[Building and correcting the Airfix Valiant B1]

This is true Mike, a few of the earlier aircraft had the shorter tailcone including the two prototypes, trials aircraft and the sole B2. The extended cones were fitted a little later to incorporate the Orange Putter RWR.

Morning General,

Interesting point about the tailcone extension, was this fitted to 18 sqn aircraft while they were Finningley based please?

Regarrds Rad.

[NM or Aluminium painted Spitfire ?]

Hello, I'm making the Spitfire Mk XVI from Tamiya 1/32 kit, and I fell in love with the "FD AA, No.1 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit, Finningley UK, March 1949", using the kit's decals.

The big doubt that now I have is about the finish of this aircraft.

Tamiya's indications states "overall silver", but I am not sure if the finish is Natural Metal or painted Aluminium.

Can some of you help me to resolve this point?

Many thanks for your attention.

Roberto,

from a very cold Roma :-)

Hi Roberto,

I appologise for "hijacking" your thread, but does anyone out there who has the Tamiya Kit No. 1 (P) RFU decals& photocopy of the decal instructions they don't want please? If you have, can please PM me

I know this should go into wants but I can't afford the kit, but would use them for a future project.

Many regards Rad.

OH and all the best for Xmas & the New Year.

[Long Tom and Scammel]

Your right the Scammell is British. Maybe my childhood memories of his tails are not so clear now or maybe he didn't realise it was british. Maybe he borrowed one off the americans?

Thanks for your info I will look into the Hasagawa kit. What is your opinion of its quality?

If it was on or around D-Day, it is possible that the Scammel wore 5 point white stars like American vehicles, which were a cognition mark for all allied vehicles in the theatre

[Two 616 Meteor Questions]

Trend? I've never heard of RAF squadrons actually trying to align the serial number sequence with the code letter sequence. Can you provide more info or examples of that intentionally happening? If it did happen, it really seems like a system that was doomed to collapse and fall apart within a very short time frame.

By my own admission, while I have seen it on modern post-war aircraft when they've recieved a batch of new aircraft, in wartime any change would be sparodic.

However in mitigation, I am in the proccess of a down-size house move- which is like trying to fit a quart into a pint pot. ( a litre into a 500 ml one for those who prefer metric ) To those who have done this I admire, to those for who it is yet to come- its murder trying to get that much loft insulation past her indoors.

[Two 616 Meteor Questions]

1. It is my understanding the first Meteor op was flown by a Canadian with 616 Squadron by the name of Bill McKenzie on July 27, 1944. Anyone know which Meteor he was flying?

2. F/O McKenzie was not only the first RCAF jet pilot he was also the first RCAF pilot to get a kill in a jet when he shot down a V-1 on August 16, 1944. Again, anyone know which Meteor he was flying at the time?

Thanks,

Jim

H,mmm interesting questions.

I'd have to do some serious digging for the first one, but for the second one, then going on the asumption that trend of sqns matching aircraft numbers to codes i.e. EE227/G was YQ-Y, so if it was EE225/G, its likely the codes were YQ-W.

However looking back on what I've written, there's a fly in the ointment.......................I'd completely forgotten the sqn's transition from Spitfire to Meteor was gradual resulting in the Meteors filling slots left by Spitfires . To find out the correct code letter to serial number will have to be by elimination.

So to my knowledge EE216/G was YQ-E, EE222/G -YQ-G, EE227 -YQ-Y so that's 3 for starters.

There is a well known Photo of 616's Meteor I's & III's lined up at RAF Manston, which shows the side profiles of the aircraft.

Hope that is of help.

Regards Rad.

[1/32nd Luftwaffe aircraft]

I don' see Fw 190's on the list!

[Is there a Falklands groupbuild planned?]

As the title says really, I had a quick look, but I couldn't find a Falklands War groupbuild planned to coincide with the anniversary next year? If there isn't one- should we organise one?

Will

Nice Idea Will,

Although I haven't built many Falklands related kits, ( I've a couple on display at Aeroventure) it was the first real conflict close to heart for me personally, as a close friend serving in the RM at the time was down there.

