617 Squadron Project

[Black Knight]

They were all new builds; The last few only arriving three days before the mission afair. They didn't even get an instrument check flight by the crew afaik.

[bbudde]

That's nice and looking good for all of them by now. Keep going on with that

Edited January 11, 2017 by bbudde

[bar side]

Only just catching up on your thread - caught my attention on the first page as I made Lancaster kits, including a 617 revell kit, many years ago.  And I grew up in Colchester, going to feed the ducks on Abberton Reservoir.  Always thought Ardleigh Reservoir would have made a good, if smaller, practice site too.

 

I have also more recently (well about a year back) finished a 617 Tornado GR1 - old 1/48 ESCI kit so little detail.  Here it is with some friends

 

 

Keep up the good work

 

 

[Tim Moff]

Thanks all - yep all Airframes were new, some flown more than others during the training. It's hard to find out which airframe was delivered when and how many hours they had. That said G-George did have a bit of exhaust stain in the pics available.

 

To that end I will weather G -George as per the ref pics - I will look into the other 2 but tbh as advised weathering will be minimal.

 

about to deploy to Uganda for 2 weeks so may be a delay - will try to get the DG on!

 

thamks for the kind support .

 

luckily there is a Mossie GB coming up!

[Black Knight]

Best of whilst away.

Take care.

 

[Tim Moff]

The North American Mustang III is complete as part of the STGB.

 

Wing Comd Leonard Cheshire VC's 1st ever flight in a Mustang was to mark targets for 617 Sqn in a raid over Siracourt, France, targeting a V weapon storage area.

 

Modelled on the ref pic below, the Academy Mustang II was a nice build, however the decals were nothing short of pump and I used spares from various sheets as the Hannants sheet only gives you the serial number, HB837.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will continue the Lancs after my work trip.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Tim Moff

[CedB]

Very nice Tim (here too!).

Have a good trip.

[Tim Moff]

All masked and ready for the DG on my return. Had some issues with paint lift from the white tac/masking tape - used my usual black primer ( I masked the black invasion stripes on the Mustang and had no issues....). Maybe I did not shake it enough, maybe it is affected by the cold in the garage....worst case is that I may need to re-prime and start all over again!

 

We will see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tim Moff]

I am back home, dived straight into the F16 STGB, so the Lancs are still safely packed away. Hopefully I can get the DG on soon now the temps are rising again.

 

I have managed to get a 1/72 Canberra!

 

 

Want to build it in the old B2 colours that WK163 is wearing today in due course:

 

 

 

There are very little i the way of references of 617Sqn Canberras. Anyone who can help please do!

 

WD980 is looking a possibility

 

 

 

 

 

or a B6?

 

 

The pic below captures the new Canberras with the old Lincoln....SR-B - 101Sqn?

 

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/england-1951-raf-bomber-command-from-lincoln-to-canberra-raf-crews-picture-id83091644?s=170667a

 

 

Some useful pics here

http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn Markings/SqnMark617.htm

 

Finding useful decals is being problematic - seems most sets are for overseas marks.

 

Again any pointers be appreciated!

 

Edited February 2, 2017 by Tim Moff

[Tim Moff]

Got some more done on the Revell and Airfix old Lancs after some primer issues.....paint pulling up with masking. Gave em load of gloss before masking again...

 

 

 

 

[Tim Moff]

On 1/11/2017 at 10:17 PM, bar side said:

Only just catching up on your thread - caught my attention on the first page as I made Lancaster kits, including a 617 revell kit, many years ago.  And I grew up in Colchester, going to feed the ducks on Abberton Reservoir.  Always thought Ardleigh Reservoir would have made a good, if smaller, practice site too.

 

I have also more recently (well about a year back) finished a 617 Tornado GR1 - old 1/48 ESCI kit so little detail.  Here it is with some friends

 

 

Keep up the good work

 

 

 

 

Small world - I used to live opposite the Layer Road ground, just noticed 'Bar 'Side'!

[bar side]

18 minutes ago, Tim Moff said:

 

 

Small world - I used to live opposite the Layer Road ground, just noticed 'Bar 'Side'!

 

Yep, was a barsider.  Lived on Butt Road & visited the Drury before matches.  Don't live in Colchester anymore, so don't get to many games these days. Mind you, could make the playoffs tomorrow. 

[Tim Moff]

13 hours ago, bar side said:

 

Yep, was a barsider.  Lived on Butt Road & visited the Drury before matches.  Don't live in Colchester anymore, so don't get to many games these days. Mind you, could make the playoffs tomorrow. 

