RAAF Short 'C' Class Empire Flying Boat Conversion - 1/72 Red Roo Models

[Julien]

RAAF Short 'C' Class Empire Flying Boat Conversion
1:72 Red Roo Models

During the early stages of WWII before Aircraft production was kicked up a notch many air arms found aircraft in short supply and looked for civilian aircraft to fill the gap. The RAAF was particularly short of long range assets. There were though a number of Shorts C Class Empire Flying boats in the country which were pressed into service. The RAAF would use five of these aircraft which would be serialed A18-10 through A18-14.

Aircraft from Imperial Airways were impressed into service, where as Aircraft owned by Quatas were subject to a formal charter. Some of these aircraft would be fitted with bomb racks, and a nose aiming position, and they would receive upper defensive gun mounts. Other aircraft not fitted for bombing would also receive upper gun mounts. In all cases the gun mounts were open with a wind deflector fitted in front. Two of the aircraft would also gain camouflage colour schemes. None of these aircraft would go on to survive the war. Only one was lost to enemy action, the others to accidents.

The Conversion
The conversion from Red Roo is for the CMR Kit and contains; 1 clear resin bomb aiming copula, 4 bomb racks, 2 browning 0.5cal machine guns, 2 Lewis guns, 2 scarff rings, 2 azimuth arms, 2 wind deflectors, 1 template; and the decal sheet. There is a clear acetate sheet which contains a template to scribe a new hatch on the left rear of all four aircraft. This hatch retracted internally and allowed use of a Lewis gun from this position. A similar but larger hatch was located on the right hand side. This allowed engines to be loaded into the aircraft, and again a Lewis gun to be deployed.

The instructions are comprehensive and need to be studied depending on which aircraft is to be modelled. Some had the bomb racks and associated bomb aiming window, and some did not. Again top armament options varied between aircraft. The metal parts are brass and so quite soft, care will be needed in handling these. A full sheet of decals is provided for all marking options. This includes serial numbers, code numbers, roundels, and fin flashes. The look to be colour dense, with no registry issues.

Conclusion
The service of these Flying boats is only a small part of the RAAF in WWII but still worthy of note. With sets like these the modeller has a chance to build one of these 5 historic aircraft. Recommended.

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