RAL

John (Aeroclub) very kindly advised via PM that he is working on accurate 1/48 plans for the Westland Wallace and as the Wapiti is a close relative, he's also doing plans for the latter. These are very much a work in progress while he concentrates on another project. If I were a betting man, I'd say that a 1/48 Aeroclub Wapiti and Wallace will see the light of day before any other manufacturer. Cheers RAL

Phabulous photos ... thanks for sharing.

So that's three for me, two for Ludwig and one for Welkin ...

Thanks, Ludwig. From what I've heard, REST are concentrating on figures with their recent releases ... I'll 'page' John and see what may be in the offering from his perspective. Cheers RAL

OK, where's the Aussie flag gone in that first image of the Phantom? We did operate the F-4E, albeit on loan, while we were waiting for the delayed F-III ...

Is there any news whatsoever about the release of the subject resin kit? It seems that this Wapiti has had the same gestation period of the 1/48 SH/MPM Bristol/DAP Beaufort http://www.restmodels.com/?p=model&id=44&s=&l=en I'm keen to do a 1/48 model of the RAAF's A5-16 which was used to tow the DHA-G Glider in trials. A5-16 was one of three Wapitis that survived into the 1940s in RAAF service: http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/994/pics/81_1.jpg Please note that the profile is substantially correct except that the rudder stripes should be reversed with the blue leading as per the earlier application of these stripes in the 1930s. The colours should also be the 'light, bright' hues used at that time. Unusual about the airframe is the application of the individual airframe number "16" and the absence of the RAAF stores prefix of "A5-". The presentation of the large numerals is also consistent with those applied to some RAAF aircarft in the 1930s. Cheers Roger

Thank you.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'd seen that September posing from last year and thought that I may have missed any update. I'm really looking forward to this Aussie trainer. Cheers RAL

Has there been any update on the release of 1/48 MPM CASA C-212? Cheers RAL

Has there been any update on the release of the 1/48 CAC Winjeel? Cheers RAL

G'day Danni I was referring to the original rather than the current WIP project to correct the initial release Cheers RAL

If any kit manufacturer wants to measure up the real thing, we have two Bristol/DAP Beauforts here in Australia. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT has a conserved combat veteran: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/conservation/beaufort/?query=DAP+Beaufort Ralph Cusack is currently restoring another to fly in Queensland: http://www.beaufortrestoration.com.au/index.htm http://www.warbirdsonline.com.au/2013/08/09/beaufort-restoration-update-2013/ http://www.ozatwar.com/museums/abbr.htm We know that the DAP Beaufighter at the Camden Aviation Museum (CAM) at Narellan, NSW was measured by a Japanese manufacturer to produce their Mk21 1/72 scale Beaufighter so why not do the same for a 1/48 Beaufort? The 1:1 aircraft are there for the measuring ... MInd you, we have the only substantially intact Vultee Vengeance in the world at CAM, yet no one ever approached the museum to measure the airframe and produce an accurate 1/48 scale kit ... I guess we can only live in hope that one day Mr Tamyia will produce a 1/48 Beaufort to follow-on from their 1/48 Beaufighter ... one day ... Cheers RAL

Biggles81 is correct. The RAAF 13 Sqn decals are but a parody of the nose art and the mission markings. The destroyed barges are missing along with a small ship plus the dragon and the wording "Reluctant Dragon" are, well, as has been said, but a passing resemblance. Judge for yourself from this Australian War memorial image: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P00590.006/ There are others as well ... HTH RAL

Thanks, Mike. I'll check it out. Cheers Roger

Thanks Derek and Mike Yes, I've found the Karel Doorman (ex HMS Venerable) website and there are a couple of useful images plus deck by deck plans there. I Googled INS Vikrant (ex HMS Hercules) and also found a couple of shots of her with an Alouette helo on the lift plus some interior hangar shots. I've also come across some images of HMAS Sydney III's and Melbourne's lifts which will prove useful. With a bit of creative use of "gizmology", I think I can now make a fair fist of the interior of the lifts on HMAS Sydney III (Fast Troop Carrier). Many thanks for your responses. It seems that the interior of the lifts on a Colossus or Majestic Class carrier was not a popular shot Regards Roger

