Brewster 339E Buffalo - 488 (NZ) Squadron - Circa late 1941

[stevehnz]

Great thread Alan, some fascinating back ground stuff in there too, really interesting.

Steve.

[LDSModeller]

11 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Cracking backround information Alan and great interior work fella. 

Chris

Hi Chris, Thanks, glad you enjoy the background information, and Build posts

 

6 hours ago, 72modeler said:

Late to this build, but like all of your projects, the research, history, add modeling craftsmanship are world class! Watching with great interest, taking copious notes, and saving your work as my go-to reference for an accurate 339! Thanks again for all of the information you have provided to me and many others regarding RNZAF P-40's, Corsairs, Venturas, Dauntlesses, and Buffalos! 

Mike 

Hi Mike, Thanks for looking in, glad the posts will be of help to you - Happy to help out with the info

on the aircraft as used by the RNZAF

 

 

 

5 hours ago, Anthony in NZ said:

Another informative and interesting post.  Wonderful progress on the Buffalo, very cool!

Hi Anthony, Thanks for looking in, glad you like the posts/background info too

 

6 hours ago, Hook said:

Great stuff, thanks for posting!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

 

Hi Andre, Thanks for looking in, glad you like  the information

 

Quote

@stevehnz

Great thread Alan, some fascinating back ground stuff in there too, really interesting.

Steve.

 

Hi Steve, Thanks for looking in, glad you like the information I posted

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi all, continuation of my previous post from yesterday

(part two today - I accidentally hit the back button and all gone just like that )

 

So here we go again........

Today, I will start with the Forward cockpit section, and then roll back into the

Starboard side, as the two are connected in that roll back

 

As Usual I am posting a photo link of a USN F2A-2 cockpit, so you can make

the comparison between the US/British Cockpits (and note differences)

 

F2A-2 (link from Cybermodeler)

 

USN F2A-2 Cockpit Forward

 

RAF 339E/Mk I Buffalo from Pilots Notes

 

Items of note are

1) The Remote Contactor Control (IFF) panel below the Instrument Panel between Rudder pedals.

If you compare the panels between USN/RAF Aircraft they are quite different, and the kit part

represented what, I don't know Not withstanding I had to make up my own going from the

pilots notes, and here's my rendition, note the "Remote Contact Indicator lower LHS, and metal data plate

below (homemade)

 

I don't recall where I got this photo from, but a "Remote Contactor Indicator"

(Photo used for Illustration Purposes only

 

The Panel in its place between the rudder pedals - note the Chart board above the panel, in these photos

the map board slides out from a slot in lower edge of Instrument panel (Remember the maps in the map

case further back??? )

 

Pilots Notes on Chart board

 

2) Next on list, the Instrument Panel, on the F2A at top on panel is the compass, , whilst the RAF

instrument panel has a Gun sight. The compass moved to lower LHS of cockpit near pilots feet

Accordingly I filled in the opening where the compass was, as in this photo below - note also the slot for

the map board

 

In the lower part of photo are parts for the Starboard side Quarter panel, LHS is kit part for F2A-2, and

RHS part is what I manufactured to represent the type in an RAF Buffalo

From Pilots notes

 

So with that in mind, I'll roll back to the Starboard side of the cockpit

If you read the except from the Pilots note below, it mentions a Mk VIII O2 Regulator

 

In the Photo form Pilots notes see Item 30 (bracket to mount Regulator)

 

When looking for all these items listed in Pilots notes, I found this photo of Mk VIII Regulator (don't recall

where I got this from)

(Photo Used for Illustration Purposes only)

 

Accordingly I had to build one, ( searching through my photos I don't have a close up )

So here is said Regulator mounted on Fuselage side wall - The Brass coloured item is the pilots  O2

hose plug in, the Silver box above regulator is item 31 in Pilots Notes Cockpit photo above, which

is an "Electrical Junction Box"

 

3) Next on list is the Starboard side Shelf or "Electrical Distribution panel" see two excerpts form Pilots

manual below

 

The Kit part is just a slab of plastic, with bumps for what ever fiction was dreamed of, that it might look like.

