BobCNutt

Thanks everyone. Great information. Given that the part is referenced in the earlier release of the kit, and explicitly shown as an option in the instructions and fitted on one of the schemes, but barely features in my "A" release, I'll leave it off my No. 121 Wing, RAF aircraft. All the best.

Thanks Dave. It's not shown fitted on either of the schemes for my release of this kit (A02041A) and I can't see it on any of the photos of the aircraft itself, so I think I'll leave it off.

I think it's a different kit. Mines A02041A.

Thanks Jure. It looks like that sort of thing. I've just spotted it in section 15 of the instructions. It just appears, unannounced, in the greyed out part of the drawing.👍

Anyone know what this part is? I can't find it referred to in the instructions. It's a rhomboid type shape with what looks like venting/louvres. TIA

There's a section of this film which is almost certainly staged. One of the flight-planning staff is doing a pencil and paper calculation while smoking a cigarette with a mug of tea at his desk. The narrator remarks how such tasks require incredible concentration as the man absent-mindedly taps the ash off his cigarette into his mug of tea. He then takes a swig of the tea, grimaces at the taste and then the scene cuts to something else. Made me chuckle.

Thanks 72modeler. I'll have a look. Buckden Pike is a local hill for me and I've been to the summit and the memorial lots of times since I was a kid. The idea is to complete it, as a tribute, for the anniversary of the crash.

Hello all In my efforts to recreate N2848 from Airfix's recent 1:72 kit, I stumble upon the issue of roundels on the fuselage. It appears they differed during the aircraft's production, maybe also nature of deployment (OTU, Coastal Command...)? I've got decals of smaller and larger overall diameter and of different proportions of red, white, blue and yellow. Can anyone point me at some references or otherwise help me towards a best guess of getting it right? BTW, N2848 was assigned to 18 OTU when it crashed in late January 1942. The story is here - http://www.buckdenpike.co.uk/ Taken on Charge 6 August 1940, 48 MU 13 August, 21 OTU "B" 12 March 1941, 18 OTU "A" 7 May, 43 Group Deposit Account 5 June, 18 OTU "A" 10 September, Repaired on Site? 27 October, 18 OTU 12 November, Struck off Charge 6 February 1942. Thanks in advance.

Ha, ha. Yes. The thought had occurred. It'd just make us lazy if things were too easy.

I agree. They don't indicate which options correspond to which variant. It'd be good to have that info.

Thanks very much Colin. That's so helpful. I think that supports a reasonable best guess at what N2848 would've looked like. The latest Airfix Wellington 1c does show the turret fairing cut-away in the instructions I have. Maybe they've recently revised them.

Hi all I'm building a Wellington 1c (N2848) assigned to an OTU (18). No reference photo exists AFAIK so I'm trying to make a best guess. AFAIK one (the clearest?) defining feature of the 1c was the waist guns which would require the "inverted triangle" windows toward the rear of the fuselage. However, the images and schemes I've seen for OTU 1a and 1c aircraft tend not to have these, but instead have the long windows above the wings. I don't think I've seen any with both long and triangle windows. Can anyone suggest what the most likely configuration is for a 1c assigned to an OTU? N2848 seems always to have been destined to be a training aircraft, assigned to OTUs from manufacture. Thanks

Thanks Ossington The kit includes another OTU scheme so I'm fairly confident that I can get a fair "best guess" to what N2848 would have looked like.

Thanks Geoffrey. Joe Fusniak's war exploits were remarkable. His escape from the wreckage of N2848 from the summit of Buckden Pike in a nighttime blizzard is a local legend.

Hello all Just a note to outline a project and to recruit some general help. The aircraft I'm modelling is the one that crashed on Buckden Pike on 30th Jan 1942. Referenced here - http://www.buckdenpike.co.uk/ It's a "Polish" aircraft of 18 OTU, RAF. I'm hoping to complete it to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the crash and because the site is one I've visited quite often as a keen Yorkshire Dales hillwalker. I'm basing my model on Airfix's kit - https://uk.airfix.com/products/vickers-wellington-mk1ac-a08019 I'm keen on reasonable accuracy but don't have a fortune to spend on (or the skill for) extensive modifications/after-market parts. I am keen to get the scheme and markings right (in the absence of any picture, that I know of) and need to confirm and obtain some decals. The "buckdenpike" website says the plane didn't carry a code but http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york42/jan42.html suggests "G" *might* be possible? Which seems most likely? Would the aircraft have carried its N2848 serial number? What colour would it have been? Where can I get hold of the Polish red/white check insignia for the nose (and the right codes/serials if needed)? Really, anything else that might be accomplished straightforwardly to enhance the models accuracy. I feel I'm asking a lot so thanks so much in advance.

Ha, ha. No. That's not what I meant. I've been given plenty to go with. 🙂

Thanks, everyone, for so many suggestions. I think that paint/camouflage pattern is called Temperate Sea Scheme? I wondered what else, that's readily available, that would carry that pattern. Thanks again

So, I'm nearing the end with my Airfix 1/72 Mk 1 Bristol Beaufort of 217 squadron. What'd be a good next project to make use of my paint collection of extra dark sea grey and dark slate grey?

Except. It went missing with all crew on return from its attack on the Admiral Hipper in February 1941. 😞 It seems for a historically accurate MWJ L9866, I'm back where I started No bulges No chin gun No torpedo

A more detailed look at the IWM photos shows examples of Mk 1 Beauforts (MWE & MWB) from 217 St Eval carrying torpedoes in Jan 1942. So maybe the a/c in the scheme carried one later in its service... Also, by this stage, I can see wing trailing edge bulges but still no chin gun. I'm new to this and, along with the model building, I'm quite enjoying the "detective work".

Thanks dogsbody Those are some of the pictures I've been looking at that confirm my "no chin gun" supposition.

Thanks Ewen The scheme is from Feb 1941 I think I have it right. There are pictures of 217 Squadron Beaufort 1s online and none with the "sea pattern" or similar serials appear to have the chin turret/gun. It seems plausible that they could have been fitted later and then removed or not. You've confirmed what I thought about the trailing edge bulges. The torpedo? Again. That's what I thought. I'm going to fit it in any case though since I've set the bomb bay to receive it. Let's say it's being test fitted for some reason. 🙂

I'm enjoying building this model. My first for many years. I'm following the Feb '41 217 Squadron scheme in the kit. This is what I think is right based on my research. Can someone confirm? No bulges on wing trailing edge. These were added later in the aircraft's development. No rear-facing chin gun. I can't see these on any of the pics I've seen purporting to be aircraft from this squadron at this time. Apparently they were regarded as ineffective and frequently removed. No torpedo. 217 Squadron weren't trained in their use at this time and their aircraft were armed with bombs or mines. Incidentally all these parts - bulges, gun and torpedo, are shown as present in the scheme. A bit misleading if they weren't present on the actual aircraft? I've already followed the "no wing bulge" path and the bomb bay is already set to receive its torpedo. I've enjoyed building these bits. So this is just to clear my thoughts and a reminder, perhaps, to be more thorough in completing my research before assembly, if going for historical accuracy, in future. Thanks in advance.

Is that for tyres and other rubber parts, Amos? PS - your old place at The Woolpack, in Esholt, is just down the road from me.

Most places I've looked are out of stock. Would matt black with a drop of silver be a reasonable approximation? 85 is specified for tyres, instrument panels, radial engine components and pilot's boots... in the 1:72 Airfix Bristol Beaufort I'm building. Are there better, more realistic treatments for these parts? Thanks in advance.