ISSUE 58
FREE! 100 YEARS OF WESTLAND SUPPLEMENT
RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW
product reviews
Fond Farewells
killer
KANKO
SEP 2015 £4.30
EXCLUSIVE BUILD TEST-SHOT BUILD
Airfix’s all-new 1/72 Nakajima B5N2 ʻKATEʼ
LUMBERING GIANT
THE BOTCHED INVASION
TWIN-ENGINED STORM
1/72 Airfix AW Whitley Mk.V
1/35 Churchill Mk III
1/48 Westland Whirlwind
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EDITOR'S DESK
WELCOME
Like us! facebook.com/airfixmodelworld Visit us! www.airfixmodelworld.com
WELCOME TO ISSUE 58
I
’m pleased to open this editorial with the fact that we have not one, but two Airfix test-shot builds in this issue... and the types are fascinating. I’m sure I wasn’t the only modeller to be surprised (and delighted),
to learn that the Nakajima B5N2 ‘Kate’ would be newly tooled by Airfix, and now it’s almost finally available I can say that it’s a beauty. I think it’s a shame that one doesn’t see more Japanese subjects on show tables; perhaps it’s because the Pacific theatre was so far away from the UK that its materiel never quite grabbed our attention, as did the machines in the thick of the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts and in North Africa. Regardless, we hope to bring you more Japanese builds in the future. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on an Airfix Kate, so I can compare it with the much older Hasegawa kit in my stash. Likewise, I’m equally excited about the Airfix Whitley Mk.V also built exclusively
in this issue. AMW contributor Andy Davies, a long-time Bomber Command modeller, has plenty of good things to say about the kit and again, it’s great to see such eclectic types coming to the marketplace, and with such quality. One Airfix staff member amusingly refers to the Whitley as “Eeyore with wings”. It was never the most handsome of aircraft, certainly, but historically it played its part and I’ve always favoured aircraft with character. I wonder if Airfix may release a Coastal Command version in due course? I’m also very proud of this issue’s special supplement to mark 100 years of Westland aircraft, and I hope you enjoy the associated builds and history features within; a big thank you
goes to AgustaWestland for allowing access to its archive. The Whirlybirds mixed-media Whirlwind helicopter rekindled my love affair with the type (it didn’t need much I assure you!) and I now have fingers crossed that Italeri might re-release its H-19 family of kits so we once again have a styrene product as well. All in all, I feel there’s something for everyone in this issue and the content exemplifies AMW’s drive for variety. I’ve been inspired greatly by the builds and history text, and I’m sure you will be too. Chris Clifford, Editor
[email protected]
FREE MODEL! Claim your FREE Airfix Spitfire PR.XIX or Gladiator Mk.I when you subscribe to Airfix Model World. See page 76. Editor: Chris Clifford Assistant Editor: Stu Fone Editor's Secretary: Vanessa Smith Contributors this issue: Chris Jones, Andy Davies, Steve Budd, Eric Larson, Glenn Sands, Marc Maes, Mike Wenger, Malcolm V Lowe, Andy White, Matthew Roberts Art Editor: Tom Bagley Group Art Editor: Steve Donovan Production Manager: Janet Watkins Commercial Director: Ann Saundry Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter Advertising Manager: Tom Lee Ad Production Manager: Debi McGowan Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington Subscriptions and Mail Order: Liz Ward Managing Director: Adrian Cox Executive Chairman: Richard Cox Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, UK.
Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP. Tel: 020 7429 4000. Fax: 020 7429 4001. Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne. Printed in England (ISSN 1471-0587). Subscriptions: Please refer to main advertisement within the magazine. All applications stating name, address, date to commence and remittance to: Subscriptions Department, Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK. Telephone/9.00-5.30 Monday-Friday GMT +44 (0) 1780 480404, Fax: +44 (0) 1780 757812 E-Mail:
[email protected] Airfix Model World (ISSN: 1471-0587) is published monthly by Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK and distributed in the USA by Mail Right Int., 1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Piscataway, NJ and additional mailing offices.Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by visiting www.airfixmodelworld.com or by calling toll free 800-676-4049 or fax 757-428-6253 or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 500, Virginia Beach, VA23451-9828. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, c/o Mail Right International Inc.,1637 Stelton Road B4, Piscataway NJ 08854. All items submitted for publication are subject to our terms and conditions. These are regularly updated without prior notice and are freely available from www.keypublishing.com The entire contents of Airfix Model World is © copyright, and no part of it may be reproduced in any form or stored on any form of retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher.
“AIRFIX’’ is a registered trade mark of Hornby Hobbies Limited and is used under licence. We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly recommended to take their own precautions before parting with any information or item of value, including, but not limited to, money, manuscripts, photographs or personal information in response to any advertisements within this publication.
The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2014 was 12,005 print and digital copies monthly.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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CONTENTS INSIDE
REGULARS 06 News The latest happenings in the world of plastic modelling.
10 Show Scene At-a-glance model show calendar.
40 Your Airfix Readers showcase their Airfix builds.
76 FREE MODEL! Claim your free Airfix Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX or Gloster Gladiator Mk.I when you subscribe to AMW.
90 On the Shelf Seventeen pages of reviews highlight the latest modelling products.
114 The Plastic Surgery Quiz AMW’s team of contributors, history writers and industry contacts
FOND FAREWELLS RAF Cosford show report
about your modelling conundrums.
28
EXCLUSIVE BUILD AW WHITLEY MK.V
78
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OUT AND ABOUT STOKE SHOW
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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CONTENTS
INSIDE
14
EXCLUSIVE BUILD NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
FEATURES 14 Exclusive Build – Pearl’s Nemesis Chris Jones finds there’s a whole lot to like with Airfix’s forthcoming all-new 1/72 Nakajima B5N2 ‘Kate’.
22 In Focus – Killer Kanko Mike Wenger details the career of the Nakajima B5N2, right up to the decisive Battle of Midway.
28 Exclusive Build – Lumbering Giant Bomber Command fans will love Airfix’s newly tooled 1/72 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley says Andy Davies, who builds an exclusive test-shot.
36 In Focus – The Bomber from Baginton Malcolm V Lowe describes the sub-types of the AW Whitley bomber.
42 Out and About – Bombs and Books Glenn Sands discovers a wealth of fascinating exhibits, and a bumper crop of reference material at Boscombe Down’s Aerojumble.
43 Special Supplement – 100 Years of Westland To celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary, we offer builds of three Westland classics...1/48 Whirlwind fighter and 1/72 Wyvern by Trumpeter, and Whirlybirds’ 1/72 Whirlwind HAR.10. Malcolm V Lowe also provides valuable history text and period images.
78 Out and About – Stoke Revival AMW’s Assistant Editor Stu Fone reports on Stoke-on-Trent’s re-introduced model show.
80 Out and About – Father’s Day Fun Downham Market’s small-but-friendly model show impressed Stu Fone.
82 Out and About – Fond Farewells Editor Chris Clifford visited RAF Cosford’s recent airshow...for many, the last opportunity to enjoy two British aviation legends.
54
100 YEARS OF WESTLAND WYVERN S.4
84 Intermediate Build – Stranded on the Shingle Marc Maes finds a real challenge in AFV Club’s 1/35 Dieppe Raid Churchill Mk.III. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
NEW FOR NEXT YEAR!
AIRFIX HAS announced two new 1/72 products for 2016 and World War One fans will be beside themselves! We can expect a Fokker E.III and BE.2c and both look splendid
judging from the renderings shown here. The kits are scheduled for the very early part of next year, and more information can be found on the Airfix website.
GREAT WAR LEARNING A NEW Airfix schools programme entitled ‘Guardians of History’ launches this September across the UK. With an overall aim to offer project-based history resources for KS2 teachers, the initiative takes the brand’s already established partnership with schools to another level for 2015 and beyond. Airfix Guardians of History World War One-themed resource packs have been developed by the company, to link closely to the history element of the National Curriculum. Offering a fresh approach to topical subjects via innovative,
stimulating and unique teaching elements, benefits to teachers include: 15 detailed historical World War One Airfix kits, an Airfix challenge modelmaking exercise, branded pupil wristbands and downloadable activity sheets and KS2-targeted lesson plans. There is an additional opportunity for schools to have a visit from an expert Airfix ‘Guardian’ who can assist in bringing the resources to life in a classroom or assembly learning environment. Further details and school registration information can be found at: www.airfix.com/uk-en/schools
EASY SUPERCAR AIRFIX’S LATEST Quickbuild kit is of the hugely desirable Bugatti Veyron...the world's fastest street-legal road car. With 34 parts and suitable for ages five and older, this is a great gift for any youngster showing an interest in building things.
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For more information on this and other Quickbuild kits in the range, visit: www.airfix.com
GIVE IT A GO!
AIRFIX STILL has dates for its popular Make and Paint sessions, for anyone wanting to try their hand at the hobby. If you’re the parent of a modelling-curious youngster, or if you know an adult who is showing interest and could do with the experience, give them a gentle nudge and show them these dates! The remaining 2015 opportunities are: • Aug 8 Build an Airfix Model with Brampton Model club, www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ directory_record/3201/st_neots_ library • Aug 17-24 RAF Museum Cosford, www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford • Sept 5 Scale Scotland, www.scalescotland.co.uk • Sept 6 Shuttleworth Pageant, www.shuttleworth.org/whats-on/
• Sept 12-13 IWM Duxford, www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwmduxford • Sept 27 IPMS Brampton Model Club Annual Show, https://sites.google.com/site/ ipmsbrampton • Oct 4 Shuttleworth Airshow Season Finale, www.shuttleworth.org/whats-on/ • Oct 24-30 RAF Museum London, www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london • Oct 24 Build an Airfix Model with Brampton Model club • Oct 31 Build an Airfix Model with Brampton Model club • Nov 7-8 Scale Model World Telford, www.smwshow.com • Oct 26-31/Dec 28-30 Hornby Hobbies Visitor Centre, Margate, www.hornby.com/uk-en/hornbyvisitor-centre
GALLIC STORES
NEW FRENCH Air Force guidance and recce pods have just been released by resin specialist L’Arsenal. Anyone contemplating a build of the Armée de l’Air Mirage F.1CR in 1/72 scale can now equip them with highly detailed renditions of the Raphael (AC 72 28), Presto (AC 72 21) and seldom-seen Bidon RP-35P (AC 72 27) camera pods, and the firm has a new Reco NG recce pod (AC 72 23) for the Rafale in the same scale. The last 1/72 item
is the Damocles laser designator (AC 72 22) as carried by the Mirage 2000D and Super Etendard Modernise. Modellers building 1/48 French Jaguars will be interested in the BOZ 103 countermeasures pod (AC 48 63), which was also carried by the Mirage IV, and the Remora ECM pod (AC 48 68)...also carried by the two aforementioned aircraft, as well as Mirages III, F.1 and 2000. Visit www.larsenal.com for further information and prices.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
MACROBERTSON RACER ONE OF the world’s most famous racing aircraft–the de Havilland DH.88 Comet–has been kitted in 1/72 scale by Hungary’s SBS Model. Most of the parts are in crisply cast resin and exhibit stunning detail; each wing is cast as a single piece, the fuselage halves have interior detail and the onepiece engine nacelles are a delight (these have proper undercarriage bay features, too). The undercarriage comes
in white metal, while photoetched brass has been used to replicate the seatbelts, instrument panel, trim wheel and other items. A lovely clear
resin canopy and nose light complete what is a very classy package indeed. Decals for two aircraft that participated in 1934’s MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (London to Melbourne, Australia), are provided, and these are the smart red G-ACSS/34 ‘Grosvenor House’, and G-ACSR/19...otherwise known as ‘The Green ‘Un’. Any fan of racing or 1930s aircraft would be mad to miss out on this kit. For further details visit: www.sbsmodel.com
SMALL-SCALE BRISTOL TWIN this looks to be a quality package for those devoted to the type, and who prefer smaller scales. While this example is a Mk.VIF/C, with
four very different RAF colour schemes, also expected are kits of the Mk.IF and Mk.IC. For further details visit: www.4pluspublications.com
IN A move that will delight many fans of 1/144 scale modelling, the Czech Republic’s Mark I Models is soon to release a Bristol Beaufighter. We’ve received photos of the runners and box art, and
NEW WOODEN WONDER
MOSQUITO FANS have much to celebrate this year. Not only do they have the forthcoming Airfix 1/24 FB.VI re-release and all-new 1/32 Tamiya FB.VI, but also this 1/32 FB.IV Series II from HK Models. This new comes on 20 grey styrene runners; there’s a superb two-piece fuselage split laterally near the wing trailing edge point, an entire one-piece wing (open along the trailing edges to accommodate separate flaps and ailerons) and an extensive collection of clear parts. Other highlights include fine, engraved panel lines, standard and bulged bomb bay doors, detailed single-stage Merlin engines and a respectable cockpit with
internal canopy framing. The engine nacelles reflect the late-type Series II units, with five-stub exhausts and flame dampeners, and the bomb bay has moulded cabling and wiring, and there is a 4,000lb ‘Cookie’ bomb to accompany four smaller stores. Photo-etched brass seatbelts and carburettor
intake grilles also feature, and for those modellers with the requisite painting skills, there are also two exquisite standing 1/32 resin aircrew figures. The three colour schemes consist of two RAF machines, and another with Soviet stars. For further details visit: www.pocketbond.co.uk Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
{in brief}
ARMOURED PINE MARTEN
BRILLIANT BUILDING Diorama fans have a great option with Plus Model’s new 1/35 Depot kit (item no.447). This well-crafted package offers a wealth of laser-cut wooden components for the main structure, stone-textured plaster supports for the building’s front walkway and laser-cut card/clear acetate for the windows. Detail items include a photo-etched brass hasp and padlock for the front doors, and in resin there are generic loaded sacks, a tall gas bottle, outside light switch and bulb/shade unit, and a cardboard box tied with string. This building could be placed in a multitude of civilian or military dioramas, and will look splendid with careful painting and weathering. www.plusmodel.cz
HEADER Copy
DRAGON HAS released a 1/35 Marder II early-production variant (6769), to follow its recent midproduction offering. Officially known as the Sd.Kfz.131 Panzerjäger II für Pak40/2, it
mounted a 7.5cm anti-tank gun on a modified Panzer II chassis and was used on all fronts during World War Two. While this kit follows Dragon’s usual ‘mix-and-match’ format of styrene and photo-etched metal, the
majority are based on its previous 2006 iteration, albeit with new and/or updated components that appear to correct previous errors. As a result, there are more spares than usual, and these include a complete upper hull, ammunition bins and most of a figure-associated equipment/weapons runner. Mould quality is to Dragon’s usual standards, with the new side armour panels much thinner than their predecessors, and there is an excellent 14-piece transmission. Magic Track links are provided, with different coloured styrene for each length, and although fiddly will enable the sag of the real items to be replicated. Just two camouflage schemes are provided; a Sicily-based unit as depicted on the box art, and an unidentified unit. For further details visit: www.hobbyco.net
MESSERSCHMITT MASKING
And for general masking around tricky compound curves, MH now offers a sheet of green, self-adhesive masking material which, due to its flexibility, will adhere much more easily to troublesome curves on a model. Fifteen 1cm strips are on a single sheet, but one can, of course, cut even thinner strips from these with a scalpel and ruler. For further details visit: www.mhmodels.cz
USEFUL ITEMS have been released by the Czech Republic’s MH Models. Luftwaffe modellers will welcome the 1/72 airbrush masks for the Bf 109G/K, which offer six different styles of propeller spinner spirals. Three spinner spiral masks are also available in 1/48 and 1/32, but these two sets also include masks for fuselage chevrons.
MODERN ORDNANCE LEGACY LOVELIES US NAVY enthusiasts have a quartet of splendid new options with Two Bobs’ latest 1/48 decal release. The two-sheet set (48-246, one sheet not shown) offers high- and low-vis liveries for Legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft operated by the US Marines Air-Ground task Force at Miramar, California. The two units are well known, being VMFA-225 ‘Vikings’ and VMFA-232 ‘Red Devils’, and besides the two low-vis grey jets, another pair is in grey but with colourful tail artwork. The instructions are in the usual helpful colour format, with profile/ plan views, colour photos of a Litening II pod fitted to a Hornet, and paint codes for Federal Standard, Testors, Humbrol, Gunze and Xtracrylix; perfect for the Hasegawa or Hobby Boss kits. For further details visit: www.twobobs.net.
