farde17

Hi Tim Foxey Golf XW924 L. Black L was from 4 sqn left mid 1980 to OCU became H at OCU XV753 C. Blue C was from OCU arrived mid 1980. 1980 that was original revetment walls. 1981 revetment walls rebuilt and foxtrot hide drive through hide turned by 90 degrees. I'll try an dig out some photos. Mike

Just to add20 Sqn did not disband because of a shortage of harriers. In 77 harriers were moved from Wildenrath to Guteslogh. At Guterslogh there was only HAS accomerdation for two squadrons therfore 3X12 plane squadron's (3,4 20) were merged too 2X18 plane squadrons. (3 & 4) Mike

Hi Rob Looks good. 1 question why have you deviated from the standard camouflage pattern? Mike

Hi Rob Referene u/c doors the doors are both close again when the undercarriage is lowered. This aids the airodynamics of the air flow in the hover. As soon as the engine is shutdown the front u/c door is opened for servicing and remains open until the engine is started. The rear u/c is openend during servicing but is closed immediately after acess is no longer required. On the ground no pilot front open rear closed On the ground with pilot front open or closed rear closed. Mike

Sorry to say this but the seat you have produced is very good but relates to the late 1980s. Prior to 1981 (aprox) the pilots wore a harness that was put on prior to entering the ac the harness then "plugged" into the seat. After the harness was replaced there was an issue with the shoulder straps fouling in the seat while the ac was beeing serviced so a mod was introduced to "plug" them into the top box when not in use. Introduced post 1985 aprox. Mike

Ben Can you confirm the dates that will help narrow it down. Also get your uncle to confirm how many engines it had. My farther flew back from Singapore in a 4 engine Dackota l didnt believe him until I saw the photograph. It was a Hastings. But it seems to be a common misconception. Mike

Excellent like the weathering on the drop tank verry good Just a couple of observations The phase 6 mods are wrong. The phase 6 mods was a mod program carried 83 onwards.Your model should be either all implemented or none implemented. The ones aplicable to your build are Rad Alt implimented Strobe anti collision lights implemented Removal of RAT and RAT doors not implemented http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/839/Falklands_War_Wessex_HU_5_hovering_above_two_Harrier_GR_3s_on_HMS_Hermes.jpg Wing top UHF Aerial not implemented Hope this helps Mike

I believe the 2 digit codes were painted out for the war.and that any set of war decals will not have them Mike

If he is x 4sqn make the new airfix 1:72 as well as the markings it has the recce pod which 4 sqn used. For weapons load id recomend recce pod 100 gallon drop tanks and empty outer pylons. Modellers alwys like to stick a full bomb loads on but it is best sometimes to re create the configeration that your friend would have seen most oftern on daily sqn life. Mike

XV 753 was C 1979-1980 when it went to Belize early 1980 My choice from that era would be XZ967 arrived OCU September 1980. Brand new wrap round camoflage. Because it was new I can guarentee that the paint scheme is correct for 1980

RAFG Buccaneer carried 2X WE.177 "Buckets of instant sunshine". Note when carrying nukes the nuclear fairing was fitted. With nukes explosive release was prohibited. Therefore a fairing was fitted so that airflow was directed on top of the bomb so that it was pushed out when released. Examine the photos WE177 link it shows WE177 and bucc Navy with a fairing fitted. Note Colour for RAFG buccs grey for the fairing green for the bombs. Well they were when I was there 82-83. hope this helps