LDSModeller

As Paul J mentioned in his post (you quoted), The Kermit Weeks owned Aircraft is a Sandringham/Sunderland (Sundringham), formerly an RNZAF Sunderland MR5 (Mk V), it was sold in 1963 to an Australian Airline (Ansett), and flown to Rose Bay in NSW Australia wearing the new Australian Serial VH-BRF NZ4108/VH-BRF Arriving at Rose bay NSW There at Rose Bay, the Sunderland was converted to a Sandringham, though because the conversion was not done by Shorts, it couldn't be classified as a Sandringham. VH-BRF Conversion to Sandringham - Many still refer to Kermit Week's aircraft as a Sunderland, and many make the mistake of referring it as a reference to build Military Sunderland models. TEAL (Tasman Empire Air Ways Limited) Operated the Mk IV Variant of the Solent - Photo by my Dad circa 1961 at RNZAF Lauthala Bay, Fiji of Solent ZK-AMO Solent ZK-AMO here in Auckland at MOTAT We have the only remaining Mk IV Solent in the World Regards Alan

Thanks Chris - I really enjoy the research part, and being able to share it Hi Anthony happy for you to use this for your reference, look forward to more of your RNZAF Builds Hi David The 339-23 was ordered by the Dutch for use in the South East Asia, but these arrived after capitulation of the NEI Forces 1942, and diverted to Australia. The 339-23 was an export version of the F2A-3 Buffalo, so you can't backdate it to a F2A-2 (different canopy/fuselage length etc) The Finnish version was an export variant of the F2A-1, so again different to the F2A-2 from which the Dutch/NEI 339C/D's were derived form and 339E RAF variant Regards Alan Bit of a small update The SH Kit fuselage has a light relief for internal stringers/frames, so I added some of my own The second section of the fuselage (lower) I added a piece of Styrene to make a Storage/luggage bay see note in Pilots notes below - You won't be able to see it but it's there The Pilots Notes mention Louvre's under the Pilots Seat/Frame My rendition of the Louvres Sitting in the fuselage In the book "Buffalo in Action", there is a photo of an 339E with its lower transparency open, and you can see the bottom of the Louvre Given that the RAF Buffalo had the "Race Track" ovals opening in the ventral transparency, not sure how the Louvre's circulated the air in the cockpit for pilots comfort Next is starting on the Portside Cockpit shelf, I removed the SH rendition for the fuel line (Straight pipe down), and replaced it with the one in the photo below The two Knobs/dials are (Top) Rudder Tab Control, Elevator Tab Control (side). Having grown up with my Dad having various Rheostat knobs etc, from Sunderland's and other former RNZAF Aircraft, they were black with white indents etc. if you look at the controls, you can make out white indents - I painted them white first, then black over the top and when dry buffed with a T shirt to expose the white underneath. Thanks for looking in, more soon Regards Alan

Hi Todders I know what you mean, When my dad returned from training with the USN on the P3 Orion (for RNZAF), he brought home a truck load of models, one being this Revell kit - I took a real liking to this tubby little Naval aircraft, and the fact it had Felix the Cat on the side too In a previous Group build (In the Navy), I built an F2A-2 as seen here Link to Build here Brewster F2A-2 Build My study on the F2A Buffalo, it seems that with each successive model the weight VS Engine performance was a factor Thanks Chris - hope you enjoy it Hi Dennis, Yes, Paint Colours....... Hopefully my build will help you decide to continue yours Both 488 Sqn and 2-VLG-V carried training sorties at Kallang, the NEI machines had much better power Hi All, Another Update So this is the Wright Cyclone R 1820-105A in the kit, painted up and ignition wiring, I used copper wire (not a good choice - too stiff) All wired up and with Data plates added the engine cylinders were dry brushed with Humbrol 171 Antique Bronze Just as aside, the "Metal" data plates are home made I painted aluminum foil with Black paint (either Enamel or Acrylic), then using a really sharp point (pin/needle) I scribed the plated using a templates and straight lines I had to make a few, as seen in above photo, before I got it "right", yhen I cut it out and used the likes of Kristal Klear to glue on Now why did i paint the R 1820 in US Colours? Generally (as I understand it) the British radials had a black Gear casing/body Well when I first started this model, I searched the "Net" as we all do, and there were on forums I joined up, seemingly Authoritative Persons (not the Jim Maas's, Nick Millman's, Dana Bell's), who seemed to have "Street Creed", and seemed to Know (Supposedly) what they were talking about, so I painted my model accordingly - bad mistake Fast forward years and much research later, I found out these Know it all's didn't know it all If you look at this Life Magazine Photo of an RAF 339E Buffalo being assembled at Kallang Note the Inner Assembly of the "Z" frames and sub bulkheads etc Not US Interior Green, but rather Aluminium paint (similar) - the Engine does look like it's in US Colours - that's fine See "A" in photo Now please bear with me, in my explanation going forward Many years ago in another life, I worked for a subsidiary of a US Fortune 500 Company, interestingly also involving some use of colours, in Production Management (manufacturing) and Production Planning. Now when a customer came to us wanting to spend some money, we either offered "Off the Shelf" "Off the Shelf - Tweaked" or our R&D folks worked their magic (sometimes with the customers technical teams). When looking at the Buffalo, Britain paid British Gold for these aircraft, They were Not Lend Lease. When a customer wants to spend money, you make sure they are satisfied with their purchase, so they come back to spend more The Buffalo really falls into all three categories of "Off The Shelf, Off the Shelf Tweaked, and R&D involvement. The Airframe was stock F2A-2 , but "Tweaked" (10ft propellers/Redesigned Windshield/sliding canopy Tail wheel etc etc) R&D involvement (cockpit interior -re-engineered for RAF equipment/paints). The engine probably off the shelf (though we know some engines were 2nd hand (read reconditioned), but like anything this was not a "Blindside to the British as you always ensure the customer knows whats going on So if you look at "C" in the Buffalo photo, note the framing colours, appear to be "Aluminium" not US Interior Green Note the Buffalo order was placed during the height of the Battle Of Britain - What colours were the interiors of say RAF Spitfires (note similar colours)? So I re-painted the Bulkheads etc to reflect the above photo, left the engine as is I needed to sort out the intakes for the Upper/lower intakes (upper for Carburetor. lower for Oil cooler) I shaped a piece of Spruce (funnily from an Airfix 1/24 Hurricane) to form a die to heat form the needed parts Upper Form Lower form The Pattern to form and styrene Upper and lower parts formed and glued in place Engine sitting in place for now So I had planned more for tonight, but will continue tomorrow Thanks for looking in Regards Alan

