LDSModeller

Hi Jim It took me a while to get my head around what was currently accepted, and what evidence was coming forth. I'm pretty sure I drove our resident expert at the RNZAF Museum nuts with my multitude of questions. Yes you are right, a very unusual but very attractive scheme. Regards Alan

The thoughts on the P40K's in the RAF TLS Scheme is based on Charles Darby's interpretation. we know know some of Charles's P40 info is wrong/debunked - I have met Charles Darby too. If you look at photos of the P40K's, they are painted in the RAF Type B Scheme which was never used on any P40's supplied to RAF orders, that I am aware of - None also that I am aware of, had "Scalloped" edging of the undersides paint. There is a photo of a P40K which has 1/2 the Starboard wing showing the New Zealand applied paint peeling off exposing the paint underneath which looks very much like US Neutral Grey. An order came through prior to the departure of the P40K to the Operational areas to be painted in the RNZAF Pacific Scheme. (This information came way later than Pete's site's information) If the K's had arrived in the RAF TLS Scheme, they would not have been painted in the B scheme (makes no practical sense). If the K's had arrived in US OD/NG, then application of a the NZ Sea Blue Grey over the OD using the B Scheme makes sense, then adding the Duck Egg Blue/Sky hence the "Scalloped" Edging. This is a model I built last year for the Pacific GB in the scheme I described above Regards Alan

Hi Stu, Unfortunately the author of the above got things wrong date wise. By the date stated above October 1942, NZ3040 was serving with 2 OTU, Ohakea, code FE-A and had a mid air with a Hawker Hind 23 October 1942 NZ3040 did serve with 15 Squadron Whenuapai (phonetics Fen-nu-a-pie) allocated June 1942 Colour wise the aircraft wore DuPont colours of Dark Earth/Dark Green/Sky (Sky being Duck Egg Blue not grey/gray), Codes being Sky. Serials Black 8inch Cockpit colour I would state a Blue/Green Colour similar to this Hudson interior colour (Photo use permission of NR Mines) Seat harness - Sutton Harness Photo link to NZ3040 NZ3040 Roundels in US DuPont Colours, Insignia Blue/White/ Red/Yellow Hope that helps? Regards Alan

Hi All Part two So continuing with the "State of the Art Theme, the Mk V Manual in my previous posts above has the following measurements for the Mk V Fuselage The actual length as you can see is 85' 7.5" or 26.0985m Special Hobby on their Kit Instructions gives Length as 26m However proof is in the pudding with 1:1 26.0985m = 362.497mm in 1/72 I measured the Special Hobby kit fuselage Hmmn - about 2.5mm too long For good measure I measured the Airfix Fuselage Pretty much spot on The Italeri kit measured also a tad short by 1mm (Caveat of course these measurements are subject to the ruler being correct etc etc) I looked at the bow area - Front hatch too big to my eye, and that hatch panel, not on a Mk V Looking at the real thing I took to measuring a couple of other things, such as the Front and Rear hatch. This from the Sunderland Manual, I worked out the given measurements to 1/72 I measured the front hatch height Hmnn roughly 1mm too tall - will need to address that Rear Hatch Roughly .4 of a mm out - Transparency areas annotated where they ought to be. So onward and upward That Upper Hatch issue Special Hobby version - annotated by me Late into production of the Shorts Sunderland Mk III/V's the Upper Turret was deleted You can see from these photo links the changes in production Sunderland with Upper Turret Fairing Sunderland without fairing and new Hatch and hump These photo links show what the actual hump and shape of hatch look like RAF Seletar Sunderland with Hump and open hatch RNZAF Sunderland in Chatham Islands RNZAF Sunderland with Hump and Hatch What it looks like from the Inside I have actually been up through these when the RNZAF Sunderland's were in Service. I have some thoughts on how to address this, more on this during the actual build Now those darned Anti Submarine bombs I have a magazine article (do think I can find it for this) written by an RAF Sunderland crewman who served at Seletar during the Malaya Crisis, and he tells of dropping 25lb bombs from the Galley Hatch, on the insurgents, by hand. However he also tells of carrying and dropping "Lindholme Gear" to a ditched Spitfire pilot in the South China Sea To me this would have been more appropriate for for a Cold War ear Sunderland - you can see one mounted on an RAF Sunderland at Seletar RAF Sunderland with Lindholme gear For those interested on how it works a Video clip Lindholme Gear video I have some more things to discuss, but I will address those during the build. Next action item, Cut Some Plastic Thanks for looking in Regards Alan

