Fairey Fulmar I, 808 Naval Air Squadron, July-August 1940, Trumpeter,1/48 scale

[Stephen Allen]

808 Squadron formed in July 1940 at Worthy Down with an initial equipment of 12 Fulmar I’s and was one of two FAA squadrons officially listed as participating in the Battle of Britain. Perhaps fortunately, 808 Squadron was mostly tasked with protection of ports and fleet bases in the Irish Sea and Scotland during the Battle, and did not see action against the Luftwaffe before joining HMS Ark Royal later that year. This aircraft, N1868, was one of the first Fulmars off the production line, and carries a ‘transitional’ camouflage scheme, with a sky coloured paint applied to the lower surfaces, original sky grey visible on the sides and tail, and Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey on top surfaces. My interpretation of this scheme, with a wing fillet matching the upper camouflage colours, differs somewhat from published profiles, based on a close study of the one and only photo I could find of this aircraft in Stuart Lloyd's excellent publication on FAA camouflage and markings, and comparison with photos of other early Fulmars with close serial numbers. Reading Paul Lucas’ recent colour conundrum on early FAA camouflage I also took a punt and made my lower surface ‘sky’ a Sky Blue. It’s possible the strict plan-view repainting of the undersides in ‘Sky’ was to hide previous black/white undersurfaces applied at the factory.

 

The Trumpeter kit has a contemporary level of surface detail, an excellent folded wing option, a mediocre interior, simplified undercarriage and incorrect wheels. It builds very easily and fits well. It is likely based on the plans by Ian Huntley in Warpaint 41, and shares the peculiarities of that plan including a strangely staggered arrangement for the wing guns and a forward wing/ wing fillet line that needs adjusting. Marring an otherwise quite good likeness in outline is a severely squared off upper canopy and decking profile. It also comes with parts for open canopies that can’t be used as such because they are too thick. I turned the thickness of the clear parts into a virtue and was able to correct the canopies and decking profile, modified the observer’s canopy so I could pose it open, and fixed everything else I could - read the Work in Progress if you want to see what needs to be done. Additions to the kit include Eduard harnesses for the seats, better instrument decals from Airscale, resin wheels from Barracuda Studios(meant for a Whirlwind but they match the hub style and diameter ) a set of Eduard early Spitfire exhausts and wireless aerials. The floor in the observer’s compartment is too high so I lowered it and added detail to the sidewalls. The kit decals were chucked, the wing roundels are painted on and the fuselage roundels are from a Fundekals Spitfire sheet. I didn’t do code letters as the Squadron was land-based in July-August 1940, and the lack of underwing roundels reflects the initial marking policy after sky undersurfaces for fighters were introduced. All camouflage paints are Colourcoats and I have kept the weathering and wear to moderate levels.

 

Out of interest, I have also posed the Fulmar together with a Spitfire IA, both powered by similar Merlin engines. I think you can see why the Fulmar’s performance was, at best, sedate, when compared with contemporary high performance single seaters. I’ve also shown it with the Defiant, which is its twin seat RAF contemporary, and even here, the sheer size of the Fulmar is noticeable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Vultures1]

Very nice work! The Fulmar isn't a type I know well but yours looks great, and the size comparison with contemporary types is interesting 

 

Plus, nice for Worthy Down to get a mention. Still going strong (although no longer an airfield)

[georgeusa]

Great looking Fulmar.  You can tell you put some heavy duty work into the completed and finished kit.  Thanks for sharing.

[iang]

Very nice Fulmar.

[Andy H]

Nice to see Fulmar. Great job! 😎👍

[Zigomar]

Having done the SH I can tell the difference with the Trumpy one! Excellent job on one of the most questionable fighter of the FAA. Cheers

[bigbadbadge]

Looks fantastic,  this turned out very well indeed, great modifications too. It is certainly interesting to see the size differences between the Fulmar, Spitfire and Defiant too.

Cracking work

Chris

[Watto]

Superb job, a really nice looking build. 👏👏👏

 

Watto. 🍻

[corsaircorp]

Impressive job Stephen !!

Congratulations  !! 

Sincerely.

CC

[stringbag]

Your hard work has certainly paid off Stephen.  It looks excellent.

 

Chris.

[85sqn]

Well done, that's excellent 

[2996 Victor]

Superb outcome, Stephen! The WiP is a masterclass and a fascinating read, with plenty of useful tips and techniques. Thanks for sharing the build!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Stephen Allen]

I thought folks would find the size comparisons interesting. Even a Beaufighter looks compact compared to the Fulmar!