Nigel Foster60 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I wonder if anyone can help me please? I have two Islanders in the stash ready to become current military versions of the same. The AAC aircraft fly I believe out of Middle Wallop and the RAF aircraft out of RAF Northolt. The problem I have is that I cannot find in my extensive library any information or drawings thatwould readily allow me to convert them. I think there are a number of "electronic fits" that might have to be ignored. ( "If I told you what they were I would have to shoot you") However the main part I cannot see reliably is the engines. The other main change is the shape of the nose? Does anyone know what is required to turn the piston engines into the turboprop's? Thank you in anticipation for any help and advise kindly offered. Nigel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) I have some drawings and a conversion article somewhere, but basically the engines need to be longer and more pointy at the front, new props and spinners and they don't have the 'step' on the underside that the piston engined ones have. I had some really good pics of an AAC aircraft but lost them in a PC crash The nose of the fuselage needs to be pointed as well. You also need to shorten the wingtips as the kit has the flared ones but the AAC/RAF ones have parallel ones Edited March 27, 2015 by Dave Fleming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boffin Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 There was a good article in Air International in last 2 years or so. I'll see if I can dig it out. It didn't have a 3 view but did have lots of pictures George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Another one not ot forget is the intakes above the engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Here are some photos I took at Leuchars in 2010 at the airshow. I hope they're of help 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniperUK Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Main Islander/Defender base is Aldergrove, they run the conversion courses there, the PSNI have one as well in the same scheme and the AAC have one in civy markings. Photography is very restricted especially if they have the surveillance kit fitted I may have some pics without the kit though so I will have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarnish One Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) Note that there are a confusing variety of different Islanders/Defenders used by the AAC/RAF: Islander CC2/CC2A (BN-2T Turbine Islander) serials ZF573, ZH536, ZH537, delivered 1986, 1992, 2008 respectively (RAF) Islander AL1 (BN-2T) serials ZG844-848 and ZG993-994, delivered 1989 onwards (AAC) Defender AL1 (BN-2T-4S Defender 4000), serials ZG995-998, delivered 2004 onwards (AAC) Defender AL2/Defender T3 (Defender 4000), serials ZH001-ZH005, delivered 2008 onwards (AAC) ...not to mention one-off trials aircraft like ZG989. Defender 4000s are easy to spot as they have a distinctive sloping nose. Edited March 27, 2015 by Tarnish One Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonywood Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 The RAF Islanders carry very specialised classified equipment and are rarely photographed. The Defenders have longer fuselages, far taller tail and use the larger Trislander wing. They have all been upgraded with FLIR turrets undernose. By far the most 'public' of the family are the Islander AL1's. Somewhere I have a full set of photos af all the additions. Ill dig them out and post them in the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Thank you all for so many very helpful replies. It certainly will help me to get going on the project. Can I just ask how much bigger is the Trilander wing? Are all RAF aircraft fitted with it? Thanks again for all the kind information. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czechnavy Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 There is a good article in the IPMS Magazine Issue 6 of 2009 mainly featuring ZG846 - four pages of a walk round with good detailed photos including a couple showing some of the interior plus some brief notes on modelling the aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonywood Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Not sure exactly how bigger the wing is and it is larger in span, chord or both. As far as I know the larger wing only applies to the Defenders (ZG995 - 998, ZH001 - 005). Photos of each individual aircraft are available at www.ukserials.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 AS Tony says, the larger wing is only fitted to the Defenders (Defender 4000s) - RAF and AAC Islanders have the standard wing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Thanks for clarifying the wing issue and thank you all for your helpful contributions. I am much better equipped to build now. I did not realise there were so many variants. Thanks Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dervish Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Just to point out that all Islanders are operated by the AAC under JHC. The RAF relinquished control over five years ago, maintenance is now undertaken by Army REME technicians and aircrew are mainly AAC. As previously mentioned all remaining Islander AL1s are operated by 5 Regiment from Flying Station Aldergrove, the three Islander CC2Bs are operated by Station Flight RAF Northolt as part of 5 Regt but it is not an RAF unit as previously mentioned. Defenders are a distinct type and all are operated by 5 Regt at FS Aldergrove alongside the Islander AL1s. There is a single T3 ZH004, the remainder are all AL2s, ZH001, ZH002, ZH003 and ZH005 were built as such, ZG995 - ZG998 were converted from AL1s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Thank you for that information, it is particularly interesting about the Northolt station flight. RAF aircraft being flow by the Army is an interesting fact. Cheers Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Thank you for that information, it is particularly interesting about the Northolt station flight. RAF aircraft being flow by the Army is an interesting fact. Cheers Nigel On behalf of GCHQ and MI5 http://www.dailymail...fghanistan.html http://www.telegraph...spys-death.html No specialist knowledge - just an observant reader! Edited April 2, 2015 by Dave Fleming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Dave Trying to send you a PM but your inbox is not accepting any new messages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzie Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 On behalf of GCHQ and MI5 http://www.dailymail...fghanistan.html http://www.telegraph...spys-death.html No specialist knowledge - just an observant reader! Putting 2 n 2 together can come up with the right answer if a bit more thought was put into it as well! I know when we tried to get some aircraft familiarization with a Northolt machine, we were told no chance! Arabest, Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert RN Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 This is all public domain info, no Op Sec is being breached. I've got a ton of Islander pics from Yeovilton, anyone want me to upload them? If that's ok with GCHQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 There is a lot more out there in the mainstream media, let alone the conspiracy blogs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOUGHNUT Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Nigel. What kit are you planning to use as starting point ? I once tried to convert the Airfix civil Islander but it really did not work out very well and was scrapped. Think windows and fuselage length were wrong, as well as needing new engines, prop. Could try http://obchod.valka.cz/product_info.php/cPath/263_433054_433055/products_id/1107824/product_name/172-BN-2T-CC2-Islander-England/language/en Anybody built one of these ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Pulfrew Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 There is a lot more out there in the mainstream media There is lots of speculation (as in the 2008 Daily Mail article), lots of rumour and lots of conspiracy theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 I was planning on using the Airfix Islander. I may need to think again now. Much better to know now than at the end of the build. Thanks to all for the interesting info. Cheers Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 The Airfix Islander should be fine for an ACC Islander AL1 or an RAF/Spooks CC2 - compare Stephen's pics above with the sprue shots here: http://modelingmadness.com/scott/civil/islanderpreview.htm there are obviously all the little ECM/RWR parts to add The Defender AL1/2/T3 are based on the longer fuselaged Defender 4000. BTW, there have been a couple of previous threads on this here, e.g.: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/40013-modifying-the-airfix-172nd-islander/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted April 4, 2015 Author Share Posted April 4, 2015 Dave, thank you for that information, that certainly keeps the project alive for me. I was at regional HQ at Northolt a few years ago. Whilst my W/C wisely wanted to keep me away from the Commandant I had time to roam around. I had distant sight of the said aircraft and thus I want to build one to remind me of an interesting day. I am not sure if everyone is aware the HS 125's are about to be stood down. ( to be replaced by the 146's originally intended for Afghanistan) With the various helicopters based there and visiting it is still an interesting place. ( Almost certain I spotted one of the dark blue 365's) Thanks again Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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