1/48 Spitfire MkI 54 Sqn Hornchurch - Colin Gray ***FINISHED***

[Steve 1602]

6 hours ago, Stew Dapple said:

 

Actually looks great under electric light  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

Thanks Stew!

 

A couple of pics in daylight and I declare ‘happy’! 

 

 

The masking has held up well and there’s no bleed across colours. There is a tiny bit of overspray on the starboard fuselage to deal with (or not as I think it will blend in with weathering), and other than that, I’m ready to gloss coat and get ready for decals.

 

if I have time over lunch today I will get the gloss coat on, if not it should be done this evening. I’m away on holiday from Friday so it’s doubtful that I’ll have it complete before I go, but it would be good to have it 90% there - not least because the Eduard Mk 1 boxing is due to be delivered today and I really want to make a start on that when this one is complete.

 

Steve

[Steve 1602]

Quite a productive evening and I completed the decals last night. These were a mixture of kit decals for the stencils and Victory productions for everything else. I really didn’t like the Tamiya decals - the small ones anyway - I found that they stuck to anything I was using to manipulate them on the model. They have settled down well though, but my patience was thinning last night!

 

 

 

 

That’s about as far as I’m going to get now until next weekend as we’re off on a much needed holiday To the borders tomorrow. Much as I’d like to take this with me to complete, I think OC Domestic Ops would be unamused...!
 

I’ll just have to ease my withdrawal symptoms by admiring the other work going on in this group build.

 

Steve

[Stew Dapple]

Looking seriously nice there Steve  

 

Hope you have a good holiday  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Steve 1602]

38 minutes ago, Stew Dapple said:

Looking seriously nice there Steve  

 

Hope you have a good holiday  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

Thanks Stew,

I’m  looking forwards to the break - like many others I’ve found the restrictions imposed by the pandemic a little claustrophobic, so I’m looking forwards to getting away from it all!

[Johnson]

44 minutes ago, Steve 1602 said:

off on a much needed holiday To the borders tomorrow

Seriously envious! Maybe next year...?

 

And Spit looks good too!

 

Have a great break!

[Steve 1602]

3 minutes ago, Johnson said:

Seriously envious! Maybe next year...?

 

And Spit looks good too!

 

Have a great break!

Thanks Charlie!

[Ozzy]

Looking very nice Steve, enjoy your break.

[Steve 1602]

34 minutes ago, Ozzy said:

Looking very nice Steve, enjoy your break.

Cheers Ozzy!

[Bugle07]

She looks grand so far Steve, how much weathering are you thinking of doing?

 

On 8/5/2020 at 10:45 AM, Steve 1602 said:

not least because the Eduard Mk 1 boxing is due to be delivered today

Jealous? Moi? Not at all... Hope it builds as well as it looks!

 

Enjoy your holiday, think everyone needs a break at the moment. 🤪

 

Geoff 

 

 

[Steve 1602]

1 hour ago, Bugle07 said:

She looks grand so far Steve, how much weathering are you thinking of doing?

Thanks Geoff - I’m going to keep it fairly light. It was delivered to the Squadron in early July, so I’d expect it to look in pretty good condition for the period I’m capturing through July/ early August and before lower wing roundels were reintroduced.

The Eduard boxing does look nice (sorry to rub it in! 😁)

Steve

 

 

 

 

[Steve 1602]

Back from a lovely week in the Borders and feeling suitably recharged!

 

I was able to seal the decals under a gloss coat last night and am waiting for a flory dark dirt wash to dry at the moment.

 

All being well, I’ll complete final assembly and a Matt coat today and this one should be done over the next day or so.

 

I don’t think I’m going to apply red gun patches as I think July 1940 they weren’t universally used (Sept onwards?). I also think that keeping the patches off this one will allow a bit of an evolution in Spitfire markings to be shown against the Bob Doe Spit that I have planned.
 

However,  I have seen pics of Spits with and without them so I don’t think there’s a definite right or wrong at this point in the BoB? Are there any thoughts on that?
 

Steve

 

 

[Bugle07]

There's a good thread below on the red patches, seems Edgar thought they were common from July onwards, 

but there's a lot of room for wiggling.

 

Flory wash! The best bit in my opinion! Can wait to see it.

 

Geoff 

[Steve 1602]

3 hours ago, Bugle07 said:

There's a good thread below on the red patches, seems Edgar thought they were common from July onwards, 

but there's a lot of room for wiggling.

