AJ845. A desert Harvard flown by RAAF pilots

[Model cobber]

This model was inspired by an article in Flightpath magazine volume 10, no 1 1998, Aussie Harvards in the Desert, by Steve Eather. Further information was obtained from the ADF-Serials website Harvard page.

During 1942, three North American Harvards were used for “wing training” by 239 Wing RAF, which included 2 RAAF squadrons: 3 squadron RAAF and 450 squadron RAAF. Sources state that this was for: check out flights for new pilots; pick up replacement aircraft; and converting pilots who were taught to make RAF  “3 pointer landings”, to the wheels landings more commonly used by American manufactured aircraft (Eather, 1998). The article and the ADF Serials  website have a couple of intriguing photos of AJ845 in an undignified position, and this was the basis for my vignette.

The model is the Revell  1/48 Texan, painted in desert colours. The figures are from the Eduard 1/48 Luftwaffe Fighter Crew, 1944 and the Aerobonus 1/48 WWII RAAF pilots, with the slouch hat (Hat, Khaki Fur Felt) replaced by one with the brim down, to represent an RAAF slouch hat in the field. If you look closely, you can see the blue stripe on the RAAF puggaree. (Grebert, 2002).

Paints used are Creos Mr Hobby Color acrylics 71 Middle stone and 72 Dark Earth, and Humbrol 157 Azure Blue.

Roundel decals are from Xtradecals X48-032 and X48-031. Letters and numbers are from Ventura  Publications V4851 8 inch Serials WW2 to Present.

The base is a piece of radiata pine routered to shape; I felt that the pale colour of pine was in keeping with weathered pieces of wood in the desert.

The sand is from Vallejo Diorama Effects-Earth Textures-Desert Sand.

Sources:

Eather, Steve. (1998, July 12). Aussie Harvards in the desert. Flightpath, 10(1), 26.

ADF-Serials. Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History. North American Harvard 239 Wing (RAF) including 3 & 450 Sqns (RAAF), RAAF Museum & EATS. http://adfserials.com.au/harvard.

Grebert, Rick. (2002). The Australian army slouch hat and rising sun badge. New South Wales Military Historical Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wings unlevel]

Love it, the figures really tell the story!

[Russmeister 101]

"See Carruthers??  I TOLD you I could stick a three point landing...."

What an inventive diorama and as Wings states above... the figures really do tell the story!

Bravo that man!! 🏆👏

[MACALAIN]

On 18/08/2022 at 08:24, Model cobber said:

This model was inspired by an article in Flightpath magazine volume 10, no 1 1998, Aussie Harvards in the Desert, by Steve Eather. Further information was obtained from the ADF-Serials website Harvard page.

During 1942, three North American Harvards were used for “wing training” by 239 Wing RAF, which included 2 RAAF squadrons: 3 squadron RAAF and 450 squadron RAAF. Sources state that this was for: check out flights for new pilots; pick up replacement aircraft; and converting pilots who were taught to make RAF  “3 pointer landings”, to the wheels landings more commonly used by American manufactured aircraft (Eather, 1998). The article and the ADF Serials  website have a couple of intriguing photos of AJ845 in an undignified position, and this was the basis for my vignette.

The model is the Revell  1/48 Texan, painted in desert colours. The figures are from the Eduard 1/48 Luftwaffe Fighter Crew, 1944 and the Aerobonus 1/48 WWII RAAF pilots, with the slouch hat (Hat, Khaki Fur Felt) replaced by one with the brim down, to represent an RAAF slouch hat in the field. If you look closely, you can see the blue stripe on the RAAF puggaree. (Grebert, 2002).

Paints used are Creos Mr Hobby Color acrylics 71 Middle stone and 72 Dark Earth, and Humbrol 157 Azure Blue.

Roundel decals are from Xtradecals X48-032 and X48-031. Letters and numbers are from Ventura  Publications V4851 8 inch Serials WW2 to Present.

The base is a piece of radiata pine routered to shape; I felt that the pale colour of pine was in keeping with weathered pieces of wood in the desert.

The sand is from Vallejo Diorama Effects-Earth Textures-Desert Sand.

Sources:

Eather, Steve. (1998, July 12). Aussie Harvards in the desert. Flightpath, 10(1), 26.

ADF-Serials. Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History. North American Harvard 239 Wing (RAF) including 3 & 450 Sqns (RAAF), RAAF Museum & EATS. http://adfserials.com.au/harvard.

Grebert, Rick. (2002). The Australian army slouch hat and rising sun badge. New South Wales Military Historical Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like it.

 

Alain