Slightly digressing, Doncaster Aeroventure may have something planned event wise, yet to be confirmed - but does have a dedicated display including Gazelle XX411, shot down in San Carlos, Seaking, Scout & a Centurion BARV among many other artifacts.

Regards Rad.

[The most beautiful Spitfire!]

Hello Friends.

Here is my last job.

The Spitfire with the portuguese marks. I hope you like it!

Comments of questions are welcomed...

Thank you for looking.

Best Regards

Vitor Costa

Hi Vitor,

All I can say is the Spitfire looks amazing!!!

It's also nice to see your pride in your aviation heritage which is more than evident in the quality of the build, at first I thought 1/32 or 1/48, but......in 1/72 Its stunning!!!

Well done & thank you for sharing.

Regards Rad.

[What are my options?]

To me it looks like a british lorry (ie the bf109 crashed on a mission over England)?

Emhar did a couple of Bedford OL based kits, not as big as the lorry in the picture but a Bf109 doesn't really weigh that much compared to most cargo.

Talking of these Emhar Bedfords, other than the different bonnet, does anyone know if there are any other differences, as I've fancied converting one to a wartime GS truck.

Regards Rad.

[Anyone fancy an M4 A1 walkaround?]

Hi Julien,

Only saw your PM the other day, but yes I would like to submit my photo's as soon as time lets me & I get them downloaded off the disk.

Although it is in reality a Grizzly I've taken plenty to whet a sherman fan's appetite..................hopefully

I'm sorry for the delays involved getting these phot'os done---------they have been taken, but I'm in the middle of moving house and to my annoyence my wife's packed the ScanDisk they're on . What is frustrating is I've paid attention to the manufacturer's marks on the castings, some inside the turret & rear engine detail.

Please bear with me as I wanted to download them today as my home PC will be off air for a couple of weeks, but will in the meantime hunt for the disk & get them done asap.

Regards Rad.

[Sherwood Rangers Sherman firefly's]

Just read that book, and what a story!. I just finished a 1/48 Firefly and am kicking myself that I did do it as a SRY machine.

Hi Silver Fox, I agree its a brilliant read, made even more so as I know one or two vets mentioned.

[Sherwood Rangers Sherman firefly's]

Rad,

Neither of the Tasca or Dragon Fireflys have markings for Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Bison Decals did a set of Sherman markings which included a SRY tank but it was a Sherman III and is long out of print. Accurate Armour do a generic set of brigade insignia and Arm Of Service flashes which will give you the necessary markings which consist of a fox's head in red on a yellow rectangle directly over a red rectangle with the figures '996' in white. There is also a white bar under the red rectangle. Any tac signs would have been in blue as SRY were the junior regiment in 8th Armoured Brigade. Here is a link to the Accurate Armour sets:

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct...amp;product=380

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct...amp;product=378

I have a spare set of the Brigade markings and if you drop me a pm I will send them FOC as I am unlikely to ever use them, (no offence to the SRY!!!!)

Do you have a specific vehicle in mind?? I have a limited amount of info regarding the SRY but might be able to help.

All the best

Howard

Hi Howard, thank you very much for the offer of brigade markings & info, I will PM you my address as I would make good use of them.

I don't have a specific SRY vehicle in mind, but they are my home town's armoured regiment, with many of its crews coming from Retford.

However, I do have a soft spot for the Firefly as a Tank & have always fancied building one as an SRY vehicle since seeing photos of the regiment using them in a book " By tank into Normandy" written by veteran Stuart Hills. Incidentally, the first British (& Allied) tank to enter Gemany in 1945 was from the Sherwood Rangers reconnisance troop and the driver was from Retford, knew my Father-in-law, unfortunately, to my shame I forget the man's name at present.

Many thanks again Rad.

[92 squadron code Sept 1940]

Hi Rad,sorry to be so tardy in responding but I've been 'offline' for a few days.

I'd like to clarify the issue if at all possible and would certainly appreciate your offer. I'm feeling fairly confident that 92 Squadron was coded QJ in September 1940 but every bit of evidence helps.

Thanks again.

Steve

Hi Steve, I got a reply & he gave late May 1940 as the time when 92 sqn changed its codes.

Hope that's helpful.

Regards rad.

