Heather Kay Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) The Renard R-31 was designed as a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft in 1931 by Alfred Renard, and the type entered service in the mid-1930s. The R-31 was the only Belgian-designed aircraft to be used by the Aéronautique Militaire in combat missions during the German invasion of Belgium in 1940. R-31s were operated by two squadrons, 9th and 10th escadrilles, during the first year of the war, with 11 and 10 aircraft each respectively. The aircraft modelled, N9, was the personal aircraft of Cne Paul Henry de la Lindi, commander of the 11th escadrille from January to May 1940. The Renard R-31 was a parasol-winged single-engine aircraft of metal and fabric construction. The engine was a Rolls-Royce Kestrel, giving 487hp, a maximum speed of 300kph, range of 950km, and a service ceiling of 9,300m. Wingspan 14.4m, length 9.25m. Armament was one fixed Browning machine gun, mounted in the starboard fuselage side and operated by the pilot, and one flexible machine gun for the observer. Wikipedia seems to think both weapons were Vickers or Lewis guns, but I'm not sure the modelled rear gun looks like either of those, lacking the characteristic drum magazine. The kit was relatively simple in construction, making an enjoyable build and presenting no real issues aside from some very tiny PE parts. As a model representing an unusual and relatively unknown type, Azur must be applauded for producing the kit. I brush painted the model throughout, mainly using Humbrol enamels. WIP thread here. Bear in mind this thread will feature other Aéronautique Militaire aircraft in time. Edited November 3, 2019 by Heather Kay 40 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Really nice looking model of an unusual subject 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Very nice Heather. Nice to see such an unusual subject too! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 What a great result! Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Very nice result! Which colour have you used, if I ma ask? Regards Jerzy-Wojtek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, JWM said: Very nice result! Which colour have you used, if I ma ask? I have plans for other Belgian planes, and I have an Airfix Gladiator that has a Belgian option. I decided to follow their colour recommendations, which says Humbrol 155 for the khaki green. That’s what I used on this build, so I’ll continue to use it for consistency in future builds/conversions. Another site I was pointed to in the WIP thread suggested Hu156. I will be building the Gladiator as an RAF plane, but I have an old Matchbox one which I’m happy to repaint to be a Belgian example. I shall use Airfix's decals for that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 This is what the Belgian Wings site says about armament: " The R-31 was armed with two FN-Browning 7. 62 mm machine guns, one forward firing and one in a turret in the back seat " Oh, that's a great looking build. Nice work! Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 12 minutes ago, Heather Kay said: I have plans for other Belgian planes, and I have an Airfix Gladiator that has a Belgian option. I decided to follow their colour recommendations, which says Humbrol 155 for the khaki green. That’s what I used on this build, so I’ll continue to use it for consistency in future builds/conversions. Another site I was pointed to in the WIP thread suggested Hu156. Thank you. I like yout solour. I did Belgian Avro 504N But now I think I painted it with too bright olive green... Renard is in stash! Regards J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 4 minutes ago, JWM said: I did Belgian Avro 504N Lovely. I was just about "like" it, only to find I’d already been there and done it! I have to think about whether to add training planes to my Belgian 1940 Air Force collection. I’m doing it for others, so… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Hello Very nice kit and I love this period. Mine is in progress but very slowly due to other priority projects. I am forwarding this post to my friend Gilles Fontaine owner of the Azur FRROM trade. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 Just now, VG 33 said: I am forwarding this post to my friend Gilles Fontaine owner of the Azur FRROM trade. Thank you. I recall purchasing this kit from Gilles at the IPMS Telford show last year. We had a nice chat about it, too. If he's attending this year, I shall be tempted to bring the model along for him to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Heather Kay said: Thank you. I recall purchasing this kit from Gilles at the IPMS Telford show last year. We had a nice chat about it, too. If he's attending this year, I shall be tempted to bring the model along for him to see. I was at Telford last year showing a couple of new Dassault SMB2 on the Special Hobby stand and attending the show with my friends of Amay Model Club from Belgium. Patrick Edited November 3, 2019 by VG 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Nice work Heather. Love those 1930s lines... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Great result Heather. The scheme you choose really looks good. This plane must have been a nightmare to fly with next to no forward view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Nice and different! Well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 A nice job and your ability to brush on silver paint is streets ahead of mine - well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Well, that turned out nicely, Heather Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 A really nice build of a graceful looking aircraft, mind you I wouldn't have wanted to bump into a schwarm of Bf-109's in one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted November 4, 2019 Author Share Posted November 4, 2019 Thanks for the nice words, everyone! It’s interesting, as I found with my first forays into the French side of things, to see the different colours and markings used by other participants in the events of 1940. We get so used to seeing the British and German schemes. The Belgian scheme is simple but quite attractive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Lovely job on that Heather, those bright Belgian roundels really do set it off a treat. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Heather, Just discovered your WIP and finished product- I think this is one of your best efforts- very clean and a nice model of a fairly obscure airplane. Well done! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cariado Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Brilliant! It's nice to see these often overlooked subjects. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Congratulations for the very good looking model and the project you`ve started! The scheme reminded me of the Fox in Belgian service. Pity that when it comes to the Fairey Fox there doesn`t seem to be any injection plastic kit available for any of its versions. Unless I missed something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted November 8, 2019 Author Share Posted November 8, 2019 43 minutes ago, Fin said: Unless I missed something. I don’t believe you have. Matchbox did a Seafox. I wonder if it would be possible to convert it back to a land plane with some grafting from other kits for the undercarriage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 No relation between the Belgian Fairey Fox and the Seafox. The latter is much smaller and there were no landplane examples. The Fox is closer to the Belgian Firefly - again no relation! I suspect that the Belgian Fox is a development of the earlier British Fairey Fox. Of course, a landplane Seafox might make an interesting companion to the Kingfisher or Seamew - no not the Shorts one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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