MrT

<WANTED AD REMOVED - NOT IN WANTED AREA, AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE REQUISITE 100 POSTS TO USE THE AREA. PLEASE BEAR THIS IN MIND GOING FORWARD> Many thanks Luke

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wow this is a terrific build! Nice one. It’s such a lovely looking aircraft with the Tollerton. Now all I need to do is find one… sadly Freightdog are sold out.

Hi all, thanks again for a fascinating read. I've had a read of Ken Merrick's HP Halifax, from Hell to Victory and Beyond as @Graham Boak suggested, which had some very useful information: images of DT643 with the Tollerton, DT792 described as a 'special' with the mid upper fairing turret, and descriptions of tests carried out on 'specials', including DT744, which is described as having the Tollerton nose, no 'saxophone' exhausts and MKVIII turret with the fairing. This aircraft was shot down on 30th March 1943, a few days before DT635 was lost on an Essen operation. In Halifax At War by Brian Rapier I also found a drawing of Halifax DT579, which has a Tollerton and the raised turret (I can't insert the image here but happy to send to anyone interested). I suppose if the aircraft were constructed in order, DT579 , DT643 and DT792 all having the Tollerton nose would logically suggest that DT635 did too. So it seems I need a Tollerton nose – if anyone has a spare one from the Revell Mk III kit or if @Colin @ Freightdog Models has one down the back of the sofa I am all ears. cheers all LT

Thanks again! This is all fascinating and very useful, I’ve ordered the book to take it out of the library. the excellent 158 squadron website does have an illustration of a Series 1 (Special) with the Tollerton nose, perhaps I ought to use that as a guide. https://www.158squadron.co.uk/history/halifax It also lacks the dorsal turret. I do notice that the crew of DT635 as listed on the Association only has one ‘pure’ air gunner listed, the other is a wireless operator / air gunner. I know crew would sometimes double up (eg bomb aimer acting as front turret) but wondering if this suggests there was only one proper turret on the aircraft.

thanks for this Geoffrey, very much appreciated! I guess it would have arrived at 158 on New Year’s Eve 1942 so too early for the production modifications of the clear perspex nose. Were aircraft usually kept at a maintenance unit for a while before delivery to squadron? I’m wondering if some changes - perhaps the solid nose fairing - could have been added in that period.

Hi all, I’ve just managed to acquire a Revell 1/72 Merlin Halifax and looking to build a specific aircraft. I’m trying to find out about the appearance of Halifax F-Freddie of 158 Squadron, DT-635, lost in April 1943. From looking online it seems this aircraft was part of order B982938/39 from English Electric. Would anyone know the appearance of this aircraft in terms of turrets and so on? I believe it is the same order from EE as the wrecked Halifax now at Hendon that has the front turret (not glazed nose) and mid-upper, but I’m keen to confirm this. The Revell instructions have the MKII as not having a mid-upper, but I’m not sure they’re correct. Any help much appreciated!