[92 squadron code Sept 1940]

Hi Rad,sorry to be so tardy in responding but I've been 'offline' for a few days.

I'd like to clarify the issue if at all possible and would certainly appreciate your offer. I'm feeling fairly confident that 92 Squadron was coded QJ in September 1940 but every bit of evidence helps.

Thanks again.

Steve

Hi steve,

Just posted the question, so will get back with an answer asap.

regards Rad

[Hobby Boss 1/32 Spitfire VB sprue shots]

I'm new to the forum, but although I cannot vouch for the kit's dimentions accuracy, to me it looks OK bar the horizontal surface ribbing. But what is a bit of a concern are the errors with "Buck" Casson's aircraft, the most glaring error is the date given i.e. Oct 1943- unfortunately Les Casson had been a guest of the Germans since the 9th August 1941 when he was shot down in the same action as Douglas Bader.

Buck's Spitfire was an early build Mk Vb, first issued to 616 in March 1941 and as such was fitted with the earlier Round exhaust stacks, Flat-sided hood and DH prop similar to that of the MkIa, the Squadron codes were Grey, 616 only began to use Sky codes with the Green/Grey/Light grey painted aircraft and to my knowledge 616 Squadron Spitfires never carried bombs.

Despite the errors it is nice to see a mainstream kit of a 616 Spitfire, the squadrons Spitfire years were historically eclipsed after the sqn became the first RAF unit to fly Jet aircraft in 1944, yet they operated the type from Oct 1939- July 1944 using Mk's I, Ia, II, Vb, VI & VII. They also evaluated a number of Griffon Mk XIV's and post-war a single Mk XVI.

However, I'm not too down-hearted as I've a 1/32 Hasegawa Vb, a spare set of early stacks & a set of decals for Buck's aircraft, so I will buy the Hobby Boss Vb and build a Vb & a VI.

Regards Rad

I got my Hobbyboss Vb today & despite all the knocks I like it even more-so in the flesh, but no doubt once the most obvious error is sanded off the tailplanes, the proof is in the pudding & time will tell building wise.

[Sherwood Rangers Sherman firefly's]

I know there is a couple of 1/35 Sherman Firefly kits about, but do any of them depict a post D-day Sherwood Rangers vehicle?

Failing that are there any after-market decals for the same regiment please?

Many thanks Rad.

[Anyone fancy an M4 A1 walkaround?]

Hi,

we are short of AFV walkarounds in the walkaround section so if you would like to submit them then please contact me

Cheers,

Julien

Hi Julien,

Only saw your PM the other day, but yes I would like to submit my photo's as soon as time lets me & I get them downloaded off the disk.

Although it is in reality a Grizzly I've taken plenty to whet a sherman fan's appetite..................hopefully

[ju88 cockpit]

yes, you are indeed correct- its the one revell based their kit on. the ju88 site is well worth a look, with lots of pictures of the restoration. the attention to detail has to be seen to be believed.

its daunting enough in 1/32 , but 1:1 is something different!

If the cockpit is anything to go by & with the high standard of restoration of the HeIII, then we are all in for a real treat when they've finished the Ju88.

[92 squadron code Sept 1940]

"Combat Codes" also says that 616 carried QJ until October 1941, yet Rawlings says that it changed to YQ in September 1939.

According to CC, there were no "QJ" Spitfires, with 92, until July 1941, when photos clearly show that to be false. I'd go with Rawlings; I can't remember when I found him at fault.

Edgar

Hi Stonar, while I understand the initial order to change fighter codes was on security grounds, I cannot vouch for when 92 changed to QJ, but believe both Sqn's carried QJ throughout the battle as 616 carried these codes from Oct 1939 & did not begin to use YQ until after the Battle of Britain,i.e. Sqn Ldr Len "Buck" Casson's Spitfire Mk II "Pomereo II" wore QJ-X in Late 1940 / early 1941 & his Mk Vb wore YQ-X when he was shot down on 9th Aug 1941. For some obscure reason the order to change codes was not passed on to 616 for quite some time.

There are ways to tell the difference between the two Sqn's codes prior to & during the battle though. On early ( Mk1/1a) 616 sqn Spitfires both the codes & serial no's where painted in grey, but code sizes were not standard. As 616 was an auxilliary unit the original painter's regular employement was with a Doncaster coach building company. when tasked with the job, he had no specification to go on,so literally painted them to what he saw right.

