Chris Royle

Fairey's test pilot Peter Twiss described the aircraft as a "nasty little box"

In the recent past, I have been the recipient of a few items that have helped me complete a model. These have come courtesy of generous modellers answering my requests via this forum. I would like to redress the balance by offering some surplus parts that may be of use to someone out there. The parts in question are 2 sprues (sprue B) containing the armament from an Airfix 1/48th Canberra B(I)6 / B20 kit, product no. A10101A If these are of any use to someone, please e mail me cm_royleAThotmail.com (AT = @ and note 1. the underscore between cm and royle and 2. there is no a in my surname) Best wishes Chris Royle

this is not the wanted section. Do not place sale or wanted adds anywhere else. You need 100 posts to use those areas. Please read the site rules.

Does anyone know the shades of red and white (or is it off white or pale Ivory) used by Hawker on the 2 seater flown by Bill Bedford at the 1960 SBAC Farnborough Air Show. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Due to to the generosity of 2 fellow modellers, I now have replacement canopys for my 1/32nd Revell Hunter. This website is a brilliant resource. Thanks again chaps and seasonal greetings to all. Chris

Ivor, Please e mail me cm_royleAT (=@)hotmail.com Many thanks Chris

Ivor Thank you. One is on its way from Tony, but if I make a mess of that, then perhaps I can take up your kind offer. This forum is really remarkable. Thanks. Chris

Tony. Thanks. PM sent

Folks. I have made a mess of the canopy on this model. Revell are unable to supply a spare as the kit is now discontinued. Has anyone got a spare they could let me have? Happy to pay and pay postage etc. Thanks in advance. Chris Royle

Gentlemen. What a fantastic resource this forum is. Thank you to all. I now have all the information I need. 71Chally, a number of us from West London Aero Club at White Waltham were all set up for a fly in visit to SWAM in early May, but then the wretched COVID struck! Hope to make it when you start allowing visitors again.. St Athan has a particular place in my family's hearts. My younger brother served in the RAF, and after initial training at Halton, was posted to St Athan doing majors on Vulcans. Then followed a 5 year stint with the BBMF at Coningsby, and then posted back to St Athan as team leader on Tornado majors. He was moved from that task to oversee and manage the re-sparring of the BBMF Lancaster, a job for which he was subsequently awarded the MBE. Last, I had the best birthday present for my 60th, flying in a Hunter T8C WV322 from Exeter with Chris Heames in command, and looked after by John Sparks' team. As you will know, he and his merry men are now at St Athan.

Brilliant! Many thanks chaps. Is that the Shackleton at Coventry 71Chally?

I have just started building the Frog Shackleton MR3. Can I ask for help with colours of the interiors of the bomb bay (and the bomb doors) and the wheel wells. Many thanks in advance Chris

Another thought. There are the remains of a Mk31 behind one of the hangars at Enstone aerodrome. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19960718-0 Might be worth asking if you could have a look. But the accident was nearly 25 years ago, so time will have taken its toll.

Nice Dunlop film of happier more innocent times featuring Silver City Mk32 Superfreighters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kstdaFg0drc

Try contacting the Silver City Association.http://silvercityairways.com/

Thanks to John Aero for the info re the figures in your diorama

Question for John Aero regarding the Moth / Bugatti diorama in his post of April 6th. Can you tell me the name of the suppliers of the figures please? They look spot on. Thanks in advance. Chris Royle

Sorry. Just realised, that link is not helpful. I can't find a link to big-sky-scale-models either

https://www.scalemates.com/brands/big-sky-scale-models--9722

John R Many thanks for the pm and the advice. I shall ponder before contacting any further sources. I came across a book today, entitled "The Hunter Story" by Martin Bowman published by The History Press in which there appears to be a colour photo of WB188 taken at Dunsfold. However, it may be a b and w photo that has been "colourised". It was difficult to tell in the artificial light of the shop. Colour photos of WB188 in duck egg green do seem to be elusive, and possibly non-existent. An interesting thread. I'll post any further information if I find any. Thanks again Chris

Thanks Magpie"" PM sent Chris John R If Magpie's info. provides what's needed, then job done. Otherwise I'll take your advice and start a new thread Thanks Chris

Does anyone know of any colour photos of WB188 taken in 1952 / 53 when in the duck egg green finish? And I mean the original WB188, not later aircraft masquerading as WB188. Thanks

This from a good friend. Regarding the symbol on the fuselage, the brief answer is no. But making further enquiries about that. Turn to Neville Duke’s autobiography Test Pilot in the Grub Street pb reprint of 2003 and look at photo no. 30, There is a picture of WB188 taking off, shot from the starboard side. Although it’s not pin-sharp, the b & w photo shows the conventional ejector seat inverted triangle beneath the canopy and not the strange ?lion’s head apparently shown in the Pathé clip. True, there’s nothing to show that this pic in the book was taken on the same day as the record attempt; but the serial ‘WB188’ is clearly visible, as is the pointed nose. I treasure Duke’s caption: ’The red Hawker Hunter WB188, in which we set the world speed record for a closed circuit, in September, 1953.’ Note the ‘we’. Those were the days when men with the DSO, DFC and 2 Bars and AFC were modest and part of a team, rather than grandstanding celebs with nothing to their names but hot air… (Forgive the rant, but Duke remains a hero of mine: a thoroughly decent man as well as a superb pilot). (Me too. Chris)

Gentlemen. Thank you for your replies. Both most helpful. Chris