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Biggles81

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Everything posted by Biggles81

  1. Note also the AR G codes varied slightly over time (in fact George entered service as UV G). They were removed when George was refurbished when being prepped for return to Australia in 1944. When it left Prestwick and for many years after it did not carry the AR G codes. In another twist if you wish to model it, it is worth deciding if you wish to depict it before or after the rear fuselage and tail were replaced (with mismatching paint demarcation) after being damaged when a nearby Lancaster blew up during bomb loading. Look closely at various photos for details. The aircraft was also completely restored and repainted in the early 2000s to replace components suffering from age. Externally repainted based on original photos. Earlier shots of George on display in the old aeroplane hall show it as repainted by the RAAF for the AWM in the 1970s.
  2. This is worth pursuing for an Australian perspective: https://shop.awm.gov.au/products/viking-boys-beaufighters-bravery-and-lost-airmen
  3. I am pretty sure the Dutch Hunter's from 322 Squadron were F4s with the wing upgraded with the leading edge extension from the N-101 to N-193 batch.and they certainly would not have referred to it as Operation Trikora. That said I like your thinking but to continue your theme then 20 Squadron should be from Operation Dwikora. https://ipms.nl/artikelen/nedmil-luchtvaart/vliegtuigen-h/vliegtuigen-h-hawker-hunter
  4. http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/opfalconerhornetskb_1a.htm Note HUG was many programs spread over 3 Phases, Falconer jets were HUG 2.1 standard. The physical manifestation of which has been covered above.
  5. Yes you are correct, the Royal Australian Air Force was the first operator - in fact the aircraft was developed specifically for us and has become a world beater 5th Gen AEW platform. I started out in the Project AIR 5077 "Wedgetail" Office in Canberra back in 1995 and am immensely proud of the E-7A Wedgetail.
  6. Thank you - I think you are right - I can see two styles of rudder and two types of ailerons on the sprues. Great potential
  7. I am going to have to ask the obvious - the boxart is G-VENM which is variously listed as an FB 1 or FB 50. The kit is and FB 4 if I read correctly. How hard is it to get from an FB 4 to an FB 1? I know little about Venoms.
  8. It was indeed a later event for ex-RAAF trained Spitfire pilots to be transferred to the BPF to man Seafire Squadrons. For much of the BCATP our graduates went to Bomber and Fighter Commands as well as the RAAF's expeditionary squadrons (10 Sqn, 3 Sqn). It seems though almost like difference countries unofficially provided more aircrew to difference streams. If you look at records New Zealand provided a disproportionately large number of aircrew to the FAA via the RNZNVR.
  9. The giveaway was the six tube sonobouy launcher which sits behind the radome. Also there is a 1991 Gulf War EWSP pod - can be seen in the linked photo. The S-70B2s had a bunch of upgrades and new bumps added - this looks like it was a Gulf War conversion from Aviation Workshop/Hawkeye. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C308801 (RAN S-70B2 1991)
  10. They are parts from an old S-70B2 Seahawk conversion for an RAN S-70B2.
  11. The orientation of the image posted by @wmcgill is correctly portrayed - note Al Deeres wings are on the correct side of his uniform and there is no sign of the pilot entry door. I have seen other references that at least one of the Kiwis (probably Kiwi II, I have also seen this image identified as P9398) had the insignia on both sides and this image certainly confirms it.
  12. It is probably a mistaken belief arising from the transfer of the 805 Sqn numberplate from the Royal Navy to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm after WWII. Either way never RAAF.
  13. SD-H had a 3 blade prop when photographed. Wingleader covered this airframe in detail in their Spitfire Mark 1 Photo Archive, they managed to find more photos of it including one that shows that it did not carry wing roundels. See https://www.wingleader.co.uk/shop/spitfire-mk1-wpa1 for details.
  14. They were 500lb MC bombs in the film.
  15. https://images.defence.gov.au/assets/Home/Search?Query=20210622raaf8658961_0136.jpg&Type=Filename
  16. Note the really interesting stripped to natural metal RAF Spitfire XIV and the rather nice RNZAF 14 Sqn FG-1D Corsair.
  17. US pattern bombs and depth charges Phil
  18. Light Admiralty Grey was also used as an upper surface camouflage color in RAN FAA A-4G Skyhawks, but also more commonly in British wheel wells as Giorgio has said.
  19. Wow - Both the Battlecruiser and the Aircraft Carrier look nice - I may just have to get the latter though.
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