***Finished*** Just one of the “few” John Colin Mungo Park 74 sq August 1940

[Bugle07]

Like many I’ve been looking forward to this GB since I spotted it. As a child the “David and Goliath” aspect of the battle raised it above comparable events straight into mythical status, helped of course by the classic 1969 film, along with many others. The battle is up there with Rorkes Drift, Arnhem and Thermopylae, but has the added bonus that it was in the air. What made it stand out from those listed was the fact that the battle was using new types of planes, tactics and technology in a unique scenario, and on a scale and intensity not seen until then.

I had no clear idea of what I was going to build at first, I mainly dabble in 1/700 ships, and although Operation Medium was an anti invasion operation, a model of HMS Revenge wasn’t going to be right for this, the 80th anniversary Of the Battle of Britain ( if you haven’t read about Operation Medium, it was a classic RAF/RN op, involving a stealth battleship, go on, go and have a look....). I had a look round the merger stash, a couple of Hellcats, a Barracuda and a few Seafires definitely didn’t fit the bill, so I had an excuse to buy a new kit!

 

Drifting around tinternet got me nowhere, I think I looked at just about every kit that could fit into the timescale (really came close to buying a 1/72 Condor), and so I decided not to look for a kit, but a person or story, I was looking for inspiration...

 

I then started hunting on the web, with no goal in mind. Just reading stories, re-discovering events, being amazed by new finds and generally  getting into the mood.
 

It was whilst I was looking at a list of RAF squadrons and their codes that something caught my eye. 74 squadrons wartime code was ZP. These are my wife’s initials, intrigued I started looking into the pilots, and the squadron in general. Now I’d heard of Sailor Malan, and I think I’d heard of John Freeborn, either of who would be more than worthy subjects of a build, but I was still unsure.

 

A bit more digging around lead me to a pilot who was an ace, had been drawn and painted by Kennington and Orde, served with 74 squadron throughout the Battle, and went on to be it’s CO.

 

John Colin Mungo Park DFC and Bar.

 

I’ll cover more about his service in another post but for me, he kind of sums up the experienced RAF Pilot at the time, the fact his story is tragic leads a poignant edge as well. But more on that later, on to the kit.

 

Now that I’d done a 180 from potential off the wall builds to a Spitfire, which kit? To be honest, it took me no time a all to decide on the kit. The latest Tamiya 1/48 had caught my eye when it came out and this all seemed to be the perfect excuse to grab one and do it some (in)justice! So that’s what, and why, I’m going with this, ZP E of 74 squadron RAF August 1940 .

 

 

With some research materials 

 

 

This could be a long build as I never seem to get the time to build anything, but hey, we’ve got till October!
 

Good luck in the GB all and thanks for looking in!
 

Geoff

 

 

 

[Ozzy]

Nice choice Geoff, just looking in the box it looks a fantastic kit. I'm looking forward to start mine.

[Stew Dapple]

Nice choices for kit and markings Geoff  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Bugle07]

Some background to John Mungo Park, taken from the Wikki and other sites.

 

Mungo joined the RAF on a Short Service Commission in June 1937 and was sent to 10FTS at Ternhill for initial training on 21st August 1937. Six months later he was posted to the Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit of the Fleet Air Arm at Lee on Solent and then in August 1938 to HMS Argus, the Fleet Requirements Unit, to fly Fairey Swordfish. When war was declared he transferred back to the RAF and joined 74 Squadron (which was at that time based at Hornchurch) on 4th September 1939.

 

The day after war was declared in September 1939, Mungo-Park transferred to No. 74 Squadron RAF flying Spitfires from RAF Hornchurch, commanded by Sailor Malan. He was promoted to flying officer 31 December.

 

On 24 May 1940, while No. 74 Squadron were providing cover for the British retreat from France and the Dunkirk evacuation, Mungo-Park was wounded and his Spitfire damaged during an engagement with a Henschel Hs 126, but he managed to recross the Channel and land at RAF Rochford.

 

On 10 July the squadron was engaged a large formation of Dornier Do-17s and their escort of Bf 109s and Bf 110s. Mungo claimed one Dornier, which he saw "turn lazily on its back and dive into the sea".

