gloster F9/37

[brewerjerry]

Hi All,

I've been toying with the idea of a 1/48 gloster F9/37 for some time now, and thought I will throw it out into the melting pot for ideas.

I am trying to be lazy, anyone have any suggestions for which kits I can cannibalize for parts ?

Initial thoughts are beaufighter as a basis for the engines, cowlings and the wings.

but I am stuck on what to use as the basis for the fuselage, One silly thought was a bf 110, might even give the basis for tail parts.

Comments/suggestions welcome.

Cheers

Jerry

[rossm]

Hi All,

I've been toying with the idea of a 1/48 gloster F9/37 for some time now, and thought I will throw it out into the melting pot for ideas.

I am trying to be lazy, anyone have any suggestions for which kits I can cannibalize for parts ?

Initial thoughts are beaufighter as a basis for the engines, cowlings and the wings.

but I am stuck on what to use as the basis for the fuselage, One silly thought was a bf 110, might even give the basis for tail parts.

Comments/suggestions welcome.

Cheers

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Comparing my Magna 1/72 F9/37 with an Airfix Beaufighter suggests you could do worse than starting with cutting up a Beaufighter fuselage. The wings don't look too difficult. Let me know if you would like a copy of the plans from the Magna kit, do you plan to finish it as with the GRU at Exeter ?

Cheers,

Ross

[brewerjerry]

Hi Jerry,

Comparing my Magna 1/72 F9/37 with an Airfix Beaufighter suggests you could do worse than starting with cutting up a Beaufighter fuselage. The wings don't look too difficult. Let me know if you would like a copy of the plans from the Magna kit, do you plan to finish it as with the GRU at Exeter ?

Cheers,

Ross

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the offer,I will pm you my e mail address later.

Yeah probably the one at the GRU, ( I was never sure if the peregrine example went to exeter),

An interesting aircraft L7999 , as i was told by someone who was at exeter that the poles of 307Sqn, 'borrowed it for some unofficial night flights,they really liked the a/c, but were told to cease use of it, when powers higher up heard about the flights.

I kick myself as in the 80's I knew someone who could put me in contact with an ex GRU member who had loads of info, but I never did meet him.

If I ever go back to the UK I must visit the NA and browse the GRU files for aircraft serials.

If the beaufighter seems a good option as a basis, I might have a think about the 1/32 revell, a have a few in the garage, I got them very cheap this side of the pond, I was originally thinking of a beafort or brigand conversion,but have slowly gone off the idea.

Cheers

Jerry

[Alex Gordon]

Does this look familiar? (linky)

[Seahawk]

Possibly useful references:

- Twentyfirst Profile Vol 1/12: 10 pages by Eric B Morgan on the F9/37, including several large pictures of L7999 after her rebuild in summer 1940 and a scale drawing (5-view plus scrap views) by R J Coles of L7999 camo pattern. One v useful overhead view showing the "waisting" of the fuselage forward of the rear spar.

- Interceptor by James Goulding (Ian Allen, 1986), pages 116-120: outline scale drawings (1/72?) of both Taurus and Peregrine variants, large-scale cutaway side view drawing of cockpit area showing cannon installation (but other details as well), 2 pics of Peregrine version and 1 of Taurus one (before summer 1940 crash).

BTW Interceptor also has drawings (p. 121) of Gloster F18/40 single seat heavy fighter, using F9/37 wings, Merlin engines and armament of 4 x 20mm cannon and 8 x .303 MGs. Never built.

Nick

Edited April 23, 2010 by Seahawk

[rossm]

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the offer,I will pm you my e mail address later.

Yeah probably the one at the GRU, ( I was never sure if the peregrine example went to exeter),

An interesting aircraft L7999 , as i was told by someone who was at exeter that the poles of 307Sqn, 'borrowed it for some unofficial night flights,they really liked the a/c, but were told to cease use of it, when powers higher up heard about the flights.

I kick myself as in the 80's I knew someone who could put me in contact with an ex GRU member who had loads of info, but I never did meet him.

If I ever go back to the UK I must visit the NA and browse the GRU files for aircraft serials.

If the beaufighter seems a good option as a basis, I might have a think about the 1/32 revell, a have a few in the garage, I got them very cheap this side of the pond, I was originally thinking of a beafort or brigand conversion,but have slowly gone off the idea.

Cheers

Jerry

I can send you GRU serials (some with codes) from the Air Britain/Sturtivant book Flying Training and Support Units of the RAF. The F9/37 listed is L7999, the Taurus one, I wonder if it ever carried the HP code ? There's a similar, but subtly different, list in Alan Lake's Flying Units of the RAF.

There are also plans - with 3 cross-sections - in Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol.5

I've just found your email in my address book so I'll send the plans over the weekend,

Cheers,

Ross

[brewerjerry]

Hi Ross,

Thanks, I look forward to your e mail, I am also trying to find all my GRU notes from the PRO/NA, so i might be able to update your list.

I found one page of my notes which has :-

L7999 arrived 10 june 1940 at GRU Exeter

L7999 left GRU 7 August 1940.

It should have been in the revised camouflage scheme of June '40, ( sky undersurfaces, etc, roughly like an early 25 Sqn beaufighter)

So i just have to find the ones that mentions the dates for 1941-42, ( then possibly I could use a post Aug '41 scheme at least, or maybe even a post may'42 scheme ).

I have also wondered if it carried the codes, so far the few photos i have seen of GRU aircraft all carry the 'HP' code, so I personally think it was a strong possibility.

Cheers

Jerry

[brewerjerry]

Hi Ross,

Mail received, Many Thanks.

Cheers

Jerry