Mancunian airman

Chris I'm not aware of any of those three being produced in plastic/resin or even 3D as yet . .. I am always on the look-out for any small (4mm) scale vehicles Recently a Hillman Tilly and Crossley 4x4 crash tender have been 3D printed . . .

Not sure the Weeton type is available from Oxford? Didnt the Weeton have a closed cab and/or a 'tower' unit on the rear ?? As for the Crossley, I make reference to the b/w photo shows at a fighter airfield around the BofB period . .. plus I have a photo of it on a BC airfield at the end of the war. Would like to see a photo of the 'full bodied' Crossley . . .

Sorry Simon but its 76th scale, it matches the rest of my fleet of RAF types . . . Its from a guy who has 'just' started into 76th scale rather than his usual 144th scale Ian

A one piece 3D printed model for airfields throughout the war . . .

I know its not your scale but in this digital age perhaps he could re-programme his print for your 48th scale ?? Its got to be worth an ask . . . . http://www.iconicair.com/Tallboy/

Always thought the gas paint on the sheet was a random splosh rather than a full paint . . . ?? It may sound odd but on the photo head on, the near side tyre looks bigger than the off side ?? AS for the weathering and detailing, I'm blown away ! The realistic appearance is as it was a real vehicle, you have the amount spot-on. There is much to admire

I am intending to put in a ground defence position on the diorama. The positions of the Bofor AA positions are to far out from my planned area bar one so I thought a smaller position would be a feature to incorporate . . . You can see the bofor position on the left

Kingsman I think I would be tempted to go with the first of the un-named BC station only because I think the mount is probably the best match. Would the square 'door' have been the ammunition store do you know ?? Also can you tell me where that photo is from as I would like to use it by way of an illustration ? I think the example in the Bristol channel looks a great bit of kit but I dont know if the base diameter could allow for rotation in the Ingham example ?? Ian

Firstly, thanks to those of you who responded . .. This is a wider picture of the position . . . I take it that the alcoves were where the ammunition was stored. These go beyond the inner square and look to have been covered with earth. The width of the square measures approx. 8ft square A repeat of the first photo showing the 8 bolts in position for fixing a base of a gun mount . . The central circle measured approx 63" with a 9" 'step' (?) surround. The images are as those in Richards link of a Gun position probably LAA" which I take to signify 'Light Anti-aircraft' located at former RAF Ingham with the position being along the A15 road Just need to clarify what type of weapon was mounted on the 8 bolt base. . . . thanks again rgds Ian

This concrete base was surrounded by a short wall and contained alcoves for storing ammunition(?) but I am wondering what kinda gun was mounted on the almost 7ft. diameter base ? I am thinking of a display alongside an aircraft with an RAF Regiment crew manning a gun but first I need to know what type of gun and how many crew . . .. I have seen a similar set-up on an American airbase with a B17 in the background but thats was more like a machine gun pit . . .. Thanks for any help or pointers . Ian

The detailing ans weathering is just fantastic . . . . Onto the next one I guess Ian

Absolutely not Mike . . .. Base colour SCC 1a Brown and then 'black' I think . . .

https://beacon-models.com/ Look under their 72nd range . . .

I recently found this available which is ideal for my airfield diorama. The RAF used Standard and Hillman utility vans rather than the Austin type . . . I am so impressed with the detail of the 3D print that I ordered two more this afternoon . ...

Some detail going in . . . " but I know its in there . . "

I would consider having the tanker vehicle across the face of the aircraft, (or slightly angled) I think it would look more natural .. . . As Adrian said, get some staining on there as part of the weathering . . . . Great effort for displaying your wonderful B17 aircraft . . .

Got to admire your perseverance . . . Many years ago I scratch built a Manchester using a system of cutting out sections on the Lancaster wings to the desired span. Formed my own engines from scrap plastic and went on the utilise the Lancaster's undercarriage and tail wheel. The tail fins and tail-planes were simply cut down to size. You are afar better modeller than me and I can see that your eforts will soon show the results of a Manchester worthy of any display Carry on the good work Peter

I have watched a number of youtube video's and these old trucks carried a lot of rust but were still driveable so I'm looking forward to see how you apply rust . . .

I love the period vehicles, you have nailed them both. . .

Thank you all for the information and links to further reading. As Paul suggested the book by Norman Crumb, I am pleased to say that I have obtained a copy. Lots of useful information although nothing concerning Killingholme airfield directly but there is reference to both Immingham & Grimsby sites. regards to all Ian

treker_ed Thank you for the compliments. Yes I too was an air cadet and remember having to make such a declaration. I also remember the red flags flying and I am on the look out for some figures laying in the prone position so I can place some sand bags at the firing position. I wanted to make it as accurate as I could . . . Ian .. .- -.

Heather, You are not alone . . . Thank you for your kind words, you could of course have a small 'dispersal hut' in the form of a Nissen hut in the background whereas I on the other hand, am creating the whole technical site of which the firing range is in the middle . . .

This has been a long time coming but its finally finished. Its based on the example at Grimsby from in pre-war RAFVR days when No5 Group set up a unit there. I have actually extended the wall as there was only the straight back wall and the 'wing' was added when the airfield was built as a bomber station. No plan(s) exist as far as I am aware so a number of visits to former RAF stations, Hemswell, Newton, Ingham and Binbrook, gave the the basis for the build. I know I recall firing at such a range . . . . Ian .. .- -.

I would say that you could sink the bunker at least as far down as the firing position with perhaps one/two of the slip ways being visible. As slackbladder has said, build up around the bunker and this should take away some of the height issue so that it blends in more with its surroundings . . . Good luck with your endeavour . . .

An alternative to cardboard is a poly sheet that I obtained from the garden centre . ... I built a T2 hangar and it took no longer than an hour to cut out the pieces . . . ] Being a form of plastic makes it easy to glue and I used strip of wood to make the frame sturdy . . . I made up the roof and doors from the one sheet . . I even managed to put some structure inside that was glued to the side wall . . . Its a fairly cheap purchase and easy to work with, I cut the pieces with a stanley knife . . . . Just worth thinking about if you want something lightweight and easy to carry/move about In fact I had enough on the one sheet to build a smaller hangar . . . windows cut out on three sides so all things are possible best of luck Ian