 

On 11 August he was involved in four major air battles. During the first of these Mungo scored one Bf 109 destroyed and one damaged. In the day's third combat, over a convoy 'Booty' off Clacton, Mungo attacked two Bf 110s in quick succession and saw the first crash into the sea and the second go down pouring black smoke. He was awarded one 'destroyed' and 'one probable'. One further victory followed in the day's fourth air battle over Hawkinge, when his section was vectored onto a formation of Ju87s and Bf 109s off Margate. He led the attack on the 109s and his five-second burst into one of the fighters caused it to burst into flames and plunge into the sea.

 

On 13 August No. 74 Squadron were vectored over the Thames Estuary onto an unescorted formation of Dornier 17s. Mungo claimed one destroyed amongst a squadron total of fourteen enemy aircraft claimed destroyed or probably destroyed.

 

Mungo-Park took command of 74 Squadron on 10th March 1941 when Sailor Malan was posted away. He was attacked by six Me109’s over the French coast on 16th June and shot down two but his Spitfire's glycol system was damaged and after his engine seized he glided back across the coast and made a crash-landing near Hawkinge.

On a sweep over France on 27th June 1941 Mungo-Park was shot down in Spitfire Vb X4668 ‘E’ and killed. He is buried in Adinkerke Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

The 74(F) Tiger Association have a copy of the Service of Remembrance for Squadron Leader John Colin Mungo Park DFC and Bar http://74sqdn.tk/in-memoriam-farewell-to-old-tigers/mungo-park/ which is well worth a read, a moving tribute from both fellow Tigers H M Stephen, Clive Hilken and John Freeborn, and a wonderful story about the aftermath of the crash from Joseph and Johny Recour, amazing gentlemen both.

 

More on the build and the kit later today (should really be working right now but hey, who's watching...)

 

Geoff

[Bugle07]

Time for some building. I’m going to try and make R6772, a possible plane Mungo Park was flying on the 11th of August, as ZP-E. I’m going to follow A option in the build as I believe I’m going to be making R6772, and I’m guessing that the P9495 option in the  kit will be closest. If anyone knows different please let me know!

 

 

First job, from my understanding the Mk1 didn’t have the electrical socked on the port wing root, (it was on the other side, in front of the wing)so a quick dab of filler as the Kit has it Portside.

 

Quick wipe and all gone...

Sidewalls done, I’m going to do an open cockpit, there lots of options for this kit, you’ve got to check each step or you’ll miss something small. The kits going together just as you’d expect from Tamiya, excellent fit.

 

 

And in no time at all the ‘pits ready for paint! Dry fit for now. The Etch included is pretty straightforward, the only surprise is that there’s no etch IP, I’d have thought that it would have been pretty simple to add it on with the belts etc but there you go. I’m thinking of using a Vb panel I have kicking around, I know it’s not correct at all but it will look a lot better than the moulded version. I’ll paint both up and see what’s what.
 

And a quick look at what’s next.

 

The fit is spot on, may try the wings taped on tomorrow and see what that looks like.

 

Cheers for looking in, keep safe and enjoy the GB!

 

Geoff

 

[Bugle07]

Work stops play.... Ain’t that always the way.

 

After browsing through the excellent builds going on I came across Steve 1602 cracking build of this same kit and discovered that I’m missing something, armour behind the seat. Not sure how Tamiya missed that off this kit, it's not too big an issue, hopefully.

 

Leftover headrest armour from a Vb etch set and a bit of plasticard for behind the seat. I managed to encourage the existing headrest to move, but wasn’t going to get the seat off the frame without issues (as I’d already drilled the lightning holes and the frame was as weak as anything) so I cut some gaps in the card so it would slide down behind the seat frame.

 

 

Not the best job in the world but good enough for government work.

 

 Now that little jobs out the way I think I can get on with some painting.

 

More later, happy modelling all!

 

Geoff

[Stew Dapple]

Nice job on that seat armour Geoff

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Bugle07]

Thanks Stew, would have been easier if I'd just checked before putting the seat together and gluing that to the frame but hey ho.....

 

Geoff 

[Bugle07]

Managed to get some paint on this evening, primer and a couple of coats of Tamiya XF 71.

 

 

Black primer was Vallejo Black surface primer.

 

 

 

 

Then a quick dust of Vallejo Dark Aluminium 

 

 

 

 

And a couple of wires added to busy up this part of the pit.

 

 

Did I mention earlier that the kit doesn’t come with decals for the IP? Ignore me, I must have needed a lot more coffee then. Very nice it is once all settled in.

 

The seats ready for a few dark coats, then everything will get a gloss coat to seal it in and a few washes to bring out the detail.
 

