The original Kit Builder

Don't forget how these mats were used. They were hit by thinned paint on a regular basis. The effects of the thinners alone would have ensured a very short life for almost any form of contemporary rubber, especially the vicious type they used back then; none of your gentle acrylics.

Interestingly, the obituary of one Edward Lee, appeared in the Telegraph on 22 March 2009. Professor Lee is credited with, amongst other things, the invention of the IR Spectrometer. He was also involved in the development of radar. As a result, apparently, of his work in both of these fields, he went on to invent and prove an infra-red identification system for RAF aircraft, in order that crews would be able to visually identify friend from foe at increased ranges in the dark. The system worked, it seems, by the intermittent emission of pulses of IR light from suitable lamps mounted "on the tailfins", which pulses were visible via devices equipping the crews of other aircraft. If you "Google" Edward Lee and use the approporiate link, you will find the story.

The "/G" suffix was removed immediately prior to the operation, presumably by the application of a brushful of paint, so if you are interested in post raid aircraft, the suffix would be missing. Its presence or otherwise would at least date any photo's you do find pretty accurately.

You'd be very unlikely to find a photo of an Operation Chastise Lancaster, at all. These aircraft were considered secret and were guarded at all times whilst on the ground, at least prior to the raid. If you do find a pic from before the raid, it is likely that you will notice a small "/G" following the serial number. This was a visible indication that the guard was to be placed.

This machine was definitely an FB Mk VI. She was a series 2 and carried the "intruder camouflage scheme" of dark green and ocean grey over black, probably with red codes. These aircraft were employed to operate within and around the edges of the bomber stream in order to operate against German night-fighters. They often followed as the night-fighters broke off to return to base, intercepting them as they turned on their lights and established themselves on final approach to land. The German response was to turn on the airfield and aircraft lights very late in the approach in an effort to get their aircraft down before the Mosquitoes had chance to aim and fire. The lights were turned off again as soon as the wheels hit the ground and the roll-out and taxi in was undertaken in complete darkness. This tactic was of limited success in protecting the night-fighters from being shot down and added significant risks to just getting back to the dispersals.

Sweet. For me the P1127 does it, but I can't fault your Harrier and you've matched the blue really nicely.

I know this is a long shot, but I've somehow managed to dislodge and lose the arrestor hook from my 1/32 Tamiya Zero and I wondered if anyone might have one they could let me have? I realise that this would likely mean salvage from a wreck, but if you don't ask.... Failing that, could someone provide me with the part number so I can try to get one from Tamiya, please?

I like this a lot. The wash and general weathering is nicely restrained and the build itself is superb particularly after a long lay-off.

I always did like the Harry Tate. You've really done credit to the old kit.

I've just been messing about with the macro function of the new digi-cam and here is the result. I built this Spad about 4 years ago and painted it in terrible artificial light, whilst Texas Chainsaw Massacre was on TV. The results are pretty average, but I thought I'd stick 'em here. I've noticed a number of "I'll touch that in later" bits that still need doing, too.

Also, the tips of the tail rotor blades are red.

I was wondering that myself.

Nice work, Paul. I built this in its original guise as the Auster Antarctic about thirty-five years ago. It is a nice little kit and you've made a good showing of it.

I have a commissioned watercolour of this machine over a wintry landscape. It was done from a photo with Father Christmas at the controls, but I had a more everyday pilot put in the cockpit instead. Beautiful model. I think the rigging is very good, too.

Eau de nil soundproofing blankets between the frames and around the wing box, natural metal floor, with black non-slip patches.

Bf 109's were built in sub-assemblies drawn from various parts of the Messerschmitt works. National markings were painted during the manufacture of these sub-assemblies, which had at least the 65 applied before being brought together. The national markings were masked prior to the application of the upper colours or any mottle applied by the factory, though factory mottle came a little later. Further mottle was often applied in the field and here too, national markings and stencils were usually masked first. Any stencils or small items overpainted were restored upon completion. I have some colour photo's in a book somewhere, showing the assembly line. If I can find it, I'll try to scan the pic and post it.

The BBMF Hurricane is often fitted with one of the Lancaster's engines, which are of the right mark and are easily interchangeable. This, in conjunction with the difficulty in obtaining three stack and fishtail exhaust stubs, means that she equally often flies with the Lancaster's exhaust stubs as well.

Hemp topside and grey underside. Not white, as these finlets weren't fitted until well after the change to the hemp scheme.

Thanks Graham. It just goes to show that you can't always rely on third party information. My apologies for the duff gen. I had seen the full picture somewhere online, quite recently, but can't think where. I seem to recall it was tacked on to an article about a Yugoslavian Spitfire with a mysterious colour scheme. I think the idea that it may have been a FAA machine might actually have arisen from that very same "33", as the FAA used numerical codes as squadron identifiers quite a bit. Actually, some of the other Hurricanes from the same serial batch were allocated to the RN, too. Unfortunately, I can find nothing specific about Z7491. Codes notwithstanding, however, it is still as like as not that the aircraft would have been refinished in the grey/green/grey scheme when it became the 'new' standard.

I've had chance to do a small search for you on this one and it transpires that the squadron code "33" was allocated to 15 (SAAF) Squadron. It was used by them between 1939 and 1945. By September 1942, it is entirely possible, (probable, in fact) that Z4791 had been repainted in the grey/green scheme and that the fuselage and underwing roundels had been, or soon would be, replaced by type C and C1. From the little patch of photo in this thread, it is difficult to assess the reality of this. It is also possible that the aircraft was used to test the feasibility of naval operation of the type in convoy defence, as by the end of 1942, the Hurricane I and II were well and truly obsolete as front line fighters. I will keep digging.

I've never got on with Humbrol Matt Cote. It never seems to cure fully, remaining a touch tacky for, as far as I can tell, ever. It doesn't seem very durable to me, either. I have tried it more than once, using different jars.

Hence my use of inverted commas, Mike.

I like MicroFlat, made by MicroScale and available from Hannants. It is a very fine acrylic flat laquer, (varnish) which sprays very well. It can also be brushed, but still stands for being thinned slightly. I always thin it with water, though some people use a drop of washing-up liquid to help break surface tension. I've never found the need, myself, though. It dries very quickly and gives a very durable finish that can be handled without any problems.

By the bye, the "Japs" aren't so stupid. They're the only ones to ever produce a 1/48 Lancaster, which you've built 6 of and only just noticed there's a problem with.

With regard to the ETPS photo, it occurs to me that the codes carried by the nearer "Spitfire" and the Hurricane are IIRC Fleet Air Arm squadron codes. I am a little more sure about the Hurricane, which seems somehow familiar. If this is the case, then it is likely that the "Spitfire" is actually a Seafire I, the first examples of which lacked, I believe, the arrestor hook and it would be the earliest examples of a given type in ETPS use. If I am correct, then the colours would be EDSG or DSG and Slate Grey. When I first saw the picture of the Yugoslav Spitfire, it struck me that it is a MkV airframe, but with a later Merlin installed as evidenced by the exhaust stubs. Mt first thought was that it might be a Seafire III, but now I've read the brief history, it seems more likely that the later engine was fitted in order to get the aircraft back into service after its earlier crash. Keith Park's machine, whatever its colour scheme, would have been given a regular spit polish not often seen by front-line aircraft. The prevailing attitude to this can be gauged from the fact that Park himself always wore a white flying helmet, even during his visits to his fighter stations in 1940. If it had been a Seafire, though, it may have explained the apparent anomaly in the camouflage.