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Steve 1602

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Everything posted by Steve 1602

  1. Steve 1602
    That's sad to hear.
  2. Steve 1602
    I've just finished this book and can really recommend it. It's an incredibly well written, comprehensively researched and moving account of the attacks on Dresden in February 1945. The book charts the history of Dresden, culture and people and describes the decisions leading to the raids. The human story is covered from a number of angles, from Dresdeners to aircrew, from decision makers to refugees. I found it thoroughly compelling. I've always viewed Dresden as a morally ambiguous attack and I recognise that it polarises opinion; I did find that McKay presents an ext
  3. Steve 1602
    Thanks Troy - I wonder why some aircraft are seen without individual codes - you would assume they would all get done at the same time. Perhaps each Squadron had a pool of Battle casualty replacements that could be brought online to replace losses - just needing an individual code? In the 54 Sqn diary when they relocated from Caterick it recorded: 8 Aug 1940 - Hornchurch 1200 - The Squadron, returned from CATTERICK, is ready for any further developments with 22 pilots and an ample supply of machines. The logistics of it all fascinate me.
  4. Steve 1602
    @Troy Smith do you think this may have all been filmed at the MU and before squadron delivery hence the difference in undersurface finishes (it’s right on the cusp of the switch to sky, so seems logical to assume these would have come off the line in black/white) and also may explain the lack of individual letter - did Sqn codes get painted at MU with the Squadron allocating the individual letter perhaps? Really interesting images and films. Steve
  5. Steve 1602
    There are some superb photos there Ray - thanks for posting that link. I may show those to my wife when she next asks “why are you so obsessed with Spitfires?” Steve
  6. Steve 1602
    Thanks Peter - I’ll look forwards to your Pat Hughes build - @Ray_W is also modelling the same aircraft. The badge is also shown as a white disc in Camouflage & Markings No2 (albeit on a pre-BoB profile). I’m going to stick with the yellow - primarily because that’s what I associate with the old Airfix 1/72 AZ-H, but mainly because producing an alternative is beyond me! Interesngky, I’ve seen pics of 234 squadron aircraft without the marking (a crashed a/c whilst at St Eval spring to mind) So it may not be universally carried - the pic of Doe in front of a Spit has the door ope
  7. Steve 1602
    Ray, if you are referring to the area in the rear Perspex, then I think what can be seen is the curve of the blow-out panel in the Slid-back hood. There’s a higher resolution picture at the link. There doesn’t seem to be anything raised above the profile of the fuselage in the rear Perspex (not to my eyes anyway ) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126868
  8. Steve 1602
    A bit of reading up on 234 Sqn tonight and on Bob Doe in particular. The 234 Sqn diaries are rather less colourful than the 54 Sqn ones unfortunately so I probably won’t post those on this thread. I haven’t really done much with the model other than wash the sprues and study the instructions. I have to say that I really love the look of the kit and the mix of raised and recessed rivets and fasteners.
  9. Steve 1602
    Thanks Cookie - that’s kind of you and I’m glad you enjoyed the diaries!
  10. Steve 1602
    That looks really sharp Stew. I’m looking forwards to seeing your mottling come together. Steve
  11. Steve 1602
    The Spitfire Story by Alfred Price refers to improvements: “an engine driven hydraulic system to raise and lower the undercarriage did away with the need to hand pump....”. “These improvements were all introduced on the production line early on” In Spitfire at War (also by Price), the “Into Service chapter” by Air Cdre Henry Cozens Says: “the later mark I Spitfires had an engine driven hydraulic system to raise and lower the undercarriage, which did away with the need to pump and resultant ‘Spitfire knuckle’” Not really sure if that helps or not, but it does soun
  12. Steve 1602
    With the Tamiya Spit put to bed, it’s time to turn attention to this lovely offering from Eduard. I had a little bit of time over lunch, so thought I would make a start and knock up an undercarriage control. This Spit would definitely not have had the manual pump lever (which Eduard supply) fitted and I think it’s quite a visible part of the cockpit ‘furniture’. I used an example from another Eduard kit (Mk VIII) as a guide and then made this from some plasticard. A bit of a tidy up and some paint and it should look fine - particularly as the cockpit door will be closed on t
  13. Steve 1602
    Thanks for checking Dave. You seem to be getting a production line ready!
  14. Steve 1602
    And that is my plan - but if it’s on a sprue already then that may be lower hanging fruit
  15. Steve 1602
    Hi @DaveJL - a quick question on the overtrees boxing - are all of the sprues identical to those contained in the dual combo or is there inclusion of a hydraulic undercarriage control rather than the manual pump lever (part R 53) in the dual combo? Steve
  16. Steve 1602
    Very neat work on the cockpit. I’ll watch this with interest as I have the Eduard Bf 109E dual-combo boxing on back order.
  17. Steve 1602
    Thanks Ray and as always your inputs were welcomed. I’m glad you enjoyed the Sqn history. Their daily summaries are excellent - some Squadron records are quite dry, but 54’s proved very readable. Five since lockdown started! I suppose it’s not too bad - Only one per month.... To compound things further, I have another planned for this GB and at least one for the Mediterranean Theatre GB.... then there’s the interceptors GB and..... I might just have to admit that I have developed a problem and venture down the well-trodden “at least one of every Spitfi
  18. Steve 1602
    Thanks all - photos are now up in the gallery: Thanks Ozzy and also for your comments throughout; it's been very helpful. I know what you mean; it's hard to comprehend the scale of the air battle and seeing those aerial armadas approaching. Thanks Dave; I'm very happy with how it has turned out. Thanks Geoff - it's been really enjoyable and the comments along the way have really helped. Cheers Stew - now in the gallery. Thanks for the comments and inputs through the build. Haha! It does look a little odd - I toyed with moving the KL codes slight
  19. Steve 1602
    Kit: Tamiya 1:48 Spitfire Mk I. (New boxing) Spitfire I R6893 Pilot Officer Colin Gray DFC 54 Squadron RAF Hornchurch, July/ August 1940 My first entry to this excellent group build. Thanks to the hosts and everyone who has contributed and shared information in pulling this one together. I am really enjoying the various builds and the range of models on display. The build thread is below.
  20. Steve 1602
    Looking really nice Stew. The paint finish looks superb.
  21. Steve 1602
    That looks really nice; great paintwork.
  22. Steve 1602
    54 Sqn Diary 18 August 1940 0928-1054 - A great day! In 4 sorties the Squadron bore the brunt of the Station's thrust against the enemy. A 20 minute"warming up" over Manston was followed by the leisurely shooting down of a Me 110 which descended from 31,000 feet to sea level rather more rapidly than it could have originally intended. P/O Gray, F/Lt. Gribble, F/Sgt. Tew, P/O Hopkin and Sgt. Norwell participated in this air to air firing practice. 1240 - By this time the first big attack of the day had developed. At least 600 enemy aircraft - and probably a good many more - were p
  23. Steve 1602
    It certainly captures the trait of British understatement Geoff!
  24. Steve 1602
    Having been away, it's time to bring the 54 Squadron diary up to date: 54 Sqn Diary 8 Aug 1940 - Hornchurch 1200 - The Squadron, returned from CATTERICK, is ready for any further developments with 22 pilots and an ample supply of machines. 1600 - We bade farewell for the second time to 41 Squadron. We were sorry that the enemy was not always evident when they patrolled, but delighted to learn of the success of their last patrol - when F/Lt. Webster and P/O Wallens shot down 6 Me 109.s between them. F/Lt. Webster also attacked a German M.T.B. causing serious discomfor
  25. Steve 1602
    Nice one Dennis. Looks very good.
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