The Kit Instructions would have you mount it as a slab, but it has a angular look to it, so after studying

the Photo from the pilots notes and a USN F2A-2 photo, modified the kit part, adding the necessary

switches/dials, see photo below

 

So with The Starboard side with Electrical Distribution Shelf, added to Fuselage side, it all

looks like this

 

I Like this shot so much better - gives a good view of The Quarter Panel, Electrical Distribution shelf and

Mk VIII O2 Regulator

 

 

So in this photo I have numbered the different items and a note with of what they are

 

1) Manual Control for Fire Extinguisher (engine)

2) Fuel Gauge Pump Handel (Port Tank)

3) Indirect Lamp

4) Electrical Junction Box

5) Bracket for Mk VIII O2 Regulator

6) Starboard Cockpit Lamp

7) Mk VIII O2 Regulator face plate

8 ) Gun Switch covers

9) Electrical Distribution Panel Lamp

 

Items 1/2 were made from "Machined" sewing pins (read, heads flattened with a file and

body of pin reduced in a drill by a file )

 

So, I'm going to leave it at that today, (not going to push my luck with Uncle Murphy looking

over my shoulder  ) Thanks for looking in, hope you enjoy

 

Catch up with you all again soon

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Biggles87]

More excellent improving/amending work.

Looking forward to more.

 

John

[bigbadbadge]

Your cockpit work looks absolutely flippin fantastic Alan,  great work. 

Chris

[LDSModeller]

On 8/21/2021 at 4:23 PM, Biggles87 said:

More excellent improving/amending work.

Looking forward to more.

 

John

Hi John, thanks for looking in, hope you will enjoy more improvements today

 

On 8/21/2021 at 6:51 PM, bigbadbadge said:

Your cockpit work looks absolutely flippin fantastic Alan,  great work. 

Chris

 

Thanks Chris - really appreciate your comments  - means a lot

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Hi All another Update .

 

This time again I will start off in another area and roll back around to the starboard side

of the cockpit.

 

One of the differences between the RAF Buffalo (339E/Mk I) and USN F2A

is the Heating system in the RAF Aircraft, to supply cockpit and heat the guns.

Link to F2A forward cockpit

USN F2A-2 Forward Cockpit - No Heating Tube

 

If you read the below excerpt form the 339E Buffalo Pilots notes, it mentions a heating

system (cockpit/gun)

 

In the photo below, you can see my rendition of the heating pipe coming (or going) from the engine,

going into the cockpit

 

If you look at this annotated photo from the 339E Pilots notes, you can see the Heat distribution valve

for cockpit/guns

 

In this other annotated Cockpit photo from Pilots notes, you can see the heat pipe for heating the cockpit

going up under the Instrument panel

 

So, below are my renditions of the heating tubes

 

In this photo you can see the Heat Distribution valve with pipes coming out of it

The pipes are wire with brown coloured painted tissue (used water colours) as wrapping - also note the

compass tucked away on Port side of Cockpit

Note above also the O2 Bottle Support Bracket/Cage, with an O2 bottle and hose coming out from it

this will be attached to the Mk VIII O2 Regulator - note also the Brass coloured fire extinguisher

 

Back to the Starboard side of cockpit - these controls are at the pilots elbow (mostly)

 

In the photo below, I have again numbered items, so as to explain what they are

 

 

1.  O2 Bottle Support Bracket/Cage

2.  O2 , with turn on/off handle &  connection valve,  in my build, I have only included 1 O2 bottle

3.  Bracket for Gun Charging handles and Heat control dial.

In the annotated Pilots Notes photo below, you can see them

 

 

4.  These are the handles for  for the Flaps (raise & lower) & Undercart control (raise & lower).

     if you look at the photo above, these are 3 & 2 respectively

 

5.  Pilots back armour (mounted to rear of Pilots seat support tubes)

 

As a slight aside on this, I recall having a conversation with Mark Haselden/Jim Maas some time ago,

on this armour.

Note colour of Pilots seat armour, I painted that Dark Green (Hu 30) it could be black too, as this was

manufactured at the Royal Navy Ship yards in Singapore from Brewster designs.

From what I understand the quality control was not that good, so the bolt holes in the armour did not align

with seat tube holes and was tied on by wire  (wouldn't that just inspire confidence in your protective measures ).