Hi Zac, very nice - great concept. It would have been interesting to have received some of these Mk I's during 1940/41 to patrol against German Commerce raiders in the South Pacific. Even more so from Jan 1942 to see off the odd Japanese Recon planes that over flew Auckland especially Thanks for sharing with us Regards Alan

Very Nice Looking RNZAF TAF (Territorial Air Force) Mustang, job well done Couple of Photos for you of NZ2429 One prior to application of TAF Marking (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) Bit of an oops moment, but wearing No 4 Otago Colours (at that time - later changed to checkers) (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) That may have been true when the aircraft arrived in late 1945, but were put into storage, and and most didn't come out into to operational service till at least 1950. Some were painted in a overall High Speed Silver (or New Zealand Equivalent). or were just natural metal. If the wing putty was to old/brittle or fell out, generally not replaced Regards Alan

Hi All, After involvement in the ANZAC Group Build ending in May, I looked through my Model stash to see what I could re-start (shelf queens etc), that I couldn't enter in the GB (with <25% done rule) I thought about this year 2021, and its meaning to New Zealand and more importantly the RNZAF, 80 Years ago, there were some significant milestones/events. Circa April 1941 the North American Harvard first flew in New Zealand for the first time, beginning the training at CFS's (Central Flying Schools) new pilots etc who soon would have to take the fight to the enemy (at that juncture Germany) - Note New Zealander's still continued through the EATS in Canada who went onto Europe (mostly) NZ1081 at RNZAF Station Wigram (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) On September 1, 1941,at RNZAF Station Rongotai (pronounce phonetically Wrong-O-Tie) - Now Wellington Airport, 488 Squadron was formed, being our first True Fighter Squadron (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) AOC was a Battle of France/Britain veteran Squadron Leader Wilf Closuton, with 9 Confirmed kills (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) Now 488 Squadron was not a true RNZAF Squadron (though manned by RNZAF personnel), it was one of a number of "Article XV" Squadrons which were RAF Squadrons owned and operated, but manned by Commonwealth (Dominion in those days) Personnel Article XV Squadrons Roll on October 1941, and now 488 (NZ) Squadron were sent to Singapore to help bolster defenses there, being based at Kallang Note the Buffaloes parked there belong to 67/243 Squadrons respectiveley (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) After Arrival and settling in, 488 (NZ) Squadron "Inherited" 20 odd 339E Buffaloes from 67 Squadron. A 67 Squadron Buffalo (Buffalo W8243 RD-B) and ground crew - The Sergeant leaning against the wheel is Sergeant EL Sadler, a Kiwi. (there were a number of Kiwi's in various Squadrons at that time in Singapore, a well known one, GB Fisken) (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) These were essentially non serviceable, so the Squadron maintenance Officer Flight Lieutenant Mackenzie (below) had a major job on his hands, Flt Lt Mackenzie, was also one of the Flight Commanders under Sqn Ldr Clouston (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) However Kiwi ingenuity and a No. 8 Wire Attitude, soon started to get the aircraft flying again A 488 (NZ) Squadron Buffalo still with 67 Squadron marking being moved into a hangar for some TLC (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) Roll on December 1941 (more especially December 7/8) when the War with Japan began in the Pacific. It's important to note here, that the war in the Pacific at the time of Japan's entry had been going on for a little over two years, with New Zealand and Australian Forces fighting a German presence, mostly in the form of Commerce raiders This is a photo of some RNZAF Vildebeest's at RNZAF Station Waipapakauri (pronounce phonetically Why- Papa-Cow-Re) where No.1 GR Squadron was based for a period in 1940 to hunt for the the German Commerce raider Orion, that had attacked and sunk shipping off the coast of New Zealand's western approaches - I have a SH Vildebeest to build as a 1 GR Squadron aircraft (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) With that little but short history lesson, I'll continue Good Reading/References (yes I've read Bloody Shamble etc/Hurricanes Over Singapore) for this are the two following Official History "The RNZAF in South East Asia 1941-42" This Book was Authored by the son of an RNZAF Airman who served with 488 (NZ) Squadron in Singapore, and based on his Dads diary/Journal Now why now do I finish (re-start) this build, well time has come and gone, and newer information has surfaced about the Aircraft, and more especially colours (well types used on US manufactured aircraft used by RAF/Commonwealth) I was never happy with the colours I initially started with, so now it's time to finish (more on colours later) the Kit is the 1/32 Special Hobby Brewster F2A-2 Buffalo, converting to an RAF 339E Buffalo Now I need to say that if you want to build an Accurate RAF 339E Buffalo, you need to make some modifications especially with in the Cockpit/Fuselage interior (more later) I have the 339E Buffalo Pilots notes, which has a some great photos within of the cockpit. - I will say, you can't just grab any F2A-2 kit add a Sutton harness and RAF Roundels and get a RAF Buffalo, if you want accuracy Just a note here, I spent at least two years prior to original building commencement, studying and referencing all the Red Numbers to find out what exactly the were/represented, hopefully that will show in my workmanship Starboard Side Photo Port side Photo Forward section of Cockpit and Instrument panels I'll be using Montex mask to add the RAF Markings Now before I sign off for this post, I will be modelling my Model after Buffalo coded NF-O serial W 8138 with a green dragon motif on forward cowling area, flown by Pilot Officer Noel Sharp of 488 (NZ) Squadron P/O Sharp and W8138 (RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions) Well I leave it at that for the time being, but hopefully more this evening ( Sorry, I have a multitude of photos to size etc and takes some time) Thanks for looking in Regards Alan