Hi All, Bit of an update - Thank you for all your comments (seriously, I hope I can deliver ) Hi Franz - No I won't be adding any aftermarket, at this stage - The Eduard PE stuff is really just a re-pop of their Italeri Mk I/III kit stuff, and that is all fiction, with the exception of the new Bomb bay doors, the kit ones will suffice I think So on with a Kit Review Part One Reading through comments above, Adrian (#4) made the comment about a "State of the Art" Sunderland. That really got me thinking - What does State of the art really mean in terms of this kit? Looking at various Online dictionaries, "State of the Art" means modern, up to date techniques used to manufacture and any other descriptive words to show that it is a cut above the rest. I can suppose that modern manufacturing techniques have been used, this is not my first Special Hobby kit, and previously the kit was nice, but had foibles like fit etc. In continuing with the State of the Art theme, I thought surely that should include things like accuracy, given modern techniques for measuring, extensive research given (or not) the amount of information available these days. So on with my findings - as a Caveat, if any modellers chooses to built this kit OOB - have at it. Boxing The Kit boxing is quite sturdy, my box top was a little difficult to remove, but SH have chosen to use a sturdy box, and it offers the kit very good protection - Kudos for that. Looking in the box you see the following Well Presented, all parts well bagged. Special Hobby has chosen to use re-sealable bags which I'm very happy with, given previously, on any kit, one had to cut the bag open and any loose parts could fall out....... Kit Sprue Shots Fuselage Exterior The kit fuselage has panel lines - I'm not sold on this, and the jury is still out on this, we shall see..... It's quite apparent that given the "Extra" portholes, Special Hobby have future plans for a Mk I/II and Mk III/IIIa. Sorry Special Hobby, but a Mk I/II had a different fuselage, in that the Mk I/II fuselage was 10 inches or so wider at the fuselage base (read waterline) than the Mk III/V fuselage. That equates to around extra 3mm in 1/72 scale in width. The fuselage bow door is open to display the interior if you want, the fuselage also has indented mooring bollards, more on that later. Fuselage Interior shot Special Hobby have moulded the internal ribbing/stringers, though this does not extend to the far stern section. Thoughts on this, mmmm........ The Rear Hatch door if a proper Post war/Cold War Mk V/GR5 is missing the Transparencies for Crash axe and Fire extinguisher - more later on this. Wings/Vertical/Horizontal Stabilizers Wings have paneled skinning, with moulded Ailerons - interestingly Special Hobby have moulded the lower wing section with the "Fluted" wing trailing edge and Aileron shape, but not the top wing half. Special Hobby have moulded in/on, the covers for the Oil Cooler vents (upper wing Leading edge). The vertical Stabilizer/Rudder is moulded separate and can be positioned but not Horizontal ones. I note that the wings have big tabs which look to be "Inter locking" though if you wish to build an interior. that will seriously impinge on your build space. Additional Sprue Sprues show from top to bottom, left to right Exterior parts: floats/cowling Hamilton Standard Propellers (have to measure to see if 12' 9"), exhaust stubs, Interior Sprues, (sorry I have issues with some of this already), RHS Sprue, more external parts, which again suggests Special Hobby have designs to model a Mk I/II Sunderland (see previous comments re fuselage width). The main issue for me in the part upper LHS of sprue tree for a Late production Mk III/later production Mk V, and found on all later (Cold war ear) GR5's. This insert part is totally fictitious - Sorry to say, - more later.... These spues have have a mixture of items, Beaching gear, external ASV parts, Bomb Bay roof/more interior parts. The strangest inclusion is the early WWII 250lb Anti Submarine bombs??? More later on this. Clear Sprues The parts are clear and thin, which also include a "clear" door for the bow hatch to show the transparencies for the Crash axe/fire extinguisher. Also includes clear bomb bay doors, as well as a Clear Astrodome and hatch. The afore mentioned parts obviously easier to mask clear areas and paint. Decals and markings sheet Note attached is a resin RDF Pod, interestingly enough one is already on one of the sprue trees - cool for me as RNZAF MR5's have two Not so clear in my photo above, are the Emergency stencils see below for close up The lettering, especially Cold War era, looks very similar/same as the RNZAF used on our MR5's, being as follows (from RNZAF Museum) I'll have to measure and see. Kit Instructions (By the way we Kiwi's are not New Zealander's, but New Zealandian's ) Looking inside Instructions As with any Special Hobby kit, where multiple aircraft versions are possible (in the future) the RED X showing what parts not in use (nothing to say you can't build a WWII Mk V with upper turret from this kit) Argh those darned bombs, not to mention some colour calls, and crew bunks in the Bomb Bay. Earlier in early Marks of Sunderland's (Mk I/II come to mind) Crew Bunks could be found in the Bomb Bay, but these were only on special order from Shorts (Short Sunderland Mk I/II manual) Paint/Marking guides Of Interest a photo of Sunderland SZ566 "Z" in Ocean Sentenial, shows no Grey Lanolin water proofing as depicted in the above by Special Hobby. Anyway end of Part One, Part Two soon Regards Alan

