gaff752

The Trumpeter 1918 QE in 1:700 is a fine, little model, but it would have to have some mods to make it a 1916 version of the class. Both MALAYA and BARHAM took hits at Jutland, the 5th Battle Squadron had to take on the entire van of the High Sea Fleet plus Hipper's battlecruisers during The Run to the North. It was an epic performance. This was when M and B were both hit hard. The QEs fought the greatest dreadnought action in history during the battle. They were in the thick of it for several hours from the time they pounced on the rear of Hipper's column causing considerable damage, through the perilous run to meet Jellicoe, and WARSPITE did her famous turning act right in the face of the German fleet as the squadron joined Jellicoe. Airfix ought to do a 1916 QE class model in 1:350. All were almost identical at this time, the provision of a few extra parts to do them all would not be a stretch. It's a sad commentary the greatest dreadnoughts of all time have never been done in their 1916 state in plastic (Skywave did a beautiful 1:700 resin 1915 QE about 25 years ago). They are long overdue for a five star treatment. They deserve it.

The L'A SHEFF will be a little gem. The White Ensign 1:700 S was an ill-fitting, chunky, misshapen (the bow knuckles were crudely represented as "bow rolling hills") atrocity best chucked into the dustbin of history. And, L'A is following her with a JAMAICA, the long-awaited Colony Class. Three cheers for L'A! The only problem I foresee is that the supports for the radar lantern, etc, look perilously thin. I wonder if the photo etch will be too frail to work?

Thanks for this excellent information. I have been doing some research on this subject for years. A greenish gray for Jutland! Sod me for a lark!

There will soon be a beautiful card model of RO available in 1:250 scale: http://www.digitalnavy.com I had the Samek resin. It is crude and not very good. I also had the ancient Frog REVENGE in the 1960's, it was pretty terrible even for then! The card RO would really be an eyecatcher.

Thank you very much for the quote from Bowyer, AWFK10. This will be very helpful. A modeler cut off from his books is a sad case. And, thank you, too, Miggers. I was not aware of this association (I should be!). I will post ASAP. I recently was able to get a pristine ca. 1980 pressing of the Airfix Lanc for a bargain price---for my money the best Lanc on the market. When you want a Lanc done right, go British! Wonderful forum this is.

Hello, I need help. I read in Bowyer's WWII volume of BOMBING COLOURS years ago about 7 and 97 Squadron PFF Lancs which had had their nose turrets removed during the Battle of Berlin period. He helpfully provided aircraft letters and serial numbers from Lancs he saw at the time. In the years since I have found only one photo of a Lanc with this mod, and it was, I believe, a NZ squadron aircraft from spring 1944. The phot was in Boiten's book on the night air war. I am hoping one of the very knowledgeable members of this forum might have a photo of a 9 or 97 Lanc with no nose turret. I am presently without my books due to a move, and I can't give pages for where to find the info I cited above. Many thanks. Sincerely, Jeff Spencer

Where is the cutaway, peebeep? Yes, I've seen the SAM schematics, and even better ones are in the Beau maintenance manual I have, but photos are needed. I am going to modify the interior of the Tamiya Beau VI. I have the CMK IF conversion and the Falcon early IF canopy so all I need to do is sort out this drum matter.

Yes, I have the book by C.F. Rawnsley and Robert Wright. Unfortunately, written descriptions are of very little value for model work.

I am wondering if anybody knows a source with clear photos of the cannon and 60 round drums in the early Beaufighter IF? I have a very helpful universal maintenance manual for the Beaufighter series which has some useful diagrams but none clearly show how much of the cannon were visible through the floor, where the ammunition drums were located, and exactly how the spare drums were stowed in the compartments on each fuselage side. I have the very good SAM publication on the Beaufighter, but it doesn't have photos to help on this matter. Thank you.