Popular Post Brandy Posted August 16, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2022 After just over 4 years on and off (more off than on!) I have finally put this one in the cabinet. It represents Battle P2332 (the same subject as the kit) from 12 Sqn RAF, based at Amifontaine in mid 1940. On 10th May, 4 of the Squadron's aircraft attacked German forces, 3 were lost. On 12th May an order was issued to destroy the bridges over the canals at Maastricht - the whole Squadron volunteered! 6 crews were chosen - One had to turn back early due to technical problems, and the other 5 were lost. P2332, crewed by Flying Officer Norman M Thomas, Sgt BTP Carey, and Cpl TS Campion led the attack on the Vroenhoven bridge which was damaged, but not destroyed. F/O Thomas crashed near the bridge, all the crew survived and were taken prisoner. Pilot Officer Davy in the 2nd aircraft crashed on the way home. The attack on the Veldwezelt bridge was led by Flying Officer Garland, with Pilot Officer McIntosh and Sgt Morland following. All 3 aircraft were shot down with only McIntosh's crew surviving as POWs. F/O Garland and his observer Sgt Gray were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the first such award in WWII to RAF personnel, although for some reason the gunner, Leading Aircraftsman LR Reynolds received no award. On 14th May another attack was carried out. 5 out of 6 aircraft were shot down, and the Battle was withdrawn from daylight operations. Here is P2332 after that fateful raid. Taken from the internet. Copyright, if any, unknown. If anyone objects I'll be happy to either take it down or add credit. This is my little tribute to those brave men. The WIP is here, showing how I went about turning one of Airfix's most notorious kits into something resembling what it should be. It's not perfect by any means, but I am very happy with the result! To sum up, the fuselage, wings, and tail were all corrected for shape and dimensions. The wings were raised by a couple of mm (I didn't actually measure the amount, just matched to the plans) and the wheel wells, bomb cells, and landing lights were moved inboard to their correct positions. The interior is scratch built with the help of an instrument panel and seat modified from a MK I Hurricane resin set from CMK. The main gear fairings, rear radiator fairing, and gun mount are push moulded, Falcon vac canopy, Marabu PE landing lights, Mini World guns, and SBS Model resin exhausts for a MK I Hurricane. Tailwheel is a resin replacement intended for the Airfix Defiant, the main landing gear, bomb racks, and bomb doors are CAD designed and printed by myself. Prop is the kit part, modified for the correct length and detailed. I hope you like her! Thanks for looking in! Ian 95 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 What a great result, I've followed along in the WIP and wouldn't have had your patience to keep at it for more than 4 years. Vey inspirational, and the 3d printing was interesting. Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Four years? Incredible! The result is well worth it - absolutely superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Well done Ian! That came out fantastic! Regards, Pete in RI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Cracking job if ever a new tool kit was needed , its this one. ( COME ON AIRFIX ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbolt Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Excellent work 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAVISSIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 A silk purse from a sow's ear, if I ever saw one. A great example of what can be done with an ample helping of TLC! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Superb job Ian great patience I suspect and what's the chance of a new tool from Airfix? That's what a good few folk would pay money for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Having watched the WIP and knowing what went into this one, I can only declare this one as an absolute winner Ian, and a very fitting tribute to those airmen involved in the raids. You also deserve a medal for using that well known technique of putting immense effort into a build to create the proverbial silk purse ........ in order to ensure that someone soon after releases a new tool version! That is definitely taking one for the team!! Well done on all fronts. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Truly incredible work. Remarkable effort, dedication and ingenuity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Madness, utter madness. Thank goodness for modelers like you who make us smile and wonder with your incredible efforts and skills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 That is absolutely stunning Ian. It was a very informative thread in the WIP, and some fantastic work went into it. Basically, it was an inspiration. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Fantastic looking model, been following the WIP, great model out of a pig of a kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Alan Bardell Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 That's great work, from a very basic (and not too accurate kit), well done! B R Come on Airfix, its well past time for a new tool Battle kit in both 1/72 and 1/48. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russmeister 101 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 4 years? I want to be like you when I grow up!!! That in itself is a remarkable achievement. Then, just to rub salt into the would, you present a cracking Battle too!!! Bravo that man!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luka Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Fantastic build! You turned Airfix's venerable esteemed mess into a real looker. Some time ago I toyed with the idea of upgrading this same kit. When I saw the work involved in your build thread that became a big "No, thanks" for me. I'm glad you persevered and show us this great result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Wow, an Airfix Battle which actually looks like a Battle, superb modelling ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin-42 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Definitely makes a change from the “stick a Spitfire nose on it and put it on shelf correction!” Seriously, I have recently started 3D printing some parts. The hobby is undergoing a big change. You and others here are leading the way in showing the possibilities. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon J Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Four years probably now means that Airfix will announce a new tooling for 2023! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 What a result - a Trigger's broom of a build if ever there was one! How much of the original kit is left, or at least unmodified, do you reckon? You've really pulled out a result with this build - I wish I had the patience and skill to do the same. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 A truly amazing piece of work Ian, well deserving of the praise being heaped on it. 👍 Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted August 17, 2022 Author Share Posted August 17, 2022 27 minutes ago, jackroadkill said: What a result - a Trigger's broom of a build if ever there was one! How much of the original kit is left, or at least unmodified, do you reckon? You've really pulled out a result with this build - I wish I had the patience and skill to do the same. Of the original kit parts used (fuselage, wings, tail surfaces, prop) none are unmodified. Many thanks to all for such positive feedback! It really is appreciated when fellow modellers show their appreciation on such a scale, a real feel good factor! I have to say it didn't actually take 4 years of effort, just that it took that long with other builds being started and finished during that time. I have a strong feeling that the Taube may be appearing back in the WIP very soon! (Another build stopped and started more than once!) Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Robin Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Beautiful. and a fitting tribute to those brave men who flew them knowing full well they probably weren't going to survive very long. Regards Pete 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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