If you look close, this is what I have tried to represent! (maybe not - can't see the wire I used )

 

Well that's pretty much the cockpit done (there are a few bits I haven't covered, like the Hydraulic Pump handle

(next to distribution panel in pilots notes photo above (4)), and pilots seat/Sutton harness, but I'll get there

 

Next I'll start on the forward part of the Cockpit bulkhead, with that things that go "Ratta-Tat-Tat"

 

Thanks for looking in, hope you enjoy.

 

More soon

 

Regards

 

Alan

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Looking real good Alan, thats some detail you're packing in. 

[LDSModeller]

On 8/24/2021 at 5:08 PM, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Looking real good Alan, thats some detail you're packing in. 

 

Hi Dennis,

 

Thanks, I quite enjoy adding the extra detail - quite satisfying (to me any ways)

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Hi All,

 

Another update, and as alluded to in my last post, today we'll deal with the

Fuselage guns/equipment.

 

Before I go on, I want to take a few moments (words ) to mention

a historic fact - Jumping ahead a few months to after Japan had declared

War on Britain/Dominions in Singapore/Malaysia, 488 Squadron  noted (along

with rest of the Squadrons there) a new High Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft

flying overhead. The Anti Aircraft Batteries could'nt touch it, nor any aircraft currently in

inventory, so in the end a plan was devised.

 

Graeme Clayton is his Book "Last Stand Singapore" records from his father Bert's diary (Paraphrased)

 

"Flt Lt Mackenzie had the squadron armourers remove all but one of the guns from his

Buffalo, and when the aircraft (later found to be a Mitsubishi Ki-46) visited again, he took off

in pursuit. - Unfortunately Flt Lt Mackenzie could not gain sufficient altitude, let alone catch

his prey - he arrived back quite frustrated"

This is Flt Lt Mackenzie in his Buffalo (AN198) - though not necessarily on day of pursuit

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

So with that onto the model

The 339E Pilots notes state the following (as annotated)

 

Of note is the "Interrupter Mechanism" to stop the guns from firing when Propeller blades are within

"Muzzle Blast" of either gun

 

Again from Graeme Clayton's book, quoting his fathers diary the "Interpreter Mechanism didn't always

work or misfired"  -  very problematic if you're in the middle of a melee

 

With that in mind, many moons ago Jim Maas, very kindly sent me a couple of diagrams about the

Buffalo guns, one especially dealing with the fuselage guns and the spent shell chute/associated receptors.

This is a photo of said diagram (Note was common to all Buffalo versions) - Note diagram is set looking forward

from cockpit side

 

Accordingly  (me being me) had to build one and here is the end result

 

From above - I built the shell receivers from rolled (from using a file ) metal

 

Just forward of the shell receivers are the spent link collection chutes

 

What it looks like with Port side of Fuselage - the end of the chute exits from an opening

immediately aft of the Port wheel well rear edge (more later)

 

With guns added and blast tubes (these tubes sit up against the opening in Cowling ring)

The blast tubes are made form Aluminum tubing with the front ends filed to appropriate concave curve to

fit snuggley against the openings in cowling ring

 

This is a view from the cockpit side - note the guns with shell receivers in place

 

Note in the above photo, the Instrument panel has been added - note also the RAF Buffalo 339E/Mk I

the instrument panel is flush with the combing above, in the USN F2A-2 the instrument panel sits a little

further back under coaming

 

From the 339E Pilots notes

 

In the photo below, are Items "A", which are the "Gun Charging Handles" - manufactured from sewing pins

machined in an electric drill with heads shaped by file

Item "B" is the handle for the map table (again machined from sewing pin head)

 

From the 339E Pilots manual

 

You will have seen these photos previously, but I have marked them as below

 

As a kid growing up, my Dad had some of these switches (from either scrapped/broken aircraft), and I recall

having fun flipping open the covers and flicking the switches (imagining as you do - dealing to some nefarious

foe )  - Accordingly (I do recall the reddish colour) I painted them Humbrol 73 Matt Wine.