A quick dry fit gets us to this

 

 

 

Hope everyone’s enjoying the GB as much as I am!

 

Happy modelling all, and cheers for looking in.

 

Geoff

[Steve 1602]

That’s looking really nice Geoff 👍🏻

[Troy Smith]

3 hours ago, Bugle07 said:

 

 

The seats ready for a few dark coats, then everything will get a gloss coat to seal it in and a few washes to bring out the detail.

 

You mighty want to ask if R6772 had a metal seat.

or one of the red-brown phenol resin.  

 

the kit one looks more the like lower one, and the red brown with black leather seat back adds a bit of contrast. ...

 

HTH

[Stew Dapple]

Some lovely interior detail that Geoff  

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Jabba]

Superb work in the cockpit area.

[Bugle07]

Thanks for the reply gents.

 

8 hours ago, Troy Smith said:

 mighty want to ask if R6772 had a metal seat.

or one of the red-brown phenol resin.  

 

the kit one looks more the like lower one, and the red brown with black leather seat back adds a bit of contrast. ...

Troy, superb photos, thank you for posting them.

 

I'm working on the grounds that R6772 was built in June 1940 and the resin seats came into production in May ish 1940, for colour (an my sanity) I'll be doing it in the red/brown with black back.

 

Just looking at that lower picture, would the lap harness normally be connected to the lower upright section of the seat or to the lower sides? There seems to be hooks there that could be used. Would this be a modern set up in the picture?

 

Geoff 

[Bugle07]

I managed to finally get a session at the bench today. Oil and enamel wash inside the cockpit, seat painted all ready for a Matt finish once dry. Seatbelts are also added. I’ve gone for the plastic seat with the leather backing, does make the pit look more interesting.

 

 

Must remember to attach the brace (?) between the seat frame and the frame behind. I’ve done a dry fit of the fuselage and there seems to be no issues. I’ll do a quick dry brush after the Matt coat then it’ll be time to close her up!

 

Happy modelling all!

 

Geoff

 

 

[Bugle07]

Almost forgot.

 

Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, but the big boys made me do it....

 

Will be starting a new topic for this soon. 
 

Don't tell SWMBO... 

 

Geoff

 

[Steve 1602]

That’s looking good Geoff - if you are building the canopy open version, then you do not need to fit the brace - it’s moulded internally in the rear canopy section, but it does need to be painted.

 

Steve

[Ozzy]

Nicely done Geoff, I like the look of your second build.

[SimonT]

Great looking cockpit.

[Bugle07]

Couple of weeks off, staring to feel human again now. Time to get back to the bench.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calling the Pit done now, and it’s glued into place. Fuselage half’s are now joined, just letting them dry and then I’ll look at the mess I’ve made of it. It’s going to need a touch of filler on the nose (and a healthy dose of sanding...).

 

Will do a better update tomorrow, Along with starting a WIP for the Arma Hurricane.

 

Happy Modelling All!

 

Geoff

 

 

[Stew Dapple]

That looks very convincingly 'used' Geoff

 

Cheers,

 

Stew

[Bugle07]

Thanks Stew, always prefer the used or lived in look, factory fresh just doesn’t feel right to me for some reason.

 

The fuselage is all buttoned up, with a bit of a miss join over the fuel tank. All my own fault, the other joints were spot on. 

 

No matter how much I sanded it was still there so, on with some Tamiya extra thin and some spru shavings, then soak the lot in mor extra thin. I’m going to let that dry and then sand it back. See if that does the job.

 

 

 

I’m happy with how the pit is looking from outside.

 

The rudder and all the other bits went on without a hitch. Same with the wings, the parts just clicked together.

 

 

 

Test fit of the wings to the fuselage shows just how well this kit is designed. No glue and no pressure and it’s pretty much there.

With luck I’ll have that join sorted tomorrow, and get the wings on. Then it’s on to the painting, the fun bit!

 

Cheers for looking in.

 

Geoff

 

 

[Jabba]

Coming together very well.

[Bugle07]

Well, as it’s is BoB day, a couple of pics to show I’m still working on this kit.

 

 

After a lot of sanding I’m fairly happy with the engine cowling, it’s not perfect but...

 

 

Just finishing off masking the last canopy, all the smaller parts are prepped, if I actually get some free time soon I believe I may be ready to paint!
 

Happy Modelling All

 

Geoff

 

[Jabba]

Coming together very well.