 

Yep - im off to the game with my son today. My local was the Drury from 2000, met my wife there, lived on the Army estate opposite Ralph and Ritas. Drury now a Sainsburys....

[Tim Moff]

Started on Decals for AJ-Z - Revell new tool.

 

 

[Tim Moff]

was over at Abberton, on Sunday the 14th, 44 years on from the dress rehearsal flight 2 days before the raid.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 decalling completed on Z-Zebra

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2017 by Tim Moff

[Bell209]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0_aESDN-cShaGNzMHprMHJEYmM

Now you can't even see where they've been. Eye-opening to walk the dam wall and see how difficult the task would've been - particularly at night.

 

[NealParkes]

Cracking looking builds so far!! I will be following this one with interest as I have a similar project but will probably chicken out from the 1/72 Vulcan as I have got a 1/144 GWH Vulcan in that stash. 

 

Keep up the good work!

 

 

[Tim Moff]

Started on the Mossie for the De Havilland  GB - Thread here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tim Moff]

Got the Mossie done as part of the GB - in memory of wing Comd Leonard Cheshire VC - incredible aviator and charity patron.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cheshire

 

Kit: 1/72 Tamiya De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI

 

 

Subject: De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI NT202 AJ-N of 617 Sqn (Dambusters), RAF woodhall Spa,  July/Aug 1944 - flown by Leonard Cheshire VC

 

 

Details: Modeled as per reference pics from interweb and decal sheet by Xtradecal

 

 

Misc: Mr Paint paints, Lifecolor paint, Mr Color Paints, Humbrol paints, Xtracolor paints, artists oils.

 

 

WIP Here

 

 

Pics taken in a hurry in fading light - off overseas tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NealParkes]

On 02/02/2017 at 8:06 PM, Tim Moff said:

I am back home, dived straight into the F16 STGB, so the Lancs are still safely packed away. Hopefully I can get the DG on soon now the temps are rising again.

 

I have managed to get a 1/72 Canberra!

 

 

Want to build it in the old B2 colours that WK163 is wearing today in due course:

 

 

 

There are very little i the way of references of 617Sqn Canberras. Anyone who can help please do!

 

WD980 is looking a possibility

 

 

 

 

 

or a B6?

 

 

The pic below captures the new Canberras with the old Lincoln....SR-B - 101Sqn?

 

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/england-1951-raf-bomber-command-from-lincoln-to-canberra-raf-crews-picture-id83091644?s=170667a

 

 

Some useful pics here

http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn Markings/SqnMark617.htm

 

Finding useful decals is being problematic - seems most sets are for overseas marks.

 

Again any pointers be appreciated!

 

Hi mate,

Just wondering if you have any luck on getting more info on the 617sqn Canberras? I've been trying to find out some information but haven't had much success.

 

Neal

[Tim Moff]

On 21/03/2018 at 9:02 PM, NealParkes said:

Hi mate,

Just wondering if you have any luck on getting more info on the 617sqn Canberras? I've been trying to find out some information but haven't had much success.

 

Neal

Fraid not - seems to be very little out there tbh......Ive been away with work a bit and with other GBs, need to get back on this!!

[NealParkes]

On 3/25/2018 at 4:16 PM, Tim Moff said:

Fraid not - seems to be very little out there tbh......Ive been away with work a bit and with other GBs, need to get back on this!!

Hi Tim,

 

Just wondering but I’m assuming that you have seen the Xtradecal sheet that was not long released with 617sqn markings for a Canberra? I’d guess that those with the S&M Canberra would be a good choice. I’ll be going down that route anyway.

I’m just about to start a 1/72 Tamiya 617sqn Mossie, any tips?

 

Cheers

 

Neal

[Tim Moff]

On 7/1/2018 at 4:21 AM, NealParkes said:

Hi Tim,

 

Just wondering but I’m assuming that you have seen the Xtradecal sheet that was not long released with 617sqn markings for a Canberra? I’d guess that those with the S&M Canberra would be a good choice. I’ll be going down that route anyway.

I’m just about to start a 1/72 Tamiya 617sqn Mossie, any tips?

 

Cheers

 

Neal

Hi Neal,

 

Hope all good - I am away in Russia working at the word cup - be good to pick up on this again when I am back, Lancs mostly done just the last decals, glass, bit of weathering and matt cote to do.