 

So with that, the fuselage halves were joined, and the cockpit, to me looks very good

Note again how the Instrument panel sits flush (more or less ) with the upper coaming edge

You can just make out in the rear section the rudder control lines (made form stretched sprue

- bad choice - ask me how I know  )

 

Looking form below through the bottom transparency opening - note the Heat distribution valve and connected

piping

 

As you can see the fuselage seams will need some filler...........

 

So at this juncture, I added the rear panel for the cockpit (the roll over pylon is just sitting in place at present)

Note also how the Pilots seat mounting tubes roll over the top

 

Now this is a USN F2A-2 I built last year, note the difference in the rear panels of USN/RAF Buffaloes

 

And  a photo of the USN F2A-2 rear cockpit (link from Cybermodeler)

 

USN F2A-2 Rear cockpit-seat and mounting tubes

 

Well thanks for looking in, a milestone accomplished - more yet to go

 

More soon

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2021 by LDSModeller
Grammar/Spelling

[Hook]

Another episode of the Buffalo Masterclass  - thanks!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

[bigbadbadge]

Great updates as ever Alan   good to see the fuselage halves going together too.  The cockpit interior you have created is fantastic and really inspirational.   Great work. The backround re the modified Buffalo was very interesting too.

Chris

[Biggles87]

Wot Chris said with knobs on.

 

John

[LDSModeller]

On 8/28/2021 at 8:02 PM, Hook said:

Another episode of the Buffalo Masterclass  - thanks!

Thanks Andre, I'm glad you're enjoying my posts

 

On 8/29/2021 at 2:32 AM, bigbadbadge said:

Great updates as ever Alan

 

Thanks Chris, I'm glad you like them 

 

On 8/29/2021 at 4:14 AM, Biggles87 said:

Wot Chris said with knobs on.

 

Thanks John, I'm glad you like my posts too

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Something of an update and a little more history

 

488 Squadron Personnel began to settle in in Singapore

 

Graeme Clayton in his Book, recording from his father Bert's diary, with his

time with 488 Sqn in Singapore, recorded that when they received their aircraft.

the comment was made (by John "Hutch" Hutcheson I believe) that the Brewster Buffalo

was "A Nice Old Gentleman's Aeroplane".

 

Graeme goes on to make mention of other issues such as the Uniforms and Food.

The Fortress mentality of RAF High Command in Singapore and the inertia of resistance to change that came with with,

was a issue to the Kiwi's in Singapore.

Work started at 0730 hours and then you finished at 1230 Hours for a two hour lunch and if you didn't have

to go back to work you didn't -this didn't sit well with the Kiwi's at all  - anyway  I digress - back to the uniforms and food

 

488 Squadron had good NCO's and Officers who listened and got things done

When the personnel were issued their "Topical kit", some one obviously thought all Kiwi Men

were built like the All Blacks Forwards, and were issued kit uniforms shirts and pants Wayyy to big!!

 

For those of you who are familiar with the All Blacks, think "Pine Tree: Meads type size

(6 Foot 3-1/4)

(From Wikipedia)

 

This a photo of a Kiwi in Singapore in Tropical Kit

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

The men aired their concerns, and a mock "Parade" was held in said Kit,

(even Sqn Leader Clouston was involved), and the point was made and new

kit was issued.

Food was another issue, there was a NAAFI crowd that sold food (for a "Price")

at Kallang, it was apparently "Inedible" to the Kiwi's and again Clouston went into bat

for his men and that changed - as a side note the NAAFI was bombed by the Japanese,

to which provide some amusement to the 488 Sqn personnel.

 

Training in flying the Buffalo was on going, a shot of three 488 Squadron Aircraft in formation

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

Choice of Flying Gear (especially footwear) a personal thing, as these two 488 Squadron Pilot Officers show

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

With the history part over, on with the build

 

I added a "Pointed" tail cone which the 339E Buffalo had ( Robbed the parts from

the SH F2A-3 kit I have)

 

As you can see that fit is not that great

Note also I have scribed the circular cover for the Flare Chute

 

Now the Tail cone has these small tubular things (a little like reinforcing) - problem is, I have searched all

my photos and any others I can find, and they don't appear to be there

 

So I removed them (easy enough to replace if need be), as they would be an absolute pain to have to fill

and sand around

So the next couple of photos show where I added some shims to create a "Graded" edge to add the putty to,

and have sanded to shape

 

I will have to spray some paint on it to see how well (or not) this has worked

 

So next on the agenda - the Tail Feathers - Warning Do Not Try This at Home (you'll see why )

 

So the SH kit moulded the Tail feathers (Horizontal Stabilizers to perfectionists ) as one piece

- fairly straight forward right............

