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2021 John purchased an Eduard 1/48th Hellcat Mk.I overtrees kit, and thoughtfully left the Xtradecals Yanks with Roundels Part 1 sheet in the box. 2025 John was very happily surprised by this - which says a lot about the intervening years - and is now planning to build it. I believe Grumman used MAP equivalent paints which were close to British-produced paints, but there appears to be some debate as to whether or not this was still the case after Lend/Lease came into effect. I have good mixes for MAP paints, but wanted to know if these would be appropriate for this specific airframe. Any help greatly appreciated.

Hi All, My latest completion is Special Hobby's Fairey Fulmar. The Fulmar was a carrier-borne reconnaissance & fighter aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm during the earlier years of the war, eventually being replaced by single seat aircraft such as the Sea Hurricane, Seafire and Martlet. Despite being slow relative to these aircraft, the Fulmar acquitted itself well in combat throughout the Mediterranean theatre, and at its peak equipped 20 squadrons of the FAA. The SH kit allows for 5 schemes. I have chosen to complete as N2015 of 805 Sqn, which flew from HMS Eagle during 1941. Here's a link to a photo of N2015 (kindly added to the WIP by @Grey Beema - thanks GB!): https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205046496 Here is a link to the WIP if anybody is interested: This scheme was notable for a few reasons: - The white sunscreen applied to the pilot's glazing - The lighter covers for the wing machine guns (which I mistakenly omitted) - Most notably, the locally applied 'spaghetti' camouflage applied to the leading edges and lower surface of the cowling. This was applied in order to confuse enemy troops during ground attack sorties This was one of my most complex paint schemes to date - sadly, it is almost certainly incorrect! @iang supplied some information during the WIP (thanks very much Ian!), which strongly suggests that N2015 had a Sky underside, rather than the B/W & Sky as I've depicted. Furthermore, the leading edges would have been painted in Sky, and the 'spaghetti' elements applied with paints which would have been in store onboard Eagle, such as Roundel Red and Dark Slate Grey. If anyone is considering this scheme I would strongly recommend that you have a look at Ian's very credible advice. I did briefly consider respraying to the correct colours but decided that I would likely make matters worse so pushed on regardless. The kit is the usual SH fare, with vague fit and engineering, but lovely surface detail. The resin cockpit, whilst beautifully detailed, was a woeful fit so much cursing and sanding was expended in getting the thing to fit. With all that said, I'm not displeased with the overall outcome. Anyway, on with the photos: Here's a final shot with another FAA Merlin-powered stablemate: I'm glad I've given this kit a bash - although it's a little frustrating to have knowingly finished the scheme incorrectly, I still think it looks pretty good, and it's good to have the type in my collection! Thanks for looking, Roger

For this Group Build I am building one of the 806 Naval Air Squadron Fulmars flown by Lt William Barnes one of the top scoring Aces of the Royal Navy. The difficulty with aircraft flown by 806 NAS in 1940 is that the serials were not documented by the pilots but what is known is that Barnes flew 6A / serial unknown. So my model will be without a serial. I have built the Special Hobby kit before, there are plastic, resin and etch replacement parts in the kit and there are a lot of them... Obligatory sprue shots Cockpit progress to date.. No seats in yet, and lots of work with a paint brush still to do... Observers cockpit Hopefully I might get to spend a bit more time working on the cockpits tomorrow and get them close to being finished.... Thanks for looking in..

