CliffB Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I'm hoping to build a few entries for this gathering. First up will be a 1959 'box-scale' Hampden which, fortunately for me, comes in very close indeed to my preferred scale of 1/100. I have no box, stand or instructions, just plastic and transfers. According to Scalemates, the box looked like this.... My bits look like this.... The quality of the moulding is unbelievably good - fine and sharp with recessed panel lines . According to a hand written note on the back of the transfers, they relate to a 106 Squadron aircraft. I haven't checked this yet, but will. Cheers Cliff 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 A real piece of Frog history Cliff,nice to see it here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 "ZN" is most certainly 106 Squadron Cliff and what a lovely way to introduce yourself to this Classic GB. You have to ask yourself, if they could do recessed panel lines back in 1959, why then was there an urge to resort to raised panel and / or battleship-esque rivet detail? This is an absolute gem and you'd be hard pressed to align those decals incorrectly - wouldn't you say? Cheers and looks forward to seeing what else you plan to unearth for this GB.. Dave 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 18 hours ago, stevej60 said: A real piece of Frog history Cliff,nice to see it here. 18 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said: "ZN" is most certainly 106 Squadron Cliff and what a lovely way to introduce yourself to this Classic GB. You have to ask yourself, if they could do recessed panel lines back in 1959, why then was there an urge to resort to raised panel and / or battleship-esque rivet detail? This is an absolute gem and you'd be hard pressed to align those decals incorrectly - wouldn't you say? Cheers and looks forward to seeing what else you plan to unearth for this GB.. Dave Thanks for the welcome Steve and Dave I can only imagine that it was much cheaper to produce moulds with raised panel lines, but that doesn't explain the fetish for rivets! Extra detail = extra sales? I've only recently bought this Hampden off eBay, along with the Wellington 398P. Both were advertised as 1/96 scale, but unfortunately the Wimpey is around 1/120 (a consequence of being designed to fit into the same size box as the Hampden). It's another super-sharp kit, but unfortunately of no use for my 1/100 collection so I'm reluctantly returning it for refund. A real pity . Still, there are plenty of other interesting 1/100ish FROG kits to choose from! Cheers Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 gosh where did you find this one from??? No don't answer that, being you, you have sources everywhere looking for these wee beasties! Gosh she almost looks like she's made from Bakelite! A shame the Wellington wasn't the same scale. Mmmm there was an era where the box dictated the scale....just like Matchbox. Will be another one of your special builds to follow.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 11 hours ago, trickyrich said: gosh where did you find this one from??? No don't answer that, being you, you have sources everywhere looking for these wee beasties! Gosh she almost looks like she's made from Bakelite! A shame the Wellington wasn't the same scale. Mmmm there was an era where the box dictated the scale....just like Matchbox. Will be another one of your special builds to follow.. Hi Rich I think the Wellington is the sameish scale 1/119, as I think I have one in the loft. Which of course leaves me wide open to being challenged to build it ! cheers Pat https://www.scalemates.com/kits/frog-398p-vickers-armstrong-wellington--162138 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Humm Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 FROG issued three WWII bomber kits in 1959 in the same size box - the Blenheim (1/80 scale), Hampden (1/99 scale) and Wellington (1/119 scale), all at the same price (three shillings and sixpence). They all came out having the same wingspan. Their other WWII bomber kit issued that year was the 1/96 scale Lancaster, which was in a scale that they had been using for their larger aircraft for a couple of years. Why they used box scale for the other kits will remain a mystery. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 12 hours ago, JOCKNEY said: I think the Wellington is the sameish scale 1/119, as I think I have one in the loft. Which of course leaves me wide open to being challenged to build it ! Most definitely yes, Pat! 9 hours ago, Richard Humm said: FROG issued three WWII bomber kits in 1959 in the same size box - the Blenheim (1/80 scale), Hampden (1/99 scale) and Wellington (1/119 scale), all at the same price (three shillings and sixpence). They all came out having the same wingspan. Their other WWII bomber kit issued that year was the 1/96 scale Lancaster, which was in a scale that they had been using for their larger aircraft for a couple of years. Why they used box scale for the other kits will remain a mystery. Thanks Richard, I didn't know about the Blenheim. Of the four bombers you mention only the Lancaster seems to have been subsequently re-popped (but I may well be wrong...). I've got the Eastern Express version waiting next year's Lancaster Group Build. It has recessed panel lines very much in the style of the Hampden, but no decal placement marks - I'm not sure whether this was the same with the original FROG release? Cheers Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 The original FROG issue had wing roundel engraving but nothing on the fuselage. The box is a beauty! