Uncle Dick

Came across this image from http://ww2today.com of the exact aircraft Airfix are depicting KG 459 with caption: Troops of 5th Indian Division loading a jeep into a Douglas Dakota Mark III of No. 194 Squadron RAF, during the reinforcement of the Imphal Garrison. Known throughout the Burma Theatre as “The Friendly Firm”, No. 194 Squadron maintained intensive troop and supply sorties into Burma, and Imphal in particular, between March and June 1944. Figures in the Airfix "box art work" look lifeless and smartly overdressed with what looks to be winter uniform for the tropics of Burma/India, but Dak looks OK, lets just say Tooby is getting there... not sure of the airfield though! Presume the holes in the windows of the Dak are firing ports?

Nice work - for anyone interested in picking up a few 1/72 AZ Model Austers - hobbylinc still have them in stock (Mk III, IV, V) a touch pricie at $31.89 each though (I picked up one of each after watching this build! ).

Love the different colors - brilliant job!

The single large bomb in this kit being flat at the front does not look like a SC 250, is this suppose to depict an AB 250 then, if so it is not quite right either? Or is this another fantasy reproduction? Edit: Thanks my mistake.

Here's hoping for some nice weapons options: torpedoes depth charges AS-12 missiles and one of these beauties put me down for at least 4 kits (2 RN, 1 KIWI and 1 INDO) - love the wasp!

While the models look superb, a word of caution for those planning on purchasing a few kits for the armament variety, looking at the "pictures" you may be inclined to believe you will have all the armament in the kit when it is released, unfortunately I found out the hard way with the AH-1G Cobra helicopter release they omitted the exact piece of armament I bought 4 kits for (they had shown in these pre-production advert pics - that being the 7 tube rocket launcher!!!!!!! ) so wait for the reviews of what is included in each kit before jumping in to buy multiples ... I hope the air brakes in the F1 can built in the deployed position!

While the models look superb, a word of caution for those planning on purchasing a few kits for the armament variety, looking at the "pictures" you may be inclined to believe you will have all the armament in the kit when it is released, unfortunately I found out the hard way with the Cobra helicopter release they omitted the exact piece of armament I bought 4 kits for (they had shown in these pre-production advert pics - that being the 7 tube rocket launcher!!!!!!! ) so wait for the reviews of what is included in each kit before jumping in to buy multiples ... I hope the air brakes in the F1 can built in the deployed position!

Managed to order 4 from HLJ during their Black Friday Sale for around 6 quid each not including postage - but I will have to wait till February for delivery

Greetings Chaps, it is surprising that photos of FAA Corsairs with ordnance are few and far between, BPF Corsairs did indeed carry bombs, Lt Robert Hampton Gray (RCN) earned a VC (posthumous) conducting a raid from Formidable sinking the Amakusa see: http://shrineodreams.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/remembrance-day-the-hampton-gray-memorial-at-onagawa-bay/ While the art work (from same source above) suggests US style bombs (I would tend to agree on this due to the supply chain) I have not seen any photos, image from LIFE magazine (I do not know which issue; source http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49237&start=0) also show FAA Corsairs in European Theatre markings bombed up - this is a gem of a pic, so bombs they did carry...(Some were even used as dive bombers on the Tirpitz carrying one 1,000lb bomb and one external fuel tank see: http://hmsformidable.com/Formy-recollections1.htm ) also take a look at what has been posted previously on britmodeller is always worthwhile see: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53323-faa-corsair-ii-with-tail-band/ and http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/65200-faa-corsair-iv-pylons-and-rocket-stubs/ and http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/64887-corsair-iv-zero-length-rocket-rails/ and http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/54492-faa-corsairs-and-bombs/