Tailwheel

I think you're probably right Miggers ! By way of trivia ,both Gibson and Douglas Bader attended the same school albeit at different times and Bader was also nothing like the character played by Kenneth Moore in 'Reach for the Sky ' I can only unreservedly reccomend the tour of RAF Scampton ...so if you're in the Lincoln area ,go ahead and fill yer boots..still a freebie I beleive .!! Cheers All Dave

Hi All, Just to add my bit as a lifelong admirer of Guy Gibson . He was a very complex character ,who made very few friends ,despite being an inspirational leader was unpopular with almost everyone . I have spoken to a couple of men that served with him and they remark that "no one could tell him anything" .Remember , that when he took off for the last time this would have been his first sortie since the Dams raid itself and would not have been regarded as an expert by the rest of the 627 crews. Indeed before take off he elected to swap his aircraft with the spare which had a history of mysterious bomb hang-ups. The rest is conjecture. One should not confuse the real man with the wonderful portrayal in the feature film by Richard Todd. He remains to many a hero ; a brave dedicated airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Dave

Hi All, You may be intreted to know that parts of the wreckage of Gibson's Mosquito are preserved in the museum at RAF Scampton .They include the port fuselage area that contain the KB of the serial ,which may give a clue to the possibility of invasion stripes .(Can't remember.... it was five years ago !!) Tours used to be free ,but you must book in advance and take ID . Dave.

Hi All Once again ,many thanks for your time and intrest. Kind regards Dave, PS Only Mr Models at Duxford yesterday.

Thanks to All for your guidence ,much appreciated .I live in Kent and I'm afraid to say that almost all of the good old fashioned model shops have now passed into history. The reason for their demise is of course another issue .We have the chain model stores so paint from Humbrol/Tamiya/Revell/Veligeo (think thats how it's spelt ! ) is easilly obtained ,the dedicated Xtra's are a struggle . Going to Duxfords Airshow tomorrow so will see what turns up. Thanks again and Good Modelling Dave

Hi All, Now call me, old fashioned, over the hill , stubbourn etc. but I really do like the above range of paints...personal choice you understand. However Hannants do not appear to be doing the Airshows this year so my chances of replenishing supplies have evaporated . Sure they will include 'liquids' with kits ,but as I have more unmade models in my attic than they have, and any more kit purchases on the grounds of "I need the paint "will land me in the divorce court , I was wondering if there were any retailers out there who offer a mail order service (Minimum order value , of course ) TIA Tailwheel

Yes ,we have to go with the best knowledge we have at the time ,but Duxfords' Tiffie cockpit was an apprentice training school project .How closely this resembles an actual operational aircraft neatly brings us back to where we started from !! Oh dear !! Dave

Many thanks Tim. Sorry you had to find this out on your model 'the hard way' ,but as they say: research is the enemy of the finished model !! Best wishes, Dave

Firstly ,Happy New Year to All. I've been working through my loft insulation on a CA Meteor NF11 . Can anyone tell me how many (if any ) underwing landing lights were the standard TIA Tailwheel.

Hi Spit Fan May I suggest you treat yourself to the IWM DVD 'Spitfire -Frontline Fighter'.This features a trade training film of a D.I.on a Sitfire I of 609 Squadron at RAF Abingdon in May 1940, and then judge for yourself. Alternatively ,some may be available on Youtube. Cheers Dave

Sadly, I think you're absolutely spot on . What I've tended to do is after deciding on a project is to compile a "shopping list" ,order from Hannants online and collect at one of the airshows they attend ....not forgetting the 10% discount ! Other items I source from places like Hobbycraft etc. Not an ideal situation by any means but I am fortunate to be able to attend Duxfords airshows and sieze the oppertunity. We live in a rapidly changing world where nothing stays the same for long. Maybe we took Ye Olde Modelle Shoppe and its proprieter for granted beleiving they would always be there ? Tw,

Thanks,will check that out Dave

I know that this veers a little off the topic,but last year I completed a Tamiya Mk1 Spit and wanted the 'Duck Egg Blue 'underside.I read the article by Paul Lucas,where he has colour matched from recovered crashed aircraft and states the nearest F.S.595 match is 14533 .With no match commercially available, I set to with the FS595b paint deck and the Mark 1 eyeball....not really my sphere of expertise..but I was reasonably happy with the result. My point is,that as we approach the 70th. aniversary of the B.o.B, it would be great to have both Duck egg Blue and green represented in a range of paints eg; Xtracolour....Just a thought !! Regards Dave

Many thanks Nick Regards Dave

Asked the same question about Seahawk rockets !...same era etc. So can someone PLEASE put us out of our misery?? Regards to All Dave

Hi Gary, Can only find one image of a 607 Dqdn. Vampire in 1956 and the undersides appear silver. The squadron did however deploy to summer camp at Lubeck and PRU blue was the underside colour for RAFG. Whether or not this warranted a respray is anyones guess ! Dave

Hi All, Just finishing Trumpy's Seahawk (48th.Scale) and wondering if anyone could reccomend the colour for the underwing R.P. Thanks, Dave.

Hi All , Many thanks for your intrest . My motivation for starting this project came after reading the book , it struck me as one of those ' fact stranger than fiction' typically untold British stories that proved irresistable . A highly recommended read. Any suggestions as to the weapon bay interior colour ? I'm between interior grey/green and painted aluminium. Cheers Dave.

Hi All, First post...so here goes !! I'm working through the "loft insulation" and will soon be embarking on a 48th. Highball Mosquito using Tam's B.IV and Paragon conversion. I have the (reprinted ) book 'Most Secret Squadron' by Des Curtis that contains a photo of the ram air intake which ( presumably) provided the motive power to spin the weapon .Does anyone have any details of what the definitive production intakes were like ? Any help gratefully received Dave