Popular Post 85sqn Posted November 19, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 19, 2018 Hi Folks, Something I have been working on over this past year. After reading 'A Midhurst Flying Field' by local author Tania Pons I was inspired to build Walrus MkII, W3085. She lived at RNAS Cowdray Park just outside of Midhurst in West Sussex. The airfield was used as a storage facility for many FAA types including Albacore, Swordfish, Walrus. Other aircraft including Proctors, Sharks, and Ansons came through here too. John Moffat of Bismarck fame operated out of here and flew many an Air Cadet around the local airfield in Swordfish or Proctors. Over this coming year I am building some of these types to be displayed at our local museum So the kit is the Airfix with Eduard belts and exterior set, resin wheels and Ez-line/Bobs buckles for the rigging. Painted with Hataka top surfaces and Lifecolor RAAF sky blue undersides. She has an engine in sky. This was discussed in another thread: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235043918-some-colour-questions-of-walrus-w3085/ Inside the aircraft I used some wooden decals for the Nav table. On top of them sits a chart of the Sakishima Gunto and 'Flight Deck' magazine Jan 1945 edition for a little light reading for the crew. https://flic.kr/p/2cUHFFu Here she is on the IWM site with the BPF: Note the RAAF roundels which have been converted to a quasi-BPF roundel. I opted for this on the fuselage but a more standard BPF roundel on the top wing. So W3085 has an interesting history. She was built as a MkII and so has a wooden hull (all rivets sanded off) and flew with the RAAF after leaving Midhurst. Whilst in Australia, W3085 had the water rudder fitted which MkII's did not normally have from the factory. She went on to join the BPF in 1945 and was flown by a RAAF Flt. Lt named Bruce Ada who carried out operations from HMS Victorious. An extract from his logbook can be found here: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/supermarine-walrus-w3085-darby-hms-victorious-t22562.html An article from the BBC on his story can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/54/a6132854.shtml Sadly W3085 was destroyed by Naval gunfire after suffering an engine failure and left to a watery grave. Many thanks to those who contributed to this being built especially @iang and @Magpie22 who provided me with the servicing documents from Darby's time in Australia. Cheers Nick 78 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piotr Sudnik Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Beautifully finished and weathered Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Looks even better in the flesh...amazing job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Fantastic finish some very nice subtle weathering applied brings it to life 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Wow, that's fantastic. I've got one in the stash, you're a hard act to follow! Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Fantastic model. I have one to build too and I'm sure it would take me all of a year to complete - I can only dream that it would looks good as yours! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Well done Walrus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomkil Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Superb - love the rigging! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 That's an absolute beauty. A superb paint finish and I really like the semi-converted roundel detail. Great rigging work too. I learnt something new as well as Midhurst is a part of the World I know well but I had absolutely no idea there was ever a RNAS there. The nearest one I knew of was Ford. One can but hope that Airfix will see the light and downscale this kit to 1/72! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 A splendid reproduction of a Naval aviation device. Love it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted November 19, 2018 Author Share Posted November 19, 2018 A Naval Aviation Device! Love it, thanks for the comments guys! Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Wow, Nick. Superb build. I envy your rigging skills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Love it, especially with the nice bit of local history. Great post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 You`ve done a superb job Nick,...... a very worthy subject too,..... well researched and expertly accomplished,....... I take my hat off to you! I finished painting and decalling my own Walrus a year or so ago but cannot bring myself to rig it yet,.... I did it in a silver scheme from the original boxing and Airfix have since re released another boxing with decals for the subject that I`m doing!! Cheers Tony 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted November 19, 2018 Author Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks Tony! Ah always the way eh!? I look forward to seeing yours. Airfix made a lovely kit with this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 minute ago, 85sqn said: Thanks Tony! Ah always the way eh!? I look forward to seeing yours. Airfix made a lovely kit with this one. No worries mate,.... credit where credit is due,........ I agree,.... it is a lovely kit,..... amazing detail. Mind you they don`t supply the maps and a book to read,......now that is detail lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Excellent build and finish Nick,great research too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Wow! Brilliant work and nice rigged too. Regards Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazey Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Your model is beautifully done. Thanks also for the background information – very interesting. Regards, David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Beautiful Shagbat (I know, a bit of an oxymoron)! Regards, Jason 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie22 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Like the model!! 👏 Glad I could help in a small way. Peter M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Very nice indeed, i like the weathering 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 What a lovely build and a great story to boot. I was lucky enough to meet John Moffat several times - he was a friend of a friend. A larger than life character even late in life! Edge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted November 23, 2018 Share Posted November 23, 2018 Inspiring build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now