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ONE OF the weaknesses in most kits of modern aircraft is the lack of accurate weaponry. Thankfully, Daco has just released four new sets of 1/48 resin stores under its expanding Astra Resin line. Rather than just traditionally cast components, these
products also feature 3D-printed parts and the detail is outstanding. The first two sets, which each contain parts for two bombs, comprise the SUU-30/CBU-24 cluster bomb dispenser (ASR4813) and the M117 with MAU-91 high-drag tail
unit (ASR4814). Both were used in the majority of US military actions from the Vietnam War to Operation Desert Storm. Fans of modern British aircraft will welcome the release of the 1,000lb Paveway II (ASR4815) and Enhanced Paveway II (ASR4816) bombs, and each package contains sufficient components for a single weapon. The main bomb body and nose adapter are specific to each version, but the square mounting lugs provided are only relevant to weapons fitted under a Tornado (Minimum Area Crutchless Ejector System, MACES); for all other types, a standard ring-shaped lug is required, although neither would be visible if the store is fitted to the pylon, as opposed to being posed on a trolley or loader. For further details visit: www.dacoproducts.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
FRESH OFF THE LATHE
POLISH ‘METAL-MERCHANT’ Master Model’s latest round of turned brass products give aircraft and ship modellers some exciting kit improvement options. In 1/48 scale, three gun barrel sets for the F6F Hellcat are available, obviously with Eduard’s recent kit in mind. They are: F6F Early
Armament .50 cal Brownings with drilled cooling jackets, F6F-5 Late Armament covered .50 cal Brownings, and F6F Night Fighters barrel tips with flash suppressors (items AM-48-107, -108, -109 respectively). Conical early and late rounded cannon fairings for Eduard’s Spitfire Mk.IXe/XVIe are also ready (AM-48-102 and -103), and there’s also a Folland Gnat T.1 pitot tube (AM-48-104). Maritime fans will welcome the 1/350 Imperial Japanese Navy 12.7cm/50 3rd year barrels (with and without blast bags), which were fitted to most IJN destroyers, and in 1/700 there is a set of British 4.7in/45 QF Marks IX and XII barrels, as sported by A-N, O,
Q-W and Tribal Class destroyers. Fans of 1/72 scale can now also buy the same three Hellcat barrel sets that are available in quarter-scale, and the Gnat T.1 pitot. For further details visit: www.master-model.pl
SOUTHWEST START-UP
A NEW club is welcoming modellers across the southern half of Somerset and East Devon. South Somerset (So-So) Model Club marks the beginning of a region-wide presence by the UK arm of the International Plastic Modeller’s Society, in which IPMS clubs throughout the South West will co-operate to attract more young people, target adult ‘returners’ and conduct joint regional publicity. So-So has established links with Air Training Corps, Army and Navy Cadets, Youth Clubs, Royal Air Force Association, Royal British Legion and Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. The club will exhibit at the following: Avon IPMS (Aug 9); West Cornwall IPMS (Sept 12), Fleet Air Arm Museum Autumn Show (Oct 24) and the IPMS Nationals at Telford (Nov 7-8). So-So's first official meeting will be at 7pm on Friday, August 14 at Donyatt Bowling Club, near Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0RG; future meetings will be on the second Friday of every month. Contact Brian Griffin, tel: 07932 275770, e-mail: brianmgriffin1@outlook. com or visit: http://sosomodelclub. wix.com/ssmc
STEVE HAGUE 1961-2015 MODELLERS AND aviation enthusiasts are mourning the passing of Steve Hague, who died on May 21, 2015 following a period of illness. Known for his infectious energy, enthusiasm and notoriously dry sense of humour, Steve was a long-standing member of IPMS (UK)’s Harrier Special Interest Group. In wider aviation circles, he was highly regarded for his support to the British Aviation Preservation Council, of which he was Chairman for many years. He was also well known for his volunteer work
at Aeroventure and the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum, located close to Doncaster. More recently, Steve gave valuable support to those running the Harrier Heritage Centre at RAF Wittering. Steve will be remembered as an enthusiast who would always help anyone interested in aviation, whether full-sized or in miniature, no matter how busy he was at the time. Our sympathies go to Steve’s family, friends and his associates in the Harrier and historical aviation world. (Photo: Andy Donovan)
RAVAGED BATTLESUITS
AMMO MIG has responded to the growing level of interest in robots and mechanised suits, referred to as Mecha, with a series of weathering and finishing products. Aimed squarely at genres such as Macross and Gundam, these include an excellent 92-page guide (A.MIG 6013), which details how to weather Mecha with techniques more commonly associated with armour models. Four subjects are featured, and in addition to the expected demonstrations, which include chipping, streaking and the use of washes, there are excellent before-and-after comparison photographs. To accompany the guide, AMMO MIG has released Mecha and Robot Colors (A.MIG 7127), which contains six 17ml bottles of paint, and a Chipping Set for Mechas (A.MIG 7428), with two 35ml bottles of Engine Grime Wash and Scratches Effects fluid and one 17ml bottle of Chipping fluid. Finally, there is the Weathering Set for Mechas (A.MIG 7429), which comprises three 35ml bottles of Streaking Effects fluid, Brown Filter for White, and Dark Earth pigment respectively. Whether or not one is interested in Mecha, these are fantastic products, which will enable modellers of all levels to reproduce realistic weathering effects. For further details visit: www.migjimenez.com
Let AMW know what your club has been up to, whether it’s a competition, local display or change of personnel, venue or contact details. Simply e-mail the editor,
[email protected], and include any good quality photos of 1Mb or larger. Search: 'Airfix Model World' Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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SHOW SCENE
DIARY DATES
SHOW SCENE 27 SEP, 2015 BURGESS CIVIC HALL
At-a-glance model and airshow calendar
St. Ives Model Show Hosts:
Brampton IPMS
Address: Burgess Civic Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6WU Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adult £1.50, concessions 50p
Tel:
01480 896949
Email:
bramptonshow@hotmail. co.uk
Web:
www.sites.google.com/ site/ipmsbrampton
AUG 16
HULL MODEL EXPO 2015
SEP 6
FANTASTIC PLASTIC 2015
SEP 12
CORNWALL IPMS SHOW
SEP 19
MODELFEST 2015
Hosts:
Hull Scale Model Club
Hosts:
IPMS ASCV Wombourne
Hosts:
IPMS West Cornwall
Hosts:
IPMS Farnborough
Address: KC Stadium, West Park, Hull, HU3 6HU Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adults £2, OAPs £1, children free
Tel:
01482 341139
Email:
hullscalemodelclub@ mail.com
Web:
www.hullscalemodelclub. co.uk
SEP 5
SCALE SCOTLAND MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
SCALE Scotland
Address: Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh International Airport, Edinburgh, EH28 8LL Times:
10am-6pm
Prices:
Adult £3, under-16s free, family ticket £5
Tel:
N/A
Email:
scalescotland@gmail. com
Web:
www.scalescotland.co.uk
KEY
E MODEL DISPLAY
) MODEL COMPETITION m AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
Address: The Community Centre, Church Road, Wombourne, WV5 9EZ Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adult £3, concession £2, accompanied under-16s free
Tel:
N/A
Email:
martyn_crowther21@ hotmail.co.uk
Web:
N/A
SEP 6
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE MODEL SHOW
Hosts:
IPMS Bridlington and Wolds
Address: The Sports Hall, Trevensons Campus, Cornwall College, off Church Rd, Pool, TR15 3RD
Address: Kings International College, Watchetts Drive, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2PQ Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adults £4, concessions £2, accompanied under16s free
info@cornishscale modellers.co.uk
Tel:
N/A
Web:
www.cornishscale modellers.co.uk
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.ipms-farnborough.co.uk
SEP 13
SUTTON COLDFIELD MODEL EXPO 2015
SEP 20
WINGS & THINGS 2015
Hosts:
Sutton Coldfield Model Makers Society
Hosts:
IPMS Fenland & Spalding Model Club
Times:
10am-4.30pm
Prices:
Free
Tel:
N/A
Email:
Address: The Showground, Kellythorpe, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 9DN
Address: The Shire Oak Academy, St Marks Road entrance, Walsall Wood, Walsall, WS8 7AQ, West Mids
Address: Spalding High School, Stonegate, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 2JR
Times:
9.30am-4pm
Times:
10am-4.30pm
Times:
10am-4pm
Prices:
Adult £2.50, accompanied children up to 15 years free
Prices:
Adults £4.50, senior citizens and children £2.50
Prices:
Adults £2, OAPs £1, children under 16 £1
Tel:
07818 821604
Tel:
07732 333292
Tel:
N/A
Email:
modeldriffshow@ btinternet.com
Email:
andy-mike-keane@ hotmail.co.uk
Email:
ipms.fenlandand spalding@gmailcom
Web:
N/A
Web:
www.scmms.co.uk
Web:
www.ipmsfenlandand spalding.moonfruit.com
MILITARY DISPLAY
REFRESHMENTS
AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY
FREE PARKING
J TRADE STANDS
AIRFIX ROADSHOW ATTENDING
IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and was believed to be correct at the time of going to press. To advertise your event here, email:
[email protected]
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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
Pearl’s
Nemesis T
he Nakajima B5N2 or ‘Kate’ to the Allies was one of the chief torpedo bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War Two. With a crew of three, a rear-firing 7.7mm machine gun and the ability to carry various bombs or a torpedo, the initial production B5N1s first served during the SinoJapanese War. Later, B5N1s and the
newer B5N2 models participated in the devastating surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; this action, which became known as the Day of Infamy, brought the US into the war.
Fresh tooling Airfix’s brand new Kate arrived on five light grey plastic runners, with
The lower wing/fuselage also came as one piece and all control surfaces and flaps could be posed differently.
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a single clear runner that catered for transparencies. There were a number of particularly noteworthy features, not least the cockpit and the cleverly engineered optional wing fold. Beginning with the internals, the cockpit was very busy indeed, with fantastic detail moulded integrally as part of the one-piece upper wing. The pilot sat above a ‘bottomless’ floor, in
Chris Jones finds exciting features on Airfix’s newly tooled Kate a similar manner to, say, a Spitfire or Hurricane; here, the floor plates came as part of the upper wing, which when mated with the one-piece lower half combined to create a very convincing representation. Other areas sported raised and recessed detail where appropriate, a complete throttle quadrant, lightening holes, three seats for the crew and
Detailing on the cockpit floor was excellent, with lovely raised and recessed features that could be accentuated perfectly with washes and dry-brushing.
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
There were some small ejector pin marks to take care of in the fuselage halves. Miliput Superfine White was used for this, and cleaned-up with damp cotton buds.
Kit colour schemes • EI-3II, Imperial Japanese Navy Carrier Shokaku, Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 • 53-305, 553rd Kokutai, April-October 1944
Performing the surgery for a wing fold was simplicity itself, thanks to the excellent engineering and fit of the wings.
various equipment such as radios, a bombsight, oxygen bottles and two separate parts for stowed or combat-ready machine guns. There were even spare machine gun magazines stowed on the fuselage side, and a transparent part was also present for attaching to the lower wing section, to provide the relevant windows and bombsight. Overall, the internal parts combined to create a well-detailed and particularly busy ‘office’. Another standout feature concerned the wing fold, but more of that presently. Panel lines were recessed, sharp and although a couple of lines on the fuselage were wider than the others, the overall effect was impressive. All control surfaces and the flaps came as separate parts with subtle fabric texture, while open and closed options
were provided for the cowl flaps. Three different canopy choices included fully enclosed, fully open and combat ready, with the rear gunner’s glazing folded back. The latter was represented as single piece items, rather than as multiple separate parts which, considering the intricacy of the glazing and the limits of injection moulding, seemed reasonable. The frame detail was rather indistinct or lacking in certain places on this pre-production sample, however, and so would present a painting challenge for the modeller seeking to represent an open cockpit. Runner gates were sized sensibly, but some of the wingtips had quite chunky connections, which would require care to remove the part and not cause any gouges. Multiple weapons options were represented by a torpedo and
"the cockpit was very busy indeed"
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NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
MODEL SPEC
"Airfix’s new Kate is a quality offering"
various bombs of different sizes, including six 132lb (60kg) and three other single bombs of 551lb (250kg) and upwards. Some B5N2s carried a pair of 551lb bombs in the level bombing role during the Pearl Harbor strikes and Airfix does provide two racks for these weapons, but just one actual 551lb store. The desire with this build was to create something as close to the actual Pearl Harbor aircraft as possible, hence the presence of just one 551lb bomb on the racks. White Glue held the cockpit together temporarily to show the mass of detail on offer. Note the finely moulded features on the pilot’s seat. Construction proceeded rapidly as the fuselage simply slotted onto the wing assembly.
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Wing fold Planning for this build involved the decision to pose one wing up and the other down to illustrate both options. Kate wing folds over-lapped, so it was necessary to have the overhanging starboard wing deployed, while the port wing remained up. As mentioned, the wing came moulded as two one-piece sections, so the default option out of the box was for a flight-ready Kate. But thoughtfully, inserts were provided which, with the minimum of surgery, can be brought into play to create a very handsome Kate ready for stowage. Each wing fold section had a recessed groove along the entire length of the join; after repeated
Nakajima B5N2 ‘Kate’ By:
Airfix
Stock Code: A04058 Scale:
1/72
Price:
£14.99
Available from: www.airfix.com
scoring across the lines with a scriber, a scalpel blade was used to separate the parts. The entire operation was utterly stress-free and this area was clearly well engineered. Once the joins were sliced, rib inserts were present to be inserted where appropriate. They even came with drilled-out lightening holes...a most welcome touch. The wing parts were mated with their respective halves, and the fit was superb. But before doing this, it was necessary to drill-out the pre-recessed holes in the lower fuselage centre section for the desired weapons
options and to apply the lower window transparency. After successfully remembering to perform this vital step, the truly superb fit of the wing sections was discovered. The inserts were test-fitted before being fixed permanently with Tamiya Extra Thin cement, and once again the
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
A gloss coat of IJN Cockpit Green was sprayed over the entire crew area. The fit was generally superb; Airfix’s rear underside fuselage join was tight, so Superglue tacked it in place before Tamiya Extra thin cement was added and the assembly was taped in place.
With seats in place, the fuselage could be attached to the wings. But it would have been easier to leave the pilot’s seat off in order to add the PE belts. The well-moulded, multi-part engine looked smart after painting and an oil wash.
fit was impressive. A tiny drop of filler was used at the rear join of the inboard rib, but it was nothing major. Considering the potential hassle that wing folds can provoke, the solution offered here was simple and highly effective. The lightening holes also looked great. A spar running across the upper half wing piece
guaranteed correct dihedral and helped immensely to ensure good fit. While the glue was drying on the wings, and thanks to the parts breakdown, it was actually possible to attach the fuselage halves before painting had to take place. To expedite the build, the two parts that made up the fuselage behind the cowling were
also added at this stage. It did however represent a deviation from the instructions, so it was necessary to trim the curved locating tab on the forward lower fuselage. Once again, the fit was exemplary. On this sample, there were several subtle sink marks present on the exterior of the fuselage, over where the machine
gun magazines sat internally, but they weren’t too obvious and could be sanded if required.
Cockpit assembly At the time of building, no instrument decals were available and so the dials were drilled out before later being filled with Micro Kristal Klear on the flat instrument panels. On production kits, decals will be included to provide dial detail. About the only thing missing from the comprehensive cockpit was seatbelts, so these were taken from spare Eduard photo-etched (PE) metal sets. To make the process easier the two rear seats were painted and detailed separately. Unwisely, the front seat was fixed before
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
"The overall fit was superb, the wing folds excellent"
painting or belts were added, and it was a nightmare to get the PE to conform without snagging it on protrusions, or scratching the paint. As much of the cockpit was assembled as possible, but retrospectively it would have been better to leave off even more parts, as this would have made painting less fiddly. After the floor transparencies were masked, Tamiya XF-71 IJN Cockpit Green was mixed with X-22 Clear and sprayed where needed. Once dry, a dark brown-green wash followed before a matt coat was sprayed with Xtracolor XDFF Matt Varnish. Detail painting could then ensue; a matt black and red-brown mix was mottled over the floor to represent
dirty patches, before chipping was added with the aid of a Prismacolor silver pencil. Once completed, the rear seats were added. It was impossible to place them sooner as they would have obscured areas to be sprayed and chipped. Test-fitting suggested that the fit of the bomb aimer’s panel would be troublesome when the fuselage halves were mated to the wing, and so the box to which it attached was trimmed and the panel edges were thinned. There were two windows in the fuselage sidewalls and the fit was very good, but the internal locating blocks on the transparent parts were quite large and would have been potentially obvious when looking through the canopy.
Considering the surgery involved, the fit of the wing fold inserts was splendid and just a tiny smear of filler was needed at the trailing end of the inboard part.
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To prevent this, these sections were removed completely via scalpel before the windows were attached with Tamiya Extra Thin cement. Bringing the wing section and fuselage together showed generally excellent fit, but it was rather tight where the underside fuselage joins met. To resolve this, small drops of Superglue were used with accelerant to hold it in place, before Tamiya Extra Thin was added around all joins. To complete the airframe, control surfaces were added and although the flaps were also tight in the raised position, the rest of the surfaces went in without trouble. Reference photos suggested that B5N2s could often be seen with
slightly deflected ailerons, so this was replicated, along with drooped elevators. The engine seemed to sit a little too far forward for the closed cowl section to fit, and so the mount on which the engine sat was trimmed to make it sit properly. A smear of Miliput was used here and there, but overall the fit was so good that, with care, one should be able to avoid use of any filler whatsoever.
Kate paint Masking the canopy took a long time and the results were well worth it, although the frames were a little faint in places. The approach was to add Tamiya tape so a straight edge lined up with a
After careful masking, the scheme began to come to life after the cowl and fuselage band were sprayed.
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE
Decals were applied over Johnson’s Klear and sealed with the same, before the fuselage band was masked in anticipation of the mottled scheme.
