TheyJammedKenny! Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) Concurrent with Operation Vittles (the Berlin Airlift) was the RAF's "Operation Knicker," or "Plane Fare," which helped immeasurably to keep the people of Western Berlin reassured of the West's commitment to them. Unlike the USAF, the RAF was extremely strapped for resources from its worldwide imperial commitments. Its war-weary C-47s soon were joined by Yorks, Hastings, Tudors, and a hodgepodge of civil aircraft under short-term contract. Fortunately, Ernest Bevin, Britain's best foreign minister of the postwar period (in my opinion) had the strategic foresight to give this operation the high-level backing needed. The model is Airfix's superlative kit of the Dakota, and I started it at about the same time I began the C-54, but finished it much sooner. It gave me almost no trouble at all, and I enjoyed it for its straightforward construction and beautiful detail. Paints are a mix of Vallejo metallics, with a flat finish, to achieve the simple overall silver paint scheme the RAF was using then. I mixed some white with the Vallejo black gloss undercoat to lighten it somewhat, and simply masked off the deicer boots before I applied the silver mix. These were war-weary aircraft and had their share of lumps and bumps! Mine is from 46 Squadron. Edited August 31, 2020 by TheyJammedKenny! white space between photos 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) Not totally sure what you're on about. But I'll drink to that. Knickers to anyone who thinks otherwise.🤣 But I do love that model. It's brilliant. I do think Airfix has the definite Dak. Edited August 29, 2020 by noelh 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, noelh said: Not totally sure what you're on about. But I'll drink to that. Knickers to anyone who thinks otherwise.🤣 But I do love that model. It's brilliant. I do think Airfix has the definite Dak. Thanks! Knicker was the UK's contribution to the 1948-49 airlift of supplies to Berlin after the Soviets blocked water and land access to the western zones of occupation in the city AND cut off the power supply. Why did they do that? Because the West initiated "currency reform" in Berlin, and began providing their respective zones of occupation with political certainty to integrate them with the rest of the world economy (and not the Soviet economy). This was not to Stalin's liking. The US/UK/French first order of effort was to keep the Berlin garrison supplied, but the U.S. and UK both quickly understood that they also needed to keep Berliners employed, warm, and fed. The Soviets were completely surprised by Western resolve with airlifting food for the people of Berlin. They were even more surprised that the West would fly in all the materials needed to build a new power plant, plus all the oil, benzine, and coal. Of the 2,325,809 tonnes of supplies airlifted over this period, coal and liquid fuel constituted over 1,700,000 tons. Worth mentioning too that the West initiated a counter-blockade against the USSR and East Berlin, which throttled its economy. France contributed logistically, but as its C-47 fleet was committed to Indochina, was able only to fly in some supplies for its own forces using French-built Ju-52 3Ms. Edited August 30, 2020 by TheyJammedKenny! knicker, not knickers 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 I don't think there was an 's' involved. 🤣 But I suppose there was an undercover element to the operation. 🙂 I really like the bare C47 though. Nothing to hide. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Very nice model and I learned something. Didn't know the British participation in the Berlin Airlift had a name. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Duly noted, sir! It WAS Knicker. No S. I have made the edit and am thoroughly abashed at my inaccuracy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Niiiice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 I should mention that Australian, New Zealander, and South African crews took turns flying the RAF's C-47s, but left their own equipment at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Very nice Dakota, love those post war schemes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 A nicely presented Dakota such as yours is always good to see. Well done.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 17 minutes ago, Ruskin Air Services said: Very nice Dakota, love those post war schemes Thanks so much! I especially like the big roundels and wing codes. The overall silver painted finish (with white aluminum control surfaces to represent a different sheen) was not too difficult to work with, and I found Vallejo's metal acrylics surprisingly forgiving. 11 minutes ago, Vinnie said: A nicely presented Dakota such as yours is always good to see Thanks so much, Vinnie! I wish I had better-quality photos, but these'll do for now. I wanted to do a postwar bird, and this does the job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Looks fantastic! Ticks all the boxes when it comes to C-47's in scale. When can we see your C-54 (the Revell kit?)? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Lovely Dak, it looks great in silver 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Delightful Dak, nice work ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) A Sunderland next ?? The import of salt to Berlin wrecked the aircraft electrical systems, so Sunderlands were fitted with special underwing paniers [spellcheck wants me to type "pandas" ! The mind boggles ! ] in which the salt was carried. The Sunderlands landed their cargos on Berlin's lakes, the names of which escapes me and I'm too lazy to go and look it up....... Rog Sorry, lovely Dak; the Airfix kit builds up a treat, must get more in the stash. You can't have too many Dakotas ! Edited September 2, 2020 by roginoz 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXANTOMCAT Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Lovely job sir! The Airfix Dak is a doozy TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, kapam said: Looks fantastic! Ticks all the boxes when it comes to C-47's in scale. When can we see your C-54 (the Revell kit?)? Thanks so much for the compliments! The C-47 is just such a beautiful machine in every respect, and the silver finish really shows its lines well. Here's where you'll find the C-54 RFI: Last Vittles Mission C-54G 4 hours ago, roginoz said: A Sunderland next A salt carrier! We'll see! That would be a doozy! @tonyot has already done a great one. Edited September 2, 2020 by TheyJammedKenny! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 For some reason I couldn`t view the pics until now and you`ve done a lovely job mate,...... bang on! Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thanks, @tonyot! Much appreciated. There's a small cluster of us that routinely builds "heavies." Need to stick together! LOL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, roginoz said: A Sunderland next ?? The import of salt to Berlin wrecked the aircraft electrical systems, so Sunderlands were fitted with special underwing paniers [spellcheck wants me to type "pandas" ! The mind boggles ! ] in which the salt was carried. The Sunderlands landed their cargos on Berlin's lakes, the names of which escapes me and I'm too lazy to go and look it up....... Rog Sorry, lovely Dak; the Airfix kit builds up a treat, must get more in the stash. You can't have too many Dakotas ! Wansee or Wannsee. I remember some great photos of Sunderlands on the lake. Makes a great diorama. Edited September 2, 2020 by noelh 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 54 minutes ago, noelh said: Wansee or Wannsee. They also used Havel Lake, which was close to Gatow. I understand that in the winter, when the lakes were frozen, the RAF contracted Halifax/Haltons with anodized interiors. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thanks, chaps, for pandering to my laziness. Of course, Havel and Wansee Lakes. Thanks. Rog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 Happy to pander! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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