 

Flory wash! The best bit in my opinion! Can wait to see it.

 

Geoff 

Thanks for that Geoff - excellent info. I think I’ll go with the patches in that case and get those decals on tonight as well. 
 

Steve

[Steve 1602]

Having been away, it's time to bring the 54 Squadron diary up to date:

 

54 Sqn Diary

8 Aug 1940 - Hornchurch

1200 - The Squadron, returned from CATTERICK, is ready for any further developments with 22 pilots and an ample supply of machines.

1600 - We bade farewell for the second time to 41 Squadron. We were sorry that the enemy was not always evident when they patrolled, but delighted to learn of the success of their last patrol - when F/Lt. Webster and P/O Wallens shot down 6 Me 109.s between them. F/Lt. Webster also attacked a German M.T.B. causing serious discomfort to a number of its personnel.

On its return the Squadron immediately proceeded to MANSTON and patrolled that area for nearly an hour without a sight of the enemy. 

9 Aug 1940 - 2058 - As dusk gathered, 2 aircraft patrolled MANSTON for 30 minutes as protection against a single unidentified aircraft. No enemy aircraft was seen and this patrol concluded a very quiet day.

10 Aug 1940 - 0744 - From Manston, Red Section patrolled HAWKINGE for an hour. Otherwise another peaceful day.

11 Aug 1940 - 1410 - A convoy patrol off ROCHFORD (one flight) and two separate single aircraft patrolling MANSTON were the sole operations of the day. We were delighted at 74 Squadron's success in accounting for 20 enemy bombers and fighters for the loss of only 2 pilots.

12 Aug 1940 - 1134 - The Squadron engaged the enemy twice during the day - once in the morning (when P/O Gray destroyed 2 Me 109.s and P/O Matthews accounted for one Me 109 certain and one probable) and again in the evening when F/Lt. Deere added still further to his personal score with one Me 109 and one Me 110 both destroyed.  One of our Polish Sergeants (Sgt. KLOZENSKY) vented his wrath on the Hun to the extent of one certain Me 109 and one probable Me 109.  Our losses were P/O Turley-George and P/O Kemp both injured.

13 Aug 1940 - A respite - with only one patrol over Hornchurch for an hour early in the morning.

14 Aug 1940 - A day of absolute inactivity as far as the Squadron was concerned. An interesting note appeared in the Stop Press of the "Evening Standard". S/Leader James Leathart was quoted in his views on the "Fighter Boys" determination to resist until victory was won. A full page article in the Daily Express" and extracts in other papers was published the next day under the title "The Story of a Spitfire Squadron". F/O Smith, Squadron Intelligence Officer, was posted to St Athan as "F/Lt. - Liaison Officer".

15 Aug 1940

0945 - 1930 - 4 patrols during the day resulted in two clashes with the enemy. By now the order "Patrol behind DOVER and engage Enemy Fighters" is becoming as familiar as the old convoy patrols.

1118 - Large formations of Me 109.s scattered before the Squadron's approach over Dover; proceeding to HAWKINGE further He 113.s were met; their tactics of "milling" and "circling" did not bring our pilots into the trap set for them. Sgt. Lawrence showed his genuine hatred for the Ju 87 by shooting down three of them in flames before himself falling victim to an enemy fighter. He had a fortunate escape when his machine crashed into the sea, taking him down with it. Rescued by the Navy he is now in Dover hospital suffering from shock. Sgt. Klozensky, our other casualty, was shot down near Ashford, but is making progress in hospital there. For these losses we claim 4 enemy aircraft destroyed (including a new type (Ju 87) to our list) and three damaged. F/Lt. Deere claiming a Me 109 destroyed, F/O McMullen, F/Lt. Gribble, P/O Hopkin were responsible for the damaged enemy aircraft.

1828 - the second engagement was against large formations of Do 17.s heading west towards HORNCHURCH aided by their usual escort fighters. The Squadron inflicted but little damage on the bombers, but their persistent efforts may have preserved Hornchurch for yet another day. Two pilots force landed at West Malling just after it had been bombed.  Our "bag" - 1 Me 113 (F/Lt. Deere) and 1 Me 109 (F/Lt. Gribble) destroyed, and 2 He 113 (F/Lt. Deere and F/O McMullen) probable was gained for the loss of F/Lt. Deere's machine when he was shot down in Kent after a flight which had taken him (unwittingly) over Calais Marck!! He suffered only a sprained wrist after making a parachute jump at 1500 feet. 