Wing fold sections were brought together temporarily to ensure the patterns matched at the join.
frame, before the entire piece was burnished with a cocktail stick to prevent paint creep and hopefully reveal canopy frame edges. Next, with a brand-new scalpel blade (Swann-Morton no.11) the canopy was held up to a light source to show the frame edges through the tape, before a vaguely steady hand was used to slice the edges of the mask. Although an effective technique, great care was required to avoid scratching the glass or
After a considerable amount of time, the weaving mottle was finally completed.
dropping the scalpel into an eye from height! Japanese World War Two aircraft colours are a topic of great depth and arguably some controversy, and so checking references is advisable. In this instance, Tamiya paint was blended to (hopefully) approximate Amber Grey with a mix of ten parts XF-55 Deck Tan, eight parts White and 20 parts Medium Grey. Tamiya Clear was added, before the mix was sprayed over the airframe. Afterwards, a lightened mottle of the base colour was applied over the top. The cowl was masked and sprayed with XF-69 NATO Black and mottled with XF-54 Dark Sea Grey but the fuselage band was slightly more complex. The instructions called for a white band, but photos and some profiles suggested there may be thin red lines each side of the band. It was decided to go with the red edge approach, so the entire band was masked and sprayed XF-7 Flat Red to begin with, before equally sized thin strips of Tamiya Tape were used to cover the edges and Humbrol Maskol was applied to ensure no gaps were present between the thin tape, and the masking that covered the camouflaged areas. White was then sprayed over the rest of the band. At this stage, the airframe was glossed with Johnson's
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
NAKAJIMA B5N2 KATE Inboard wing walkways were airbrushed with XF-83 RAF Medium Sea Grey, before being treated to patchy oversprays of two different greys. The panel lines seemed lost under the dark green mottle, so a thick, even darker browngreen wash was applied over the mottled areas. Various armament was supplied, but two 551lb bombs (the smallest of the three larger weapons) would be needed for an accurate depiction of certain Kate loads used at Pearl Harbor. Torpedo fins were present on a separate part not mentioned in the instructions.
The fit of the wing fold inserts, hinges and the support strut that attached to the fuselage was superb. Various colours could be used for the ribs including ‘Aotake’, but in this case blue-grey primer was settled upon to make life easier.
Klear and decaled, before the markings were sealed with a second coat. As the kit decals were absent, the markings were obtained from alternative sources, such as a spare Hasegawa sheet and decal stripe. References stated that the edges of the Hinomarus should be studiously free from overspray, so it was decided to add the decals as placement references for the upper surface mottling, while avoiding the hassle of using masks to cover said areas. It also ensured that extra care would be exercised while applying the
appearance. Next, a dark green panel line wash was applied to the mottled areas. However, the grey parts of the airframe were avoided zealously, since the panel lines in these areas didn’t seem to require extra emphasis. Xtracolor Matt Varnish was then used to mute the glossy finish without completely removing the sheen. Once the varnish was dry, the canopy masks could be removed but the result wasn’t entirely perfect, so scraping with a cocktail stick and fine-tuning with a paintbrush took place, ahead of the final stages such as
{20}
fiendish weaving pattern on the upper surfaces. XF-73 Dark Green JGSDF seemed a reasonable approximation of the required colour, which was applied with the aid of heavily thinned paint, an exposed airbrush needle tip, close proximity to the surface and considerable patience. Although some references suggested that brown was also one of the colours mottled over B5N2s from the Shokaku, it was decided to settle with just green on this occasion. With mottling completed, Klear was oversprayed to unify the
attaching the pitot and radio mast. All the parts required for final assembly went into place without trouble to complete the build.
Nifty Nippon Airfix’s new Kate is a quality offering for beginners and the more experienced alike. The overall fit was superb, the cockpit impressive, the wing folds excellent...and a reasonable selection of weaponry was on offer. The final result looked great...and for what will be a very competitive price.
❚
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IN FOCUS
Killer KankO
NAKAJIMA B5N2 TYPE 97
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Mike Wenger describes the career of the Nakajima B5N2 carrier attack bomber, up to the Battle of Midway
T
wo Japanese bombers are synonymous with the thunderous victories of the Imperial Japanese Navy during 1941 and 1942; the Aichi Type 99 D3A1 kanjō bakugeki-ki (kanbaku), or carrier bomber, and the Nakajima Type 97 B5N2 kanjō kōgeki-ki (kankō), or carrier attack bomber. In 1935, the Japanese Navy created specifications for an attack bomber to replace the Yokosuka B4Y Type 96 used by carrier and land-based units. The Type 96 was a stopgap between the obsolescent Mitsubishi B2M2
Type 89 carrier attack plane, and a more modern type to follow. In response, the Nakajima Aircraft Company designed a prototype that flew in January 1937, and entered production as the B5N1 Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber. With a wingspan of 51ft (15.5m), the design incorporated a wing-folding mechanism that increased capacity in the cramped hangars of Japan’s aircraft carriers. Powered by the Nakajima Hikari 3 nine-cylinder, single-row, air-cooled radial engine, the B5N1 performed well during the conflict in China.
Sportier replacement The B5N1’s successor, the B5N2, featured the powerful Nakajima Sakae 11 radial engine with a 14-cylinder, twin-row arrangement. Improvements in performance were marginal, but with its smaller diameter, the more reliable engine provided better forward visibility. This design became the standard torpedo and horizontal bomber used by the Imperial Navy’s carrier air groups through 1942. Production at Nakajima transitioned to the new variant in April, 1940. Although loss of records during World War Two and
B5N2s from aboard Kaga fly west, south of Pearl Harbor, after dropping their armour-piercing bombs on American battleships. Note the anti-aircraft bursts over Pearl Harbor and the unusual placement of the data stencil on the B5N2 in the foreground at right. (Prange Collection, via Chihaya Masataka)
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IN FOCUS
NAKAJIMA B5N2 TYPE 97 An interesting study of BII-307 from aboard Hiryū. The circumstances surrounding this undated image have been hotly debated; some contend that the photo was ‘staged’ following attack, some maintain the photo was taken en route to the target, while others think the image came from the training period well before the voyage to Hawaii. Note the aircraft number under the left wing and on the chin of the engine cowling. (USS Arizona Memorial)
its aftermath make production and availability figures difficult to interpret, it is likely that fewer than 200 B5N2s were available to Japan’s naval air arm in December of 1941. Hence, the 144 such aircraft on board the Pearl Harbor carriers represented an astonishing concentration of Japan’s slender resources on the eve of its attacks against the United States.
Day of Infamy The B5N2’s first foray into the broadening Pacific war came on December 7, 1941, with aerial attacks by Vice Adm Nagumo Chūichi’s Carrier Striking Force on American naval and air forces at Pearl Harbor and on Oahu, Hawaii. During the first-wave attack in the early morning, B5N2 strike units from the First and Second Carrier Divisions (Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū) targeted American battleships. Torpedo bombers opened the attacks simultaneously with the dive-bombing of the seaplane base on Ford Island at 0755, whereby Comdr Fuchida Mitsuo’s 49 horizontal bombers commenced their high-level attacks at 0800. Although Fuchida’s bombers sank the battleship Arizona at 0806, the 40 torpedo bombers under Lt Comdr Murata Shigeharu inflicted greater damage; they sank West Virginia and Oklahoma, and disabled
B5N2s from Shōkaku (EI-325 at centre and EI-329[?] at right) fly west past the Heeia fish ponds north of NAS Kaneohe Bay, just prior to turning northwest onto their bombing course. Note the armament of two 551lb (250kg) bombs. (Maru)
Nevada and California, both of which sank in shallow water. Torpedo attacks wrought mayhem elsewhere, sinking target/gunnery training ship Utah, minelayer Oglala, and damaging light cruisers Raleigh and Helena. The Americans shot down five torpedo bombers, all from the Kaga…the first such losses of the Pacific war. During the second wave strike just after 0900, 54 B5N2s from Shōkaku and Zuikaku attacked three airfields on Oahu. Units from Shōkaku targeted Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay (18 aircraft under Lt Ichihara Tatsuo) and NAS Pearl Harbor (nine aircraft led by Lt Irikiin Yoshiaki), while 27 B5N2s under Lt Comdr Shimazaki Shigekazu attacked the Army’s bomber base at Hickam Field.
Despite the extensive cloud cover, the Japanese inflicted serious damage to aircraft and facilities at Hickam and Kaneohe.
Wake Island strikes During its return voyage from Hawaii, the Carrier Striking Force drew the additional duty of reducing the defences on Wake Island, where determined American resistance on the tiny atoll had embarrassed the would-be occupiers of the invasion force. Nagumo detached Sōryū and Hiryū on December 16. During December 21-23, dive bombing strikes and horizontal bombing by B5N2s from both carriers degraded the island’s defences significantly. Effective resistance was no longer possible,
and the prospect of relief was correspondingly remote due to the presence of the carriers. After the Japanese landed on December 23, Wake Island and its garrison fell on the afternoon before Christmas Eve. Nagumo’s carriers returned to Japan by late December. As the air groups had operated in overloaded conditions for much of November and December, the authorities reassigned B5N2 crews and aircraft to land-based groups through early January, 1942. Reassignments totalled nine aeroplanes each from Akagi, Shōkaku, and Zuikaku, with similar numbers of D3A1s being shorn from Kaga, Shōkaku, and Zuikaku, reducing those air groups to their authorised strengths. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN FOCUS
NAKAJIMA B5N2 TYPE 97 west toward Staring Bay–its new operational base in Celebes–and arrived February 21. After replenishing, the Carrier Striking Force departed on February 25 for extended operations between Java and Australia. Except for reconnaissance, Nagumo’s B5N2s played no role in the operation’s early phase through March 1. On March 4-5, however, the groups participated in two raids on Tjilitjap,
EII-307 from Zuikaku, and with empty bomb crutches, flies southwest past Hickam Field, having reversed course following its bomb run. The colours associated with the areas surrounding and underlying the tail code have been the subject of heated debate among modellers and historians. Note Pearl Harbor in the background, with smoke pouring out of the battleships Arizona and West Virginia. At centre, destroyers Cassin and Downes burn out of control in Dry Dock 1, while at Hickam, hangar and technical buildings have been set ablaze by the Zuikaku unit’s horizontal bombing attacks. (Koku Fan, via Chihaya Masataka)
R Operation and Ambon In January, Nagumo’s carriers assumed a support role in ‘R’ Operation, intended to extend Japan’s defensive perimeter southeast into New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. The First and Fifth Carrier Divisions departed south from Truk on January 17 with orders to raid the stronghold of Rabaul on New Britain, and New Ireland and New Guinea as well. Three days later on January 20, the carriers launched a complex, three-day series of attacks on Rabaul and against Kavieng on New Ireland. On January 21, Shōkaku and Zuikaku parted ways and steamed into the Bismarck
Sea, launching similar raids against Madang, Lae, and Salamaua in New Guinea. Meanwhile, Sōryū and Hiryū departed from Palau on January 21, and on 24 January, the two air groups launched 54 aircraft, including 18 B5N2s, against the Dutch island of Ambon. The garrison capitulated following troop landings on January 31. The January operations were successful, although many aboard Nagumo’s carriers wondered why on earth such a powerful force was not hunting the American aircraft carriers. While the Fifth Carrier Division steamed homeward to patrol in waters near Japan, the First and Second Carrier Divisions
This motion picture frame shows EI-329 with empty bomb crutches, flying northeast at low altitude past NAS Kaneohe Bay, probably having circled at a safe distance to observe the results of the unit’s bombing completed just minutes before, by the nine aircraft under the direct command of Lt Ichihara Tatsuo. The bombing that occurred minutes later, which destroyed the hangar closest to the camera, has not yet taken place. (National Archives, MotionPicture Reel 242.290)
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The right landing gear assembly recovered from the B5N2 Type 97 attack bomber piloted by Lt. Suzuki Mitsumori from aboard Kaga. Anti-aircraft fire brought down the aircraft in the harbour’s Southeast Loch, during the latter stages of the torpedo attacks against American battleships at Pearl. This and other artefacts shown in this feature are from that aircraft. The crew included pilot Lt Suzuki, observer WO Morita Tsuneki, and radioman PO2c Machimoto Yoshiharu. (U.S.National Archives, 80-G-3490)
headed for Palau and prepared for operations to the south.
Port Darwin and Java On February 9, orders attached Nagumo’s carriers to the Southern Forces, poised to seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies. Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū were to raid Port Darwin to disrupt the reinforcement of Java. On February 15, Nagumo’s force sortied from Palau, steaming south. Approaching early on February 19, the flat-tops launched 188 aircraft in three groups, and by 0827, waves of aircraft descended on the Australian port without warning. The B5N2s struck shore installations with 1,763lb (800kg) bombs, though concentrating primarily on merchant shipping and naval vessels in the harbour. Port Darwin sustained heavy damage, and the raid became known later as ‘Australia’s Pearl Harbor’. The Nagumo Force steamed
a major port on Java’s southern coast. Again, as in Port Darwin two weeks previous, B5N2 groups from Akagi and Kaga inflicted great damage on port facilities, airfields, and merchant shipping in the vicinity, estimating a total of 19 vessels sunk. The groups from Sōryū and Hiryū concentrated almost entirely on Tjilitjap’s shore installations; the carriers and their screen returned to Staring Bay on March 11.
Indian Ocean raids Meanwhile, amid growing concern regarding threats posed by the British Eastern Fleet based at Ceylon, off the southern tip of India, plans moved forward for a series of raids on the island. At that juncture, Kaga, having run aground at Palau in February, returned to Japan for repairs, being replaced by Shōkaku and Zuikaku. In the largest concentration of aircraft carrier strength since
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IN FOCUS
NAKAJIMA B5N2 TYPE 97 the Hawaiian Operation, Akagi, Sōryū, Hiryū, Shōkaku, and Zuikaku sortied from Staring Bay on March 26, bound for the Indian Ocean. Reaching a point south of Ceylon on April 5, Nagumo’s airmen raided the port of Colombo with a powerful strike of 126 aircraft, including 53 B5N2s from Akagi, Sōryū, and Hiryū, which bombed shore installations and shipping in the harbour. Meanwhile, Nagumo dispatched a force of D3A1s to sink the heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire to the southwest. He intended originally to send B5N2s from Shōkaku, and Zuikaku, but was unable to do so due to confusion in the hangars, and to the time required for rearming the aircraft with torpedoes...foreshadowing the Midway disaster. On April 9, Japanese air groups attacked the Ceylonese port of Trincomalee in a raid similar to that directed at Colombo four days previous. This time, 91 B5N2s from all five carriers participated in the attacks, bombing shipping in the port as well as shore installations, causing chaos and destruction comparable to that of Colombo. With the sinking of the carrier HMS Hermes on April 9, too, British fortunes in the Far East
had reached a low ebb. During the return voyage, Shōkaku and Zuikaku separated from the force, being ordered to Truk to prepare for the invasion of Port Moresby. Akagi, Sōryū, and Hiryū returned to Japan on April 22 following an abortive chase of the Doolittle Raiders. Newly repaired, Kaga rejoined those three carriers on May 4.
The tailwheel assembly of AII-356. (National Archives, 80-G-3491)
The Battle of the Coral Sea With most of Nagumo’s carriers refitting and replenishing in Japan, the Japanese Army acted to strengthen its defence perimeter, planning the capture of Port Moresby in New Guinea...‘MO’ Operation. Easy victories over the British, Dutch, and Americans led the Navy to believe that carriers could be used to support the operation, despite the need to gather strength for operations against Midway Island. A force composed of Shōkaku and Zuikaku departed Truk on May 1 under Vice Adm Takagi Takeo. As the Americans were expected to oppose the landings, Takagi planned to take station east of any American warships attempting to interfere, simultaneously forcing them into battle and preventing
their escape. For several days, the two sides groped for each other in the empty seas. Centred on the carriers Lexington and Yorktown, Rear Adm Aubrey Fitch’s Task Force 17 drew first blood, by
Sh sinking the light carrier Shōhō of the Close Support Force on May 7. In retaliation that same evening, the Japanese launched a strike of 27 aircraft including 15 B5N2s. American fighters intercepted in the murk, and sent eight of the
Shōkaku’s attack bombers fly a northerly course along the western shore of Oahu on their way to the rendezvous area off Kaena Point–the westernmost tip of the island–from which they would return to the carriers. From the camouflage pattern on the aircraft at lower left, it is apparent that spray equipment was used for painting. Unfortunately, a censor has obscured the tail code from the command aircraft at centre (either Lt Ichihara Tatsuo, or Lt Hagiwara Tsutomu). (Maru) Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN FOCUS
NAKAJIMA B5N2 TYPE 97 gritty attack against Yorktown via her D3A1 unit and ten B5N2s under Lt Tomonaga Jōichi. The D3A1s struck first and damaged Yorktown severely, scoring three bomb hits. Lying dead in the water, Yorktown eventually got underway again, only to be ’scissored’ by Tomonaga’s torpedo attack. Hit twice on the port side, Yorktown’s heavy list forced her abandonment. Submarine I-168 torpedoed and sank the carrier on June
B5N2s from Shō kaku commence the return flight to the carrier force subsequent to their bombing attacks on NAS Kaneohe Bay. Although difficult to discern, the bomb crutches are for two 551lb (250kg) bombs. Note the distinctive camouflage applied to EI-311 and EI-307. (T. Nozawa, via Chihaya Masataka)
torpedo bombers into the deep along with several irreplaceable flight leaders. Meanwhile, the opposing carrier forces had located each other on May 8. With Zuikaku hidden under a cloud, American dive bombers disabled Shōkaku with three bomb hits. Almost simultaneously, the Japanese strike group located the American carriers, and pummelled Lexington (which ultimately sank) with torpedoes and bombs, and severely damaged Yorktown. Although materially the Japanese emerged from the battle as victors, their invasion force had been turned away. Moreover, losses for the B5N2s totalled 23 aircraft and nearly as many crews. With one carrier seriously damaged and two air groups crippled, the Fifth Carrier Division
was unavailable for the upcoming Midway Operation.