 

Well ordinarily one would think so........ Except Genius here decided that he liked

the look of the drooped elevators you will see many of the RAF Buffalo with, as in this photo

of a 488 Squadron Buffalo below

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

Sooo.... accordingly I, with the aid of a very sharp blade and judicious care separated the elevators from the tail plane

The end result is thus - not pretty

 

So I glued the forward tail planes pieces together with an insert for strength

 

Next I needed to add some strength to the elevator interior, and act a a reinforcing for the leading edge

components to build up against - as you can see I placed it behind the hinge impressions

 

Next I began to build up styrene to make a rough edge, including gluing top/bottoms halves togther

 

Add some Tamiya Putty to fill in gaps and this styrene to fill in the bad moulding between upper/lower parts

You can see the issue here in the forward tail plane

 

And sanded with wet & dry fine grit

 

While pottering away at the elevator leading edge, I added some thin styrene to the Tail Plane trailing edge

to sort out any little knife slips..... cleaned up quite well I think

 

Finished the sanding and scraping to end up with this

 

And they slot together reasonably well

 

Still more to do, have to had the hinges and cit out the hinge slots - more for another day

 

Thanks for looking in, more soon

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2021 by LDSModeller

[bigbadbadge]

Nice work Alan, the drooped elevators will really add to this already amazing build.  Great update re the uniforms and NAAFI too.

Chris

[Mark Cassidy]

Folks, I have been reading this thread with intrest and am blown away by the talent for building kits that far out strips mines.

 

I have been thinking recently of building the rnzaf fighter fleet in ww2 in 1/72 and from research I noted 488sqn operated brewster buffalo's in Malaya, having read a couple of books on it I noted a reference to two of 488s buffalo's painted black by 15mu as a night fighter component. 

 

I have alas been unable to find any reference to the markings they might have carried other than they were all black. 

 

So I guess I asking you fonts of knowledge for a logical guess as to what type of markings it would carry , I have thought a, none as, b national markings only, b national markings with sqn codes in day code colour, or d sqn codes in the red as per the book.

 

I'm open to any thoughts tbh 

 

Butch

[Biggles87]

Nice work on the elevators, I hope you've positioned the control column appropriately.

 

John

[LDSModeller]

11 hours ago, Mark Cassidy said:

I have been thinking recently of building the rnzaf fighter fleet in ww2 in 1/72 and from research I noted 488sqn operated brewster buffalo's in Malaya, having read a couple of books on it I noted a reference to two of 488s buffalo's painted black by 15mu as a night fighter component. 

Hi Butch,

 

With your RNZAF Fighter Fleet, I'm presuming RNZAF Aircraft in the Pacific campaign ?

Anyway I digress -

I'm not aware of any 488 Squadron Buffaloes being converted to "Night Fighters and painted all black"?

For one Night Fighting would require a Night Flying panel fitted which to my knowledge they were not.

Secondly 488 Squadron had some 21 Aircraft, 7 of which ( at least) were involved in prangs resulting in

write off's during the Squadron's work up to operational readiness October/November 1941.

 

Once the "Balloon" had gone up, 488 Squadron were in the thick of the fighting, with the ground crews carrying

out Titan efforts to keep the aircraft flying, and damaged ones repaired to continue the fight (not withstanding a steady

attrition rate/losses)

Can you provide any reference as to where the Night Fighter Buffaloes came from? _ I had a check through my references

and nothing (Two All Black Night Fighters" would have been certainly a topic worthy of mention )

I can check with the RNZAF Museum to see whether they may have any info on this?

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

 

 

[Maginot]

Who said Kiwis are flightless birds?

