Potez 63-11 the Madagascar defender, May 1942, GAM 555, Ivato-Tananarive, Azur, 1/72

[JWM]

Hi, 

In parallel to recently shown in RFI mine Potez 631 I did Potez 63-11. Both kits by Azur in 1/72 almost without modifications fallowing drawings and photos.

Potez 63-11 was a tactical reconnaissance and support variant of Potez 63 family, characteristic by the glazed larger nose. It is very popular machine so I will not tell more on it.

However the role of Madagascar in WW2 is perhaps less known. It belonged to France and stay loyal to Vichy government. In autumn 1941, yet before start of war in Far East the British Intelligence found out, that Germans start talks with Vichy to install U-boat base in Diego Suarez port on north of Madagascar. This could complicate all situation on whole Indian Ocean area and decision on necessity of establishing British control on Madagascar was undertaken. After Pearl Harbor it become even more urgent. Invasion known as "Operation Ironclad" was prepared and started on 5th May by attack on Diego Suarez. Britts used above 100 airplanes from two airplane carriers supported by SAAF forces from African continent and French side has less than 40 airplanes  including 12 Potez 63-11 deployed there in summer 1941 as well as some Morane 406 and Potez 25. The French air power on island was destroyed in first two days. More one can read on this here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Madagascar. 

The conquest of whole island was not very fast, the battles lasting till end of November 1942.  

The model presents machine from Ivato airfield near Tananarive, she belonged to 555 Groupe Aerien Mixte (GAM) No 555. This is No 232 (C-731). She was shot down by British Martlets on 6th May 1942, the majority of Potezes were destroyed on ground. There is a photo of this machine 

 

and colour profile in "French Aircraft from 1939 to 1942, vol. 2" by D.Breffort and A.Jouineau in seried Planes and Pilots No 8. On base of other machine photos I introduced the emblem of GAM 555 on fin (as seen on other machines.) - this is free hand painting on decal. Here is profile of another machine from the same unit:

 

 

Other decals are mix of that from box and some from Techmod set, from which I used also masks.

 

Here is result:

 

 

And family photos:

 

 

I had problems with finding in my library the article on Operation Ironclad which appeared in a journal Technika Wojskowa, Historia, No 1 (Jan-Feb) 2016. There are two more photos of Potez 63-11 at Madagascar, i was not sure if she should have 2 or 3 blades props, so again many thanks to @Stefaan for support in my question 

Finally  I have found this journal before finishing model....

 

 

Comments welcome

Regards

Jerzy-Wojtek

 

PS. this is # 7/2021 (Breguet  273, Hanriot 232, Saro Lerwick, Shcherbakov Shche 2,  Fiat Cr 20 bis, Potez 631, Potez 63-11....) 

Edited May 2, 2021 by JWM

[RidgeRunner]

 Very, very nice, Jerzy

[Fin]

Awesome subject, Jerzy! And beautiful model!

 

What paints did you use?

[AdrianMF]

Lovely. I like the subtle weathering. 

 

Regards,

Adrian

[woody37]

Great result Jerzy

 

[JWM]

2 hours ago, Fin said:

What paints did you use?

Thank you. I am a bit traditional, so I am devoted to Humbrol enamels and I used Hu 98 as Terre Fonce, Hu 144 as Gris Bleu Fonce, Hu 117 as Vert Fonce (Khaki) and bottom Hu 87 with some Hu 65 added to make it brighter and a bit more blueish (to be frank my camera makes it even more blueish).  This is what I adopted few years ago as basic French colors, maybe not the best  choice ever but I like how they looks together. All brush painted as always.

Regards

J-W

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by JWM

[S. Uehlinger]

Great Work ...especially considering they are Brush Painted!   I have a half completed Potez I have to finish off....but like you, I really love the French machines.    Finished my Amiot in the winter and still have a Bloch bomber Sitting on its gear waiting to be painted....I use enamel sprays, and have ben very happy with results.     Looking forward to seeing your future work!

[BerndM]

Very nice builds.

French color schemes never disappoint.