The Battle of Midway Having broken the Imperial Navy’s JN-25 code, the US Navy was well aware of an imminent Japanese advance toward Midway Island. In contrast, a picket line of Japanese submarines took station between Pearl Harbor and Midway far too late which, combined with failure to establish a seaplane base at French Frigate Shoals, deprived the Japanese of knowledge concerning the location of the carrier task forces. Nonetheless, many in the Navy expected yet another easy victory in a long string of triumphs. The two sides joined the battle early on the morning of June 4. Nagumo’s air groups attacked installations on Midway with an air
The underside of the right wing of the B5N2 brought down on the grounds of the Naval Hospital, southwest of the dry docks in Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. The tailcode of aircraft AII-35X, piloted by Sea1c Kitahara Shūzō, is known partly due to the number on the wing. Gunfire struck the aircraft and set it on fire over the Southeast Loch. Struggling to stay airborne, Kitahara lost control and the bomber grazed the animal laboratory before skidding through the tennis courts adjacent to the hospital’s chief petty officer quarters. The other crewmen on board were observer Sea1c Shimizu Yoshio and radioman PO2c Ōnishi Toshio. (National Archives, 80-G-464561)
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The arrestor hook unit of AII-356, shown at top. The origin of the Aichi D3A1 Type 99 arrestor gear at bottom is uncertain, though; it was probably recovered from the wreckage of the Type 99 that crashed onto the seaplane tender Curtiss during the second wave attack on Pearl Harbor. (National Archives, 80-G-3494)
strike composed of 108 aircraft, including 36 B5N2 attack bombers from Sōryū and Hiryū. The damage inflicted on the Americans was severe, but insufficient to knock out the base. Significantly, after accounting for ditched aircraft and those judged inoperable, B5N2s from Sōryū, and Hiryū suffered 50 per cent losses. For all the damage done to Midway, the day had not started well for the Japanese. Meanwhile, informed that an additional strike on Midway was required, and that an observation plane had uncovered an American carrier, Nagumo threw his flight and hangar decks into confusion with a series of orders to re-arm aircraft. At the height of that confusion, the Americans located the Nagumo Force and mounted an unsuccessful torpedo attack that set up a surprise assault by large groups of SBD Dauntless divebombers attacking from above, disabling Akagi, Kaga, and Sōryū in a devastating bombing attack. Hiryū and her screen lay unmolested to the north; reacting quickly, her skipper launched a
7. Japanese losses were heavy, with just five dive bombers, four torpedo bombers, and six fighters returning to Hiryū. Shortly thereafter, a composite group of SBD dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown surprised Hiryū, and scored four bomb hits forward. Torpedoed afterward by the destroyer Maigumo, Hiryū finally succumbed during the midmorning hours of June 5. As the Battle of Midway drew to a close, the surging tide of the B5N2 Type 97 attack bombers—aircraft that, with others, pushed Great Britain, the United States, and the Netherlands to the brink of collapse—began to recede. Fierce carrier battles would determine control of the Solomon Islands during the latter months of 1942; the B5N2 continued to enjoy success, claiming yet another American carrier. The time, however, when the ‘Kate’ torpedo bomber (as it came to be called by late 1942) could claim a place among the key players in the unfolding drama of the Pacific war ❚ was nearing an end.
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
AW WHITLEY Mk.V
A subject long on Bomber Command modellers’ wish lists, Andy Davies builds an exclusive test-shot of Airfix’s forthcoming Whitley Mk.V Coastal Command and parachute training schools.
What’s in the box?
D
estined to become an important part of Bomber Command’s offensive against Germany during early World War Two, the Whitley proved to be a rugged, if somewhat dated design. Envisaged from the outset as a heavy night bomber, it flew in the
very first raids over German soil, bombed Berlin and even dropped leaflets in early-war ‘nickel’ operations. Ungainly and relatively slow as it was, the Whitley served well until being replaced later in the war by more efficient types; but even then it continued to provide sterling service with
The many high-quality parts on the large runners included mainwheels with flattened and slightly bulged tyres.
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Three large grey runners (and one clear) contained a myriad of parts moulded in the current slightly soft light grey plastic; thankfully the clear parts were contained in a separate bag to prevent damage. It was apparent immediately that Airfix had produced another quality product, as all the parts appeared flash free and well defined...and with no sink marks evident on any of the major components. The recessed panel lines appeared relatively fine and looked most convincing under several layers of paint. Clear and concise instructions meant each stage of the construction was well explained, and this of course included detailed painting and decal placement guides for
the two aircraft catered for by the decal sheet. While the cockpit was well rendered, there was still room for improvement and so it was decided to add further detail gleaned from reference books and archive photographs as this area is very visible through the cockpit glazing once completed. The decal sheet will provided the instrument
Well-detailed ribbing and crisp moulding was evident on the forward fuselage halves, and these fitted flawlessly.
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
AW WHITLEY Mk.V
panels, radio box detail and even a map, but since kit decals were not available (and as no after-market parts are currently for sale, spare Eduard HP Halifax photo-etched (PE) metal was used where appropriate. Extras such as a radio set and communication equipment were added to the rear wireless operator’s station, and the pilot’s instrument panel was reproduced
MODEL SPEC
by adapting the Halifax pre-painted parts, guided by photographic references. Harnesses were fitted to all the crew seats and a scale map was scanned with a computer/printer and added to the navigator’s table. The prominent floor-mounted heating ducting was absent from the model, and so was added via painted aluminium tubing; this ran along the left side of the cabin through the floor and into the front section of the bomb bay. The forward fuselage was provided as a separate assembly as per Airfix’s earlier Bristol Blenheim, which aided final assembly greatly. At first glance the construction sequence seemed overly complex, with the nose section being built first, which then had to be added
Wing rib detail looked convincing and the option to lower the flaps was a thoughtful touch. Thankfully, the ailerons were moulded into the wings so no unsightly gaps would be present.
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.V By:
Airfix
Stock Code: AO8016 Scale:
1/72
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Proof that there may be at least one future version of the Whitley was evident on the inner walls of the fuselage, these being aerial location indentations for the Mk.VII.
to the wing and central fuselage assembly, followed by the fuselage and tailplanes. In fact this turned out to be very simple and the end result produced a very sturdy construction. Xtracrylix XA1010 RAF Grey/Green was airbrushed
onto the inner walls and floor of the cockpit, followed by a misted overspray of a lightened mix of the same colour, to highlight the ribbed detail. A wash of thinned Burnt Umber oil added extra depth.
“ALL THE PARTS APPEARED FLASH FREE AND WELL DEFINED”
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Body beautiful? The fuselage was divided into three sections: the two sides and top and these all fitted well, especially the arched entrance door area, which initially looked quite complex. A well-detailed floor was provided and this also formed the roof of the rear bomb bay. There was an option for the entrance door to be opened at this point in the assembly, but although there was adequate floor detail, for some reason no interior side ribbing was provided opposite the entrance. To enliven this area, sections of appropriately sized plastic strips (1mm) were fitted in a grid pattern to reproduce missing ribbing. The
Whitley’s characteristic pairs of slit windows were represented in the form of long ‘plates’ of clear plastic, with each pair of windows embossed onto the top sections. These were to be glued to the fuselage sides and roof, and to prevent any possibility of the parts becoming detached and falling into the fuselage, twopart clear epoxy glue (Araldite
GAP-FILLING PROCESS
Klear) ensured very secure attachment of these parts. Time was spent obtaining a good, even fit between the upper roof section and the fuselage sides, and consequently it was decided to glue one small section at a time with the whole assembly being bound tightly with Tamiya masking tape, which resulted in a seamless fit.
Wings...or barn doors? The huge mainplanes were well moulded and true to the modern Airfix trend, in that they employed large detailed spars that ushered the wings into the fuselage, which resulted in a sturdy box structure. Two pairs of detailed undercarriage bay arches were then added to the spars. The trailing edge ribbed detail of the upper wings was
2
1
With the forward section and wings in place it was time to add the main fuselage. A trial-fit revealed a slight mismatch between the top and sides of the fuselage, and the inner wings. A plastic rod spacer was fitted between the fuselage sides to maintain the correct distance, while the top and sides of the fuselage were attached...a little complicated but it ensured a really good fit of all parts.
Cyanoacrylate glue was forced into the gaps between the wings and fuselage sides with an old scalpel blade, starting at the forward joins. Accelerant, or ‘kicker’, hastened the process.
3
4
Once the sub-assemblies were set thoroughly and everything aligned correctly, just a hint of filler was needed.
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AW WHITLEY Mk.V
The sturdy wing spar assembly illustrates the respectable amount of detail incorporated into the design. Note the small windows at the rear. The underside of the centre section contained the rear bomb bay, as well as the roofs of the main undercarriage bays. Also of note were the location points for the lower wing. Undercarriage and engine mounts were painted black before being added to the wing; the nacelles were then clipped and glued over these assemblies.
particularly well rendered, with all panel lines kept to acceptable sizes, and plenty of frame and rib detail was evident in the nacelles. Once assembled, the latter were added to the wings and while the fit of the underside was good, the same could not be said of the top. Sizeable gaps appeared in these areas, no matter how much the parts were manipulated, and so Perfect Plastic filler was applied to ensure a smooth, even fit. The Whitley’s unusual tailplane and fin arrangement was portrayed well, with separate surfaces which allowed them to be offset at different angles. This added even more interest to the finished model and no filler was necessary; the two characteristic horizontal support braces fitted
perfectly into their respective slots and provided good rigidity to the vertical fins. Following final assembly and painting, the rudders were glued into place at a slight angle corresponding to that of the tailwheel and the elevators, drooped as seen in many wartime photographs of aircraft parked between missions.
Four 500lb (226kg) bombs were included and these needed to be fitted in the two separate bomb bays, each of which being split into halves. Bomb racks were provided, and these located snugly into their relative positions, but one must glue the bomb bay into place firmly as it’s all too easy to push the assembly down into the fuselage
depths. Research revealed that the early war 500lb bombs were often seen painted in a sand/buff colour, which provided a pleasing contrast to the drab Night Black underside finish. Vallejo Flesh mixed with a few drops of Tamiya yellow was brush-painted onto the parts in a rough style, as these bombs were far from pristine when loaded.
“THE UNUSUAL TAILPLANE AND FIN ARRANGEMENT WAS PORTRAYED WELL” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
AW WHITLEY Mk.V
All the details were added to the cockpit floor and sidewalls, and seat cushions were replicated from 1mm plastic card and Milliput. A scratch-built instrument panel and control yoke were also created.
All the parts of the crew stations are seen in place. Extra detail, which included a radio set, was added to the radio operator’s position and this could be seen clearly through the large side window.
This was followed by Wilder NL03 Dark Shadow Wash being daubed over them, via tweezers and a small piece of torn make-up sponge. On first inspection the undercarriage looked quite flimsy, but after careful test-fitting located perfectly into the locating holes and, with the drag struts also attached, it transpired that they were more than up to the task. The tyres had flattened bottoms, which saved time later, but the wheel hubs were devoid of hub detail; after-market companies will surely come to the rescue here. The tailwheel had a long attachment point which allowed it to slide easily into position at the rear of the underside, and the wheel was posed at an angle to provide
were very clear and had good definition, and the rear turret was particularly well rendered... but care was needed when fitting the glazing over the finished gun detail as the slots were too narrow for them to slide in easily. Gentle filing of the sides addressed this issue, so that once the halves of the turret were joined the whole thing slid over effortlessly. The front turret, while well executed, still needed more detail as the interior looked a little sparse. With the excellent Warpaint No.21 book
more interest. Once painted and satin-varnished, the outer edges of the mainwheels were airbrushed lightly in a 50/50 mixture of Tam XF-57 Buff and XF-25 Light Sea Grey, which allowed the tyres to stand out against the rest of the undercarriage.
The greenhouse effect Two cockpits were provided, one with the astrodome fitted and one without, the latter being chosen for this build of a mid-war Mk.V. The cockpit transparencies
as a guide, extra inner framing and details, such as a spare magazine, gun movement actuators, power lines and such, were added to the unit. The rear section of the front turret that adjoined the fuselage had eight windows fitted, four in a vertical row per side, but also a noticeable thin frame that ran down the middle of these windows. This was reproduced with heat-
The fuselage wall opposite the entrance door was detailed with 1mm plastic strips to simulate the missing ribbing evident in many wartime photographs. It took some time to align everything correctly along the length of the fuselage and roof seams. Small sections at a time were glued with Plastic Weld and taped to maintain the shape and uniformity of the sidewalls.
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
AW WHITLEY Mk.V Masking proved to be a tedious process, although after-market companies will undoubtedly provide high quality masks before long.
While the underside fit of the engine nacelle to wing was good, the same couldn’t be said of the uppers. A few nasty gaps were dealt with easily, though, with Deluxe Materials’ Perfect Plastic Putty.
stretched styrene, painted matt black. The triangular bomb-aimer’s glazing was then masked and clipped into place with a satisfying click. Care was necessary when it came to attaching the front turret as the fit was extremely tight, with a certain amount of the upper housing under which it must be slid having to be carefully filed or sanded (this was actually explained in the instructions). It was rather awkward but time spent here resulted in a tight fit, which looked realistic. Masking the cockpit glazing became a long and tedious task as the window
frames on the Whitley were narrow and numerous, and a good deal of cutting, trimming and test-fitting was needed to make everything fit correctly. Tamiya tape was used in conjunction with a brand new scalpel blade and a cocktail stick, to burnish the tape into the recesses without damage to the clear plastic. Gunze Mr. Hobby paints were used for the main camouflage colours: H73 for the Dark Green and H72 for Dark Earth. Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black imitated the Night Black undersides. Lighter and darker mixes of these colours were then
mixed to produce different tones and infilled to various panels to break up the uniformity of the blocks of colour. Once the paint had dried, the areas to receive decals were brushed with Johnson’s Klear floor polish, on a high-quality sable brush, to ensure even and full coverage before the model was allowed to air dry in a warm, dust-free environment.
Adding identity The two schemes available in the forthcoming production kit offered the standard night bomber colours of Dark Green, Dark Earth
“THE COCKPIT TRANSPARENCIES WERE VERY CLEAR AND HAD GOOD DEFINITION” Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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Once everything was in place the glazing was attached with the excellent Gator’s Grip ‘thin blend’ PVA adhesive, which dried clear and provided a strong bond.
Again the tape was removed and luckily no touch-ups were required. The undercarriage had also been added at this point.
and Night for the 102 Squadron aircraft and overall Night for the 10 Squadron machine. No kit decal sheet was available for this pre-production build, though, and so Xtradecal’s XO5572 provided markings for T4284, ZG-E of 10 OTU, 1942. These were applied over Johnson’s Klear, as this eliminated
the chance of silvering, particularly on the matt Night fuselage sides. After approximately 48 hours' drying the model received several misted coats of Alclad ALC-313 Klear Kote-Matte varnish, and was allowed to dry under a plastic container to minimise dust contamination.
REFERENCES Warpaint No.21 ArmstrongWhitworth Whitley, by Ken Wixey Smaller details such as the turrets, entrance hatch and bombs were painted ready for attachment at the end of the build.
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Profile Publications No.153
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EXCLUSIVE BUILD
AW WHITLEY Mk.V The 500lb bombs fitted into their bays easily. The doors needed cutting into four sections each and then carefully securing in place; no location stubs were present for this, and so a delicate hand was needed to avoid any damage to the paintwork.
Weathering was accomplished with a sparing amount of Flory Models Dark Dirt wash, applied to some inner wing panel lines where dirt and grime accumulated from the airflow around the engine exhausts, followed by a heavily thinned Lamp Black oil/ turpentine mix around the flap and outer wing panels. Exhaust staining was applied via a Tamiya NATO Black and Dark Earth mix airbrushed at approximately 15psi, (1 bar), streaked back over the wings as shown by reference photos. It appeared that the right side of the nacelle received a much heavier application of soot and grime and this was replicated on the model. Burnt Umber wash was used on the outer panels to add depth and shadow, and Flory Light Dirt Wash was added carefully to the black underside panel lines and once dry, rubbed back with a moist cotton bud and kitchen cloth; the advantage of this product being that it dried to a light grey colour, which contrasted with the black finish perfectly. Pleasingly, Airfix provided two boarding ladders, one for the cockpit and one for the
The FN-16 front turret was well detailed, but being highly visible it was decided to add further embellishment from lead wire and scrap resin (Internet photos of preserved turrets were studied).
“A BEAUTIFULLY RENDERED MODEL OF THE OLD ‘FLYING BARN DOOR’”
fuselage entrance door, and these were painted buff-yellow, followed by Burnt Umber wash, and chipping was depicted with a small piece of sponge soaked in Alclad Dark Aluminium lacquer. The two mast aerials were then fitted to the top of the fuselage, and Uschi van der Rosten’s standard-grade elastic line was used as rigging wire. A
second wire was fitted from the left fin to mid-way up the fuselage, these being attached to cut-down fuse wire set into the plastic.
Conclusion With a quality Whitley high on many modellers’ wish lists for some time now, Airfix has come to their rescue with a beautifully
rendered model of the old ‘flying barn door’. Despite the odd minor fault it can easily be built into a faithful replica of this important early medium bomber. No doubt after-market manufacturers will be poised to produce extra details, which many more experienced modellers may wish to add. Highly ❚ recommended!
Finally, washes were added to the model; Flory’s Dark Dirt to the top and Light Dirt to the Night Black sides and underside. The rather sloppy rotating propeller hub system was discarded in favour of being glued directly to the nacelles, for a more realistic fit. Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN FOCUS
AW WHITLEY Mk.V The classic lines of the Whitley Mk.V, including its long fuselage and characteristic thick-section wing, are well illustrated by the eighth production example, N1352, which eventually served with 77 Squadron of Bomber Command’s 4 Group. (Armstrong Whitworth)
A
Malcolm V Lowe examines the operational history of the Whitley Mk.V...the most numerous version of Armstrong Whitworth’s early World War Two RAF night bomber
The first production Whitley Mk.V was N1345, which acted as a development prototype for this important Whitley version. (Armstrong Whitworth)
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t the start of World War Two in September 1939, the RAF had three principal ‘strategic’ bomber types in service. These were the Vickers Wellington, Handley Page Hampden, and Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. Of these, the latter was a true heavy bomber in the parlance of the late 1930s, and unlike the Hampden and Wellington, had been intended from the start specifically as a night bomber. The Whitley’s story began during the first half of the 1930s. It was created in response to Air Ministry Specification B.3/34 issued in July 1934, and of the four companies approached officially to meet this requirement, Armstrong Whitworth’s proposals were by far the most acceptable; the company was awarded a contract in September 1934 to build two prototype/development aircraft of its AW.38 design, which envisaged a twin-engined monoplane bomber. The initial AW.38 prototype made its first flight on March 17, 1936, powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Tiger IX 14-cylinder two-row radial engines, each of 795hp.
