Rémi Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) Hi With the finish of FH-1 Phantom, one place got free and I can start a new build. THis time, I exit from my stash an old box from Special Hobby. A "black box" coming from the early age of this kitmaker I choose the "Hunting Percival Pembroke" Why the "Spy who love me" in my title ? Because these planes based on West Germany officialy serve as transport unit but in reality were "Spy plane" My title is a little wink to the "James Bond" movies. Edited November 11, 2020 by Rémi 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 This will be good, I didn't know there was a 1/72 Pembroke! Getting on ebay right now 😂 I had no idea these were spyplanes either, genuinely thought they were for transport in RAF Germany. What spy equipment did they have, there's no lumps and bumps on them? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 I didn't know what equipement there are. I didn't find informations The only information, I have find is that they could have fit some cameras in the front of the passagers cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) Basically speaking @Lord Riot the 60 Sqn Pembrokes operating at Wildenrath had a wonderful opportunity to take photographs along the Berlin corridor as they were frequently transiting this route. Some of their Pembrokes were modified to carry a camera fit in the belly, covered by a sliding door, and this allowed fairly comprehensive photographic reconnaissance of the east of the border areas. The preserved Pembroke XL954 / G-BXES is one of these aircraft and you can just make out the modifications on the underside, Be interesting to see this build, I have one in stash somewhere and it looks quite nice, but I seem to recall the windscreen area is a little off. Edited November 11, 2020 by 71chally 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Rémi said: I didn't find informations The only information, I have find is that they could have fit some cameras in the front of the passagers cab There's a nice piece (2 pages) on them here Remi, https://www.16va.be/pembrokes_part1_eng.html Edited November 11, 2020 by 71chally 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks for this great help I find another pics on witch I can see the modifcation. It should be simple to make Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Youd better add the Berlin Grey chipmunk to your list ...that also had a surveillance role to play 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Nice! Looking forward to this one. It has beautiful interior details--passenger seats, even--and some nicely recessed panel lines. Unfortunately, the butt-joins on the tail are a problem, and DO check your horizontal stabilizers to ensure they are not slightly warped. That was a problem with the kit I worked on. I started it many years ago and still haven't finished it! Lots and lots of nose weight needed on this baby, too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks for your advices. I will check these points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Hello guys, there is an excellent book called "Looking down the corridors" that will give details about the flights, equipment, procedures and so on. The book covers also the Chipmunk flights together with a few hair rising photos. French SIGINT operations and American recce flights are also explained. Pembroke is an interesting subject so I will be watching this, although I haven't purchased the kit. Cheers, Antti 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptmvarsityfan Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Great to see one of these built on BM, I built this a few months ago in a lockdown attempt to reduce my stash, it needs a lot of care but builds into a good model. I do remember the wing to fuselage join needed quite a lot of filler! And a lot of weight as stated above, fortunately there is plenty of room in the long nose! Cheers, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 I'm here to take a seat on board! Love me a Pembroke. Quite recently sat inside a Sea Prince cabin and I've had a love affair for them since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Great subject. Should be a very interesting build. I must admit although I had heard of Pembroke configured "spook" aircraft, I had never appreciated exactly what they got up to. That link of yours James @71chally was utterly fascinating to read. I'm curious now regarding the Chipmunk's role! Must get myself one of these Pembroke's, possibly two as I'd fancy converting one to a Sea Prince also. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Terry1954 said: Great subject. Should be a very interesting build. I must admit although I had heard of Pembroke configured "spook" aircraft, I had never appreciated exactly what they got up to. That link of yours James @71chally was utterly fascinating to read. I'm curious now regarding the Chipmunk's role! Must get myself one of these Pembroke's, possibly two as I'd fancy converting one to a Sea Prince also. Terry Not to get too far OT, but Chipmunks also "trolled" the corridors and around Berlin. The pilots or observers used hand-held cameras at low level to do recon work. There is at least one photo taken by an observer that shows a Soviet soldier leveling his rifle at the aircraft. That would have raised the "pucker factor" a few notches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 1 hour ago, TheyJammedKenny! said: Not to get too far OT, but Chipmunks also "trolled" the corridors and around Berlin. The pilots or observers used hand-held cameras at low level to do recon work. There is at least one photo taken by an observer that shows a Soviet soldier leveling his rifle at the aircraft. That would have raised the "pucker factor" a few notches. And a bullet hole was discovered in the spinner after landing. That soldier in the photo did more than just took aim. Cheers, Antti 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 A couple of photos of RAFG Pembrokes: Pembroke C(PR)1 XL953 on approach to former Berlin-Tempelhof airport. This aircraft was lost in a hangar fire at RAF Wildenrath in May 1980. (Photo: Peter Seemann) XL954 banks away from the camera showing the two post-Mod. 614 camera doors. (Photo: Classic Air Force) Hope these help. Cheers, Antti 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Antti_K said: This aircraft was lost in a hangar fire at RAF Wildenrath in May 1980 I remember that one. Fuel was being drained and it wasn't properly earthed. If I remember correctly. I only saw a couple of these Aircraft when I was in the Mob. Nice though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 I'll take a seat if I may? Flew in a 60 Sqd: Pembroke at Wildenrath as an ATC Cadet in 1968/9 so have a soft spot for the Pembroke. I may even have one in the stash - must go and look Stay safe Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 13, 2020 Author Share Posted November 13, 2020 Many thanks antti_k for theses great pictures. They will be a great help for me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 I started my build Like all "Special Hobby black box", you must always try fit before the glue For the fuselage it's not so bad In details the rear section is bend. But nothing who will escape of a good constraint For the canopy, you must add some materials to fil the gap between canopy and fuselage on the rear section of the canopy In the fuselage interior, you must sand the 3 ejection plot. Specially the last rear plot. At this place one section of the floor take his place We can pass to the wings. You have some works at this place The wings are in two parts and Mr "Filler" help you to join these two pieces But it not finish The engine nacel need a good amount of care I added a reinforcement on the floor of the front floor And for finish with a positiv note, a global view 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 Looks like a stunning build. I've actually just seen 4 various Pembrokes this weekend! Are you going to do an interior? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rémi Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 I painted almost the interior this afternoon Because I haven't any reference, I paint it with my inspiration. All my apologise if it is not like a real plane. Because it is "a spy plane", I added some radio too. I made the rack and use some spare parts from the sprue that were not use. The rack With some seats Front seat and all the other seats All these parts in the fuselage Instrument panels 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 16 minutes ago, Rémi said: I painted almost the interior this afternoon Because I haven't any reference, I paint it with my inspiration. All my apologise if it is not like a real plane. Because it is "a spy plane", I added some radio too. I made the rack and use some spare parts from the sprue that were not use. The rack With some seats Front seat and all the other seats All these parts in the fuselage Instrument panels Looks good bud! If I remember later, I'll share the image of the inside of the Sea Prince I was in earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Lewis95 said: I've actually just seen 4 various Pembrokes this weekend! I'm guessing you must have been at SWAM, I see they have XL929 now. Isn't it two Pembrokes and two Sea Princes? Excellent progress Remi, the interior work is very nice, the seats are lovely. Noisy aircraft, I believe the RAF referred to it as the most expensive way of moving six people, love the design though. Pembroke WV740 Myself in the back by James Thomas, on Flickr Edited November 15, 2020 by 71chally 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 (edited) Absolutely fantastic work on this really hard kit! As we can see, this is not a "shake and bake." Alex Edited November 15, 2020 by TheyJammedKenny! correction based on above photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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