Unfortunately over the years some myths have been promulgated by misinterpreted photos/information, and as Troy says there are folks in a certain geographical location who swear the bottoms colours of either British Purchased/Lend Lease aircraft are light grey. You are correct that "Texas Longhorn" ET601 is an Airframe built for British orders. Some of these aircraft were held back for USAAF use, the RNZAF inherited some from the USAAF 68FG in Tonga October 1942. USAAF P40E-1 in RNZAF Use This one shows what is to be ET449 with USAAF 68FG prior to hand over to RNZAF ET449 One ex USAAF P40E-1 NZ3094 (ET433) as in below survived the war, and was returned to New Zealand NZ3094 (ET433) On return to New Zealand the Tongan P40E-1's were noted to be in Dark earth/dark Green/Sky (Duck Egg Blue) albeit somewhat weathered (as recorded by RNZAF) NZ3094 survived the required scrapping by Lend Lease, and was held in a warehouse indoors away from the weather. I was privileged to see some photos (more modern colour), and the airframe was still in it's original colours, the lower wing still in Duck Egg Blue. The interesting thing is the cockpit was painted in a Blue/Green colour, not US Interior Green The other interesting thing is that Texas Longhorn ET601comes from the same production batch as a number of RNZAF P40E-1's delivered to the RNZAF in New Zealand early/mid 1942 (Serial range ET604-610) If you check out my entry into this P40 GB, you can see some P40E-1 Swatches form my Collection of an RNZAF P40E-1 The lower colour is a very Pale Blue with a Greenish tinge - nothing Grey about it RNZAF P40E-1 Build Sorry for the long winded reply - hope it helps - Vellejo do have a Duck Egg Blue which may be of help to you? Regards Alan

Hi all, Got my hands on the kit Nice art, though I think personally the artist, either took some license or Special Hobby (SH) has absolutely no idea about Sunderland operations. Main flaps should be set at 1/3rd for take off.. Sunderland's never flew with the Mooring Mast attached to top of Fuselage (triangular looking item) interestingly SH mentions that the Mooring Mast is only fitted during mooring, in their kit instructions. These were a Navigational/Nautical requirement of the aircraft Captain/Commander when on the water. From the Mk V/MR5 ground handling notes As a precursor to my Kit review, prior to my build log, some technical references at my disposal (along with what I have learned form my Dad, or seen/done myself) The above mentioned Notes This particular one served at Lauthala Bay, as you can see - my Dad most likely handled this This one always make me chuckle, have to wonder what this poor sod had done to end up here? (Thoughts of "You Horrible Little Man.....") Flight deck I have this book also, which has Mk V drawings (Photo copyright mine, used for illustration purposed only) Finally Thanks for looking in, I have taken photos of the kit to upload, just have to write the review Check in again in the next day or so Regards Alan

Thanks Chris, It will be interesting to see what's what in the kit, and how it does/doesn't go together. Kick off is tomorrow ...... Regards Alan

HI Davey, always happy to help - Yes I've read the same about the SH kit, we'll wait and see I guess Thank you Regards Alan

Hi All, Place Holder for Saturday Kit box Bit of a dialogue: I actually wasn't planning on buying this kit, however I changed my mind. I am planning on doing a kit review (haven't seen one on Britmodeller yet), and I will build as technical build, as an RNZAF MR5 (Maritime Reconnaissance), based at RNZAF Lauthala (or Lacala Bay in Fijian) where my Dad was based for a time in the 1960's Main Hangar (Photo are my Dads, but Copyright is mine) Aerial view of Lauthala Bay (Photo I believe is RNZAF -Used for illustration only) I Hope to build as a diorama with the Sunderland sitting in the braby (you can make it out RHS of photo) Sunderland in Lauthala Bay Braby (Photo I believe is RNZAF - Used for illustration purposes only) My Dad also served at RNZAF Hobsonville, where I grew up, and got to see Sunderland's in Service and see and do things on Sunderland's that aircraft lovers can only dream about Hobsonville or more colloquially Hobby And as far a technical build, I have the real thing to use as a reference (yes I have crawled over every possible inch of this aircraft) As far as Kit sprue shots go, you'll have to wait for Saturday, as SWMBO won't let me have it till then. (Birthday Pressie ) See you Saturday Regards Alan