Midlands manufacturing Generally successful flight testing led to the Whitley being built in
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IN FOCUS
AW WHITLEY M Mk.V considerable numbers and in various versions, even though in reality the type was obsolescent not long after its service entry. The name for the new bomber derived from the area of Coventry where Armstrong Whitworth had a major factory and design offices - although the company was in the process of expansion at what was to become a major centre of production for Armstrong Whitworth-manufactured aircraft at Baginton aerodrome (Coventry’s municipal airport). The first production version was the Whitley Mk.I, an initial order having been placed in August 1935 even before the first prototype had flown–such was the growing need at that time for the RAF to expand as rapidly as possible, in response to what was recognised correctly by Britain’s military planners as the growing threat from Nazi Germany. The Whitley was a member of the first generation of monoplane bombers that
A posed but rare wartime colour image of an operational 4 Group, Bomber Command, Whitley Mk.V apparently being worked on prior to or just after a nocturnal mission. The Mk.V was the mainstay of 4 Group’s night bombing campaign early in the war. (via John Batchelor)
Due to the Whitley’s design configuration, all examples lumbered along nose-down in flight. This all-black Mk.V, Z6640, was a former 78 Squadron veteran serving with a training unit. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
replaced existing biplanes, and was seen as ‘advanced’ for its day. It had new features (for the era of its creation) such as a retractable undercarriage and
enclosed accommodation for its crew. Of basically all-metal construction, but with fabriccovering to a part of the wing and tailplane structures, the Whitley
was a large, lumbering bomber with an 84ft (25.6m) wingspan; it still required bracing struts for its vertical tail surfaces. All the initial Whitley production versions
A line-up of DY-coded 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Whitley Mk.Vs in 1940. Very prominent is this sub-type’s somewhat unusual entrance door arrangement on the port fuselage side. (via John Batchelor)
(up to and including the Mk.III) were powered by two Tiger radial engines, but the Mk.IV introduced the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin inline engine. The Mk.IV also included several design features that were an improvement over previous Whitley versions, such as an angular transparent nose extension for the bomb aimer in place of the previous flush-fitting panel. The Mk.IV additionally introduced a Nash & Thompson power-operated rear turret with four 0.303in (7.7mm) Browning machine guns. The final bomber version of the Whitley to enter production was the most numerous, the Mk.V, of which 1,466 were built. It was powered by two Merlin X inline Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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IN FOCUS
AW WHITLEY Mk.V
One of the lesser-known uses of the Whitley was as a glider tug, particularly for training purposes with 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at RAF Brize Norton. The type was capable of towing an Airspeed Horsa glider. (John Batchelor Collection)
engines nominally of 1,145hp at 3,000rpm (take-off power) each, and featured a 15in (38.1cm) rear fuselage extension to give a better field of fire to the fourgun tail turret inherited from the Mk.IV. Its vertical tail surfaces were also refined with a straight leading edge, de-icing boots were fitted to the wing leading edges, fuel capacity was improved, and a prominent ‘bullet’ fairing for the direction-finding (D/F) loop was added on the upper fuselage. A useful bomb load of approximately 7,000lb (3,175kg) could be carried and the initial Whitley Mk.V, N1345, flew in August 1939.
just entering the RAF’s inventory in September 1939 when war was declared, but subsequently became the mainstay of Bomber Command’s nocturnal activities during the early part of World War Two. This was until the real night bombing ‘heavies’ (including the Avro Lancaster) entered service. In total, six squadrons of 4 Group flew the Whitley Mk.V operationally, these being 10, 51, 58, 77, 78, and 102. A training unit, 10 OTU (Operational Training Unit) eventually handled schooling on the type for aircrew ready to transition onto operational squadrons. Initial missions included strategically pointless ‘Nickel’ (leaflet-dropping) raids, but the Whitley Mk.V was soon
An atmospheric, almost pastoral 1941 view of Whitley Mk.V Z6942 from 10 Squadron, apparently being prepared for a bombing mission and surrounded by an ad hoc assortment of early war paraphernalia. (Key Collection)
Operational capability The first RAF unit to operate the Whitley was 10 Squadron at RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire, which received its initial Mk.I aircraft in March 1937 to replace its Handley
Page Heyford biplane bombers. It came under 4 Group, Bomber Command, which was to become the principal operator of the Whitley on night-time bombing operations. The Mk.V was only
involved in proper bombing operations, including targets as far afield as Augsburg in southern Germany. The final Bomber Command raid by a frontline Whitley unit was in late April 1942,
Maintenance being carried out on Whitley Mk.V T4336/GE-E of 58 Squadron. This unit was based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and was one of six Whitley Mk.V squadrons in 4 Group. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
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IN FOCUS
AW WHITLEY Mk.V One of the ‘civilianised’ Whitley Mk.Vs was G-AGDY, which was modified for BOAC use with a ‘solid’ nose and it carried a Speedbird insignia on its forward fuselage. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
WHITLEY TRIALS
The test and trials Whitley Mk.V T4149 played an important role in rocketassisted take-off development. A rocket canister is visible under its port wing. (via John Batchelor) Most examples of the Whitley Mk.V were flown by operational squadrons of the RAF or by training units, but several Whitleys were used in experimental programmes and trials on behalf of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough and specifically with the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down. A particular Whitley Mk.V that made a name for itself as a test and trials aircraft was T4149. It is best remembered for pioneering research with rocket-assisted take-off at the A&AEE. In conjunction with development work performed by RAE scientists, the Whitley was based at Boscombe Down for trials into this evolving and possibly useful but potentially dangerous take-off aid. Fitted with a rocket canister beneath each wing, the aircraft took part in successful and spectacular take-offs.
with 4 Group moving on to the Handley Page Halifax. A separate but significant use of the Whitley was in paratrooper training and operations, and also glider towing...the Whitley playing an important role in the formation of Britain’s airborne forces. Whitleys borrowed from Bomber Command took part in several paratrooper and special forces operations, including the famous action (using 51 Squadron aircraft) to capture German radar
equipment at Bruneval on the French coast (Operation Biting) in February 1942. In addition, two dedicated special operations units, 138 and 161 Squadrons, employed the Whitley Mk.V for agent and supply drops over Occupied Europe. Whitley Mk.Vs were also employed on glidertowing training (including 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit), as a Whitley was capable of towing an Airspeed Horsa glider. Although the initial intended role of the Whitley was as a frontline night bomber, 15 examples were employed as ‘civil’ transports by the wartime incarnation of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) during 1942 to 1943. All aircraft involved were Mk.Vs and most were converted into freighters by BOAC with the removal of the gun turrets (which were replaced with sheet metal coverings), provision for extra fuel tanks where bombs were normally carried, and modification of the fuselage interior to carry freight. The aircraft were allocated British
civil registrations and were subsequently flown by BOAC crews. They were principally employed to carry freight of various types, especially in the Mediterranean area. Some also made vital and largely clandestine return flights from Leuchars in Scotland to Stockholm in Sweden, although the Whitley proved to be somewhat unsuitable for this task. They were withdrawn from this ‘civilian’ use in 1943 and the survivors (one was lost in an accident) were returned to the RAF. Several Whitley Mk.Vs were seconded to Coastal Command to help with anti-submarine operations from early in the war onwards, and a number were converted to Whitley Mk.VII standard, fitted with ASV Mk.II air-to-surface radar for antisubmarine work. Eventually, the overall Whitley production amounted to 1,814 examples, including the two prototype/development aircraft, and manufacture finally ended in ❚ the summer of 1943.
An offshoot of the Whitley Mk.V was Coastal Command’s Mk.VII, fitted with air-to-surface radar for anti-submarine work. This aircraft, BD622, was built as a Mk.VII, but some Mk.Vs were also converted to this standard. (via John Batchelor)
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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{39} 17/07/2015 09:29
YOUR AIRFIX
BAE LIGHTNING F.6
YOUR
AIRFIX
Airfix’s quarter-scale Lightning bucked a long-held trend for Matthew Roberts
I
have a bit of a policy when it comes to building kits, and it’s loosely based around only tackling aircraft I’ve seeing flying...but the Lightning is an exception to that rule. It’s a kit I kept seeing built on show tables and it always looked amazing, so I just had to get one. A resin cockpit from True Details was added to the example shown here, but other than a hint of scratch-building it was built from the box. On the whole the project was pretty straightforward; the resin cockpit went in relatively easily and added much more detail than the kit parts. It did need an awful lot of weight at the front to stop it tail sitting, though! It was really a case of shoving weight in wherever there was space. I do remember getting a bit of the undercarriage bay construction wrong, but the instructions
were somewhat difficult to decipher at that stage. This meant scratch-building and at the same time I added a few wires and cables. The only other tricky bit was when I used some of the kit decals to depict a black walkway line on the upper surface of the wings. The decals were quite fragile and in the end I had to mask and spray the line. The rest of the decals adhered well, and plenty of setting solution was used to avoid silvering. It might be an old kit from Airfix, but it’s one of the builds I’ve had the most fun with and it is a classic (and very impressivelooking) aircraft. I’ve already bought another, which I’ll probably build as a later aircraft and take the opportunity to avoid making the same mistakes again. Mathew Roberts Northants
Are you proud of a particular Airfix build? Then let AMW know by providing us with 200-250 words on the project and what was involved, along with 6-8 good quality photos against a clean white background. Photo file sizes should be 1Mb or larger. Please e-mail your submissions to the editor: chris.clifford@ keypublishing.com
{40}
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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14/07/2015 10:34
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OUT AND ABOUT
BOSCOMBE DOWN AEROJUMBLE
One of the star exhibits in the museum’s collection is Meteor Mk.16, WK800. This ‘Meatbox’ is the only surviving drone example left intact; amazingly, the aircraft began service as an F.8 and served with the Royal Australian Air Force as A77-877, in the Korean War.
Bombs and Books A
Dorset Air Cadets presented a table full of P-51 Mustangs in a selection of 8th Air Force markings. Unfortunately this was the only model display at the event. (All Key - Glenn Sands)
Back in the 1980s this 600lb WE.177 tactical nuclear bomb was highly classified. Now, fortunately, it’s a museum exhibit. This is the maritime version, which had an underwater mode that allowed it to be used as a nuclear depth charge.
{42}
erojumbles are of great interest for modellers and aviation enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities to purchase cheap kits, books and real aircraft parts. When there’s the additional attraction of the event being held in an aviation museum, I was in the car and down the motorway before one could say: “Have I got a big enough bundle of cash on me?” Although I had a list of secondhand kits I’ve been hunting down for ages, it would be bargains and ‘targets of opportunity’ that would end up in the boot of my car. But all this went out the window on walking into the main hangar of the Boscombe Down aircraft collection.
The museum comprises a unique collection of aircraft cockpits. If one’s interest lies in classic British Cold War jets, and cockpit references are required, I certainly recommend a visit to Sarum Airfield where this collection is housed. Not only are cockpits open for inspection, but if one asks nicely, there’s the opportunity to climb in, under supervision, and pretend to be an RAF Hunter pilot over West Germany, a navy pilot in a Sea Vixen or trainee aircrew in the back of a Canberra T.4. But there are also complete airframes, and many served at Boscombe Down and RAF stations. Having spent a small fortune, I had three books, a pile of magazines, two kits, (including the US issue of Testor’s 1/72 XR-7 Thunderdart, the classified USAF SR-71 Blackbird replacement – ironic, being that Boscombe is one of the most highly classified sites within the UK). It was then time to explore the museum’s collection. It’s a brilliant facility, with the history of test flying explained with unique items, many of which have been donated by former test engineers and aircrew. A corner of the museum is devoted to the Battle of Britain, in which both Sarum and Boscombe Down airfields played vital roles. It was one of those Saturdays which, if one was an aviation enthusiast, it was definitely the place to be. As I sat outside the museum entrance, in the spring sunshine looking through my ‘spoils’, I looked up to watch skydivers jumping out of a Cessna Caravan. Behind me was the cockpit section of a former RAF Comet Mk.I, awaiting restoration. Yes, a classic British aerojumble and very good indeed! ❚ Glenn Sands
Sea Vixen FAW.1 (XJ476) cockpit shows how cluttered these 1950s aircraft were. This aircraft was the third FAW.1 off the pre-production line and spent its entire career on test duties.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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14/07/2015 10:34
100 YEARS OF
WESTLAND
WYVERN S.4
43_Supp Cover.CC.indd 43
WHIRLWIND HAR.10
SUPPLEMENT
WHIRLWIND FIGHTER
14/07/2015 10:36
ICONS The Aeroplane ICONS series celebrates the history of aviation. Exploring and illustrating the history of iconic aircraft from around the world. Highlighting some of the great aircraft, this series is the perfect read for aviation enthusiasts looking to explore the in-depth history behind these iconic aeroplanes.
ISSUE 20 F-104 Starfighter Lockheed’s manned missile
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 45
CONTENTS
46 WHIRLWIND FIGHTER BUILD
46
Andy White finds that even with its shape and accuracy issues, Trumpeter's recent 1/48 Whirlwind fighter builds into a fair representation
54 WYVERN S.4 BUILD
Trumpeter's splendid 1/72 Wyvern S.4 is portrayed in Operation Musketeer (Suez) markings by Chris Jones
60 WYVERN S.4 HISTORY
Malcolm V Lowe provides a fascinating examination of the Westland Wyvern's career, including its combat operations during the Suez Crisis of 1956
64 WHIRLWIND HELICOPTER BUILD
Andy Davies discovers the pleasing features (and challenges) of Whirlybirds' 1/72 mixedmedia Whirlwind HAR.10
72 WHIRLWIND HELICOPTER HISTORY
The history of Westland's first truly ubiquitous helicopter is told by Malcolm V Lowe, with the help of revealing period images
54
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64
16/07/2015 17:03
46 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D Andy White discovers that Trumpeter’s recent but much-maligned 1/48 Westland Whirlwind is a remarkably simple build
WESTLAND’S
TWIN ‘WIND T Trumpeter’s runners featured heavy attachment gates, particularly on the wing parts, which required considerable work to clean up before assembly.
46-52_Whirlwind Fighter.CC.indd 46
he Westland Whirlwind was developed in the late 1930s as the RAF’s first twin-engined, cannonarmed heavy fighter. Faster than many of its contemporaries, the Whirlwind was dogged by problems with its Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines, which led to production delays. Just two RAF squadrons were equipped with the type, and although it was subsequently developed into the Mk.II fighter-bomber version, nicknamed ‘Whirlibomber’ by its crews, it was eventually withdrawn from service in
1943, having been superseded by cannon-armed Spitfires and Hurricanes. On a good day, though, its speed impressed many a pilot and this led to its nickname of ‘Crikey!’
First impressions
This relatively new kit from Trumpeter has attracted a good deal of criticism surrounding accuracy since its release, the majority with good reason. It contained four styrene runners, with one for the transparencies and it was decided to build the kit ‘from the box’ as much as possible. Close inspection of the fuselage and wing parts revealed fine engraved panel lines, plus plenty of rivet detail and the omens were good for panel line washes later on. The instruction booklet showed that this wasn’t a complicated kit; once the cockpit tub and undercarriage
14/07/2015 10:41
1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 47
WHIRLWIND COLOURS
Unsurprisingly, Trumpeter provided minimal data on the two schemes, with just colour profiles, yet no squadron number, location or dates. However, research revealed that both were assigned to 263(F) Squadron... one in Dark Earth/Dark Green, and the other in the later Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey camouflage: • P6969/HE-V, probably RAF Grangemouth, Scotland, 1940-1941 • P7116/HE-F ‘Bellows Argentina No.2’, either RAF Charmy Down or RAF Colerne, 1941-1942
bays were assembled, there didn’t seem to be much else to complicate matters.
Squashed ‘pit
Almost straight away an accuracy issue was noticed in the cockpit. The entire tub appeared to be ‘squashed’...there was very little depth to it, and the instrument panel went all the way to the cockpit floor–there would be nowhere for the pilot’s legs! A check of references confirmed that serious surgery would be required to correct the problem, so the build was continued without changing the forward fuselage. Components were sprayed with Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green, before a Lamp Black/Burnt Umber oil wash mix provided depth, and the raised features were dry-brushed with Humbrol 90 Beige Green enamel. Details on the sidewalls were picked out with satin black. Just one change was made to the cockpit, and that was to add photo-etched metal seatbelts from Eduard’s RAF set (49006). Oddly, no gunsight was provided either, and unfortunately one couldn’t be found in the spares box. The instrument panel exhibited reasonable detail, with a combination of moulded features and a decal, but the latter bore no relation to the panel itself either in size or shape. A check against references confirmed that the layout of the styrene component was accurate, whereas the decal was completely spurious.
In one of several errors, the instrument decal seemed to have been designed for another kit, whereas the styrene component was configured correctly.
At first the cockpit assembly looked wrong, but it was quickly realised that the cockpit tub was ‘squashed’...as a result, the instrument panel reached all the way to the floor. The completed cockpit was easy to assemble and was well detailed; with just after-market seatbelts added for realism.