So now on to the final chapter of my flying career: after 3 years in non-flying appointments I joined 702 NAS as an instructor in early ’92. As the conversion programme had completed the squadron was fully equipped with Lynx HAS 3, including XZ 728 my former flight aircraft. I thought it fitting to complete the set of aircraft I’d flown by modelling one of the squadron’s aircraft and wanted to depict it with Stingray torpedoes which by this time was the primary anti-submarine weapon in service with the RN. I’d purchased the HobbyBoss HAS 3 to replace the Airfix kit as, from the box art, it looked like a much better replica of the real thing and was shown with what looked like Stingrays. Alas it wasn’t, so I was back to figuring out modifications & searching for aftermarket parts! The search for aftermarket Stingray torpedoes to replace the Mk 44s supplied drew a blank until I came across a built picture of the HB SuperLynx and saw that they were now included. My local hobby shop had just one in stock so I grabbed it quick - much more cost effective than paying international postage! Once again the cockpit was supplied with dual controls and cyclics only, so got the same makeover as the Airfix kit using an Airwaves etched instrument panel & collective; unfortunately I did not have any parts to mod the overhead console. As with the HAS 2 I only installed the 3-man seat modified as I had for the Airfix kit. Although the fuselage included the flotation bags that had by this time been fitted under the nose, it needed a number of modifications as HB have incorrectly depicted modifications relevant to other marks of Lynx but not to the HAS 3. As a picture is worth a thousand words I’ve annotated copies of the instructions with the mods undertaken rather than bore you with a long screed: Orange Crop ESM antennae were provided for the nose and fuselage sides but the domes were too bulged so were sanded to a flatter profile. The undercarriage sponsons were not representative of the real thing, wrong shape & no antennae, so I turned to the SuperLynx box and whilst the sponsons looked the right shape, they didn’t have the antennae either! Arrrgh! Undeterred I reached into the parts store and pulled out the antennae that I’d removed from the Seaking HAS 6 and carefully sawed the business end off. These were glued to the sponsons which was sanded to conform and then glued to the fuselage: all was well! Except it wasn’t! I was building the two Lynx concurrently and thankfully realized before the glue had set that the sponsons were visually different to those I’d just modified for the HAS 2 so they came off! The following picture shows the differences between the three and the fix. As no pitch change rods were provided for the rotor head I copied the arrangement on the Airfix kit using short rods cut from the 6-man seat frame. A test fit of gearbox & rotor head into the fuselage showed that the assembly was too tall so I carved off the top of the gearbox and after glueing the fuselage halves together bedded the rotor head assembly into Tamiya filler paste to facilitate adhesion and alignment. On the model I’ve depicted the Stingrays as live rounds with appropriate markings, using self printed decals for the explosive markings. Most pictures you will see show Stingrays with dayglo orange markings which denote a practice weapon that can be launched and then floats after entering the water allowing for recovery. I said that this was the final chapter of my flying career and to write the final sentence I changed the side- and airframe number decals supplied to depict 636/XZ727, the aircraft in which I took my last operational flight in Feb 1994:

I flew the Seaking Mk 2 firstly as a student on 706 NAS in ’79 during the final element of Observer training and following that during my first operational tour on 820 NAS. This was my second build after the 50yr layoff and resulted from my son, having found out that I was back in the modelling game, giving me the HAR 3 kit as a Father’s Day present saying: “I knew you flew Seakings Dad so I thought you’d like this”. He was only a twinkle in my eye at the time I flew in them, so he wasn’t to know….! Thus I was forced into modification in order to convert to HAS 2 as, although the two were very similar in appearance, the HAR 3 sported many appendages and windows not found on the HAS 2 - my introduction to cutting/filling/sanding! Also, whilst the RAF SAR version retained the Observer’s (Navigator’s) console it obviously had no need for sonar equipment of any kind hence the rear door is once again firmly glued closed, same as the Wessex HAS 3. I still hadn’t got into airbrushing at this time so it’s another hand-brushed paint job. Needing decals that reflected either 706 or 820 I discovered a set from Model Art Decal System that fitted the bill but which unfortunately did not include an airframe number that I’d actually flown in, and as I wasn’t even aware that I could print my own went with the best fit - 706 NAS, particularly as I had another plan for representing my time on 820 NAS! Here's the result:

As I had the two Lynx on the go but on hold waiting on detail parts, I constructed this kit as I wanted to do something other than twiddle my thumbs. My first attempt at using 3D printed details (by Kelik) worked out ok, apart from the white parachute shoulder straps that weren’t flexible enough and snapped when I tried to install. They were replaced by Tamiya flexible masking tape. Lesson learned though: don’t put on the top bang seat handles before installing the cockpit assembly into the fuselage. I was really careful handing afterwards, but still managed to break those on the pilot’s seat. I used very thin gauge wire, extracted from a wire tie wrap, to replace them, which worked well I think. I’d not planned to undertake any modifications but that idea fell by the wayside when I discovered a bomb bay interior and 2 x WE177s produced by Freightdog. As the WE177 could be considered the aircraft’s primary weapon system I just had to go with them rather than the rocket pods & bombs included with the kit. Problem now was, although I’d purchased some Airfix display stands, there was nowhere to cut a slot far enough forward to allow it to balance. So I had to build with wheels down and load the recommended weight into the nose section, which seemed excessive as the lead fishing weights required completely filled the nose right back under the cockpit. The result was pretty good but I still hankered after displaying it airborne and to show the underside. I finally figured it out this summer, a year or so later. Moreover I was able to display with the aircraft pulling up in an approximation of the “loft” bombing manoeuvre: the tactic for delivering this weapon. I hope you like….

