Popular Post woody37 Posted January 23, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted January 23, 2017 HR686 of 502 Sqn took off on the night of the 3rd October 1944 from RAF Stornoway for another routine operation looking for targets of opportunity in the sea off Norway. The Germans were moving men and equipment from Norway to Europe to reinforce their defences following the allied invasion. A typical cold dark & wet night in that part of the world with a low cloud base, the 9 crew went about their duties routinely. The aircraft was loaded with depth charges and enough fuel for 12 hours meaning that the fuselage bomb bay was laden with fuel leaving the wing cells to carry the depth charges. Eventually a target was picked up on the ASV radar and the aircraft dropped down to investigate. Cloud cover was broken at just 800ft, where the contact appeared to be illuminated leading them to think it was a neutral vessel causing them to turn away and call off the attack. This was a tragic move as the illuminations were in fact gun fire from the ship Amisia. The inner port engine was hit along with other damage and there was no option for pilot F/O McManus but to prepare for a ditching. A successful ditching was made and its believed that all crew escaped alive, but the life raft that is located just behind the port inner was burned, hence useless. Fortunately, one of the inflated main wheels came to the rescue allowing them to stay afloat. Rescue was made at dawn break by the Amisia but unfortunately, only 5 of the crew had survived long enough. 3 of the crew were missing and were never recovered, the body of F/O La Palme was washed up on a beach in Norway. The 5 survivors became POW's and lived to tell the story, unlike many of their fellow squadron crews who simply went missing on these long and lonely missions, most of which became victims to their intended targets. Build HERE. The kit is the flawed Revell Mk.II. Fortunately, Aeroclub provide complete engine nacelle and propeller replacements. I'd wanted to do a Tollerton Z Nosed version for a while and was inspired by the reading of the Coastal Command missions in Merricks fantastic book 'Halifax - From Hell to Victory & Beyond'. This lead me to choosing HR686 as a basis using the Freightdog Z Nose and mid upper fairing. Whilst there is only one known photo of this aircraft, photo's of other aircraft in the white livery show them to be somewhat dirty with heavy oil streaks on the lower surfaces of the wings and engines. I wanted to replicate this effect, so it was a great excuse to get carried away with the pastels! On the whole, a pleasant build and the Aeroclub engines make a big difference to the look of the Revell kit. I also used a few bits from an Airfix Lanc that were left over from conversions; the main wheels (although Aeroclub provide these) and the Rebecca aerials due to being more refined. There were a few assumptions made, the first is that there is a gun protruding from the nose above which you would expect for anti ship & sub missions....I've just noticed I've located it too low, god knows how I made that mistake!! Also, I painted the fuel tanks in the bomb bay black, although there is a very good chance they were brick red. Anyway, enough blurb, here's the pics... Thanks for looking 141 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 You've made a bl@@dy marvelous job there Woody, and a sobering back story too. Edge 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 A superb looking model. Very well done. Joe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Absolutely fantastic Neil. I really enjoyed the WIP and the end result is jaw drooping. Thanks for sharing. Regards Jim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadzi Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 well made Halibag! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 What an awesome model. It looks "just right" to my eye. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Excellent! Mike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Absolutely fantastic build, and the final results look amazing! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 That really is very, very good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Another flawless build Matey. Enjoyed the WIP as well even though I haven't posted much throughout the journey. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Outstanding work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Brilliant ! Looks fantastic, nice one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 A Jaw dropping beauty , fantastic job . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 That's fantastic Niel,just as well I spoke to you at Bolton. Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyTiger66 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Well that is stunning Woody. A very well written and evocative back story too. You've done a lovely job there. The weathering looks very 'right' indeed. Must look just fantastic on the display shelf. A real labour of love on a big four engined Best of British legend. TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali62 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Great model, I really do like the weathering and just hope I can get to that same weathered look right on a few builds I have lined up for the near future. Ali 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elger Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 fantastic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Good grief, that's fantastic! I need to have a proper read through of your WIP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 You've outdone even your own high standards there Neil, it's absolutely gorgeous. Enjoyed following the WIP too. Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Excellent build, I shall consign my attempt to the bin it is not fit to be on the same earth as this beauty 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antb Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 That's stunning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Fabulous build. What is next? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Mr Woody, that is just scrumptious, a beautiful job on an interesting scheme. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I am impressed... looks really great! Congrats ! Cheers Jerzy-Wojtek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Hello,Woody - The well deserved plaudits your magnificent 'Halifax' build is receiving speak for themselves. All I can say is that I find it absolutely aspirational. 😉👍 All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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