“THE OMENS WERE GOOD FOR PANEL LINE WASHES LATER ON”
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14/07/2015 10:41
MODEL SPEC
48 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
“THERE WAS NO DIAGONAL ROLL-BAR PROVIDED, SO THIS ITEM WAS SCRATCH-BUILT FROM STYRENE ROD”
Before the fuselage halves were mated, the cockpit tub and tailwheel bay were attached to one side, and the fit was very good. Once assembled, minimal filler was required on the fuselage join. Disappointingly, there was no cockpit roll-bar provided...this was scratch-built from scrap styrene, but the incorrect rear decking was noted too late to rectify.
Therefore, the panel was sprayed with satin black and drybrushed with light grey enamel. Drops of Microscale’s Kristal Kleer were added with the end of a cocktail stick to represent the instrument glass, and random buttons and switches were accentuated with red and yellow. The rear deck behind the pilot’s bulkhead was also found to be inaccurate, as it should be recessed slightly into the fuselage rather than flush with it, and there was no representation of the accumulator boxes located there. Disappointingly, there was no diagonal roll-bar provided, so this item was scratch-built from styrene rod, as it was very visible on the real aircraft.
Peregrine pods
Westland designed the engine nacelles to also house the undercarriage bays, and these were tackled next. The instructions called for the bays to be painted silver, but aluminium was probably a more accurate hue and so the relevant parts were sprayed with that colour before assembly.
46-52_Whirlwind Fighter.CC.indd 48
Westland Whirlwind By:
Trumpeter
Stock Code:
02890
Scale:
1/48
Price:
£29.99
Available from: Pocketbond, www.pocketbond.co.uk
Trumpeter also suggested the undercarriage legs and wheels be fitted at this stage, but that would have invited breakage later on, so they were left off until the final stages, as were the exhausts. The completed engine nacelles were ‘handed’, so L and R were pencilled onto the respective unit to ensure correct fitting to the wings. In hindsight, it would have been logical for the nacelles to have been constructed immediately after the wings, so they could have been attached straight away, to avoid any possible confusion. The completed cockpit tub and tailwheel bay were fitted to the right-hand fuselage half before it was mated to the left-hand component. Here the join was very good, with just a small amount of seam tidying required, once the nose cap had been fitted. In another deviation from the instructions, the guns were not added at this stage, to avoid damage, and the opportunity was taken to replace the bland kit barrels with examples from a Hasegawa Typhoon Mk.1b.
14/07/2015 10:41
1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 49 With the horizontal stabilisers fitted, fuselage construction was completed.
Long wings
A major feature of the Whirlwind was its long tapered mainplanes; Trumpeter provided a singlepiece lower section, which slotted underneath the fuselage without too much difficulty, and with a fairly neat join. But when the upper sections were mated to the lower, it was not quite as straightforward...the port wing was a good fit, but there was a sizeable gap on the starboard side, which was filled with Deluxe Materials’ Perfect Plastic Putty. The engine radiators were then fitted into their slots on the wing inner leading edges; but here another problem arose as the recesses were found to be too shallow, which meant the radiators sat flush with the leading edge. Unfortunately this was discovered after the wings had been assembled, which meant it couldn’t be corrected easily. Strangely, wing bomb racks were provided, yet no bombs, but as the chosen aircraft didn’t carry them, the holes were filled and sanded flush. Once the engine pods had been attached, and the joins sanded, the main build was complete and it was time to add splashes of colour.
Markings mayhem
Trumpeter provided a colour painting and marking sheet, however the hues specified
46-52_Whirlwind Fighter.CC.indd 49
were inaccurate. The underside colour for both decal options was identified incorrectly as ‘Light Gull’, whereas it should be Sky, and Dark Earth was labelled as ‘Grey Light Brown’ and equated to Tamiya’s XF-54 (which is actually Dark Sea Grey). Of the two options, it was decided that the early-war Dark Earth/Dark Green scheme was more appealing. There was a slight variation to the livery depicted in the profile, in that the underside of the port wing was painted Night (black)...this was an identification feature on pre-1941 airframes. The model was primed with Halfords Grey acrylic primer, and then buffed lightly with 8,000-grade MicroMesh cloth. Next, black preshading was applied, before the undersides of the model, along with the propeller spinners and outer undercarriage doors were sprayed with light coats of XF-21 Sky. This colour was also applied around the entire rear fuselage, to be masked later to represent the fuselage identification band. Masking tape was placed along the forward fuselage centreline, before the port wing underside was airbrushed with XF-69 NATO Black, which provided a suitable, less stark scale finish. With the underneath done, attention turned to the top sides. The undersides and the fuselage identification band were masked, before thin layers of XF-52 Flat Earth were sprayed in a rough camouflage pattern on the upper surfaces,
With the wings and horizontal stabilisers fitted, the kit began to look like a Whirlwind. Trumpeter captured the wing profile of this twin-engined fighter accurately. Unfortunately, the join at one wing root was poor, and needed to be filled and sanded. Also, note that the radiators were located too far forward in the wings.
14/07/2015 10:42
50 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
WEATHERING WASHES An easy way to make weathering wash is with thinned artists’ oil paint. For best results, this modeller has found that it is best to apply a wash over a gloss layer, such as Johnson’s Klear. Here, smears of Lamp Black and Burnt Umber were applied to the lip of a mixing palette, with a small amount of white spirit poured into the palette ‘dish’. A medium-sized brush was then dipped into the white spirit, and touched lightly on one of the colours, before being returned to the thinner. This was repeated several times with the other shade, and then the first, until a thin wash of dirty black/brown was produced. The mixture was then brushed over the model, with the wash worked into the panel lines and around details. After approximately 30 minutes, the tip of a cotton bud was dampened with white spirit; any excess was removed with a piece of kitchen towel. It was then wiped over the model, always in the direction of the airflow... this removed any surplus wash, and the effects could be varied dependent on the desired level of weathering. If one feels there’s too much dirt, then a new, moistened cotton bud can be used until the desired result is achieved. The model was then left for an hour, which allowed the wash to dry completely, and then sealed with varnish.
For a DIY weathering wash, small amounts of artist's oil paint and white spirit were all that was required to accentuate panel lines and add grime.
The wash was worked into the panel lines and around any raised detail, and then allowed to dry for approximately 30 minutes.
A cotton bud, moistened with white spirit, was employed to wipe off any excess wash. Note that this should be done in the direction of the airflow.
A good weathering wash accentuated the panel lines, provided a degree of ‘dirty’ streaking on the airframe surfaces and acted as a filter to reduce contrast between the camouflage.
The kit provided bomb racks but no bombs, but as no underwing weaponry was required for this build, the relevant holes were filled.
which ensured the pre-shading would still be visible faintly. White Blu-Tack ‘worms’ were then applied, prior to the application of XF-81 Dark Green 2 (RAF). Post-shading, with lightened base colours, was airbrushed at very low pressure (5-10psi/0.3-0.7 bar) to several high-wear areas, such as the wing and nacelle leading edges. Once dry, all the masking was removed, and a pre-decal coat of Johnson’s Klear was added with a flat brush, as this modeller has found that Klear can absolutely ruin an airbrush. One of the properties of Klear, though, was to ‘tighten’ as it dried, which meant any brush marks would eventually disappear. On inspection, the decals didn’t pass muster; the colours were too bright, and the squadron code letters looked almost white, rather than the correct
shades of Medium Sea Grey or Sky. With such inaccuracies, the decal sheet was discarded and the spares box rummaged for suitable replacements...in the end, Xtradecal products were employed. Always of high quality, these applied easily with setting solutions. Good reference photographs were found for HE-L/P6987 from 263(F) Squadron, and appropriate code letters in Medium Sea Grey were sourced to represent this machine, based at RAF St. Eval, Cornwall, in early 1941. This aircraft was subsequently shot down near Jersey on December 7, 1941, crashing into the sea and killing the pilot. A second, protective, coat of Klear was then brushed over the decals.
“REFERENCE PHOTOS SHOWED THAT SEVERAL WHIRLWINDS WEATHERED VERY HEAVILY”
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 51
Getting dirty
Reference photos showed that several Whirlwinds weathered very heavily, so it was time to break out the dirt! Plenty of weathering washes were available, but it is easy for modellers to make their own (see panel). A liberal wash of Lamp Black/Burnt Umber mix was brushed over the entire
model, and then paint chipping via silver pencil was added at the wing roots and areas of wear, such as engine cowlings. Exhaust stains were replicated with a heavily thinned mix of XF-64 Red Brown and Flat Black. With the decals applied and weathering done, the final step was to fit the peripherals.
Bits and pieces
Final stages of the build included the addition of the undercarriage, guns, antennas, and canopy. The main undercarriage was an easy fit and, with the bracing struts in place, was firm and strong; the tailwheel simply located into a slot within its bay. Humbrol 27004 Gunmetal was applied
to the replacement cannons, before they were buffed and then dry-brushed with Citadel Colour Boltgun Metal. They fitted neatly into the nose recesses after beign trimmed to size. The canopy and windshield were attached with Deluxe Materials’ Glue ’n’ Glaze, which also acted as filler for any gaps. Next, the two antennas were fitted into recesses located just forward of the windshield. Holes were then drilled for the aerial wires in the top and sides of the fuselage with a 1mm drill, and wires were added with Uschi Van Der Rosten’s ‘Rig That Thing’ Standard Size line. Note that there should be a Perspex window in the
Replacement cannon barrels were sought from an old Hasegawa Typhoon kit (right) as the kit guns were poorly detailed (left). The undersides and fuselage band were sprayed with Sky, before the starboard wing was masked and NATO Black applied. Note that the pre-shading was just visible under the Sky colour.
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52 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D Dark Earth was sprayed in loose camouflage patterns before Blu-Tack ‘worms’ were used to mask prior to the Dark Green being added.
leading edge of the upper tail fin for the end of the main wire, but Trumpeter had missed this...a representative shape was painted with X-11 Chrome Silver to replicate this feature.
End game
Once the masking tape and Blu-Tack had been removed, the typical early-war camouflage scheme looked convincing.
As the colours of the kit markings were too bright, replacement decals were used instead and applied over a coat of Johnson’s Klear.
46-52_Whirlwind Fighter.CC.indd 52
Did it look like a Whirlwind? In short, yes and that will be good enough for most modellers. Was it completely accurate? Well, no; there were areas of poor, missing or inaccurate detail, and of course there was the cockpit/nose issue. To make the kit more realistic, work was definitely in order, detail needed to be added, sections either corrected or scratch-built, panel lines re-scribed, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome with modelling experience. However, from the box, and setting aside the accuracy, this was an easy build and with no great fit issues, so in that respect it was a good beginners’ model. But it was a pity that Trumpeter missed a trick...with a little more effort on its part this could have been a great kit straight from the box.
RECOMMENDED REFERENCE Airframe Album 4: The Westland Whirlwind A Detailed Guide to the RAF’s Twin-Engined Fighter, by Richard A Franks (Valiant Wings), ISBN: 978-0-9575866-3-5 www.valiant-wings.co.uk
“TO MAKE THE KIT MORE REALISTIC, WORK WAS DEFINITELY IN ORDER” 14/07/2015 10:42
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54 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D Chris Jones portrays Trumpeter’s 1/72 Westland Wyvern in Operation Musketeer markings
SUEZ STRIKE FIGHTER T
rumpeter’s Wyvern has been available for some time now, and came complete with subtle recessed panel lines, sensibly sized runner gates and good levels of detail. The kit cockpit included respectable raised moulding for switches and knobs and was perfectly acceptable straight from the box. An acetate film section with dial detail was for use behind the clear instrument panel, which in principle should A seat from Pavla and exhausts from Quickboost (both resin) were a speedy way to add extra detail.
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have worked fine. This film was secured with Micro Kristal Klear before the panel was sprayed Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black. A cocktail stick was then employed to rub away the paint in the recessed dial circles to reveal the detail behind. Unfortunately, the only detail on the front of the panel was the centre section dials! For some reason, the outer sections were completely blank and detailing for the dials was only present on the rear of the
panel. With the instrument panel paint plan foiled marginally, it was nonetheless decided to press ahead for the sake of progress. NATO Black was sprayed where needed before XF-24 Dark Grey was applied carefully on the end of a cocktail stick to pick out raised detail on the side consoles. Finally, silver Prismacolor pencil provided chipping effects before the cockpit assembly was secured in a fuselage half; however, the instrument panel coaming and
Impressive raised detail was present on the kit’s cockpit side consoles.
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 55 With detail painting and chipping effects added, the cockpit looked presentable and authentic.
KIT DECAL OPTIONS • WP337/J/378, 830 NAS, HMS Eagle, 1956 • WP334/0/387 'Flook', 831 NAS, HMS Ark Royal, 1957 • WL879/E/278 'Dennis the Menace', 813 Naval NAS, HMS Eagle, 1958
MODEL SPEC
The multi-part wings took considerable work to get the flaps and airbrakes to sit appropriately.
Westland Wyvern S.4 By:
Trumpeter
Stock Code:
01619
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£19.99
Available from: Pocketbond, www.pocketbond.co.uk
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rear decking were left off until after the fuselage halves were together, to hopefully ensure a better fit. Although the seat detail was reasonable, in this instance it was replaced with a Pavla aftermarket offering. Frustratingly, the firing handle was moulded solidly and was far too fine to trim successfully without damage, so it was removed and replaced with a sliced-off end from one of the kit’s RATOG tubes, which weren’t being used. After judicious dry-brushing with Humbrol 1 Grey Primer, detail painting completed the seat. Cleaning-up the seemingly
inevitable raised mould seams on undercarriage legs and the like can often leave slight scuffs, which would tend to disappear under regular paint...but less so with Alclad lacquer, which loves to highlight imperfections. To avoid this, the mainwheel wells, gear legs and other obvious areas to be silver were undercoated with XF-19 Sky Grey mixed with X-22 Clear. This gave a smooth, glossy neutral base coat for the forthcoming Alclad Aluminium. Meanwhile (and rather speculatively) a Sky mix went on the engine casing and forward
fuselage, which turned out to be erroneous since the protruding engine section behind the prop spinner was to be Extra Dark Sea Grey anyhow. With cockpit, tailwheel and engine casing in place and painted, the fuselage halves were joined and exhibited an excellent fit. Once the glue had been afforded time to set, the panel lines across the seams were deepened with a scribing
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56 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
“THIS WAS A DECENT KIT WITH GOOD LEVELS OF DETAIL AND FIT”
That’s more like it! After minor surgery, wonderfully clean outer wing portions were ready for installation.
tool. This was well worth doing, as it avoided the loss of detail and the inevitable re-scribing. It was essential to give the glue a proper amount of time to harden, though, as otherwise the seam would have been soft and the scriber would have dug in, which would have caused unsightly gouges instead of crisp panel lines. At this stage, the inner wing section was also added with similarly excellent fit. Afterwards, the fuselage seams were with sanded with damp 600grade Wet and Dry paper.
Flap attack
A centrepiece of any Wyvern build, the contra-rotating propeller assembly looked the business.
A mix of three parts white and two parts Sky, blended with X-22 Clear, kicked off the painting. A little too much Clear as it turned out...
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The biggest hassle in the build concerned the multi-part wings, flaps and airbrakes, since the intention was to deviate from the instructions and have them clean instead of protruding as Trumpeter obviously intended. Some thought went into tackling the airbrake assembly, as the instructions would have the upper surface airbrake panel added to the lower section of the airbrake, before being united with the wing...but this would have caused all kinds of fit issues. Instead, the panel was thinned along its inboard and trailing edges and attached to the wing separately. Locating tabs on the lower airbrake section were too big and needed to be trimmed, while a depression had to be sanded along the edge where the section met the wing, to ensure the upper
panel would fit in a reasonably flush manner. It became clear that the kit really wanted to have these surfaces deployed! Finally, and with it manifest that the outer wing and airbrake would actually fit, the flaps were tackled next. This required the actuating rods to be cut off and part of the flap to be thinned. At last, the flaps and airbrakes could be tacked in place with small amounts of Superglue, before Tamiya Extra Thin Cement was used to bond them in place. To avoid overstressing the wing join, the wing seams were sanded before the build proceeded. For the optional wing fold, two sets of ‘arms’ were provided, one for up and the other for down. However, these were terribly vague in their fit and so were discarded, to be replaced with a plastic tube spar, to aid fit and enhance strength across the wing join. Once again, Superglue was used to tack the wings in place, before Tamiya Extra Thin Cement sealed the joins fully, and after the wings were attached, the tailplanes were added along with their small vertical finlets. A smear of Miliput was used along the wing root joins and rubbed down with damp cotton buds, but the fit of the tailplanes and finlets was less good, so more Milliput was required. Kristal Klear was employed to attach the windscreen, and the cockpit was masked with Tamiya Tape before dark grey was sprayed over the
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 57
MASKING STRIPES
After measuring and slicing Tamiya tape to the correct size (around 4.2mm) lengths of tape were applied to ascertain the correct width, before much thinner tape was used for the outline. It was vital to burnish the tape with a cocktail stick (or similar implement) to avoid paint creep under the masking.
With the outlines completed, protective airframe masking took some time. Humbrol Maskol was invaluable for covering awkward or intricate areas, such as the tailplanes’ vertical finlets. Maskol was used to fill in the yellow stripe areas before the black was sprayed.
After the yellow was applied, more sections of stripe were used to set the correct width for the black stripes. Once again, thin tape was employed for the outline.
seams to ascertain the quality of the fit; slight remedial filling and sanding was in order, but nothing dramatic.
