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Decisions, decisions; 19sqn or 34 sqn for my 1/48 Hunter?


PaulR

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Well,

my Academy Hunter been sat there for years, while I gradually added the Aeroclub improvement set, Eduard masks, Wolfpack early wing backdate, Squadron canopy and Aeromaster decals, but I've always shied off from making it. Now I figure that Revell will add a gorgeous 1/48th Hunter based on their 1/32 and 1/72 tooling, and then it will never get built . . . so out it comes!

Only question is - which squadron? I now mainly model RAF stuff, and I'm trying to add as many colour schemes and squadron markings as I can. I can either go for the blue/white checks and white wing tips of 19 sqn (F6) whilst at Duxford, or the wolf markings of 34 sqn (F5). Could even do the latter with 'cream' Suez striping if SAM is to be believed. Am tempted to go for the former because of the history of the squadron, plus it means less plastic surgery, plus I've already got an early hunter in the collection in 98 sqn colours (if only these were done in 1/48!), but what do people think? Am planning to make this a W.I.P. thread, although that could be some time . . .

Regards, Paul

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Only question is - which squadron? I now mainly model RAF stuff, and I'm trying to add as many colour schemes and squadron markings as I can. I can either go for the blue/white checks and white wing tips of 19 sqn (F6) whilst at Duxford, or the wolf markings of 34 sqn (F5). Could even do the latter with 'cream' Suez striping if SAM is to be believed. Am tempted to go for the former because of the history of the squadron, plus it means less plastic surgery, plus I've already got an early hunter in the collection in 98 sqn colours (if only these were done in 1/48!), but what do people think? Am planning to make this a W.I.P. thread, although that could be some time . . .

Regards, Paul

19 Sqn gets my vote as I spent some time in my youth hanging over the fence at Leconfield watching them. Don't think they were ever at Duxford (except maybe as visitors) - their bases were Church Fenton and then Leconfield. Fin codes were originally yellow but later changed to white. Small badge with chequers repeated on the nose. Very classy.

CT

Edited by Chris Thomas
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Hi Paul,

I have just got may hands on an unboxed Academy 1/48 FGA9 on ebay for a tenner, came with Aeroclub seat as well, I'm in a similar dilemma as to what scheme to do, most likely end up as a 79 squadron from Chivenor, as I am developing a collection of models from the N Devon base (my home).

I have read about the innacuracies of the Academy kit, but think I will probably just live with most of them (seat aside) as I ten to end up making things look worse by trying to correct them!

Anyway, if it were me (which it isnt!!) I'd do a 145 Squadron F4!

Cheers

Si

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The only decals I can remember for a 19 Sqn F6 were on an Aeromaster sheet (I think). looked nice but they made the mistake of using a mid-blue on the squadron bars - they should have been roundel blue.

Don't say things like that! It creates doubt and confusion in my tiny mind . . . :wacko:

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The only decals I can remember for a 19 Sqn F6 were on an Aeromaster sheet (I think). looked nice but they made the mistake of using a mid-blue on the squadron bars - they should have been roundel blue.

Have you got a good source for that Bill? I've been trying to resolve the problem of the shade of blue used in the chequers for a long time. Colour photos of 19's Meteors and Lightnings seem to bear out the "roundel blue" and B&W photos of the Hunters seem to confirm the same. But in my mind's eye the blue squares were a slightly lighter blue and I recorded "mid-blue" in my notes at the time (but colour then was not quite the hot issue it is now!).

Chris

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The only decals I can remember for a 19 Sqn F6 were on an Aeromaster sheet (I think). looked nice but they made the mistake of using a mid-blue on the squadron bars - they should have been roundel blue.

Have you got a good source for that Bill? I've been trying to resolve the problem of the shade of blue used in the chequers for a long time. Colour photos of 19's Meteors and Lightnings seem to bear out the "roundel blue" and B&W photos of the Hunters seem to confirm the same. But in my mind's eye the blue squares were a slightly lighter blue and I recorded "mid-blue" in my notes at the time (but colour then was not quite the hot issue it is now!).

