Sunderland Mk III to Mk V conversion

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Hi, I've been given the Italeri kit from a friend who no longer wanted it.  As the Sunderland at Hendon has a family connection, ( my Uncle was a Trustee when when the aircraft was on display at Pembroke ),  I want to build it as this particular Mk V.

 

So I'm aware the Mk V has no dorsal turret and different engines, different exhaust layout and propellers, but are there any other external differences please?

 

Many thanks, Adrian

 

[Troy Smith]

1 minute ago, Radpoe Spitfire said:

I want to build it as this particular Mk V.

 

So I'm aware the Mk V has no dorsal turret and different engines, different exhaust layout and propellers, but are there any other external differences please?

 

this sounds like an @LDSModeller  question.    

eg  but if you google 'britmodeller ldsmodeller sunderland v' you will get more

 

though I suspect the answer will be by the time you have sorted out the new bits, you might find it easier to just get a dedicated V kit

 

anyway,  another search, here's the answer

 

which should help.....

 

 

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Thank you Troy,  I'm not in a financial position to buy many new kits these days, but I was so grateful my friend gave me this as a thank you for my help.

 

I am however very grateful to you for the leads you have given me,  that's the sort of info I need👍👍👌

 

Much appreciated,

 

Adrian 

[LDSModeller]

6 hours ago, Radpoe Spitfire said:

So I'm aware the Mk V has no dorsal turret and different engines, different exhaust layout and propellers, but are there any other external differences please?

 

Hi Adrian,

 

Not to take away from what Troy has given you above, a few items re external differences.

 

The main bow/stern hatches are different between a Mk III and MR5, so you will have to fabricate

some new ones (note the Mk V/MR5 Doors were modified from WWII versions 1950'ish) to look

like this below - note the cutouts got the Fire Extinguisher/Crash Axe

 

The Dorsal area (don't use the Special Hobby Rendition - it's total fiction)

 should look similar to below (you will have to build up from scrap styrene

 

The Italeri Sunderland's are missing a tenth Porthole in Starboard bow section you can count them on this

RNZAF Sunderland

 

The other item is that fictitious Porthole and hatch  as photo below needs to be filled in

 

The Italeri Mk III Kit does have the Mk VI ASW Domes for under the wings - as per my Dads photo above,

you will need to add in the beam hatches.

 

The Cowlings, especially the gills see MR5 below are different to Mk III

These you could fabricate?

 

The only real issue you face is the front turret - the Italeri kit has FN 11 Turret  whereas the MR5

has the FN Mk VB - Someone who has the SH Mk III Sunderland might be willing to pass that onto you?

 

Sorry, not a lot of joy for you, but have fun, the Italeri kit shape/dimension wise is not too bad, and

with the corrections, can give you the MR5 you are after

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

Edited August 29, 2021 by LDSModeller

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Thank you Alan, the info is a great help👍.  Far from it not being a lot of joy, hile I'm not a rivet counter, I'm looking forward to the challenge of the changes.

 

Hopefully I can do my Uncle and the original trustees at Pembroke proud 🤞👍👍

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Maybe some other options that do not require all the detail changes.  Sunderlands of 10 RAAF and 461 squadrons.

 

ML839 MK.III Taken on RAF Charge 29/10/43, allocated to 10 Sqn on 08/12/43, coded RB-A, for conversion to mark V (R-1830 Twin Wasp replacing Pegasus XVIII engines) but not officially on strength, mentioned on 02/03/44 with work underway when a delegation of Ministry of Aircraft Production, Coastal Command, Short Brothers and Pratt & Whitney representatives visited the squadron to discuss the project.
16/03/44 Four engines and one propeller installed.  The propellers are from Albemarles with 9 inches clipped off the blades and are fully feathering.  Conversion now has priority over operational commitments.  5552 Fitter 2E Sgt G F Beattie is in charge of the installation.
04/05/44 First test flight, pilot Group Captain J Alexander OBE RAAF (Commanding Officer RAF Mount Batten)
(The official mark V prototype ML765 was taken on charge by the RAF 31/03/44, counted as a mark III, though it has been reported it flew as a mark V in March.)
01/07/44 Loaned to 10 Sqn for local and training flights.
12/09/44 First operational sortie, captained by F/Lt S T Chilcott
12/10/44 Sank at moorings during gale.  

 

ML828 MK.III 27/10/44 10 Sqn coded RB-C
04/01/45 RAF Calshot for modifications
13/01/45 10 Sqn
15/06/45 to RAF Wig Bay
Converted to Mk.5.
To manufacturer 11/45 to be converted to Sandringham Model c/n #SH37C Mk5.
On 15/07/46 became BOAC G-AHZE "Pevensey".
In 1950 Qantas VH-EBZ "Pacific Explorer" used on Sydney-Noumea-Fiji run between 2/5/50 to 06/55.  

 

NJ193 Mk.III 03/45 461 Sqn coded UT-F (probably converted to mark V before arrival)
15/06/45 10 Sqn, coded RB-F (Reported to be a mark V when taken on strength)

 

NJ253 MK.III 09/10/44 10 Sqn coded RB-B.
24/10/44 Slipway accident, Category AC damage, to 43 Group for repairs
08/11/44 10 Sqn
01/01/45 To RAF Calshot for modifications.
05/01/45 10 Sqn
15/05/45 43 Group for repairs
31/05/45 10 Sqn
15/06/45 To RAF Wig Bay
Converted to Sandringham Mk5 #SH39C 01/11/45.
Used by BOAC and named 'Pembroke' Withdrawn 1950.

 

NJ255 MK.III 21/11/44 10 Sqn coded RB-G
20/02/45 RAF Calshot for modifications
28/02/45 10 Sqn
15/06/45 To RAF Wig Bay
Sent to converted to Mk.5 1945.
To manufacturer 11/45 to be converted to Sandringham Model c/n #SH34C Mk4.
Became TEAL ZK-AMB "Australia".
To Qantas 1950 as VH-EDX, then Ansett as VH-BRE "Pacific Chieftain" which was wrecked at Lord Howe Island in 07/63.  

[Radpoe Spitfire]

Hello Geoffrey and thank you for sharing some options.👍

 

There is only one option I intend to do, which is ML824 at Hendon. My late Uncle was, I understand, a Trustee of '824 when it was displayed at Pembroke. I will finish the kit as A-Z, the codes it wore when it was still at Pembroke before repainting at the RAFM.👍