Royal Rhodesian/Rhodesian Air Force Hawker Hunter Schemes

[Tiger331]

Having been totally enthused with the way in which my Airfix Hawker Hunter GA.11 has gone together and reading some interesting books on the Royal Rhodesian/Rhodesian Air Force recently, I have now turned my attention to building my second Hunter in markings from this Air Arm. The problem I have right now is with the conflicting decal references I have, especially in terms of colour schemes and, IIRC, there has been previous correspondence on this subject.

 

By my understanding/deduction the following options for RRhAF/RRhAF Hunters (not including Air force of Zimbabwe) are correct:

 

Original Delivery - Standard RAF Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey/Silver Scheme with Triple Assegai Roundels/insignia

Some time after - Same scheme with Single Assegai Roundels/insignia

After Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) - Same Scheme with new 'Lion' Roundel (Dark Green/White) applied on forward fuselage and Green/White/Green Fin Flash

New Dark Green/Dark Earth/Light Aircraft Grey scheme with Lion Roundel and Green/White/Green Fin Flash

During 'Bush Wars' - New Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Lion Roundel on forward fuselage and Green/White/Green Fin Flash (sometime later the Lion insignia was removed leaving only the Fin Flash)

 

Now the problem !. I have also seen the following options:

 

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky Scheme with Single Assegai insignia circa 1967 (Xtradecal Sheet X48-203)

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Single Assegai insignia (Dekl's Decals DZ48-037)

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Lion insigina on rear fuselage (Dekl's Decals DZ48-035)

 

I don't think any of these are correct but only because I cannot find any accurate photographic references to bear them out.

 

My inclination is the go with the Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces with Lion insignia option on Xtradecal Sheet X48-203 but before I finally go nap, I would like absolute confirmation. 

 

I am hoping an authority on RRhAF/RhAF Hunters can shed more light. Many Thanks !

[cmatthewbacon]

Looks like someone else has also been doing this research:

http://www.hyperscale.com/2020/reviews/decals/fundekalshighveldhunterspreview_1.htm
“putting the myth of Sky undersides to rest”...

best,

M.

[David Womby]

8 hours ago, Tiger331 said:

Having been totally enthused with the way in which my Airfix Hawker Hunter GA.11 has gone together and reading some interesting books on the Royal Rhodesian/Rhodesian Air Force recently, I have now turned my attention to building my second Hunter in markings from this Air Arm. The problem I have right now is with the conflicting decal references I have, especially in terms of colour schemes and, IIRC, there has been previous correspondence on this subject.

 

By my understanding/deduction the following options for RRhAF/RRhAF Hunters (not including Air force of Zimbabwe) are correct:

 

Original Delivery - Standard RAF Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey/Silver Scheme with Triple Assegai Roundels/insignia

Some time after - Same scheme with Single Assegai Roundels/insignia

After Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) - Same Scheme with new 'Lion' Roundel (Dark Green/White) applied on forward fuselage and Green/White/Green Fin Flash

New Dark Green/Dark Earth/Light Aircraft Grey scheme with Lion Roundel and Green/White/Green Fin Flash

During 'Bush Wars' - New Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Lion Roundel on forward fuselage and Green/White/Green Fin Flash (sometime later the Lion insignia was removed leaving only the Fin Flash)

 

Now the problem !. I have also seen the following options:

 

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky Scheme with Single Assegai insignia circa 1967 (Xtradecal Sheet X48-203)

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Single Assegai insignia (Dekl's Decals DZ48-037)

Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces scheme with Lion insigina on rear fuselage (Dekl's Decals DZ48-035)

 

I don't think any of these are correct but only because I cannot find any accurate photographic references to bear them out.

 

My inclination is the go with the Dark Green/Dark Earth over Dark Earth undersurfaces with Lion insignia option on Xtradecal Sheet X48-203 but before I finally go nap, I would like absolute confirmation. 

 

I am hoping an authority on RRhAF/RhAF Hunters can shed more light. Many Thanks !

I am no authority but RRAF/RhAf is a special interest of mine.

 

1 - I have never found evidence of the 'sky undersides' on Hunters except in an old Scale Aircraft Modelling issue.  I am convinced that was an error on their part.  Canberras got sky undersides briefly.

2- Where did you find ref to  "New Dark Green/Dark Earth/Light Aircraft Grey scheme with Lion Roundel and Green/White/Green Fin Flash", please?  I haven't seen LAG mentioned AFAIK.

3 - Dark Earth/Dark Green over Dark Earth undersides with lion roundel on nose and green/white/green fin flash is a safe choice.   You may need to pay attention to the antennae fit.

 

David

[Stephen]

Wait for the Fundekals sheet, their research is usually spot on.

[Tom Murphy]

I can't help with the camouflage scheme, but these links might be useful for arming your model:

 

Frantan (napalm)
https://www.shapeways.com/product/AVMAETYCD/rhodesian-frantan?optionId=64954702&li=marketplace

 

Golf Bomb
https://www.shapeways.com/product/554XSXSEE/rhodesian-450-kg-golf-bomb?optionId=64891718&li=marketplace

 

[cmatthewbacon]

@Tiger331 there’s an article on Rhodesian Hunters in an online issue of Wingleader magazine here:

 

https://issuu.com/wingleader/docs/wingleader_magazine_-_issue_11_-_digital_edition/32

 

Got some great pictures...

best,

M.