diaries along the line of 'vehicles turned in for replacement vehicles ready waterproofed and overhauled', there are also reports that vehicles in assault formations were to be OD or Green unless their role determined a different finish (some of the BARVs were in naval light or blue grey for example). This would tie-in with Mike Starmer's statement as 'B' echelon and follow up units in the divisions would be permitted in SCC2. The 40mm SP (tracked) AA guns were issued to three LAA regiments and converted in London based workshops they could be either colour and at least some were converted from the AA tank MkI. They were still being delivered after SCC15 was mandated so I think you are safe to use it. When landing they towed a second 40mm and carried the crew and their ammunition allocation, rations and kit, these were all dropped off and then the SP gun moved into it's position, there are photos showing the suspension heavily compressed under this load and they would all have had towing hitches. This was also how the triple 20mm guns were handled in this case one battery to each beach. These vehicles were retained when the LAA regiments lost their 20mm guns and later mounted onto truck chassis on the continent - their last use was bridge defence at Graves AFAIK. It is claimed that the Welsh Guards received the Centaur AA tanks in NWE but I am not aware of this being proved. However the Guards enjoyed a certain flexibility in their equipment retaining 6pdr Churchills until VE Day in the Guards Armoured Brigade for example. As for details I can recommend the New Vanguard volume 104 by David Fletcher and Richard Harley I think the sloping front fenders were an early type usually seen on vehicles with hull roof hatches, two track bins each side and usually seen with a 'U' suffix to the registration number to show they were not suitable for combat roles. While many of the Centaurs were built, for example English Electric, with the Cromwell engine deck and track tension adjusters differing only in the engine fitted the only thing not adopted was the rectangular access plate at the very bottom of the rear hull for access to the gearbox linkages. However with the chore horse in the hull mg position it may have been accepted as the hatch only accessed the engine for maintenance. The flat deck offers the chance to use SCC15 as good rivet counter bait. I wish you good fortune with both projects which, in 48th scale, are on my plan too.

There is also a complete ENGINE SET but TBH I have a few questions about that as well, a pity as it would be good to have one to show alongside a Harrier model.

I'm with you 100% having forgotten the 1/72 kit Thanks for setting my mind at rest I blame my medication. I built the T.4 kit and found that lining up the top surface and gluing before joining the wing halves and then working on the bottom half made things a lot easier, roughening up the mating surfaces gave a solid join while getting everything lined up. If you want to go to town on the interior give the Neomega set a look it can be made to fit with a little work. The Aires wheel well set I'm not sure about as fitting it into the Airfix wing is hardwork and I'm not sure the Sword wing will take it. My 'no more kits' resolution is reduced to a pile of dust already.....

I hope I'm wrong but the radome doesn't look right to me looking at the BM Walkround section and these it seems a little squashed and the angled rear a little too shallow. As these were transferred to Shackletons later there may be some around for people to check. I'm not sure that the radome from the Avenger is the same but if it is MDC do one. I applaud Sword's decision but, as always with any manufacturer, I hope they get it right I'm much happier adding detail than correcting avoidable errors cough cough Trumpboss....

I'm certain it's the old Heller/Airfix release my box claims 126 parts. Engraved panel lines, a pretty comprehensive stores selection, and generally thought to be better than the KH attempt. It can hold it's own with a bit of polishing but it's a very nice kit. I'm glad it's back as I'm down to my last pair of the originals.

@DrumBum I think you've made a pretty good job of that Corsair and generated more information from @LDSModeller who provided me much guidance sometime ago, he knows his stuff. I really want to get my attempt built now but I need to get some practice in first. @Phoenix44 The huge advantage of having a very good museum staff and lots of sources with first hand knowledge combined with common ground as a starting point will always give a 'local' a better chance at getting the story right. I was raised in Suffolk and got interested in a WW2 aircraft crash that occurred about five miles from where I now live in Derbyshire. The aircraft was a high altitude Wellington bomber, while back to visit Dad we met up with some of his mates who told me that one was at RAF Stradishall which was news to me. I talked to several others who had seen it as young boys and was amazed at how much they agreed upon. A trip to Kew with this knowledge ended up with most of their stuff confirmed. Older people remembered stuff in their heads and while things like exact colours may not be remembered ( I can't carry a colour for five minutes but my ex-partners Mum can for months in my direct experience) they will remember that So-and-so was first choice for a particular task.