Picking up from where I left off with the Seaking HAS 5, I joined 702 NAS for Lynx conversion in Mar ’84 following which I served in 815 NAS with HMS LIVERPOOL flight from ’84 -’86 and then, apart from a short period with 829 NAS, with the HQ element until late’88. The HAS 2 variant was in service throughout this period. For those who are not aware the RN Lynx was upgraded from -2 to -3 standard by the provision of an uprated gearbox and more powerful engines, an upgrade that did not affect the external appearance. The conversion programme began before I converted to the Lynx and spread over a considerable period. My flight aircraft on LIVERPOOL XZ728, depicted during the period Sept ’84 - Jan ’85 when we were deployed to the West Indies, wasn’t converted to HAS 3 until after I left the flight. Obviously based on the battlefield Lynx the kit needed a number of modifications. The cockpit had dual controls, but only cyclic- and no collective levers. Operationally the RN Lynx was flown by a single pilot with an observer in the LH seat; only c.10% of RN Lynx had dual controls for shore-based pilot training. The LH flight controls were omitted and the instrument panel was replaced by an etched part from Airwaves depicting the observer’s instruments, radar & ESM screens. I’d got 2 sets but only one, made for HMA-8, had an overhead console with engine & speed control levers & rotor brake which I used for this build. Collective levers were also provided. This was my first venture into use of etched parts: fiddly to assemble & tricky to paint but I’m very satisfied with the result. Just because I could, I also included a vital piece of equipment: the observer’s navigation bag holding the tools of his trade on the floor between his feet. As I intended to arm with Sea Skua missiles I represented Sea Skua role equipment using redundant boxes from the parts store. The 6-man troop seat could not be fitted with this equipment installed. At the back of the cabin the 3-man rear troop seat was a seat only, so I removed the back from the part supplied and from it made a short bar to insert into the recess in the rear wall per the actual configuration as shown here: On the exterior the 6 Orange Crop ESM antennae were not supplied, the system having been fitted to the HAS 2 throughout. I thought to scratch build them from antennae I’d removed from a Seaking HAS 6 and made not a bad attempt with the fwd. pair, however the other 4 taxed my ingenuity. Luckily I found an ancient aftermarket details pack by C-Scale on eBay, in Michigan of all places, which included the six antennae as well as the Sea Skua missiles that I was specifically looking for. The fwd. and side pairs were simple to attach but the rear facing pair required modification of the undercarriage sponsons by removing a section and replacing it with the extensions provided. The C-Scale parts also included engine intake debris guards, a great improvement over those supplied with the kit. The underside needed much filling & sanding to hide the army Lynx skid mounting points, plugs & also seams. I stole the rear support post for the HF antenna and an I-band transponder aerial from a spare HobbyBoss Lynx. The doppler navigation radar antenna was not scribed out and caused much scratching of head: attempts at masking/painting failed but eventually I discovered one on on a spare set of decals that I’d acquired (in case) & forgotten. Wanting to display the aircraft airborne I modified the oleos in order to show them extended rather than compressed - the “on deck” state. The compressed oleo sections & scissor links were removed and replaced with a longer piece taken from the redundant troop seats with scissor links from the Airwaves set. On assembly the upper section was shortened to leave the top end + cap to fit into the upper side of the sponson. The square locating sections on the main oleos were rounded in order to allow the wheels to be toed out as they always were for flight. The kit came with what looked like Mk44 torpedoes, which were never carried by the Lynx, and very unrepresentative weapon carriers. These were donated to the Seaking HAS 5 I’ve already posted. I’d wanted to display the aircraft in its primary role anyway and was able to using the aftermarket Sea Skua missiles & carriers. The missiles are painted white as live rounds were in those days, rather than the commonly seen Oxford blue used for training rounds. I printed decals for the explosive markings. To customize for my flight aircraft the decals supplied with the kit were supplemented with my own printed decals: meet “Scouse”:

Seeing this kit in my local hobby shop a while before I retired was a real surprise as I had no idea that anyone would even consider producing a kit of this aircraft type! This was the inspiration for me to build all the types I’d flown operationally during my career as it was the aircraft used by 750 NAS to provide initial Basic Observer training. My course, commencing in mid ’79 was the second course to be trained in it following its introduction to service and I flew in this airframe, XX480, a number of times. This was my third build and the kit went together nicely with little filling required and is an accurate representation needing no modification. However I will say that it was extremely fiddly in parts especially for my mildly arthritic fingers. In particular the various antennae, which are of necessity really small, are provided with no locating pins/holes and little in the way of indicating their exact position on the aircraft body. I got there in the end though with much grinding of teeth! The kit comes complete with decals representing the blue livery that was adopted later, so I needed to find a way to represent the red livery in use in my time. I was considering painting, still by brush at this stage, but luckily found that Model Art Decal System produced a decal sheet that provided the solution - great! Here’s the evidence: Phil

