North Weald Squadron aircraft - post WW2

[ththtttu7]

Hi,

Starting with these two, I'm building a 1/48 scale Airfix Vampire F3 for each of the North Weald based squadrons: 72, 601 & 604.

 

This kit builds well in my experience, with attention needed for nose weight and careful forward fuselage alignment.

 

 

72 Squadron markings were assembled from aftermarket sources.

 

This head-on photo, really emphasises the clean lines of the Vampire 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vampires join the existing collection of other North Weald based types: 111sqn Meteor F8 and Black Arrows Hunter (not pictured); and the Spitfire F22, PK624 which was the 604 Squadron hack.

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by David A Collins

[MikeC]

Nice collection of well-done models. 

 

20 minutes ago, David A Collins said:

... Black Arrows Hunter (not pictured) ...

I believe 111 were at Wattisham when the Black Arrows formed - that's certainly where they were based for most of that team's existence, and traded their Hunters for Lightnings there.

[ththtttu7]

12 minutes ago, MikeC said:

Nice collection of well-done models. 

 

I believe 111 were at Wattisham when the Black Arrows formed - that's certainly where they were based for most of that team's existence, and traded their Hunters for Lightnings there.

 

 

 

Hi Mike,

According to the RAF North Weald history book, 111 formed the display team with 5 black painted hunters in 1956. This number was expanded to 9 aircraft in 1957. The squadron+display team finally left North Weald on 19th February 1958 to North Luffenham, then Wattisham.

 

 

[tonyot]

Very nice collection there David,.... lovely stuff.

Cheers

           Tony

[MikeC]

36 minutes ago, David A Collins said:

Hi Mike,

According to the RAF North Weald history book, 111 formed the display team with 5 black painted hunters in 1956. This number was expanded to 9 aircraft in 1957. The squadron+display team finally left North Weald on 19th February 1958 to North Luffenham, then Wattisham

 

I see, I must re-read my Jefford and brush up on my Wattisham history.  My apologies.

[bigbadbadge]

Lovely Vampires David, great work.  The in-flight model does show how sleek the Vampire was and looks gorgeous. 

Great work 

Chris

[ththtttu7]

1 minute ago, MikeC said:

 

I see, I must re-read my Jefford and brush up on my Wattisham history.  My apologies.

 

No worries, it's a shared history that 111sqn has between two airfields.

[Lord Riot]

Those are beautiful, and the display with one on a stand looks amazing. 
 

 

[John_W]

Very Nice.

I have the trumpeter 1/48 vampire on the Shelf of Doom undergoing corrections. Too stubborn to just bin it...

[vampiredave]

With the confirmation that 111 Squadron had been chosen as the RAF's premier aerobatic team in 1957 (it was already the official No.11 Group team) the first Hunter to be sprayed in the all-black scheme by Cellon at North Weald was XG201: B in late February / early March 1957. It also featured the temporary application of the squadron's black and yellow bars on the fuselage. With the imminent closure of North Weald, the squadron was temporarily detached to North Luffenham in February 1958 while the new runways were being resurfaced at Wattisham, to which it moved in June 1958.

[corsaircorp]

Real good Vampires David !!

Then, I love builds with historical background or theme, North Weald is a great place, even today...

There are a lot of warbirds up there, including Vampire !!

I paid a visit in the '90s

Congrats my friend !!

Now I'm waiting for the black Hunter

Sincerely.

CC

 

[Andy Dyck]

Outstanding models! I mostly like „in flight“ version! Fantastic! 
 

Cheers

 

Andy 

[ththtttu7]

3 hours ago, Andy Dyck said:

Outstanding models! I mostly like „in flight“ version! Fantastic! 
 

Cheers

 

Andy 

 

The flying example is my favourite too 👍

[ththtttu7]

This is the 1/48 scale Academy Hunter F.6 I built, probably 10 years ago. Various modifications and corrections were incorporated, the main one being to include a correct scale cockpit and ejection seat! The kit item was closer to 1/72 scale???

 

 

Also, here are 1/72 examples of a Frog Vampire F.3 in 601 markings, and a Heller Spitfire LF.16e in 604 markings.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by David A Collins

[ththtttu7]

This is the fantastic Airfix 1/48 scale Meteor in 111 Sqn markings.

 

 

And another view of the Academy 1/48 Black Arrows Hunter. Note flaps opened slightly. This was a setting for the display aircraft, I understand.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by David A Collins

[ththtttu7]

As promised elsewhere, here is my 1/72 Airfix Vampire T.11, XH313 of the North Weald station Flight. I wish they would up-scale this kit to 1/48. It would be very popular I'm sure, with so many international users.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by David A Collins

[Vulcanicity]

Brilliant collection! I think the Black Arrows Hunter is my favourite but they're all top notch. The stand is almost invisible in the first photo of the two Vampires, I did a double take wondering how VT821 was just hovering there!

[Bertie McBoatface]

Nice moddels all round. Well done.

[Grey Beema]

Lovely models.  I like modelling to a theme..

[Head in the clouds.]

Great collection with a great theme, oh the glory days!

Not very often you see an old Airfix stand either...👍

[ththtttu7]

Thanks all.

It would have been nice to have these all in the same common scale too, but good options are limited for some.

 

I'd really like to find 604 Sqn markings for a 1/48 scale Vampire too, but none seem to be available anywhere?

Edited March 22, 2022 by David A Collins

[ththtttu7]

Result! Alley Cat have released some 1/48 decals for the Vampire, and these include 604 Squadron. These have been duly purchased and will find their way into another Airfix Vampire F.3 in due course 😁