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 11 hours ago, TonyW said: The original FROG issue had wing roundel engraving but nothing on the fuselage. The box is a beauty! Thanks Tony. Now I look more closely I can see that the Eastern Express version does indeed still have the wing roundel engraving. It has a much more boring box though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Hi Cliff Any joy with the Hampden. Lots of us are really looking forward to seeing this one come together cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted June 30, 2019 Author Share Posted June 30, 2019 7 hours ago, JOCKNEY said: Hi Cliff Any joy with the Hampden. Lots of us are really looking forward to seeing this one come together cheers Pat Hi Pat I should be starting any day soon. I've literally just finished my last Specialist and am hoping to sign off my Lockheed over the next couple of days. Cheers Cliff 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Hi Cliff Lots of us on here are looking forward to seeing your Hampden have you had a chance to do any more since we last heard from you ? I built a red stripe Hampden in the Classic Airfix GB, so I'm really keen to see how this one turns out cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted July 31, 2019 Author Share Posted July 31, 2019 Thanks for the chase Pat and thanks for sharing your photo too. Some much needed inspiration for me to get started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 On 7/21/2019 at 8:18 PM, JOCKNEY said: Hi Cliff Lots of us on here are looking forward to seeing your Hampden have you had a chance to do any more since we last heard from you ? I built a red stripe Hampden in the Classic Airfix GB, so I'm really keen to see how this one turns out cheers Pat Nice 'shameless' plug of one of your own builds they're Pat!! Here's something Australian with rather odd looking Kangaroo's, a little like its maker. Cheers.. Dave 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 Hi Cliff Have you had a chance to make any more progress with the Hampden ? Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 On 9/7/2019 at 11:26 PM, JOCKNEY said: Hi Cliff Have you had a chance to make any more progress with the Hampden ? Cheers Pat Just a little progress Pat. Somewhat predictably, I started by filling in the decal placement markings. I must admit to not understanding the protocols used for the grouping and positioning of WW2 RAF code letters. As you'll see, FROG are suggesting BZ-N for the port side and B-ZN for the starboard. Is this correct? I've seen a variety of different arrangements illustrated for other Hampdens. Thanks, if any of you can help to educate me! There's absolutely no interior provided, so there's plenty of 'see-through'. I assumed that there might well have been some on the actual aircraft, so I limited myself to blocking off the fore-to-aft gap (you can still see through top-to-bottom). I used a piece of black sponge to provide a barrier. Much easier than using card! Prior to closing up, I gave the interior a coat of matt varnish in order to help disguise the lack of detail. My kit came without instructions, but TonyW kindly came to the rescue. So I now know what's armament and what's undercarriage (that could have been embarrassing!). Thanks again Tony. Cheers Cliff 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) Hi Cliff, The "Running Order" of the RAF code letters varied a bit due to a combination of size of letters, depth of fuselage, and Squadron variations. Normally the 2 letter Squadron code was to the left of the roundel and the individual letter to the right as I undestand it. However, when the large size letters were in use in 1940, Spitfire Squadrons sometimes put the Squadron code nearest the cockpit on both sides and the aircraft letter on the tail end as the fuselage was too shallow. Of course some just did it "the wrong way round" anyway irrespective of size. What did not happen to my knowledge was splitting the Squadron cose letters. I can understand the shallow tail boom on the Hampden causing problems resulting in the aircraft letter being to the rear on both sides, but it seems to me that Frog got this wrong and that the starboard side should read N*BZ. Having said that mistakes were no doubt made and whatever rules there were (AMO A154/39 of 27/4/39 says Squadron codes of 2 letters placed either forward or aft of national marking with aircraft code on other side) sometimes mis-interpreted or just ignored so I cannot state with 100% certainty that this particular aircraft of I believe 106 Squadron did not at some point in time have the lettering as shown by Frog - let's just say it is highly unlikely. Incidentally the roundels look pre-war, and the underwing one was removed very early in the conflict. The upper wing went to just plain red and blue as well. Cheers Pete See correction below - had an off moment with the Squadron codes which are BN not BZ! Edited September 10, 2019 by PeterB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 Thanks Pete. I think that what you're saying about not splitting the squadron code, makes great sense. I've managed to find this photo of ZN-B in 1940 (note no tail flashes), which shows the roundel as the second item - i.e. B-ZN on the port side. the starboard would therefore presumably be ZN-B. I think I'll go with this Cheers Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellybeard Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 From Profile 58 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Hi Cliff, Sorry, went a bit crosseyed there - Squadron letters are in fact ZN and this is aircraft B, so it is the port side they have got wrong. The "normal" sequence would be ZN*B on both sides, and in the above pic they have used small enough letters to do just that. However ZN*B on the port side and B*ZN on the starboard would also have been a correct alternative according to the rules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 2 hours ago, smellybeard said: From Profile 58 Thanks smellybeard, that's just what I needed! As I may end up having to mask the codes, I'm particularly pleased to see ZN-K (a much simpler proposition than -B ). 1 hour ago, PeterB said: Hi Cliff, Sorry, went a bit crosseyed there - Squadron letters are in fact ZN and this is aircraft B, so it is the port side they have got wrong. The "normal" sequence would be ZN*B on both sides, and in the above pic they have used small enough letters to do just that. However ZN*B on the port side and B*ZN on the starboard would also have been a correct alternative according to the rules. Thanks Pete Cheers Cliff 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 A silly squadron code error by Frog that was only recently repeated by Airfix in their RAF Fortress III instructions just a few years ago! Nice to see this Hampden back on the work bench. Cheers.. Dave 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellybeard Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 46 minutes ago, CliffB said: Thanks Pete You're welcome. The illustration on page two mentioned above... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Nice to see this build progressing. The Profile colour plan is interesting. I like what I assume is the replacement port outer panel. The colour difference compared to the inner wing looks too marked to be the artist allowing for natural shade on his illustration. I could be completely wrong here of course. 🤔 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