Colouring in
After a primer coat, which was rubbed down with a sponge, a mix of three parts white to two parts XF-21 Sky was mixed with X-22 Clear, and sprayed over the
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relevant parts of the airframe. A great deal of time was then spent masking the demarcations for the Extra Dark Sea Grey, which was mixed from 50 parts XF-24 Dark Grey, six parts white and three parts XF-8 Flat Blue. The grey areas were sprayed before being mottled with lightened versions of the base colour, followed by a final mottle of the original base
hue. It was then decided to seal and protect the existing paintwork with Klear, before masking of the Suez stripes took place. In reality these were 12in (30cm) wide, which in scale terms equated to around 4.2mm and, needless to say, masking these took quite some time. White is often a good base for colours such as yellow, which give poor opacity, but
on this occasion it was decided (unwisely) to apply XF-3 Flat Yellow alone. Owing to the stark contrast between the Sky and Extra Dark Sea Grey areas, it took an awful lot of paint. Next time, perhaps the stripes will be applied before the base colours... After yet more masking, NATO Black was sprayed on the remaining stripes. Once
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58 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D With the masks removed and a protective coat of Klear applied, it was then ID stripe time.
After much masking, a mix of Extra Dark Sea Grey was sprayed and mottled with different hues for tonal interest.
A subtle grey wash was used on the Sky areas, to avoid an overly stark look. It turned out to be just a little too subtle in some areas, where the panel lines were shallow.
the masks were off, thankfully everything looked presentable; just a couple of minor touch-ups with a brush were needed. More Klear went on to seal the stripes but, in what was literally the last pass with the airbrush, dirt from said ‘brush dislodged and speckled this gorgeous Fleet Air Arm scheme. Rather than taking the disciplined step of sanding it out once dry, an attempt was
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made to wash off the Klear, which didn’t go particularly well. A frustrating time followed with wet 2,500-grade paper to smooth out dodgy-looking areas, followed by paint touch-ups. At this stage, the concern arose that the panel lines (which were perhaps a little shallow to start with) were probably going to be filled irreversibly by more Klear. To prevent that scenario, a dark
grey wash went over the wings, before an incredibly subtle light grey was used over the sky areas to prevent them from appearing too stark. At this point, though, the build began to turn into a comedy of errors! The original coat of Sky was obviously too glossy and (thanks to impatience) was not left for long enough to cure; the wash highlighted that it had cracked in certain places while de-gassing under the Klear. Once again, the 2,500-grade paper came out to remove the crazy paving effect and once again, a severely vexing round of touch-ups began. After ensuring a thoroughly clean airbrush wasn’t going to deposit more gunk over a beloved paint scheme once more, further Klear was applied.
Approaching the round-down Trumpeter’s decals performed superbly, as they were incredibly thin and conformed perfectly to panel line detail. No decal setting solution was necessary, except
in a few areas where lumps and bumps on the airframe had to be contended with, and Micro Sol proved more than adequate in those instances. Despite the stellar performance of the decals, a few stencils were discarded owing to spelling mistakes, such as ‘do not stop here’ and ‘arrows in line for withsewal’. Certain decals were present but not mentioned on the instructions and the under-wing codes faced the same way, which was also an error, so this was ignored. Owing to the stark contrast in the Suez stripe colours, two white discs from a 1/72 Xtradecal RAF roundel set were used underneath each of the kit roundels on the upper wings, to prevent a see-through effect. After a last coat of Klear to seal the decals, final assembly took place. Tabs were provided to have the inner main undercarriage doors down, but this didn’t happen in reality...they stayed up unless the gear was actually cycling. So, the tabs were sliced off and thankfully the doors fitted
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 59
“IT WENT TOGETHER WELL AND LOOKED MARVELLOUS” REFERENCES Wings over Suez: the only authoritative account of air operations during the Suez and Sinai Wars of 1956, by Brian Cull with David Nicolle and Shlomo Aloni (Grub Street), ISBN: 1-904943-55-1 Wyvern from the Cockpit, by Michael J Doust (Ad Hoc), ISBN: 0 946958 53 X
perfectly into the wing...phew! On the mainwheels the locating holes were too narrow, so these were widened. At the start of the build it was decided to add Quickboost after-market exhausts and the fit was perfect. Kristal Klear was used inside the fuselage where the parts would join, to provide working time– and to ensure that any imperfections could be neatened. The camera transparencies were too large, so rather than trimming, the inner circular locating ledges were painted black and Kristal
The kit’s rockets and rails weren’t great, so the stubs were sliced off and square plastic rod was added for better refinement.
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Klear was used to form the glass instead. After a final coat of Xtracolor matt varnish, the exhaust stain was rendered via highly diluted Rubber Black. At this late stage, though, the look of the model still wasn’t in keeping with the desired effect. The oil wash on the Sky, in the slightly shallow fuselage panel lines, was too subtle and the model seemed more monotone than was wished for. To counter this by adding dirt and paint variations, the panel lines were sprayed with a superthin mix of two parts XF-64 Red Brown and one part Flat Black, while the sky areas were mottled with the same mix. This looked too stark on the Sky, so careful post-shading and mottling with
the original Sky mix took place, before XF-77 IJN Sasebo Arsenal Grey was mottled over the grey areas for extra fading, before being carefully over-sprayed on the roundels to mute them very subtly. This all took time and a great deal of care, but it was worth the effort in the end. It’s never too late to improve the look of an almost-finished model!
After the battle
This was a decent kit with good levels of detail and fit. It went together well and looked marvellous (and surprisingly large) when completed...just be prepared for extra work if the flaps and airbrake aren’t going to be deployed.
Plenty of careful post-shading took place right at the end of the project, to build visual interest.
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60 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D The Wyvern was more functional than elegant, but was a powerful and potent tactical strike aircraft for the mid-1950s Royal Navy, and was its first turboprop-powered warplane. This Wyvern S.4, VZ796, was photographed flying past HMS Ark Royal. (AgustaWestland)
WESTLAND’S
CARRIER PIONEER Malcolm V Lowe explains the development and brief combat career of Britain’s first-ever turboprop-powered carrier-borne strike aircraft
T
A Wyvern S.4 aboard HMS Eagle displays the distinctive exhaust outlet below the cockpit of the Python-engined Wyverns. Note the underwing fuel tanks, rocket attachments and early-style cockpit canopy. (Key Collection)
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he Westland Wyvern is something of an enigma. It was an aircraft that created a number of very worthwhile aviation ‘firsts’ and, at the same time, it provided Britain’s Royal Navy with a powerful and potent strike and close-support aircraft. Yet it also suffered from many development and powerplant problems that delayed its service entry considerably. Created during 1935, although tracing its ancestry back to 1915, Westland Aircraft Ltd of Yeovil had a strong tradition of aircraft design and innovation that resulted during the later years of World War Two in the preliminary studies that led to the Wyvern. At that time the company was exploring the possibility of a day
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 61 fighter for Royal Navy service, and this prompted the release of the official Specification N.11/44 to draw on these design studies. A proposed powerplant was the complicated Rolls-Royce Eagle piston engine (which had no connection with the earlier engine of the same name). The Eagle was a 24-cylinder H-block sleeve valve engine that was troublesome in development. Specification N.11/44 was far-sighted, though, because it also proposed the potential use of a turboprop engine. This was new technology in 1944 but was to become very important in Westland’s ultimate development plans. Design work by Westland successfully led to the official order in November 1944 of six prototypes of what had become the Westland W.34, to be powered by the Eagle 22 piston engine of up to approximately 3,500hp (2,611kW) maximum output. The initial W.34, serial number TS371, first flew at Boscombe Down during December 1946 with Westland’s famous test pilot Harald Penrose at the controls. Sadly this aircraft crashed in October 1947 and killed another pilot, but it was followed by the five additional planned prototype/development aircraft powered by the RollsRoyce Eagle engine. Unfortunately major problems surfaced during this time. The most significant was that the development of the troublesome Eagle powerplant came to an end at Rolls-Royce, which placed Westland in a considerable dilemma. An order had been received in June 1946 for a batch of Wyvern TF.I (later changed to TF.1) pre-production/development aircraft, which were planned to be Eagle 22-powered, but there
These five Wyvern S.4s were from 813 NAS, the first Royal Navy frontline squadron to receive the type, which it did during May 1953. This unit initially embarked aboard HMS Albion in September 1954. (AgustaWestland)
were now insufficient engines to install in these aircraft. The result was that just seven of these planned development airframes were completed, and the final example, VR137, actually did not fly at all (it is now preserved in the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset). Other problems had surfaced, including complicated development work on the contra-rotating propeller unit of the Wyvern prototypes, which was again a comparatively new concept at that time.
Turboprop innovation
The whole programme was saved by the original, far-sighted idea in the initial official requirement for the possible installation of a turboprop powerplant in
the N.11/44 project. At that time Rolls-Royce had the Clyde turboprop under development, and Armstrong Siddeley was successfully working on the Python turboprop. Westland effectively had to return to the drawing board to alter the W.34 design completely, to allow these big, powerful new engines with their contra-rotating propeller units to be installed. The result was the W.35 programme, covered initially by Specification N.12/45, which included three prototypes ordered in February 1946 of the planned Wyvern TF.2 production version of the W.35, with one aircraft destined for a Clyde turboprop, the other two for the Python engine. The ‘new’ Wyvern featured a considerably redesigned
Early Wyvern TF.2 (torpedo-fighter) aircraft were fitted with the Python 2 turboprop. TF.2 VW872 was involved in underwing fuel tank development work and the distinctive hump of the Python-engined Wyvern’s fuselage is evident. (AgustaWestland)
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fuselage, with the cockpit raised to allow the exhaust of the large turboprop to be ejected at midfuselage above the wing root. This gave a pronounced humped shape to the fuselage around the cockpit. Many writers have claimed that the humped cockpit was present on the original Eagle-engined Wyverns and that this was a design feature to allow the pilot better forward vision. However, this is not the case; the humped cockpit was a feature solely of the turboprop Wyverns and was created from an engineering standpoint to allow for the very different engine/ exhaust configuration of the Wyvern TF.2 onwards. Further powerplant trials and tribulations followed, because both of the new turboprop engines were new and untried. Indeed, the Clyde was eventually abandoned altogether by Rolls-Royce. However, progress was made with the Python, but many other problems remained to be resolved, delaying the development of the type. The first Python-powered example flew in March 1949. An initial batch of 20 Wyvern TF.2s was planned, proposed as early as September 1947, with the first examples intended to be powered by the Python Mk.2. Airframe upgrades for the TF.2 included an enlarged vertical tail and dihedral for the horizontal tail
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62 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D station under each wing. Up to 16 unguided rockets (eight under each wing) with either a 25lb (11kg) or 60lb (27kg) warhead could be mounted instead. There was provision for either a Mk.15 or Mk.17 torpedo beneath the fuselage, although this was rarely used, while underwing fuel tanks could also be carried...the Wyvern S.4 having an effective combat range of around 900 miles (1,448km) and a service ceiling of 28,000ft (8,534m).
The Wyvern S.4 could be catapult-launched from aircraft carriers, and also had provision for rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) gear. VZ785/J of 827 NAS aboard HMS Eagle shows the S.4’s Youngman-type wing flaps. (Key Collection)
Wyvern S.4 WN329/J/370 of 830 NAS, HMS Eagle, in November 1956. Note the ID stripes for Operation Musketeer in Suez. (Roger Chesneau, Ad Hoc Publications)
surfaces. Eventually, 11 of these were finished as the definitive TF.4 production version of the Wyvern by being completed or converted to that standard. In October 1948, while the protracted development of the type was still ongoing, the first of four batches of Wyvern TF.4s (later S.4) was ordered. Eventually 87 examples were contracted as new-builds to S.4 standard. In addition to the single-seat Wyverns produced, there was just one example of a planned two-seat dual control conversion trainer. Designated Wyvern T.3 (W.38), it evolved under Specification T.12/48, and first flew in February 1950. But the type did not enter production and the single heavily modified aircraft (VZ739) served mainly on company communications duties.
late in 1952. The type’s overall construction was all-metal, and for aircraft carrier operations the Wyvern S.4 had hydraulically folding wings, which featured two folds for each wing (although some later S.4s did not have folding tips), bringing the unfolded span of 44ft (13.41m) down to 18ft (5.49m) for aircraft carrier stowage. According to the S.4’s official Air Publication (A.P.4272C), it was powered
by a Python Mk.3 of 3,670shp (2,738kW), with early aircraft having a Martin-Baker Mk.1B ejection seat, upgraded to Mk.2B on many examples (Mod. 347). The Rotol twin four-bladed contra-rotating propeller unit had a diameter of 13ft (3.96m). Internal armament comprised two 20mm Hispano cannons in each wing. A bomb of up to 1,000lb (454kg) could be carried under the fuselage and on a stores
Various upgrades were introduced during production, including perforated airbrakes beneath the wing centre section, and auxiliary finlets were added to the horizontal tail surfaces. A less heavily-framed canopy was also introduced, plus a flat reinforced windscreen. The Wyvern S.4 eventually equipped four frontline squadrons of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA). The first of these was
Operational standard
Eventually 98 examples of the Wyvern S.4 were built, including the 11 aircraft originally intended as TF.2s, which were either completed or converted to S.4 standard. The first example flew in May 1951, but the initial release for service use only came
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The Wyvern’s operational load could include eight unguided air-to-ground rockets under each wing, and a torpedo beneath the fuselage...although the latter was rarely used. (Key Collection)
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 63 Armed with a bomb under the fuselage and fuel tanks beneath the wings, three 830 NAS Wyverns fold down their wings as they taxi forward for take-off from HMS Eagle during Operation Musketeer. (Brian Lowe via Roger Chesneau)
813 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), which began its service on the type in May 1953. This unit had two spells with the Wyvern S.4, and additionally 827, 830 and 831 Squadrons of the FAA also operated the type. Training on the Wyvern was handled by the Wyvern Conversion Unit at RNAS Ford, Hampshire, and 764 NAS at that airfield (Royal Navy units are numbered in the 800s for operational frontline squadrons, and the 700s for training/ conversion and trials units). Three Royal Navy aircraft carriers were at one time or another graced by the presence of operational Wyverns, these being HMSs Eagle, Ark Royal and Albion.
Wyverns in combat
The Suez Crisis of 1956, involving several Western countries in conflict with Egypt over the Suez Canal, resulted in armed intervention by Britain and France, which included the use of Royal Navy assets in the air campaign that began at the end of October and lasted into early November 1956 against Egyptian targets (Operation Musketeer). In the forefront was HMS Eagle, the air component of which included Hawker Sea Hawk jets of 899 NAS,
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and the Wyvern S.4-equipped 830 NAS. This was a potent and hard-hitting strike force, and the Wyvern acquitted itself well in the subsequent combat operations, carrying out tactical bombing and strafing attacks against Egyptian forces and installations, and armed reconnaissance. While attacking an important bridge west of Port Said in early November, one of 830 Squadron’s Wyverns was hit by Egyptian anti-aircraft fire, its pilot subsequently ejecting over the Mediterranean and being picked up by HMS Eagle’s planeguard Westland Whirlwind HAR.3 helicopter. 830 NAS returned to Britain on HMS Eagle after this conflict, and disbanded in January 1957. Eventually, 813 NAS was the last Wyvern frontline unit, spending some time aboard HMS Eagle before finally disbanding at RNAS Ford in April 1958. The Wyvern therefore served in frontline units with the Royal Navy for virtually five years. There were no export customers for the type, but it did serve the FAA well. By the time of its passing, the Wyvern’s producer, Westland Aircraft Ltd, was well on its way to becoming one of the world’s premier manufacturers of helicopters.
Marked distinctively with the black and yellow stripes of Operation Musketeer, several of 830 NAS’s Wyvern S.4s can be seen on the flight deck of HMS Eagle. (Brian Lowe via Roger Chesneau)
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64 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
THE
PEACEKEEPER
Andy Davies catches the mixedmedia bug with Whirlybirds’ Westland Whirlwind HAR.10
The quality of the PE was highly commendable. Most, but not all of the parts seen here would be used on this particular version.
I Two options were available for the glazing, one being vac-formed the other in clear resin. The latter required much polishing with rubbing compound and Micro-Mesh cloth to obtain the desired clarity.
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n 1950 Westland Aircraft purchased the rights to manufacturer Sikorsky’s S-55 helicopter. The design was converted to British standards and the first prototype flew in August 1953. This was followed by the HAR.1 which flew mainly in the search and rescue and communications roles. Earlier versions were limited by the power of the American Wasp or Cyclone engines until in 1955 the HAR.5 flew with a
British powerplant, the Alvis Leonides Major. This was followed by the HAR.7, which became the first anti-submarine warfare aircraft until later in their lives some were refitted with the more powerful Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft engine, then being
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known as the HAR.9. The RAF then adopted the design where it became known as the HC.10 or HAR.10 and provided sterling service until the type’s retirement in 1982.
Different mediums
The kit was supplied in a stout top-opening cardboard box and the resin, white metal and vac-form parts (and clear resin glazing) were all sealed in plastic zip-lock bags, which ensured nothing came loose in the box. The quality of the resin casting was generally quite good, although the outer surfaces of the fuselage halves suffered from light pitting and
granulation at the rear of the main fuselage...corrected easily with rubbing compound and Micro-Mesh cloth. The smaller parts were delicate and needed to be removed from their respective runners with great care, and so a new scalpel blade was used at
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MODEL SPEC
1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 65 Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 By:
Whirlybird
Stock Code:
WPX72044
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£45
Available from: www.whirlybirdsmodels.com
regular intervals. No warping or deformation was found on any of the components, but several panel lines needed to be neatened. The first page of the instructions was devoted to profile views of the aircraft, which denoted decal placement, colour call-outs, aircraft service history and several advisory tips on construction. A problem found with the sheet was that it appeared generic for the type, and not specific to the different versions manufactured by Whirlybird, and as such it was quite difficult to find details for the subject airframe, (though in fairness this was mentioned on the first page). All parts were listed but it was up to the modeller to decide which pieces went where, on which version, and so plenty of homework was the order of the day.