G'day from Downunder I'm seeking good quality images and/or diagrams of the internal construction of the aircraft elevators of either the Colossus or Majestic Class aircraft carriers. An extensive search of the internet and unsuccessful assistance from the Naval Historical Society of Australia (NHSA) has failed to turn up any good images or diagrams/plans of the interior of these aircraft lifts. I'm currently planning a build of HMAS Sydney III in her guise as the fast troop carrier The Vung Tau Ferry. The Heller 1/400 Arromanches/HMS Colossus kit is to form the basis of the build. Unfortunately, the kit doesn't provide an option for the aircraft elevators to be down. As HMAS Sydney III was not air-conditioned, it was necesssary for the lifts to be down in the tropics in order to get fresh air down to the hangar deck and the troop accommodation. While I was able to puchase good plans for the troop carrier from the NHSA, these do not provide any internal details of the lifts. Their Research Department wasn't able to assist in this area. Besides the elevators in the down position, I intend to scratch-build the anchor deck, the quarter deck and the gangways, port and starboard, where the internals of these areas will be obvious to the observer. WEM, LÁrsenal and other after-market firms are providing the photoetch, LCM(3)s, cranes, ship's launch and cutters, life raft cannisters as well as a couple of UH1H Iroquois for the deck (some 1/350 scale but this doesn't fuss me). Besides the Hueys, I'm also planning the scratch-build of 1/400 Land Rovers, International Mk 3 and Mk 5 trucks and M113 Armoured personnel carriers as deck cargo. And yes, I do have a connection with The Ferry, hence the build. She brought us home to Oz in March 1970 from Vietnam after my Battalion's (5 RAR) second tour. Any assitance regarding the aircraft elevator internal details would be graetly appreciated. Regards Roger (Sydney, Australia)

Many thanks, Daniel. I'm always interested in anything to do with the target tugs of the RAAF and the RAN. Cheers Roger

Hi Daniel I'd really appreciate it if you were able to turn up any images of our RAAF Hawker Demons with the TT paniers installed under the fuselage. Cheers Roger (aka RAL)

Hello John That description of the Wapitis using a box-like winch carried under the gunner's station is very reminiscent of the box-like system used on the RAAF Hawker Demons. Rest assured that I'll not confuse them with Wallaces. RAL

Many thanks, John. I'll check out the reference. I'll also re-check the NAA for the Wapiti as well. Cheers Roger

Hi Christian Yes, I have a copy of "The Long Drag" and I too find it very odd that there is no mention of a C Type winch. I'm leaning towards John's hypothesis that it may have been a modification of the B Type. Alternatively, it may have been a local development for the RAAF and its use in the Hawker Demon. It's strange though that there is no reference to a C Type winch anywhere else other than its use in our Demons. More research required ... Cheers RAL

Hi John I'm beginning to think that you may well be right. Perhaps a local modification. I'm now re-searching through the National Archives of Australia (NAA) to see if there is any reference to the 'C' Type winch and its use in our Hawker Demons. The NAA is a vertiable treasure trove of files and documents on the RAAF although it's a little tricky getting the correct search terms to get appropriate 'hits'. I'll let Britmodeller readers know if I have any success. Thank you for your response. RAL

Beautiful images of some of our Hawker Demons, Daniel. You wouldn't have any with the TT paniers installed, would you? Cheers RAL

Good morning, afternoon or evening as the case may be. I’ve been researching the target towing aircraft in the RAAF for some time and have come across reference to a ‘C’ Type winch. While I have information on the ‘B’ Type Winch, a ‘D’ Type Winch, a ‘E’ Type Winch, and a ‘F’ and ‘G’ Type Winches but cannot find anything on a ‘C’ Type used by the RAAF. As most would know, the ‘B’ Type was the standard windmill style winch used on Fairey Battles, Vultee Vengeances and Bristol/DAP Beaufighters etc, and even civil CAC Mustangs used by Fawcett's VH-BOY and VH-BOZ, and Swedish Fireflies etc. The ‘D’ and ‘E’ Type winches were powered by electric motors of .4 horsepower and .5 horsepower respectively. The ‘F’ was a development of the old ‘D’ Type Winch and the ‘G’ of course we’re all familiar with as fitted to Fairey Fireflies, Hawker Tempests, Bristol Beaufighter, DH Mosquito and AW Meteor TT Mk 20 in RAF service. But what about the ‘C’ Type? According to my research, it was apparently fitted to our RAAF Hawker Demons used in the TT role hence my interest in obtaining details of this winch. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. RAL

Not really off topic, Nick. That's a very thoughful gesture on your part but I'm not aware of anyone who is writing a book on the S.23 or who is that seriously into the flying boat. Perhaps try over on Seawings? http://www.seawings.co.uk/ RAL