 

This is a terrific project. Particularly like your work on the engine. The manufacturer's plates are a nice touch and cleverly fabricated. Thanks so much for posting some of your research. It makes for interesting reading. Flt Lt John "Hutch" Hutchison looks like a right character.

 

From recent reading/viewing docos, it seems that the poor reputation assigned the barrel-like Buffalo is somewhat undeserved. Its poor performance in some theatres (e.g. Midway) is offset by brilliant performance in others (e.g. Finnish service). The Buffalo did well against Nakajima Ki-27 and Nakajima Ki-43 in the opening stages of the South-East Asian campaigns, but not so well against the Mitsubishi A6M (what did?). According to these sources, the little fighter's combat performance had much to do with training and morale of crews, scoreboard pressure (for want of a better term), overweight and quality of the opposition. All very interesting, but I'm sure you know far more than I.

 

Keep up the good work. Cheers.

[jimmaas]

4 hours ago, LDSModeller said:

Can you provide any reference as to where the Night Fighter Buffaloes came from? _ I had a check through my references

and nothing (Two All Black Night Fighters" would have been certainly a topic worthy of mention )

I can check with the RNZAF Museum to see whether they may have any info on this?

I think this is a reference to 243 Squadron, rather than 488.  The following is a mashup of correspondence between me and Mark Haselden, who is very knowledgeable about night-fighting and PRU Brewsters.

 

From 'Bloody Shambles', Volume 1 pages 150 and 278.  Two Buffs of 243 squadron's 'A' flight were painted black - the source claims they were nicknamed 'Black Magic' and 'Black Bess',  there is some indication of the likely serials: W8143 and W8231.  Not covered in 'Bloody Shambles' is a similar nightfighter section of 67 Squadron in Burma - not black, but with the rear canopy overpainted.  In addition, the ever-popular Squadron Leader W. Harper of 453 Squadron developed a flash shroud for the Brewster's exhaust as had his own little night fighter section. 

[LDSModeller]

11 minutes ago, jimmaas said:

I think this is a reference to 243 Squadron, rather than 488.  The following is a mashup of correspondence between me and Mark Haselden, who is very knowledgeable about night-fighting and PRU Brewsters.

 

From 'Bloody Shambles', Volume 1 pages 150 and 278.  Two Buffs of 243 squadron's 'A' flight were painted black - the source claims they were nicknamed 'Black Magic' and 'Black Bess',  there is some indication of the likely serials: W8143 and W8231.  Not covered in 'Bloody Shambles' is a similar nightfighter section of 67 Squadron in Burma - not black, but with the rear canopy overpainted.  In addition, the ever-popular Squadron Leader W. Harper of 453 Squadron developed a flash shroud for the Brewster's exhaust as had his own little night fighter section. 

 

Hi Jim,

 

Thanks for that, I should have been more specific in checking my references for 488 Sqn.

 

At the time the thought (admittedly fleetingly) did enter my mind of "Bloody Shambles" in Butch's query above, but my copy

is  packed away at present, so not able to check.

I knew the likes of 67 Sqn certainly had a couple of PR Buffaloes (going on memory here ) that possibly

had black undersides, one at least flown by  a Kiwi Pilot Sergeant CB Wareham (in Photo below, 2nd from right -middle Row)

Pilots course 7a, No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Wigram.

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

Thanks/regards

 

Alan

 

 

[2996 Victor]

Hi Alan, Jim and Butch,

 

Slightly off at a tangent here for which I apologise, but are you aware of O D Gallagher's book, "Retreat in the East"? He was a newspaper reporter who published his first-hand account of the Japanese onslaught, although he was more in Rangoon than Singapore. One of the chapters of the book goes into some detail about organising Buffalo night-fighters in defence of Rangoon, but unfortunately my family copy is 200 miles away and its years since I last read it, so I can't give any more detail on squadron numbers etc.

 

Just thought it might be of interest.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Graham Boak]

Bloody Shambles, Vol.1 p255.  9/1/42  Bingham-Wallis took off in W8146/D with Pinckney acting as basic ground control.  No contacts were made.   A few days later Pinckney and Bargh were sent to Moulmein to attempt en-route interceptions, but the raids ceased.  Nothing more on night fighters that I can see in Vol.1, but there is a photo of W8245/D, presumably a replacement after the loss of W8146..  