I flew the Seaking HAS 5 during my first tour as an Observer on 820 NAS (’80-’81) and as an Observer Instructor on 810 NAS (’83-’84). This, my fourth build and my first using an airbrush, depicts Seaking HAS 5 ZA127 one of the first two new-build HAS 5s delivered to the front line in 820 NAS. I was part of the crew that collected it from the Westlands plant at the beginning of October 1980 and subsequently flew it on many occasions. I could find no HAS 5 kits anywhere so I went with the HAS 6 kit from Revell which I found online at Old Model Kits. The two types were externally identical with the exception that the first batch of HAS 5s received by 820 were not fitted with Orange Crop ESM, unlike their successors. The 6 external ESM antennae were thus sawn off and the fuselage smoothed. The kit came with representative observer and sonar operator consoles allowing me to display the rear cabin interior. However, the major difference between the HAS 2 and the HAS 5 was the introduction of the LAPADS passive sonar suite which required an analysis table with paper trace located in the aft cabin behind the existing radar and sonar consoles. On opening the HAS 6 kit I realized that this had obviously been incorporated into an updated sonar operator’s console, so this was to be my introduction to scratch build! Luckily the kit came as a pair along with an AEW variant and there were a lot of duplicate parts that I could utilize to fabricate a representation of the LAPADS console, mostly from memory as I could find very few photos. A couple of A-Type sonobuoys were fabricated from sprue material and placed just aft of the console where I recall a ready use stowage was located. As I wanted to show the sonar body deployed the aircraft needed to be displayed airborne, so cut a slot for a stand and modified the u/c to be in the raised position. The kit did not contain any weapons or weapon carriers so I utilized those from an Airfix Lynx which depict the Mk44 torpedo which was still in service (just) in 1980. This was my first attempt at painting using an airbrush and I got on ok, until it came to airbrushing the varnish, which I managed to “orange peel” to start with, but fixed eventually. Thanks to JP Deperez of Model Art Decals for willingly taking on the task of producing a set of decals that depicted ZA127; he was seeking some new ideas anyway. Here’s the final result! Phil

Hi Folks, In my intro I said that I’d completed the challenge I’d set myself of building aircraft types that I’d flown during my FAA career as an Observer and that I’d post some pics for inspection when I figured out how to post photos. I finally got there & decided to go with Hobby Photo Host - thanks Steve R for your help! Note that I'm posting them in the order of build rather than the order I flew them in so hopefully you'll see some progression in my ability.... So, here’s your starter: I flew the Wessex HAS 3, this airframe XM836 included, on 737 NAS both as a student Observer in ’79 and as an Observer Instructor from late ’81 to late ’83 when the squadron disbanded. This was the first model that I attempted after my return to the hobby, as it was a larger scale and I wanted to get my eye in before I went smaller. It was while ago now and I don’t recall much about the build, apart from the fact that the kit was very obviously based on a troop carrying variant with the addition of a conversion kit. This was only for external details though, hence the rear door is glued shut as there were no internal elements, i.e. Observer and Aircrewman’s consoles (radar and sonar respectively) and sonar winding gear, only troop seats of which we had only a couple. I was nowhere near attempting to scratch build anything at that point and I could only vaguely remember what it looked like anyway. The only thing that I added was the external housing underneath the sonar well. I wasn’t into airbrushing at this stage either so did the paint job by hand and just to increase the difficulty we were still in lockdown so all my purchases of brushes/paint/tools etc. had to be made online without me eyeballing them first. I wasn't aware of pre-cut masks at this point, so I used judicially cut Tamiya tape to cover the transparencies. I hope you agree that it didn’t turn out too bad at all? Phil p.s. Purchased online from OldModelKits.com

Hi all With the final completion of my longterm build of my 32nd scale Hawker Nimrod fighter, I am building a 32nd scale Swordfish Mk.1. I have located a profile in the Airfile publication for a machine with an unknown serial number , but coded 5G as having the sky grey undersides and nearly up to the EDSG/DSG scheme has been overpainted in Night for nighttime anti shipping operations off Malta, late 1940-41. it makes for an interesting scheme that I would like to model. The profile shows a large fin flash present too. I belive this will be L7876 which is coded 5G and was based in Malta some time in 1940-41. The only images I can locate show the sky grey undersides and later smaller fin flash. Does anyone know of any photos showing the night undersides that they can direct me to and is the large fin flash feasible, it cerrainly will make a fascinating subject to model.. I have tried to email the publishers but the email has been returned , I was asking similar questions to them and whether I could post a photo of their profile in my thread . Thanks forward assistance in advance Chris