Hi VP My Dad when he went to the US (Moffat Field, Ca), to train with the USN on the P3 Orion (for the RNZAF), purchased a Mustang (1966 version I believe) with some of his Squadron mates and drove around California/Arizona sight seeing. Will have to see if I can find one, would be a great remembrance for the family I had totally forgotten about it - thanks for the memory prompt Regards Alan

Ah Ok memo to self, read a little further in future I don't have one of those Mustangs (real or otherwise) please ignore, my post one of those days....... Thanks Alan

Hi Folks, May I join this GB? I have a 1/48 Monogram kit (P-51D) I'd like to build as an RNZAF Target Tug. Thanks in anticipation Regards Alan

Hi Tom, May or may not be of help, but the Sunderland Dihedral from the Mk I/II Manual is as follows: 0 degrees 51' (with +/- 30') Not sure how 51' will read in 1/32 scale, should not amount to much This is a Mk V Wing but should give you some idea Hope this helps? Regards Alan

Hi Mike, Having looked at a Curtiss Built P40E-1 cockpit/Internal colours, which were a mix of RAF type/US paint colours, Lockheed looks to have done similar in the RB 34. I would venture a guess that the Internals colours in the wheel wells may well have been the same for USN aircraft Not about keeping you honest, you were using the RB 34 to illustrate , though I can think of other individual(s) (especially when it comes to RNZAF Aircraft (little OTT here) who need keeping honest. Regards Alan

Hi Mike, Not to rain on your Parade, but the RB34 (NZ600) in the link in your post, was a Lexington built to RAF Lend Lease requirements (hence RAF type Interior Colours etc), in us with USAAF prior to handing over to the RNZAF, so the colours may/may not be accurate for a USAAF/USN This link will take you to some interior shots by Dave Homewood (Former RNZAF), on his RNZAF Forum, here in New Zealand RB34/Ventura NZ4600 Regards Alan

Hi AW, Very nice. I recall seeing them in person, as we lived by RAAF Laverton (Altona actually), where they would visit. One morning while driving by Laverton, a flight of these came in at low level, then peeled of one by one to land, pretty cool sight Thanks for sharing with us Regards Alan

Hi Paul, PM sent Regards Alan

Hi Steve, I was only referring to the little Blog/Comments provided with the profiles with the RNZAF Markings, where they referred to the fact that NZ3072 flew with 16 Sqn, as Fisken's personal mount which is factually erroneous. (hence my mention of Fisken/NZ3072 with14 Sqn at Guadalcanal, and the other pilot climbing into NZ3072) They did get the Cat on both sides of aircraft correct. The Roundels I didn't comment on, as I think the same as you, the Monitor may make them look greyer than they really are?? FWIW, SH probably could have made life easier for its self if they used the same Blue as in the RAF Roundels (RAF/RNZAF Blues were similar) Hope that clarifies things for you? Regards Alan