[LDSModeller]

On 9/28/2021 at 9:02 AM, bigbadbadge said:

Nice work Alan, the drooped elevators will really add to this already amazing build.  Great update re the uniforms and NAAFI too.

Thanks Chris - re the elevators, lot of work, but they should look good (as long as I don't mess it up )

Quick question, re your avatar, is that a VW wagon? if so my Aunt (Dad's sister) had one much the same (different colour) Story to that

 

On 10/3/2021 at 2:17 PM, Maginot said:

This is a terrific project. Particularly like your work on the engine. The manufacturer's plates are a nice touch and cleverly fabricated. Thanks so much for posting some of your research. It makes for interesting reading. Flt Lt John "Hutch" Hutchison looks like a right character.

Thank you, glad you like - yes Hutch certainly was a right character, he along with Flt Lt Mackenzie, and Squadron Leader Clouston decided one

morning to carry out a surprise mock bombing attack on the Airfield (in Buffaloes) the Coolies carrying out working on the field all got the fright of their

Lives.........

 

On 10/3/2021 at 1:35 AM, Biggles87 said:

Nice work on the elevators, I hope you've positioned the control column appropriately.

 

Thanks John, pretty sure I did position the control "appropriately"

 

On 10/8/2021 at 10:47 PM, 2996 Victor said:

Slightly off at a tangent here for which I apologise, but are you aware of O D Gallagher's book, "Retreat in the East"? He was a newspaper reporter who published his first-hand account of the Japanese onslaught, although he was more in Rangoon than Singapore. One of the chapters of the book goes into some detail about organising Buffalo night-fighters in defence of Rangoon, but unfortunately my family copy is 200 miles away and its years since I last read it, so I can't give any more detail on squadron numbers etc.

 

Hi Mark, No I haven't heard of that particular book, would make for interesting reading I would think

 

In Graham Boak's post above, he mentions Vic Bargh (a Kiwi with 67 Sqn), there is a book named "Ketchil" a

Biography by Neil Frances about Vic Bargh's time in South East Asia

I had meant for years to buy a copy, but just never got around to it, however

(Thanks to my Wife) a copy is en route to me here in Auckland, so once I have

had a read through, we'll see if it has any additional info on Buffalo Night Fighters

Vic Bargh below with some squadron mates - interesting photo.......

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

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Hi All a quick update of sorts

 

As usual, a little bit of history to go along with the Build

So around this time 1941(or close to), 488 Squadron were actually in Singapore.

In Graeme Clayton's book Last Stand Singapore - 488 Squadron, from his Father

Bert's Diary, recorded that everyone was aware that at some point the "Balloon" was going

to go up, a war with Japan was inevitable. Squadron Leader Clouston and his two Flight Commanders

were Battle of Britain veterans, all with kills under their collective belts.

 

All three knew it was imperative to train up their pilots for the coming fight, so a thorough training regime

was put in place to ensure the pilots of 488 Sqn had a chance.

 

488 Sqn was at that time sharing the airfield with 243 Sqn and a NEI Squadron also with Buffaloes.

Bert's diary records that the training was very competitive between the three Squadrons.

With intense training comes mishaps.

The Airfield perimeter fence (being the monster that it was ) developed an appetite for thingy s hanging

off Buffaloes such as under-carts and more especially tail wheels.

In a short amount of time at least 7 airframes were damaged by this monster, or it's cohorts the Perimeter

landing lights - One luckless pilot collided with one on approach, and it took out the belly glazing, he thought

someone had thrown a beer bottle at him......

 

One particular day, 488 Sqn and the Dutch Squadron had gone off to train together.

Whilst away a tropical down pour had deposited some 15cm (6 inches) of water on the airfield.

Upon return, the Dutch pilots knew what to do, the luckless Kiwis also didn't, and at least 5-6

aircraft ground looped. (Edit)The  pilot of this particular Buffalo I'm building, ground looped during landing

damaging the propeller and wing tip, when another aircraft cut in front of him also landing.

