H.P. Hampden AT225 - B MK.I or TB Mk.I?

[Redboost]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of building the new 1/72 Hampden from Valom and would like to finish it in the Coastal Command scheme proposed in the kit. However, it is not sure whether the AT225 (Red E) was B Mk.I or TB Mk.I version, i.e. if had the "hedgehog" exhausts, external bomb racks and modified bomb(torpedo) bay. I found only a drawing in the Warpaint book, but a photo would definitely resolve that. Can anybody help?

Thanks,

Libor

[Test Graham]

AT225 is listed by Air Britain as not being converted to a torpedo bomber.

Note that the torpedo bomber conversion did not deepen the bombbay doors, as often depicted. It reduced the depth of the ventral gunner's position. Careful study of the photographs will identify the modified shape. A large beam was fitted inside the bombbay to carry the torpedo semi-externally. The outer bombbay doors closed normally, and the inner doors rested on the sides of the torpedo, closing normally when the torpedo was gone. The semi-external carriage, plus the raised gunners position, was for the fitting of the Monoplane Air Tail which permitted the torpedo to be dropped at higher speeds, reducing the vulnerability of the attacker.

PS I'd appreciate your comments on the Valom Hampden. How does it compare with the Airfix one? I'm considering the Hereford. (Or even maybe a torpedo-bomber if they get it right.)

Edited October 29, 2008 by Graham Boak

[Redboost]

Graham, many thanks for the AT225 clarification and the info on the torpedo bomber modifications.

I just started off and the first impressions are very good indeed. The parts are finely molded with thin engraved panel lines and even the rivets. Smaller details are also nice, especially the engines and machine guns are one of the best I ever saw in a short-run kit. The transparencies parts are injected, little bit thick, but clear and usable. Still did not check the accuracy properly as I'm waiting for some references, but on the first look all seems to be ok. The first box offers the EA-F (P1333) and the AT225, while the second boxing includes a the VVS machine (white 30) and the sole Swedish example. I only had doubts about the AT225 version, as the kit suggests the "short" exhausts, while the artwork in Warpaint book shows both the "hedgehog" exhausts and external bomb racks, what I tought might indicate a TB Mk.I version. The russian machine is depicted as B Mk.I what I think is incorrect as all Hampdens given to the Russians were of torpedo bomber version? Valom just released an update resin set which includes modified doors for TB Mk.I, bombs, torpedo and the exhausts. I'm not sure if they modified the gunner position as you mentioned, but the conversion to a torpedo bomber will be possible.

Comparison with Airfix might be little bit unfair:-)

I'm tempted at the Hereford too!

Thanks,

Libor

Edited October 29, 2008 by Redboost

[Test Graham]

The hedgehog exhausts will have been for night operations, and the underwing bombracks just an overload case. I don't think that either were specifically for the TB, and certainly would not combine the underwing racks with a torpedo! Poor overloaded thing. The Russians did indeed only have TBs. I suspect, from the sound of it, that Valom have deepened the rear of the bombbay doors - shame if so. It was the drawings of these bombbays that first drew my attention to the TB - the photos just show the belly line parallel to the fuselage top, the same as the bomber. I couldn't understand what was going on, but the description was given in Putnam's Handley Page Aircraft. Once warned, it is possible to see the difference in the belly gunner's position - a shallower lower window and a sharper curve to the shape - but you do have to peer at a lot of photos.

[Redboost]

The fuselages are identical in both kits as are the clear parts, i.e. no modification of the ventral gunner position has been made. I'm not sure if the Falcon canopy set would help here as I suggest it is designed for the Airfix bomber version.

I'm in touch with the Valom, so I will pass on them this information.

Graham, many thanks for these informations, it's much appreciated!

Cheers,

Libor

P.S. I found picture of the ventral gun position, but I'm not sure if it is the original or modified one.

Edited October 30, 2008 by Redboost

[rossm]

There is a photo of AT225 in the Coastal Scheme in 'Hampden File' by Harry Moyle, published by Air Britain but out of print. It is a bit murky but shows long exhausts (can't tell if they are 'hedgehog' but they are that length), normal fuselage and no external bomb racks as far as I can tell. The photo was taken (according to the caption) in January 1943 when AT225 was with 1404 (Meteorological) Flight at St.Eval. The photo is credited to 'RNAS Yeovilton 213' so I wonder if you could get a copy via the Fleet Air Arm Museum ?

The reason I mention getting a copy is because there is 'something odd' just in front of the bomb bay where (perhaps) the censor deleted something as the contour does not run in a smooth line, even allowing for the engine cowling/intake behind the fuselage. There is also on odd looking 'bar' across the landing light fairing which resembles the ASR1 radar antennae seen on early Hudsons (nothing like the ASR2 Christmas tree but much much smaller and simpler). Without a clearer picture I'd just build it as a normal bomber variant but I wonder if there was something 'different' about it or if I'm just seeing things that wouldn't be there on a clear print ?