Howdy all, Primarily I just wanted to photograph something today with my recently arrived Red Fox asphalt display base, and vinyl sky wrap I recently attached to some hardboard. All in the hope to elevate my photography and diorama skills🙃. Regarding the kit, following on from my Gannet and Bucc, I wanted to continue the theme of FAA a/c parked with wings folded (as my space is a premium currently). I thought that this pretty little kit should be built in a flash…..wrong! I think in the end it was a 3 weeks or so, with much gripe around the nose cowl area, necessitating re-scribing and new plasticard latches being made. Anyhow, then I wanted to replace the rockets with the Eduard Brassin ones on offer, my god. They’re about as fiddly as trying to thread a needle with boxing gloves on!!. Whilst they’re better than the kit offerings. Many many choice words were used in their construction. In the end they are part kit and the rocket itself from Brassin. I ended up drilling out the rocket carrier, cutting the rockets in 3 and glueing them all to look like it’s in all 1 piece. The PE metal was just too fiddly under 2 pairs of glasses and a magnifying lens! Obligatory mistakes were incorporated and a decal hiccup was encountered! And I still need to perfect my walkway chipping. Master model pitot and gun barrels used, paint was MRP. Hope you enjoy. Cheers for now Peter

Afternoon all, Please find my Bucc for your enjoyment. I must say a thank you to Nick Greenall (NG899) for his detailing PDF. It was very informative and helpful although a bit late in my build to accommodate all his modifications. The Black dog radome/engine set was used although the quality was somewhat poor requiring lots of superglue filling. The seats are the excellent Eduard Brassin jobbies. The model was finished with their pre-painted handles. The MDC cord was from Quinta, it really makes a better job than I could paint it. But I’m not sure if it’s too thick in this scale. Cockpit decals were 3D Space from Eduard. Pitot tube was Model Master. I did add some extra detailing in the main U/C bay with extra wiring although that isn’t really seen, as is my Jet pipe temperature sensors. But I know they’re there ! I have to add an opening latch handle for the radome and I have a flight path access ladder/platform to build. Of course there are the obligatory mistakes, and some things I could have improved on. Always learning! And the camera always makes it looks worse than in real 🤪 It was my first attempt at using RBF flags, and my conclusion came that using 0.3mm rigging wire gave the best result. Some flags are with metal wire and it’s just too stiff and thick, she cried! Anyway enough rambling on! Cheers Peter Some artistic licence was used in the TV guided missile. You can’t really see it, but I added hose for the air brake actuator rams. That was my 2nd attempt at chipping, I note it only works with acrylic and I’m normally using lacquer. It’s not too bad. I tried to replicate what I assume is rubber on the bottom of the ladder with orange. It is though almost not noticeable. The Black dog engine access door had no hinges, so these were cut from the S2D kit that I will build with the engine covers closed. (Gulf war scheme🤓) You’ll do well to notice the JPT probes. Did add some brake hoses. Just a couple more from the build. Jet Pipe temperature sensors. Squiggly stencil used for the 1st time, usually i go free hand. It seemed ok until I applied a varnish coat….. I used a combination of thinned paint over it to blend it out. That’s how pitted the radome was, the moulding/casting was very poor. There were many many air bubbles that had formed that needed picking out and filling with superglue. I had a mini disaster using MRP paints. I had finished a bottle on the airframe and started using a new bottle for the air brake and radome. I was pretty unimpressed to say the least. It turns out they changed the formula, the air brake is the “new colour”. In the end a mix was made in between and a dust of basalt grey brought it all together. In its final parking position. Next project awaits on top, I’m thinking of making that a WIP. I assume there may be a small amount of interest🤪 Planning this.

Hi All, I feel like life has been dealing me my fair share of lemons for the past couple of weeks, and I have been left without the appetite for my long-term Albemarle project. To distract myself I've been meddling with the lovely Airfix WWII RAF Bomber Resupply Set (which I might post in my Manchester build thread), but I felt the urge to do an actual aircraft model. I've settled on Special Hobby's Fairey Fulmar NF Mk.II. Here's the box art: Here's the sprue shots: Some rather nice decals, a small fret of PE and some lovely resin wheels: I'm going to model this as the box scheme: You can see that BP791 belonged to 784 Sqn FAA, based at Drem, Lothian in 1943. Here's a photo of the aircraft: Unusually for an FAA aircraft it wears the Night Fighter scheme of DG over MSG. The airframe looks to be heavily weathered, which I may try to duplicate. It also has a complement of Yagi aerials, but I am not sure whether SH have provisioned an AI radar set - hmmm. There is also a patch aft of the gunner's position which SH call out as yellow, but I am not so sure... Anyway, on with the fun! Thanks for looking, Roger EDIT - Full credit to SH, there IS provision for a radar set:

Hi All, My latest completion is Special Hobby's Fulmar, built as X8812 of 809 Sqn FAA, which flew from HMS Victorious during Operation Pedestal, the campaign to relieve the siege of Malta in 1942. Although I have not found an image of X8812 here is a photo showing Fulmars of 809 Sqn: Here is the WIP if anyone is interested: And here are the photos: Here's a final shot with another fugly Fairey: This has been a fun build, albeit with the usual vagaries associated with a Special Hobby kit. Thanks to all those who have offered support and kind words along the way, Thanks for looking, Roger

Hi All, My next completion is Tamiya's mighty Stringbag, which I will say from the outset is a superb kit. I've completed it as LS276, which flew as part of 836 Sqn FAA from Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) Amastra in 1943. Here's a photo of Amastra, which was a coverted oil carrier: I couldn't find any photos of LS276, but here's another aircraft from 836 Sqn: These aircraft were unusual in that the 'Royal Navy' above the a/c serial was overpainted with 'Merchant Navy', initially as a joke but eventually a source of some pride. As my grandfather served in the Merchant Navy throughout the war I feel a small personal connection - these aircraft could well have been flying as part of the many convoys he sailed across the Atlantic. Here's the WIP if anyone is interested: The kit was built OOB with the exception of the Tamiya rigging PE set, which was veeeerrry fiddly. This build nearly ended up on the Shelf of Doom due to decal disasters, so I'm glad I had a word with myself and pushed it over the line. Anyway, on with the photos: Despite a myriad of minor imperfections and errors I'm pretty pleased with the way she's turned out, and she certainly has shelf presence. I might move on to something a little simpler next time though! Thanks for looking, Roger

My latest completion. Fortieth in my Fleet Air Arm and now RNAS collection and my third completion this year!! Sopwith Camel F1 B6390. No 13(N) Squadron RNAS. France. December 1917 Flown by Raymond Collishaw December 1917 Victories number 19 & 20 (of 60). 09.12.17 1520) Albatros D.V (OOC) Ostend Sopwith Camel B6390 10.12.17 Two Seater (OOC) Sopwith Camel B6390 Kit Revell 1/48 Sopwith Camel F1 (Old mould Eduard re-boxed). After market Look Instrument Panel Eduard 'Big Sin' Bentley Engine upgrade set (Bentley engine, wheels, seat, Vickers Mk.I gun, Rotherham air pumps, (not used; 20lb bomb carrier, 20lb bomb). Paint Colourcoats enamels. Tamiya, AK, Life Colour and Hataka Acrylics Decals Box Home Printed. Rigging EZ Line. Reasonably straight forward model to build. Beware though that the after market is designed for the new mould Eduard model. Some trimming is required... Pictures Now, what to plunder from the stash next… Thanks for stopping by..

Hot off the bench, here's my third 1/48 Buccaneer, which I have just finished - alas, too late to take it to Peterborough yesterday. It depicts a tanker aircraft of 800 NAS in 1970 when embarked in HMS Eagle. Just for a change I wanted to show the flaps, aileron droop and tail trim deployed, which is why the crew are there: this was only ever seen with the aircraft powered up. I suppose it really needs a deck marshaller to add a final touch: maybe one day. It is the Airfix new-tool kit. I did it mostly from the box, but did use a Master FR probe and pitot, Eduard canopy masks, and (particularly poignant in view of the recent news) the buddy refuelling pod by Flightpath. Markings were mostly from home-made masks, including the Flight Refuelling logo in the fin; stencils etc (those I bothered with) were from the kit, as were the fuselage roundels after a mask/paint disaster. The small serials were from an Xtradecal generic sheet, and the 800 NAS badges from the old-tool Airfix kit, kindly supplied by @BushBrit66. Comments and feedback welcome.

First off the F4U is my all time favorite aircraft. This should be a quick easy build. I had no trouble with my last Tamiya Corsair. The hardest part was building the wings extended. This build will avoid even that because I'm folding the wings to honor its carrier service. I bought this -1D kit when it was first released twenty something years ago and apparently started painting the cowling. Other than that, it's unstarted. All along I planned on doing the plane on the box art. I just changed my mind to do it as a FAA Corsair. I want something different looking than the GSB Corsairs in the cabinet. This scheme is a perfect pick for me. It gives me folded (and clipped) wings and an interesting scheme to paint. I know this scheme is probably played out here on Britmodeler, but it's new to me so I'm excited to do it. I know there's some different seat belts, additional vents and radio stuff to go with the FAA Corsairs. I close my canopies so I'm not going to concern myself with interior differences. I'll play the vents by ear when the time comes. The weather this week is going to be perfect for modeling (cold and nasty) so I'll start building tonight. If anyone has helpful information regarding the build please chime in. It will be much appreciated. Question is the fuel tank in the first picture applicable for these markings? Here we go! Ron