From this Photo below, you can see how the rain water builds up

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

Dutch Buffaloes at Kallang

(Copied from Wikipedia)

 

Squadron Leader Clouston (again from Last Stand Singapore) wanted the Airfields defenses

shored up, so trenches and defensive positions were dug/put into place

(RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions)

 

So with history lesson over, on with an (albeit small) update on the model.

 

Whilst dealing with the Tail feathers and wings, I decided to carry out some other work.

 

I have placed the canopy on to see how it would look - as you can see the rear section doesn't sit so well

The forward glazing (wind shield) didn't sit so well either - deal with that later

 

The rear section glasshouse is too narrow for the rear decking

 

So I added some shims to the side of the rear decking

 

The Shims caused the rear glasshouse to sit properly, as in wide enough, but not low enough

 

I had to (very carefully) scrape some of the area where the rear glass house sits, so it will lower it

 

Now sits lower and better to the eye

 

I'll deal with the sliding part of the canopy later, few issues there too

 

To finish of with the fuselage modifications, the Buffalo had fuselage bolts.

Sometime ago Jim Maas kindly pointed out that the Buffalo had wing bolts (10 each side).

In 1/72 scale not so noticeable, in 1/48 scale a little more so noticeable, and in 1/32 very much so

 

The below is a photo (side view) showing an RAF Buffalo with the bolts - you can see them along the top

of the wing, on fuselage side - 453 Sqn Buffaloes Sembawang 1941

(Used from Wikipedia)

Below I have enlarged the area with a screenshot where the bolts are

 

Below are RAF Airframe riggers screwing in/tightening the bolts on a Buffalo from Life

Magazine

 

So Accordingly, I had to add these in, certainly before addition of the wings to fuselage

This was a little harrowing (trying not to mess it up).

I marked out each bolt with a pencil, then with my pointy scribing tool marked each "Hole" before

using a drill in one of my pin vices (drill is about .5mm) to create the "Bolt Hole" I will use some

rod to replicate the bolt heads (this will come once the aircraft is pretty much done)

 

Well that's all for today, more soon

 

Thanks for looking in

 

Regards

 

Alan

Edited October 12, 2021 by LDSModeller
Update information

[bigbadbadge]

Hi Alan 

Another cracking update, the backround information is fascinating too and it's great to see the fuselage together and the canopy trials, fantastic work as usual.

 

Re the VW in my Avatar,  yes this is my car, a 1967 VW Type 3, Fastback.   The car is one built in Germany in February 1967 and then it went to New Zealand as new .  It came to the UK in the early 2000s and I purchased in 2010.

It's a very solid example and a joy to drive.

There is a picture of it on my FAA builds thread in the Work in Progress area which is bigger!!!

 

Great work on the Buffalo 

Chris

[2996 Victor]

Hi Alan,

 

re bolt heads, American model company Grandt Line used to make nut and bolt mouldings in various scales. They were intended for model railroading, but HO scale could be usable in 1/32. Might be worth looking into?

 

Cheers,

Mark

[LDSModeller]

9 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

Hi Alan 

Another cracking update, the backround information is fascinating too and it's great to see the fuselage together and the canopy trials, fantastic work as usual.

 

Re the VW in my Avatar,  yes this is my car, a 1967 VW Type 3, Fastback.   The car is one built in Germany in February 1967 and then it went to New Zealand as new .  It came to the UK in the early 2000s and I purchased in 2010.

It's a very solid example and a joy to drive.

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for comments on my build post, glad you like them

 

As I mentioned my Aunt had one (a Port Wine colour if I Remember correctly) - had for quite some time.

The story I alluded to, was my Aunt had gone to pick my Dad up from RNZAF Hobsonville, in her car.

While there, one of the young Airmen took a shining to her, and tried to get fresh

with her (my Aunt was like my Grandmother, didn't suffer fools gladly), and when she went to

drive off stepped in front of the car, so she drove over his foot - apparently he was the object

of mirth for quite the while (from my Dad)

 

Regards

 

Alan

[bigbadbadge]

Wow that is a great story Alan.   I bet that hurt, mind you he got the light end of the car which was lucky for him!!! Do you have any pics of the car???

Not that I want to detract from your excellent build thread.

Chris