 

Great shout ref the decals - had not seen them, thanks very much! Will probably stick to the Airfix box I have, not sure how much difference between a B2 and B (I) 6, I think it has a cannon pack on the bottom, if not moulded will just omit it! Or may may pay for the same kit as you with some money I save being here!

 

The Mossie goes together great, like most Tamiya kits - I can't remember any issues, lots of masking to get the invasion stripes correct etc.

 

Need to do a bit of a reset on here as the whole photo bucket fiasco ruins things!

[Tim Moff]

I need to get back to this - got promoted at work, son started playing academy football so modelling time became scarce....then COVID 19, lockdown, no commute and deployments, so back to modelling....built in the Nordic GB and struggled a bit but hopefully skills now coming back, also built in the Navy GB and Spitfire STGB. The 80th BoB GB is fast approaching, so I am determined to clear my bench, starting with the stalled F111's from the STGB and my childhood memories project, plus the stalled Lancs that I need to grab out....

 

I also have the Canberra to build, plus I need to do a 1/72 Tornado GR1 or GR 4, I have the decals and a Revel kit......theres still a Lincoln (debating whether I build), Vulcan (have the Airfix old kit but there is a new one coming) - whilst I have been away they have of course now transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II - I believe there are kits available....so lots to do, 3 years til the 80th anniversary?!

 

Will see if I can kick start by getting at least 1 Lanc finished before the BoB GB....

[Tim Moff]

Got the Lancs out of the boxes, AJ-Z decals complete, AJ-G I need to complete.

 

Need to Gloss to seal, the start on a bit of basic weathering.....

 

Also interesting info on each airframe...

 

http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_damsraid6.htm

 

AJ-G clearly saw a bit of service before the raid, so I will put a bit on the exhaust staining etc....delivered 617 Sqn 03/04/43

 

ED932:

 

Scrapped – 29 July 1947

 

Actual Serial Number ED932/G: Type 464 (Provisioning) Lanc., 617 Sqn del'd 30-4-43, AG-G (Gibson’s aircraft), later AJ-V used occasionally for operations, trials and training duties by No. 54 Base at nearby Coningsby (No. 54 Base included Coningsby, Metheringham and Scampton), Stored 46 MU del'd 7-2-45, 61 Sqn del'd 8-46 YF-C  For ‘Operation Guzzle’ (disposal of remaining UPKEEP mines), but in fact flew with No.1 Group Major Servicing Unit using Scampton Station Flight ‘s ‘YF-‘ codes, and were flown by crews temporarily detached in from other Bomber Command squadrons. Sustained Cat AC damage on take-off for an Operation Guzzle sortie on 8-11-46, was re-categorised to Cat E and scrapped at Scampton. 

 

The aircraft took part in Dam’s Raid.

 

 

 

Great painting by Mark Postlethwaite  showing AJ-Z

 

 

 

 

The site link above gives delivery dates to 617Sqn, with ED937 AJ-Z being delivered to the sqn 2 days before the raid...

 

 

ED937:

 

Shot Down – Eder Dam 16/17- May 1943, Crashed Netterden, Germany

 

Actual Serial Number ED937/G: Type 464 (Provisioning) Lanc., 617 Sqn del'd 14-5-43 AJ-Z.

 

The aircraft took part in Dam’s Raid.

 

Nice article about ED937

 

https://dambustersblog.com/category/aj-z-memorial-emmerich/

 

 

Looking forward to my 3rd build (maybe done in time for the 80th anniversary, even a full house?!) ED912, AJ-N, again a bit of weathering as it was deleivered to 617 on 3rd May 43.

 

ED912:

 

Scrapped - 26 September 1946

 

Actual Serial Number ED912/G:, Type 464 (Provisioning) Lanc, 617 Sqn del'd 3-5-43 AJ-N, AJ-S, used occasionally for operations, trials and training duties by No. 54 Base at nearby Coningsby (No. 54 Base included Coningsby, Metheringham and Scampton), Stored 46 MU from 2-45.

 

The aircraft took part in Dam’s Raid.

 

Its amazing that no one thought to keep any of the surviving aircraft at the end of the war, given how famous the raid was, but exepect they had a lot m,ore pressing issues to deal with...

 

 

Looking at the Canberra, thanks to @NealParkes I will get tehse decals, seem to include all the roundels etc and get that on my build list somehow....running out of space, so although I prefer 1/48, some will just have to be 1/72 (GR4, F-35B etc)....

 

 

 

 

 

https://sgsmodelstore.com/products/xtradecal-x72301