To be honest, if you are going to build OOB then exterior wise, the Porthole as you mention, Scribing the Gouge Flap lines to the sides of fuselage, and if you're feeling that bit inclined, filling in the porthole rings for the non opening portholes If showing as a "Beached" or Moored aircraft, fill in the Bomb Truck slots, these were closed off by thin metal strips when not in use. Interior wise the flight deck is pretty much fictitious (exception being the Wireless station bulkhead) but, if you're happy with what's in the kit? (I have both Italeri kits). To your question on scheme as per Italeri instructions, then yes it is correct. History per "Ocean Sentenial" Book W3999 - 1st flight December 15 1941 TOC Pembroke Dock January 5 1942 - 10 (RAAF) Squadron Lost on Operations June 8 1942 There is no photo in Ocean Sentenial, but there is one in the Short Sunderland (Warpaint Series No.25), on page 8 showing the scheme in question Hope that helps you? Regards Alan

Hi Patrice and Franz, Thank you for the warm welcome A quick update Starting with the lower wing: I noticed some raised lettering and a date on the Starboard trailing edge, which has to go The lower wing has a raised facsimile of the Starboard land light lense, which needs some attention i.e to drill out Lower wing has no Spent Shell Deflector pads (for want of a better word) need to remedy So after some judicious drilling, scraping (with new exacto blade) I have drilled out the landing light, and removed offending raised letters/numerals You will notice I have added the shell deflector pads - I cut both out carefully, and sanded both, but both look nothing like a mirror image of each other Finally I have drilled out the lense opening for the Cine Gun Camera housing Thanks for looking in, more soon Regards Alan

Hi All, This is my second build log, which I plan to build concurrently with my other build NZ3008 Umslopogaas. The airframe is the second in this formation of 14 Squadron aircraft based at Ohakea NZ3036 HQ-Q (RNZAF Official - Copyright RNZAF Museum - used for illustration courtesy of Museum) This P40E-1 arrived in New Zealand circa May 1942, in Standard RAF type TLS, painted in US Manufactured paints being DuPont Dark Earth/Dark Green/Sky. At some later date, NZ3036 was given a a new upper Paint scheme consisting of the New RNZAF NZ Sea Blue Grey/ NZ Dark Green/Sky - the RNZAF Pacific Scheme. (RNZAF Official - Copyright RNZAF Museum - used for illustration courtesy of Museum) Along with the new Paint scheme, the aircraft sported the new RNZAF Pacific Roundel on the wings - from discussion with the RNZAF Museum expert, this seems to have come about for the RNZAF top brass to view, here in New Zealand as said RNZAF Brass were to meet with their USN/USAAF counterparts to discuss the new marking/schemes to be used in forward areas. Note too, the lower placement of the Squadron code HQ on the fuselage compared to HQ-B and HQ-A The kit Box art Kit Sprue Shot Instructions Kit instructions have some quite useful photos to give visual help/information Kit provided schemes Kit markings - RAAF Fuselage Roundels are a little out of register Thanks for looking in, more soon regards Alan

Hi Folks, Sorry I have to disagree with the modeller Wally on Kiwi Modeller, and his call out on RNZAF NZ Sea Blue Grey I have had discussion with him previous and lets just say he has an interesting (though not necessarily accurate) take on things RNZAF. This is a link to a photo taken by Dave Homewood at the RNZAF Museum some years ago, which features a P40E in RNZAF NZ Sea Blue Grey NZ Sea Blue Grey As you can see it's not a Green Blue colour or anything like Wally's call outs in the Kiwi Modeller link above I mixed some NZ Sea Blue Grey for a P40K build as in link below, which I faded some what RNZAF P40K I looked for my Humbrol mix, but it's gone walk about. Basically Hu 25 with some Hu 164 and a touch of Hu 130 Hopefully it will give you some idea? Regards Alan

Aghhh.... Sorry, I was looking at the picture of NZ3072 when making that comment - That's what happens when you get distracted Looking at the Photo of NZ3136 in the Graveyard, my take on it, looks to be OD/NG - The quarter panels look the same as the fuselage paint which is why I tend to OD/NG (also the lower Starboard wing looks darker which leads me to think NG as opposed to NZ Sky Gray) Sorry for the confusion Regards Alan