During the engagement we had the first genuine local air warning for many a long month. The Station's defences were fully manned. Over 36,000 rounds of ammunition were expended by the Squadron during the day's activities. 

Yet another decoration for the Squadron. Colin Gray's D.F.C. is fully deserved and the Squadron offers him their heartiest congratulations.

16 Aug 1940

1214 - Another engagement with the enemy when a large formation of Do 215.s escorted by He 113.s and Me 109.s was encountered very near Hornchurch. 2 Me 109.s (by Colin Gray in celebration of his D.F.C.) and 1 He 113 (F/O McMullen) all destroyed and 2 bombers and a fighter damaged for no loss on our part was a most satisfactory hour's work.

1700 - Amid the wailing of the sirens and the drone of guardian Spitfires overhead, the Station prepared for an air raid in real earnest. Once again we were fortunate and the raider passed us by. We have, however, no illusions about our future - but in the Squadron (as everywhere on the Station) every single person - ground or flying personnel - is ready and quietly confident.

17 Aug 1940 - 1653-1913 - Probably the lull before another storm. There was no enemy activity until the late afternoon when sections on two occasions investigated X raids off Dover. No enemy aircraft were seen.

 

 

I managed to complete final assembly of the model - less the entry door and exhausts - and apply a flat coat of Vallejo matt varnish. I am really impressed with the undercarriage solution Tamiya have devised. I popped off the panels I had tacked in place for painting, inserted the undercarriage assembly and then glued everything together - the fit is immaculate. The result seems very sturdy and it captures the 'sit' of the Spitfire very well.

 

All that remains now is to unmask the canopy, fit the exhausts, entry door and radio wire and apply some very light weathering (exhausts and gun residue etc on the upper surfaces and some oil staining and gun residue below). Almost there, and I can then switch fire to the Eduard Mk I and Bob Doe! 

 

 

 

 

[Bugle07]

Busy few days for 54 squadron. 

 

4 hours ago, Steve 1602 said:

F/Lt. Webster also attacked a German M.T.B. causing serious discomfort to a number of its personnel.

I almost spat me beer all over me desk reading that!

 

She's looking splendid there Steve, really like how the camo has come out.

 

Well done!

[Steve 1602]

8 hours ago, Bugle07 said:

Busy few days for 54 squadron. 

 

I almost spat me beer all over me desk reading that!

 

It certainly captures the trait of British understatement Geoff!

[Steve 1602]

54 Sqn Diary

18 August 1940

0928-1054 - A great day! In 4 sorties the Squadron bore the brunt of the Station's thrust against the enemy. A 20 minute"warming up" over Manston was followed by the leisurely shooting down of a Me 110 which descended from 31,000 feet to sea level rather more rapidly than it could have originally intended. P/O Gray, F/Lt. Gribble, F/Sgt. Tew, P/O Hopkin and Sgt. Norwell participated in this air to air firing practice.

1240 - By this time the first big attack of the day had developed. At least 600 enemy aircraft - and probably a good many more - were plotted all over Kent. The Squadron was unable to approach the main formations but dealt satisfactorily with a large number of stragglers. The following enemy casualties were claimed:-

S/Leader Leathart - 1 He 113 (probable) 1 Me 109 (damaged).

F/Officer McMullen - 1 Me 109 (probable).

P/Officer Matthews - 1 Me 109 (probable).

F/Lt. Gribble - 1 Me 109 (destroyed).

P/O Gray - 1 Do 215 (damaged).

F/Sgt Tew - 1 Me 109 (destroyed). Tew had the good fortune to secure this enemy casualty without firing a shot. Enemy aircraft was pursuing him and Tew pulled out at a low altitude and the Me 109 failed to follow and crashed straight into the ground.

P/Officer Campbell - 1 Me 109 (destroyed) 1 Do 17 (damaged).

These achievements were gained without loss - either of pilots or aircraft. 

1645 - The second wave of bombers and their escort - this time around 300 strong - came North and South of the Thames. It looked as if a pincer movement was being evolved with Hornchurch as the objective! Once again the Squadron dealt faithfully with the enemy - being able to include some damage on the main formation which might have made things very unpleasant for the Station. Enemy casualties were claimed by:-

F/Lt. Gribble - 1 Me 110 and 2 He 111 (all damaged).

