1:72 Special Hobby, RIAF PT-26 Cornell

[Linescriber]

With the rapid expansion of the war in the CBI, it was decided to shorten pilot training by replacing the Tigermoth with the Canadian PT-26 Cornell monoplane.  The first Cornells were trialled at the SFTS (I) Ambala in  June 44 and then issued in increasing numbers to Nos.1 (Begumpet) & 2 EFTS (Jodhpur) for familiarisation of Instructors. Reports were favourable but the type was criticised as considerably underpowered.  The general opinion was that the new type should enable the school to turn out better pilots in a shorter time.  A shortage of Glider pilots in the South East Asia theatre possibly meant that the training program in India remained under pressure longer.   training continued in fits and starts due to defects in the Ranger engine exhausts, spar shrinkage and cracks in the front and rear spars of the Centre Section and Mainplanes. As a result, the replacement by Tiger Moths began immediately in Nov 46 and was completed by December 46, by which time all 30 of the remaining Cornell's were unserviceable.  Ironically, the Cornell was replaced by the Tiger Moth, an aircraft it was meant to replace!!

This is the 1/72 Special Hobby version, I think, also the only game in town.  A straightforward build except that it didn't mention anything about the Pitot head.  I painted it in Vallejo colours and in the markings of the ACSEA Mar 46 scheme of high-speed silver dope and India Blue roundels.  I've also posed it in front of HH the Maharaja of Jodhpur's hangar at Jodhpur. Serials are from the Tally Ho series, with each numeral separately attached.

Edited April 26 by Linescriber
error

[Alex Gordon]

A like given for the build and may I say thanks for the gen in the script.

[Linescriber]

🙏