Chris

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Morning chaps,

well, I'm going to go for the 34 sqn option, all things considered. The Academy plastic was much easier to cut than I thought for the Wolfpack wing backdate, and cream Suez stripes look pretty cool on some of the profiles I've seen. Additionally, given that my modelling motive is to show as many RAF squadron markings and camouflages as possible, and also to eventually have a 1/48th scale line up of RAF fighters from WW1 to now, I think this is the way to go!

Only wish I'd got a Classic Airframes Meteor F8 when I had the chance . . . I think Hannants had them on buy one get one free at one point, or something similar . . . damn!

Anyway, I'll bung some pictures of the build on the WIP thread in due course.

Paul

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Morning chaps,

well, I'm going to go for the 34 sqn option, all things considered. The Academy plastic was much easier to cut than I thought for the Wolfpack wing backdate, and cream Suez stripes look pretty cool on some of the profiles I've seen. Additionally, given that my modelling motive is to show as many RAF squadron markings and camouflages as possible, and also to eventually have a 1/48th scale line up of RAF fighters from WW1 to now, I think this is the way to go!

Only wish I'd got a Classic Airframes Meteor F8 when I had the chance . . . I think Hannants had them on buy one get one free at one point, or something similar . . . damn!

Anyway, I'll bung some pictures of the build on the WIP thread in due course.

Paul

Nice choice, let me know how you get on with the Suez strips I have a Hunter I want to do with these too, but I don't have to worry about the wings, I cheated.

398807518.jpg

However there was a reason and this was that I now have a spare set of wings to try to correct the intakes and see what needs doing to the others, and how hard it is to correct those. I think the tailplane and bullet will not be difficult, and I have some correction sets for the back end.

very tempted to do a hunter next after finishing my 3 phantoms which are on the go.

Dave

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Only wish I'd got a Classic Airframes Meteor F8 when I had the chance . . . I think Hannants had them on buy one get one free at one point, or something similar . . . damn!

Paul

Wish I had seen that one too. ;)

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Have you got a good source for that Bill? I've been trying to resolve the problem of the shade of blue used in the chequers for a long time. Colour photos of 19's Meteors and Lightnings seem to bear out the "roundel blue" and B&W photos of the Hunters seem to confirm the same. But in my mind's eye the blue squares were a slightly lighter blue and I recorded "mid-blue" in my notes at the time (but colour then was not quite the hot issue it is now!).

Chris

Hi Chris, They certainly seem the same shade as the roundel blue on any b&w photo's I've seen. Also..in both Dick Ward's Hunter Squadron's and Alan Halls Hunter Warpaint - and I think, from memory Fighting Colours by Michael Bowyer- all have them as roundel blue.

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Morning chaps,

well, I'm going to go for the 34 sqn option, all things considered. The Academy plastic was much easier to cut than I thought for the Wolfpack wing backdate, and cream Suez stripes look pretty cool on some of the profiles I've seen. Additionally, given that my modelling motive is to show as many RAF squadron markings and camouflages as possible, and also to eventually have a 1/48th scale line up of RAF fighters from WW1 to now, I think this is the way to go!

Only wish I'd got a Classic Airframes Meteor F8 when I had the chance . . . I think Hannants had them on buy one get one free at one point, or something similar . . . damn!

Anyway, I'll bung some pictures of the build on the WIP thread in due course.

Paul

A good choice Paul - I did the 34 Sqn F5 a fair few years ago...The Hunter shown in the SAM Suez Crisis special had WP180/"S" (I think - I'll check later) This has "cream" stripes only on the upper wings and fuselage - with black and cream below the wings. The stripes didn't match either - the upper stripes were further in board.

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Hi Chris, They certainly seem the same shade as the roundel blue on any b&w photo's I've seen. Also..in both Dick Ward's Hunter Squadron's and Alan Halls Hunter Warpaint - and I think, from memory Fighting Colours by Michael Bowyer- all have them as roundel blue.

Thanks Bill. Memories are always dodgy ...

Chris

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Thanks Bill. Memories are always dodgy ...

Chris

Still doesn't explain to me why the two Fox 4's that did the fly-by for HM The Queen and on the Public Day at Finningly during the Jubilee celebrations had Black/White cheques. Even the JENGO, who joined the RAF with me, did not know. But I thought that the story of 19 and 92's markings circa Hunter/Lightning/Phantom was out there. Have to dig deep for some notes.

Dennis W Robinson

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