RussG

Hi, Here is the Airfix Vampire T11 trainer, built straight out of the box but using the extradecal X72172 to build the 43 Squadron version. This was a really nice build with no issues and hugely enjoyable. I hope you like it, Russ

Absolutely stunning!!

Thank you all very much for your positive comments!

Hi, This is the Airfix 1/72 model of the Boulton Paul Defiant painted to represent the one flown by Squadron Leader Gatheral, officer commanding 256 Squadron in May 1941. The model was firstly sprayed grey followed by a loose spray coat of black by which I tried to recreate a slightly weathered look. The decals used were a combination of the kit decals, which to be honest were rather thick and didn't really seat correctly plus odds and sods from model decal sheets. Boulton Paul Defiant I, No N3500, coded JT-B, took of from its base at Squires Gate near Blackpool on the 8th May 1941 at 00.20 hours to carry out a night fighter sortie in the Liverpool area, the aircraft was piloted by Squadron Leader G. H. Gatheral the Squadron Commanding Officer and his air gunner was Flying Officer D. S. Wallen. A JU88 was spotted at 16,000 feet and the rear gunner opened fire from 100 yards registering hits on the fuselage being the wing root. Unfortunately the Defiant was hit in the glycol tank by return fire and the cockpit and turret filled with liquid and fumes. The pilot and gunner baled out and the aircraft crashed in flames near St. Helens. I hope you like it, Russ

Hi, I am again uploading my 1/72 Airfix A.W. Whitley made straight from the box. I decided to go for the all black camouflage of 10 Squadron and attempted to enhance the black finish by first applying an overall black, spraying the main panelled area mid grey and finishing with a light overall black hopefully giving a weathered look. This was a really fun build with no issues at all. I hope you like it, Russ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/39081563852/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/39112903821/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/39112938081/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/24252025787/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/25246175268/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/38402815184/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/154169520@N02/39081540402/in/dateposted-public/

That is first class information Seahawk, exactly what I was looking for! Can I ask, does Rawlings give the similar information for the Spitfires that operated with 257 Squadron? Thanks again, Russ

Hi, Here’s my attempt at the Wellesley Mk I by Matchbox. The model represents an aircraft from 45 Squadron flown circa mid 1938 and was made pretty much out of the box. I thoroughly enjoyed building this old kit, which fitted surprisingly well and I even had a go at some internal detailing….which of course can’t be seen now but at least I know it there. I know I've posted this before but that was using photo bucket so since the photos have been deleted I have decided to repost it again as a practise! Thanks for looking....AGAIN Cheers, Russ R

Hi, I am interested in building a 257 Squadron Hurricane from the early Battle of Britain period (May, June and July 1940) but I need to tie the serial numbers with the individual code letters. I wondered if anyone on the forum would have access to this information; I have tried the 257 ORBs but they only list the serial numbers and there are no photographs of 257 Hurricanes (at least that I can find) from this period. Many thanks in advance, Russ

Great advice from the forum, I have managed to pick up a Model Decal sheet MD114 from eBay. Thanks again, Russ

Thanks everyone for all your help, I just find it odd that with all the after-market products that are available there isn't anyone who produces 24 inch 1/72 dull red decals? Thanks for your suggestion Selwyn but unfortunately Mark 1 don't appear to do 48 inch in 1/72....who would credit it! Russ

Hi all, Does anyone know of a company which produces 24 inch code letters in 1/72 for example a Mosquito? I have scoured the internet but can only find 48 and 36 inches i.e. mainly for bomber command aircraft. Please accept my apologies if this has been asked before, Russ

Hi, I am just beginning the build of a Special Hobby 1/72 Baltimore and I intend to paint it in the colour scheme of a 55 Squadron mk IV or IIIa around mid 1943. The aircraft will be in the usual mid stone/dark earth/azure blue combination but apart from a couple of photos on the net there seems to be precious little of 55 Squadron aircraft. This is important as I need to know the size and colour (I think they are red) of the code letter relative to say the roundel. Does anyone on the forum know of any publications showing 55 Squadron aircraft of around this time. May thanks in advance, Russ

Lovely trio and unusual schemes/units, great to see! Russ

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Yes, Doc72 is correct, 168 Squadron was with the 2nd TAF and was in mid to late 44 used to provide fighter escort hence the clean configuration. My only variation from Listermanns photo is that I have left the D Day stripes solid whereas the photo clearly shows an attempt to scrub them clean, although they are very much in evidence. Russ

Hi All, Two in one day, I'm on a roll! This model represents Typhoon IB EK140 QC-K flown by 168 Squadron in Autumn 1944. During this period 168's Typhoons aircraft were being used exclusively as fighters and carried no racks beneath the wings. The actual photo of this aircraft can be found in Phil Listemann's book 'RAF, Dominion and Allied Squadrons at War: Study, History and Statistics - 168 Squadron' I hope you like it, Russ

Thanks Wooksta!, I did do a little internal work on the cockpit.... you can just see it if you look hard enough and it does pep up an otherwise extremely sparce cockpit.

Cheers, I put the Wellesley in only because it was also 45 Squadron. I forgot to say that the decals were from the spares box and the inspiration and photos came from W/Cdr. C. G. Jeffords excellent book 'The Flying Camels'

Hi, Here is my attempt at a Frog D-H Hornet serial WB898 from 45 Squadron based at RAF Tengah in January 1953 during the Malayan Emergency. Although the model was very basic to say the least, it was a fun build, the fit was very good indeed and if you can ignore the raised panel lines it is a good representation of the Hornet. Thanks for looking, Russ

That is a really great Mustang, I love the weathering!

Simply stunning Whitley.......outstanding!!

Beautiful build, nice clean finish!!

Very impressive model and an interesting subject!!

Fantastic build!!

Something must have happened to JL778 because on 18th July 1943 W/C Davis was flying 'N' LX942

Graham, I do as it happens have parts of the ORB for June 1943 (I forgot I had it) and the serial for 'N' was JL778 flown by W/C. W. A. L. Davis DFC Russ