As a result you will find 616 codes on early Spitfires are slightly thinner, and shorter or taller than the standard size codes use by 92 Sqn.

I am a member of another historical aviation forum, one member of which is a prominent BofB historian/authority, if you'd like I could post the question on there to see if I can clarify this for you.

I hope this is helpful.

Regards Rad.

[ju88 cockpit]

thanks for the reply and link - very useful

Rogerd

I don't want to sound dozy, ( it is 5:45 am, I'm at work & can't accesss the LSP site on this PC) but the cockpit phot- is this one of the Ju88's currently being restored in Norway?

[spit codes]

Just after posting the question, I found this info -

"All his "kills" were fighters. As a Wing Leader Johnson was able to use his initials JEJ in place of squadron code letters; he scored the bulk of his victories flying two Mk IXs: EN398/JEJ in which he shot down 12 aircraft and shared five plus six and 1 shared damaged while commanding the Kenley Wing: MK392/JEJ, an L.F Mk. IX, 12 aircraft plus one shared destroyed on the ground. His last victory of the war was scored in this aircraft. He ended the war flying a Mk XIVE, MV268/JEJ. His post-war mount was MV257/JEJ; it was the last Spitfire to carry his initials."

Cheers W.I.P.

Let me put my question another way then -

If I were doing a WW2 mini airfield dio using the airfix MkIX JE-J, what squadron codes would appear on the other spitfires featured?

So far I've found references to squadrons but not what the 3-letter codes were.....

Jaffe - thats one of the sites I've been/am looking at but there's so much info to get through....and not enough time so I wondered if anybody knew....

Hi Kev, I know you're doing one of Johnson's Mk IX's, but if you ever fancy one of his lesser know aircraft, there is his 616 sqn mount, Mk Vb YQ-U, aka "the Manchester Civil defender" of which ther is a well known photo.

[Revell BAe Hawk T1, the Red Arrows]

O

Stunning mate.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep,

I may not now be in the group,

.........But I am the diamond in the loop,

I am the white the red and blue,

.........Entwined within the corkscrew,

When you look to the heavens above,

I am the arrow through the heart of love,

I am the smoke across the sky,

I am the reason why we fly,

I am the Hawk's engine roar,

I was proud to fly Red four.

I've got to admit, every time I've read this, it brings a tear to my eye & a lump to my throat.

Blue skies, Flt Lt Eggin, Blue skies Sir.

[memorial project]

hi chaps im about to start in a GB on another forum (mainlymiliatary) its a GB for aerobatics and display aircraft, and its been renamed 'The Flt Lt Jon Egging Memorial GB' now as a mark of respect i have to build a Hawk, i want to build his final aircraft and put it on display - now im in talks with somwhere to display it,which ill tell you later, but i need confirmation of what serial she was, im led to believe it was xx308 but i need to know for definate

can anyone help

Hi Mark, sorry I can't help with the serial, but what scale are you using? I only ask as I've got the Revell 1/32 kit, but will be building it as a 100 Sqn Hawk.

If you are interested, then you're welcome to have the spare decals I don't use.

Regards Adrian.

[Revell BAe Hawk T1, the Red Arrows]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to thank everyone for their super generous comments. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to post their words of encouragement and support, cheers.

I have to hand it to Revell who have turned out a gem of a kit. When they release it in grey I think it'll be an even bigger hit.

I had a huge amount of help along the way from Hawk experts both here and on other forums and there's no way I could have done this kit justice without everyone's guidance.

I'm chuffed to bits that so many modellers who I look up to and admire should find this model so enjoyable. I hope it has given folks one or two ideas and perhaps inspired others to have a go.

Here's to you lot and here's to Flt Lt Egging. This one's for you Sir.

GW, I say this from us all if I may.... you are welcome, the model is beautiful, poinient and couldn't have been timed better.

[HMS Hood 1/200th]

The model may sound pricey, but how many of these magazine kits ever get finished?

Play your cards right & do a good job so if you do decide to sell it potentially pay a fair dividend.