Finally I have an update!! Since the last post I have rebuilt the whole area behind the pilot's seat as the joins in the floor were a PITA...then I noticed that the floor wasn't central or inline. Naughty words were muttered. So here we are and at the rear of the bomb-aimer's opening that lighter line shows the last issue I'm aware of with this kit and it's not down to me. No Sir, no way. GWH have made a small error at the front of part C21 the lower deck. It is simple to fix by removing the flat area to the starboard side of the bombsight mounting back to the first rib. The floor in this area was the fuselage belly. The large window to starboard was hinged along the centreline and opened inwards in real life. You may need to extend the solid section of part E2 to match the floor level which is easy with a bit of primer filler paint. This also applies to wheeled aircraft and they will need a Norden bombsight and the padding for the bombardier's area adding. Despite my self-inflicted issues this is a very good kit and well worth a look if making a TBD-1 of any type. My test-fit also suggests a couple of tabs at the rear of the lower wing to keep the belly aligned, if not there is a real risk of the join splitting later.

That's a very nice build and the colours look perfectly OK to me. Good call on the Heller kit, I decided on the KH one and went with an ex-RAF mate to a show to get one. He was not impressed by the KH version and told me over coffee. Later a display had one side-by-side on the table with the Heller and the difference was noticeable.

I'll be happy with either but the F2H-2 might edge it if forced to choose. I missed getting the conversion set but boy am I glad now. I'm starting to save my pennies right now.

We Thank You for your sacrifice I've got a Trumpy Su-9U Maiden which I will return to the stash in order to avoid confusing the Gods. I may be happier at this than I expected....

Hi Dana. Still hoping to get that Corsair built in a GB sooner rather than later. But first I need to finish this Devastator. Thank you both so much looks like it'll be needed then.

Hi There, hope you are having a good day. The picture is the assistant pilot's cockpit on the TBD-1 can anybody tell me what the circled item is please? I'm building the GWH floatplane as the proposed Dutch version and wonder if it would still be applicable.

An interesting project and I look forward to it coming to life. Is that 84mm shortening right? It seems a lot for 1/144 🤔

It's different which is enough for me to go for it. I still want the production Skyshark though....

Are you @JOCKNEY's Italian brother? You, my friend need urgent medical help

That's another welcome re-release. Hopefully they'll offer the upgrade parts they do too. Here's a bit of inspiration

Let us hope that the postage doesn't make these too expensive to get in Europe, this could be a killer with some much of the range being Eurocentric.

I researched this sometime ago and was sidetracked by the two seat rear cockpit as well. Ben has found some images from the FAA Museum's COD currently in storage which is pretty much as it left service - I'm told. They often carried two baggage pods (never wing drop tanks) for mail and other items which could be dropped for other vessels. The bomb bay had panniers fitted to carry stuff for the carrier. Hamilton Hobbies are producing the T.5 conversion if you want a 2-seat cabin.

One of those will be most welcome at SleeperCentral. Thank You SH

Have you an up-to-date stock list please? The site you used to link to appears not to be updating. Good call on the desert scheme option I think many will be happy to see that.

You and me both I wish him well in the new job and hope that somebody takes over the products.

That is a very weird load out AA missiles designator pod, and centreline tank with dumb bombs. If entering a competition with a replica then best take the picture. Could the tail unit be replaced as the original couldn't handle the speed of the carrier?

One thing I have noticed about this very welcome release is that the box art doesn't match the kit inside. Note the air intake on top of the cowling. But this is a very good kit indeed and the decals are superb. The kit comes in a plastic bag with each sprue is in it's own baggie inside so canopy scratching is avoided.

Disappointed that the Vautour is ignored again in 1/48. Israeli and French only which should ensure a wide customer base....😞 Looks like the Folland Gnat F.1 misses out in 1/48 as well. If I ever win the lottery those two would be releases one and two. I'd also do the Airfix AFV 1/76 range in 1/48, it might not make a fortune but it would make a lot of people happy.

I got a couple of those as well however there were a lot of other cheap deals going including Canberras and others that weren't vehicles. The reason for my comment is that NONE of the in-house produced vehicles were very good often at a standard well behind the classic ranges. The vehicles that have appeared since the tie-up with Academy are much better and they've moved into 35th scale where TBH they are selling well beyond their core market. In a business with a strong presence in an area the most certain way to grow your brand is widening the range of product both in subject and price. Having vehicles to give the aircraft a sense of scale is what got Tamiya back into 1/48 in the first place. Models are starting to appear more and would be even more popular if priced as the 35th scale kits compared to Japanese prices. HobbyBoss have re-entered the 48th market with a good Panzer IV and there are others. The problem with Airfix's approach was that people are very familiar with what vehicles look like and seeing wheels that are very strange is a big put-off, most won't look any further assuming that there will be more of the same. We shall see but while you see a niche market or even a fad, I see the next market evolving.