F/O McMullen - 1 Me 110 (probable).

P/O Gray - Completed his "Field day" with 1 Me 110 (destroyed) and 2 Me 110.s (probable).

P/O Edsall - opened his score with the Squadron with 1 Me 110 (destroyed).

P/O Matthews - 1 Me 110 (probable).

Sgt. Robbins - 1 Me 110 (destroyed).

Sgt. Norwell - 2 Me 110.s (damaged).

Again all of these for no Squadron loss - pilots or aircraft.

The day's total:- 8 destroyed; 6 probable; 11 damaged - was a fine performance and earned for the Squadron the following signal from the Air Ministry:- (A716 19/8).

 

"Following from C.A.S.  Well done 54 Squadron. In all your hard fighting this is the right spirit in dealing with the enemy."

 

 

 

Incredible stuff - The Hardest Day indeed. I probably couldn't have finished this model on a more fitting day for 54 Squadron.

 

I finished all the final assembly and some weathering this evening and I'm calling this done. Given the age of this aircraft, I have kept the weathering light and not even applied any wing root chipping. I've also kept the gun ports taped closed as if it is rearmed and ready for the next sortie. Thanks everyone who has commented, advised and supported this build - as always I have learned more than I entered with! Some photos below - I may wait until daytime before snapping some for the gallery, but for now, here is P/O Colin Gray's Spitfire as it may have appeared in July 1940.

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ozzy]

Absolutely fantastic build Steve and thread to boot, on trips to Heathrow. I often watched all the aircraft in and out, trying to imagine the sight of a formation of bombers overhead. A wave of 600 aircraft heading for London is quite unimaginable, looking forward to your next build.

[Rabbit Leader]

That’s turned out lovely Steve. I apologise for not finding this thread and commenting earlier, however with so many builds concurrently happening - it’s a bit hard to keep track. I agree with the minimal weathering for certain subjects, this one’s spot on. 

 

Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 

[Bugle07]

Great build, great finish, and an excellent wip!

 

Really well done Steve, you've done 54sq and all the pilots proud with this.

 

Geoff

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Great looking Spitfire sir ! 

[Stew Dapple]

Beautiful Steve, nice job, look forward to seeing her in the gallery  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Greg Law]

Excellent build. At first I was wondering why the K was missing on one side. Took me a minute or two to find it. 

[Johnson]

Lovely build Steve, great finish and excellent retrained weathering.

[Steve 1602]

Thanks all - photos are now up in the gallery:

 

13 hours ago, Ozzy said:

Absolutely fantastic build Steve and thread to boot, on trips to Heathrow. I often watched all the aircraft in and out, trying to imagine the sight of a formation of bombers overhead. A wave of 600 aircraft heading for London is quite unimaginable, looking forward to your next build.

Thanks Ozzy and also for your comments throughout; it's been very helpful. I know what you mean; it's hard to comprehend the scale of the air battle and seeing those aerial armadas approaching. 

13 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

That’s turned out lovely Steve. I apologise for not finding this thread and commenting earlier, however with so many builds concurrently happening - it’s a bit hard to keep track. I agree with the minimal weathering for certain subjects, this one’s spot on. 

 

Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 

Thanks Dave; I'm very happy with how it has turned out.

13 hours ago, Bugle07 said:

Great build, great finish, and an excellent wip!

 

Really well done Steve, you've done 54sq and all the pilots proud with this.

 

Geoff

Thanks Geoff - it's been really enjoyable and the comments along the way have really helped.

7 hours ago, Stew Dapple said:

Beautiful Steve, nice job, look forward to seeing her in the gallery  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

Cheers Stew - now in the gallery. Thanks for the comments and inputs through the build.

2 hours ago, Greg Law said:

Excellent build. At first I was wondering why the K was missing on one side. Took me a minute or two to find it. 

Haha! It does look a little odd - I toyed with moving the KL codes slightly aft as they don't look as expected, but in the end went with what the Victory Productions profile suggested and also from looking at some (limited) 54 Sqn photos that I took a look at. 

45 minutes ago, Johnson said:

Lovely build Steve, great finish and excellent retrained weathering.

Thanks Charlie and as always, thanks for your comments and encouragement  throughout.