Hey gang. I'm in the midst of building Don Shepard's P136 Corsair II. I was following an illustrated camouflage pattern in one of my favorite authors books. I started by painting the outer wings. Unfortunately the painting instructions on the decals I just got has the colors reversed. Kind of like the Hurricane's type A and B pattern. Being that the decals have the BPF roundels really wrong, I didn't give their camouflage research much weight. Well until I looked at the famous photo of P147 on the deck of the Essex. The lack of contrast in the colors makes picking out the pattern difficult but it certainly looks similar to my decal's guide and opposite of my reference illustration. BTW I'm using P147 as my markings guide since its a squadron contemporary. If I'm wrong to use P147 and there's a photo of something better, Please let me know since I'm probably repainting everything anyhow. I've had a crumby couple of days and I'm not happy that all have to strip and repaint the outer wings, but it'd be worse if I finished out the build with the colors reversed. I've looked at various decal painting guides and some of them have questionable research so I figured I'd rather trust you guys. So does' any one have a reliable painting guide for a Camouflaged Corsair II? thanks in advance. Many thanks actually, Ron

I found this profile and I really like the markings. I have a few questions on this. First are these Markings even real? If not we're done now. If they are legit what sizes are they? Codes and roundels. I need to now so I can create them on my new Silhouette cutter. Third. Is this an abnormal camouflage pattern on the starboard nose? Looks odd to me, but what do I know? Thank you Ron

I am looking for information on the markings of 802 Squadron Sea Gladiators on the HMS Glorious in the spring/summer of 1939. I have seen several profiles of one, the squadron commander's machine, presumably, G6A, serial N5519, like this one: A photograph in the Warpaint Gladiator monograph shows the squadron diamond pattern on the upper wing of this aircraft. I have seen it represented as being blue in some sources and yellow in others. Does anyone know for certain which is correct? It was for most of the inter-war period standard practice for the Royal Navy to paint metal panels grey, while aluminum dope was used on fabric. There is usually a perceptible difference, as in this picture of a Nimrod: In photographs of Sea Gladiators, such a difference in tone is not apparent. Were Sea Gladiators painted in over-all aluminum (like the aluminum paint applied to Skuas)? Were serials marked under the lower wings of Sea Gladiators? I have seen photographs showing such a marking, but none of the decal sets offered for G6A by various companies indicate such underwing serials. Finally, are the identities of any other 802 Squadron Sea Gladiators in this period known? Is there anywhere known, for example, what the serial number of G6B was? I presume, at least, there would have been a G6A down through G6I?

Hi All, I am in the midst of building the Eduard 1/48th Grumman Hellcat Mk II as Grumman Hellcat JW731 R6L assigned to 1844 Naval Air Squadron, 5th Naval Fighter Wing aboard HMS Indomitable, British Pacific Fleet. During Operation Meridian SLt Edward Wilson flew this aircraft to air to air victory:- o 24.01.45 0815 Ki-45‘Nick’ shared destroyed with Flight Leader, Ki44 ‘Tojo’ Destroyed. ‘out of control vertically smoking, Palembang’. Grumman Hellcat II JW731/R6*L[4] The basic airframe is built and I am working on the markings. I need to know how R6L was laid out on the fuselage side - How was it laid out around the fuselage roundel. In the FAA the order must remain the same, air group letter (R), unit number (6), aircraft ID letter (L), but how was it laid out around the roundel? R6 o L, R o 6L (where o is the roundel) etc. and lastly was the layout the same on both sides.. Below is the most common artwork of this aircraft I have seen but in the best traditions of @Troy Smith I want to collaborate the artwork before committing pain to model and even if this is correct, how ere the marking on the right hand side of the aircraft laid out I believe this photograph was taken around the time of Meridian :- The photo of the left side of a Hellcat shows the Air Group letter (R) on its own ahead of the roundel which would indicate that the layout on the left is R o 6L. The picture below shows Charles Lavender standing by the side of an 1839 NAS aircraft (same fighter wing) identified as FN432 by @iang Fleet Air Arm Pilot by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr The layout shows 5P ahead of the roundel which would indicate the right side layout to be R o 5P I think that then the artwork may be incorrect with the left side of the aircraft showing R o 6L and the right R o 6L. Would anyone have evidence to show this an incorrect assumption? Are there photos of JW731 which might prove / dis prove this theory, Also would it be marked with an L or a 6L on the forward U/C Door? Special callouts for the wise counsel of @iang, @EwenS, @Seahawk, Regards

