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The Merlin engined Boulton Paul Balliol was an advanced two seat trainer which entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1952. The Balliol was originally intended to be powered by a turboprop engine which is why the fuselage is so deep as the jet pipe would have been routed under the cockpit. The first prototypes were powered by a Mamba turboprop and were three seaters but Air Ministry policy changed and a more conventional powered two seater trainer was decided on. A total of 162 Balliol T.2s were built for the RAF which was quite a reduction in the original order for 400 as the Air Ministry had again changed their minds and were now favouring a jet powered advanced trainer. Turboprop engined Balliol protoype Meanwhile the Royal Navy were also interested in the Balliol and so a navalised version was built which became the Sea Balliol T. Mk 21. A total of 30 Sea Balliols were built and these first entered service in 1953. The Sea Balliol which I have modelled taking off from HMS Triumph A feature of the Balliol was that all of them had folding wings, even the RAF ones, which I suppose would have made packing lots of them into the hangars at RAF Cottesmore easier. RAF Balliols waiting to be scrapped. The RAF ones had larger wing roundels than the Navy ones for some strange reason. The height of the roll-bar support is very apparent now that the canopy has been removed. I have always had a fascination for the Balliol and was excited when Special Hobby announced a 1/72 injection moulded kit. They produced both versions and I decided on the Sea Balliol as I love aeroplanes that operate in sea environments. Also I had seen the only surviving example of a Sea Balliol at the RAF Museum at Cosford and was very impressed with it. The only surviving Sea Balliol. As with previous topics of mine I took a few photos during the construction a few years ago but the majority of photos will be of the completed model which is why it is posted here. The presentation for the RAF T. Mk 2 version The impressive box art on the kit that I built. Special Hobby have a superb artist in residence. Note the substantial tail wheel and arrestor hook fitted to the Sea Balliol. Must leave it here for now as must get ready as my wife is taking me out for a birthday meal. Back soon.

Sea Balliol T21 WL732 former Royal Navy and A&AEE aircraft on display in Hangar 1 as part of the transport and training collection at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford. Pics thanks to Frank.