Search the Community

Hi all I started this as this unofficial GB with @AliGauld, @Winded Penguin, @2996 Victor, @ModelingEdmontonianand our illustrious leader @mark.au was good fun. I built the Sword 1/72 Spitfire Mk1D designated PR.IV AA810 . This Spitfire entered service on 19th October 1941 and was flown by several pilots but this build will hopefully honour the Brave (they were all very brave) Sandy Gunn(Alastair Donald Mackintosh) who was shot down by two ME109s on 5th March 1942 whilst trying to photograph the Turpitz. The two fighters from Lade airfield were awaiting his arrival and he reported to colleagues that his engine was giving him trouble upon his arrival. The fighters descended on to the unarmed Spitfire and one landed a hit damaging the oil system , Alastair dived away but more rounds found their mark an the Spitfire was soon on fire. Leaving it as late as possible he bailed out suffering burns to hands and face . He was assisted by locals but was soon captured and after being part of a large and famous escape via Tunnel Harry, where 76 men left the camp before the Escape was discovered. Riding underneath a freight train trying to get to the port of Sassnitz. After repeated interrogations for all the captured men Alastair was called in one last time on 6th April 1944, where he was seen to be taken away in a Gestapo car and unbeknown to his colleagues was murdered later ghat day, his ashes being taken back to camp, today he rests in piece alongside fellow murdered prisoners in the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetary in Poznan Poland. Brave persons all, The Spitfire was recovered on 2018 and some 70% of the aiircraft remained intact and remarkably preserved in the snow and Peat bog and is undergoing restoration. More info on this fascinating project and charity aims can be located here https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk/news The potted history above , was taken from the instruction leaflet. This is the kit, I purchased this kit from @2996 Victor Built with some PE additions such as Thottle lever assembly, undercarrige selector seatbelts and cockpit access door from the Brengun PE set for thus model. Also the canopy was replaced apart from the windscreen, with the Rob Taurus vacform replacement. The model was brush painted using Humbrol Enamels and weathered using a prisma colour silver pencil and Humbrol and Mig weathering powders. I did fade the panels with post shading, but not sure you can really see it. Here's a link to the WIP Thanks to the fellow Unofficial GBers and those who followed and offered support and encouragement. I enjoyed it so much, I bought another from the trust. Thanks for looking in Chris