Cousin Bill’s Hellcat “25th July "The dusk CAP took off at 1700 hrs and Taylors RT went for a very smart burton. At 1845 hrs Fosters Engine began doing queer things and it is believed that the drop tank could not have been completely full as all went on main. Five minutes later Mackie and Atkinson were sent off on a vector to 20,000 feet and Foster told to stay at 5 with Taylor and both to land. At 1915 hrs the two types at 20 caught up with a number of Graces (Aichi B7A) carrying torpedoes. Atkinson hacked down two before you could say ‘Bob’s your uncle’ and Mackie brought the score to three and probably a forth. In no time at all. Atkinson then perceived aJapanesemaking what might be termed an ‘ugly dash’ at him, so to quote our hero ‘I did a tight loop and rolled out on his tail!’ This statement is believed to be one of the best lines we shot, but the fact remains that he badly damaged this aircraft and it has been claimed by him as a probable. It was last seen in a 40-degree dive towards the ‘oggin’. From that moment signals came in thick and fast, the all-important one from Rear-Admiral Vian, ‘Hearty congratulations’ and Admiral Halsey, ‘May I congratulate your CIC Officers and CAP pilots’. Churchills famous statement, ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few’ was written about such gallant men as these two dashing young pilots’”. Heaven High Ocean Deep – Naval Fighter Wing At War. Tim Hillier-Graves I have built a representation of JX772 previously, as have many. I started this particular build with revision, going through the various notes and posts in Britmodeller and other sources. JX772 was assigned to 1839 Squadron, 5th Naval Fighter Wing HMS Indomitable, British Pacific Fleet in May ’45. In June HMS Indomitable returned to Sydney for refit. Six Hellcats were detached with six 1844 Squadron Pilots, Mechanics and Fighter Controller to HMS Formidable, 4 for Dawn & Dusk fighter cover (JX772 was one of these) and two for Photo Reconnaissance. My search for wartime photos of JX772 has been unsuccessful but in the Britmodeller notes @iang refers to unpublished film that shows JX772: X/119. An unusual feature with JX772 it that it has the serial applied above the carrier code on the fin in white and no Royal Navy titling. There is a published wartime news reel shot on board HMS Formidable which has in the background two Hellcats. Closer, frame by frame, inspection showed one of the aircraft being serviced was Hellcat 119. Items of note. The Aircraft is painted Gloss Sea Blue. Round Rear view mirror. High contrast colour around Engine cowling panels. High gloss finish. Sky auxiliary fuel tank (paint worn on nose). I decided I would try to emulate the photograph in my model of JX772 / X119 Sharing the family name with Bill Atkinson I wondered if there was any family connection. My wife, Lornagh, is a very good amateur genealogist and she built a family tree for Bill Atkinson. She traced his family from Canada where Bill was born back to Huddersfield, Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Bill’s Second Great Grandfather being a Wool Stapler, Arthur Atkinson. My family also come from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, my Third Great Grandfather, Arthur Atkinson being a Wool Stapler. Thus, Lornagh established there is a strong probability of a family link between Bill Atkinson and me. Bill is probably a distant cousin. This is my representation of Grumman Hellcat Mk II. JX772 / X119 – Cousin Bill’s Hellcat. Kit is Eduard 1/48 Grumman Hellcat MkII, with:- Eduard etch F6F-5 Interior detail set Eduard Brassin Hellcat Engine detailing set Wolfpack Wingfold Set Scratch built changes & detailing Trolleys, Cases, oil cans – Airfix Ready for Battle set ICM & Resin printed Figures, Colourcoats enamels, Tamiya Acrylics, Generic Markings. On its display base.. Hope you enjoy the photographs Thanks for stopping by..

A little late to the party here... but better late than never! I might not get this done within the duration of this GB, but it's a worthy excuse to start this Firefly kit which has been sitting in my stash for a while. This is the 1982 boxing of the 1966 kit. The original release featured the dynamic Roy Cross art shown below: I'm no expert on carrier operations, but the Firefly above seems too far back on the carrier deck to be airborne from the catapult, so it must have been a landing which missed the wires and had to go around, but the hook is not down... so we'll just leave it as a mystery! The Firefly is one of 3 kits I have which will replicate the 3 aircraft types shown in this fabulous photo of RAN FAA aircraft flying over Sydney harbour in June 1961 (Garden Island naval dock is below the Firefly & Sea Fury, and yachts in Rushcutters Bay are visible at the middle left). The full set will obviously be the Firefly, Sea Fury and Gannet. The Firefly "842" is WB518 of 723 Squadron RAN, originally delivered as an AS.6 and converted to TT.6. Here are are the three kits, with the Airfix classic at the top: And here's the bag of bits for the Firefly. A fairly simple build, but who knows if I'll get it done by November? It's not immediately obvious from the black & white photo above, but the Firefly is actually in colourful target tug livery, like below (except WB518 has kangaroo roundels in all positions): To help me get this done, I have the PrintScale decals which depict WB271, so I'll just need to make up some new side codes.