Honeybee Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Hi Guys after a lot of faffing about I've decided to call time on this build. 148th Classic Airframes kit, not particularly difficult to build but not for a beginner either. Xtra colour paint and decals from the spares box. I could only find squadron codes for this a/c and had to make a decision to use an X for the a/c letter as nobody has any information for sure, now it's finished I expect someone will now come forward. The props were a pain, the Blenheim props turned ant clockwise and so the angle to the airflow is the opposite to what you'd expect, not only does it look odd but I knocked them off numerous times and they didn't like being refitted. The kit left me with the desire to build a Mk.I but I'll go for the Sanger kit. It can't be any harder. There is a story behind the aircraft I chose to build. I work for Her Majesty at HMP Wealstun near Boston Spa, Yorkshire. Across the road from the jail is a farmers field with a wacking great electricity pylon in the middle. N3538, suffering from engine trouble was looking for a safe place to put down but unfortunately for the 22 year old pilot, Sgt. William Curlet at 09.27hrs on the 13th March 1942 he collided with the high tension cables carried by the pylon and crashed into a field 100 yards East of the Church at Thorp Arch, about half a mile along the road from where I work. Also killed were P/O John McColl, aged 20 and Wop/AG Sgt. Eric Johnson, age unknown at present. When the weather gets better the farmer has given me permission to look about the field, p'raps I can find some part to display with the kit. The Church at Thorpe Arch The High Tension cables, the jail is behind the trees directly behind the pole on the left. The Blenheim landed right in the middle of this picture. Last picture is of the Blenheim and seven Dambuster Lancasters. I know, you can't see them but you will eventually. There is an eighth on top you cannot see. Regards Paul 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canberra Fan Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Love Seeing models with stories, even sad stories, nice one Paul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasticbutcher Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 All round success I would say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) Paul, WOW she looks great and I like the history behind it.. Been to interview a prisoner a while back at HMP Wealstun...and I never realized that there was so much history there..wish I had known.. Thank you or enlightening ME.. Edited March 21, 2013 by HOUSTON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybee Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Houston there's a defiant in the next field to the south, shot down on a training exercise by a JU88c in 1941. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Great model - I'm full of admiration for those brave young men who flew these into battle. They were the best we had at the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Nice one, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Great job on that, I`ve only heard horror stories about that kit but you can`t tell from your build ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderjug Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Hi Paul, sent you the email AGAIN as regards the Dambuster display for Elvington. Nice job by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Nice work, it is a horrible kit but you have turned into a crackin' model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickR Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Cracking model Paul and a nice tribute. Do you have any plans to donate or display the model locally? I live in Aberford, just south of Boston Spa. We are surrounded by sites with a story to tell with so many, largely bomber, WWII bases locally and I learn about more stories all the time. The story of this Blenheim is new to me and if you or anyone can point me in the direction of good source material I would be grateful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Great to see a Blenheim , Not seen that often and thats a beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Great to see it finished Paul, such a sad ending to the flight too. Looking forwards to seeing it on the stall next time you're down Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybee Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Hi Guys thanks for the comments though I believe it looks better on the screen than in the flesh. Nick R, I don't intend to donate it though I know Thorpe Arch has a good historical society. I take my models round the country to model shows and the occaisional gathering of Bomber Command veterans so I need it really. I know there are a few other crash sites around the area, a Halifax near Tadcaster for one. There is a website at WWW. yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk, where I gleaned the first information from about the subject. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glyn Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 great model with history behind it aswell. glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinj Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Very nice work Paul. Must try and find something from my area thanks for the inspiration Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Nice job Paul, certainly looks the Part, interesting if sad back story too......... but only 7 Lancs ! Good grief man. Melchie.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfpack Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Ant clockwise???????????? W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 A most beautiful Blenheim. Nice work. One small nitpik: The engine gear casings should be black, not grey. Actually, a semi-gloss black. Otherwise, a beauty. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnylurve Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 A great build and a fitting tribute. Spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeybee Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Dogsbody, I'll get my paint brush out then. Thganks for the info. Melchie, with the promised builds going at present we only have two outstanding, total of 12 finished including the Tamiya one. Regards Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickR Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks Paul Hi Guys thanks for the comments though I believe it looks better on the screen than in the flesh. Nick R, I don't intend to donate it though I know Thorpe Arch has a good historical society. I take my models round the country to model shows and the occaisional gathering of Bomber Command veterans so I need it really. I know there are a few other crash sites around the area, a Halifax near Tadcaster for one. There is a website at WWW. yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk, where I gleaned the first information from about the subject. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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