A lack of interior sidewall ribbing was addressed with the use of Evergreen strip, and reference photographs of preserved Whirlwinds via the Internet. Interior cockpit glazing parts were cut carefully from their backing, and Gator’s Grip PVA glue was used to ensure a secure bond to the resin fuselage halves.
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66 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
“THE QUALITY OF THE PARTS AND GENERAL FIT FOR A FULL RESIN KIT WAS COMMENDABLE” This was time consuming but not impossible, and the same could be said of the comprehensive photo-etched (PE) metal set. Very few photos of the United Nations (UN) machines seemed to exist, and those that were found didn’t really show much in the way of detail, and so artistic licence and common sense had to prevail... but the plans featured many quality colour photographs of the restored aircraft at Doncaster Aeroventure museum, for guidance. Unfortunately these didn’t quite tally with the few photographs of RAF Whirlwinds while in UN service, though again, specific details for this particular airframe were not available.
Extra equipment and cabling was added via scrap resin and lengths of lead wire.
The office
Everything needed to furnish the cockpit was provided as either resin or PE parts and this included seats, instrument panels, flooring, cyclic and collective control sticks and fire extinguishers. Seat
harnesses were supplied on the PE fret and these were applied with Gator’s Grip Thin Blend PVA glue, so they could be positioned correctly over the seats. An instrument panel was also supplied as part of the PE, but no dials were included; to remedy this, Mike Grant 1/72nd dial decals were used to depict each instrument, which added more realism. They were simply applied to the resin part and the panel over-laid. Assembly of the parts needed care to ensure everything aligned correctly, and constant test-fitting is recommended... as common to most resin kits, no location points were included. Once everything was painted and in place, the assembly proved to be quite robust, but the cockpit floor was slightly oversized and needed to be cut back by 2mm
to allow the top of the fuselage to close properly. The parts were held together by hand after cyanoacrylate (CA) glue was applied, and Zap's Zip Kicker CA accelerator was also used to ensure a permanent bond.
Cabin fever
Surprisingly for such a highly visible area, no fuselage sidewall rib detail was included in the spacious cabin.
Seat straps were made from painted lengths of masking tape, with kitchen foil buckles. A red fire extinguisher was added to the rear bulkhead.
Once painted Tamiya XF-8 Flat Blue, the seats were given a highly diluted Burnt Umber wash, before being misted with a lightened shade of the blue.
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 67
One must remember to paint the rear of the seats, as these were visible through the fuselage windows. Careful masking of the cockpit glazing paid dividends later on.
The bulkheads were well rendered though, as was the pair of bench seats. Once again, reference photographs were gleaned from the Internet, to give some idea as to which specific equipment was normally fitted, but difficulty was found in sourcing any images of the operational UN aircraft of the period. A modelling friend, Colin Burgess (who worked on UK helicopters at that time) assisted greatly with the more obscure details and interior colours and so, armed with the necessary information, work commenced on the cabin. Strips of Evergreen styrene (1mm) were used to replicate the missing sidewall ribs and various supply/circuitbreaker boxes and circular floor panel detail, while all other sundry items were fashioned from scrap resin and lead wire. The instructions and Colin’s recollections both concluded that Admiralty Grey would most likely have been the main
colour adopted at that time, with the Westland blue seat covers and seat back webbing. The roomy cockpit was finished in Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black, the cushions in Gunze Mr. Hobby H52 Olive Drab and the seat harness straps were painted with H51 Light Gull Grey.
Glazing over
A choice could be made between a solid resin canopy and vac-formed part. Initially the decision was to opt for the latter piece due to its clarity, but this was changed later once it was apparent that the resin component fitted perfectly from the outset and had the necessary bulk to fit without any extra work. The main problem with it, however, was a distinct opacity which meant that it needed to be polished considerably with various grades of Micro-Mesh cloth, rubbing compound and cotton buds. Once this was accomplished, the
The main pieces of the cockpit included scribed detail for the sound-proof quilting that surrounded the rotor head. This was painted with Xtracrylix XA1010 RAF Grey/Green. A slight mismatch between the lower fuselage halves and exhaust panel also required attention with filler.
resultant part looked almost as clear as the vac-form version. Side and door windows were provided as vac-form pieces, but for some strange reason the cabin windows were not included. These would either have to be made from clear acetate or via a product used to replicate windows, such as Humbrol Clearfix or Microscale Krystal Klear. In the end, clear acetate was chosen after several failed attempts with the glazing products, mainly due to the large size of the windows; after the pieces were trimmed with a fresh scalpel blade they were simply slotted into their respective openings. The upper rear windows needed small asymmetric holes drilling into them, and tube vents fitted through the holes and into the inner pale green sound-proofing blankets
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68 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D as per photographs. This was achieved with Albion Alloys 2mm aluminium rod. Once fitted in place, a mixture of Tamiya tape and Bare-Metal Foil was used to mask the canopy frames, and everything was burnished with a cocktail stick. An error that concerned the main cockpit
window framing became apparent, in that the HAR.10 had large, single-piece wraparound glazing, but the kit parts had two extra frames added, which split the windows into two parts per side. Sanding clear resin and polishing a compound curve (which would make the frame invisible) would have taken much more time than was available, and would have been all but impossible on the vac-form piece. It was elected
Masking was provided by a mixture of Tamiya tape and Bare-Metal Foil. A cocktail stick was used to ensure a tight fit to the framing on the windscreen, although extra care was needed on the delicate vac-form windows for fear of damage to the polished surfaces. The provision of drooping rotors was a very thoughtful touch, but care had to be taken during removal from their respective runners, as it would be all too easy to snap or damage them.
to leave the unwanted frame unpainted to give the effect of clear glazing. White metal parts were provided for the undercarriage legs and, while well detailed, were very fragile and easily bent or damaged if due care wasn’t taken. In fact, both forward legs snapped during construction and two-part epoxy adhesive was needed to give the necessary rigidity to ensure they survived the build. The beautifully rendered wheels were provided in resin, but were only fitted at the very end of the build to avoid any further damage. Although the instructions mentioned the fitting of flare dispensers to the main gear legs, and the example at Doncaster has them in place, this didn’t appear to be the case with the aircraft based at Nicosia at the time...and so they were omitted.
Flappy bits
The main rotors were cast in black resin and moulded in a drooped configuration, which was a pleasing touch as this feature was quite noticeable on the Whirlwind. Each was removed from their respective runner with a sharp scalpel, as it would be all too easy to chip the resin if they were snipped off carelessly. The rotors took time to complete, being multicoloured, with yellow tips and complex twin yellow banding along their length. First, the ends were sprayed matt white, followed by H413 Yellow and when dry these were masked, with the upper parts sprayed with H52 Olive Drab and the lower in Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black. No decals were provided for the striping and so
As no masks were available for this model, a punch was used to fabricate them from masking tape. Each wheel was then fitted to a cocktail stick to ease painting.
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 69
a set of Xtradecal XPS-5 Assorted Yellow Strips were obtained from www.hannants.co.uk. These were applied carefully at the correct portion of each rotor, top and bottom...but to complicate matters the bands didn’t reach all the way around each rotor blade and so they were cut to length before being applied. The central rotor detail, swash plate, rotor base plate and rotor
pitch control linkages were all somewhat basic, but looked good after an application of a Burnt Umber oil wash. The tail rotor also proved delicate and required careful removal from its runner; in fact this snapped in two when dry-fitted to the rotor spindle, but fortuitously this allowed them to be painted separately which, in turn, led to an improvement in overall accuracy. The same method was used to apply the tip colours as on the main rotors, being sprayed matt white then suitably masked with cut strips of Tamiya tape, then Tamiya X-7 Red followed by an overall coat of XF-69 NATO Black. Once the masking tape was removed they received several light coats of matt varnish to seal everything and level the finish.
Extra items
The PE set supplied in the kit was very comprehensive, but it must be noted that many of the items weren’t fitted to this particular aircraft. The resin winch also displayed impressive moulding, and a reference photo (see accompanying history feature) revealed that it was indeed fitted to Cyprus-based aircraftTherefore, it was duly assembled and attached, along with the PE winch cable and hook. The detailed nose mounted intake grille was also included, but as it would be all but impossible to fit the large
WHIRLWIND WALK-ROUND
The rotor blades were painted in stages; first the ends received matt white, which provided a light base for the next stage. This was followed by a few light coats of yellow, being sure to cover the whole of each blade end.
white UN decals smoothly over it, just the frame was offered as an alternative part and this was used here. A few coats of Klear applied by brush and worked into the decal helped in settling them down over the part. This was allowed to dry thoroughly before being given a final coat of satin varnish.
The tips were then masked with tape and the top-sides of each blade painted Mr. Hobby Olive Green and the lower Tamiya Rubber Black. Yellow decal stripes were then added in pairs at intervals, along the length of the top and bottom of each blade.
“THE SUPPLIED DECALS WORKED EXTREMELY WELL AND SETTLED DOWN PERFECTLY INTO PANEL LINES”
Go to www.airfixmodelworld.com to see detailed walk-round photos of a real Whirlwind HAR.10.
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70 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D After masking with Blu-Tack and tape, Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green were applied by airbrush.
The lower fuselage was then masked with tape cut with a wavy line, before Tamiya NATO Black was airbrushed. At the same time the black anti-glare panel was masked and applied.
The rotor head detail before it received a wash of Lamp Black and Burnt Umber oils. Flory Models’ Dark Dirt Wash was also worked into the area, before dry-brushed light grey highlighted the details.
The paint scheme
These particular aircraft weren’t painted in the standard RAF markings of the time, but instead donned large white UN identification letters and a light blue band around the base of the tail boom to identify them to potential aggressors. These HAR.10s were finished in tactical Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey over black, with the squadron badge being a large yellow scorpion applied to a UN blue square background. Mr. Hobby H72 Dark Green and Tamiya XF-54 Dark Sea Grey were used to paint the upper camouflage, and XF-69 NATO Black underneath; the blue band was replicated with Vallejo 023 Pastel Blue. These aircraft appeared to have been maintained in excellent condition while serving in Cyprus, and so weathering was kept to a minimum and just a light wash of Burnt Umber oil paint was applied to the upper panel lines, followed by lightened mixes of the top colours which were misted lightly onto a few panels on the top of the fuselage sides and tail boom.
Markings
Only one choice was available in this particular package, that being XP329 of ‘B’ flight, 84 Squadron RAF, United Nations Forces in Cyprus, based at Nicosia in the late 1970s. The supplied decals worked extremely well and settled down perfectly into panel lines and around the raised surface detail. Johnson’s Klear floor polish was used to apply them rather than water, as this eliminated any possibility of silvering. Care must
be taken with this technique as the decals will set firmly in place very quickly; one’s positioning must be accurate and a trial run on a ‘gash’ model is highly recommended. The red ring decal around the exhaust proved problematic, as this was supplied with no hole in the carrier film and this needed to be cut out prior to application...discovered all too late! Once all the decals were in place the model was given several light coats of Klear...this time via airbrush, and set aside to dry for at least 24 hours.
Mixed-media marvel
This model was an absolute pleasure to build once the placement of the required parts was ascertained, and as such is recommended highly to anyone interested in earlier examples of British helicopter design...or ‘choppers’ in general. The quality of the parts and general fit for a full resin kit was commendable; just a few negative points were noted, those being the vague instructions with regard to the relevant choice of model being built, the omission of some windows and lack of interior cabin detail, but these were all dealt with relatively easily once research had been carried out. The unusual scheme and role of this particular version of Whirlwind made for an interesting, enjoyable and challenging project.
“AN INTERESTING, ENJOYABLE AND CHALLENGING PROJECT”
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72 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D Malcolm V Lowe examines the story behind Westland’s successful Whirlwind helicopter, and its long-standing HAR.10 version in RAF service
The famous Whirlwind line was given a facelift with the lengthened nose shape to accommodate the Gnome turboshaft engine. XP301 was one of almost 70 newbuild HAR.10s for the RAF. (Key Collection)
A BENEVOLENT WHIRLWIND A
fter World War Two the directors of Yeovil-based Westland Aircraft Ltd took the bold step of moving away from established success in aircraft design and construction, and into the new and developing world of helicopter manufacture. Fortunately for Westland this proved to be a completely successful choice, and led to the prolonged survival of the company. In reality the post-war
world was not a happy place for aviation manufacturing companies in general, and the sudden curtailing of military orders as the war ended in 1945 (and the subsequent lean years of fewer and fewer defence contracts) were very difficult for Britain’s aerospace sector. Civil aviation was a potential answer, but Westland had gained little success with commercial aircraft in the inter-war years, and in
1946 the company’s directors took the courageous decision to try something completely different. This involved the move into what was then a whole new branch of aviation – rotary-wing flight. In the long run this decision proved to be the firm’s salvation and was an unmitigated triumph...but at the time the idea to concentrate on helicopter design and manufacture was fraught with potential danger.
Licence agreement
Serving as a demonstrator for the Gnome-engined Whirlwind developments, although not always fitted with floats as seen here, was the civil-registered G-APDY painted in Westland house colours. (AgustaWestland)
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Westland Aircraft Ltd had been created in 1935, but owed its ancestry back to 1915. The company had made a brief excursion into the realm of rotary-winged aircraft during the 1930s, by constructing Cierva autogyro designs. Then, in the peacetime world of the second half of the 1940s, a licence deal was negotiated by Westland with an emerging giant in the new helicopter world, Sikorsky of the US. Licence construction rights were gained in late 1946 to build the Sikorsky S-51, which was known to Westland as the Dragonfly. The first Westlandbuilt example flew in October
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1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D 73 duly built the Whirlwind at Yeovil in a variety of civil and military versions (the name Whirlwind was only used in British parlance), all of these early Whirlwinds from the 1950s being powered by piston-engines. Among them was the HAR.2 for the RAF, equipped with the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-40 Wasp radial engine of 600hp. This important utility helicopter was, nevertheless, underpowered, and was followed by the HAR.4 for the RAF with better supercharging for its R-1340-57 radial engine, but much more power was still needed.
Turboshaft transformation
Hardly elegant but very functional, the Gnome-engined Whirlwind was the most powerful of the type’s line, exemplified here by HAR.10 XP400. (Key Collection)
1948, and the type later served with the Royal Navy and RAF. Further development led to the Widgeon, but Westland’s helicopter activities really took off with the receipt from Sikorsky of licences to build the S-55 (which became the Whirlwind in Britain) in the early 1950s, and the S-58 (known in Britain as the Wessex, first flight June 1958). Both these helicopters were highly successful, were built at Westland’s Yeovil factory in various versions, and served with Britain’s Royal Navy and RAF in addition to many export customers. In particular it was the deal to build the S-55 that put Westland on the road to significant helicopter success and dominance. Just as Sikorsky built on the accomplishments of its excellent S-55 design, to grow into a major aerospace concern in the US, so the Whirlwind proved to be a milestone for Westland in allowing the British company to become a vital entity in the growing helicopter market in Britain, Europe and further afield. The original deal to build the S-55 under licence by Westland was signed in November 1950. The subsequent Westland-built examples were often referred to by the general designation WS-55 (for Westland Sikorsky). The first true Sikorsky S-55 had in fact flown a year earlier in
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the US during November 1949, and Sikorsky-built machines for US service were designated H-19 Chickasaw for the US Air Force and US Army, HO4S for the US Navy and US Coast Guard, and HRS for the US Marine Corps. The S-55 owed much of its existence to designer Edward F Katzenberger, and it was manufactured in a large number
of different versions. To begin the licence tie-up between Westland and Sikorsky, two separate versions of the S-55 were supplied directly by Sikorsky, and were allocated British military mark numbers. These were the piston-engined Mk.21 and Mk.22, and a pattern helicopter was also delivered for Westland’s reference. Westland
The late 1950s and early 1960s was a period of great change in Britain’s aviation industry. Many famous names were forced to merge into groupings within an industry that was shrinking rapidly. Westland was fortunate not to be swallowed up at this time, and instead became the recipient of several other companies or parts thereof. These were the long-established Saunders-Roe Ltd during 1959, the helicopter activities of Bristol Aircraft Ltd during 1960 at Weston-super-Mare in
One of the longest surviving Whirlwind HAR.10s is XR453, which first flew in November 1962 and served with several RAF units, including the Central Flying School before becoming the gate guard at RAF Odiham. (AgustaWestland)
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74 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F W E S T L A N D
WHIRLWINDS OF THE SCORPIONS
Proudly wearing 84 Squadron’s scorpion badge on its nose, one of the unit’s Whirlwind HAR.10 helicopters, XK970 (an ex-HAR.2), performs a support mission for United Nations forces on Cyprus. (Key Collection) One of the most famous exponents of the Whirlwind helicopter in RAF service was 84 Squadron. This unit had a long tradition of overseas operations even before starting to fly the Whirlwind in 1972, with an excellent record of service in World War One as a high-scoring fighter squadron, and then during World War Two as a light bomber unit in the Middle East and later against the Japanese. The squadron later fought in the successful Operation Firedog action against terrorists in Malaya, flying Bristol Brigands, before becoming a transport unit. In January 1972, 84 Squadron re-formed at RAF Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus, equipped with the Whirlwind HAR.10 for SAR work as well as support for British forces on the island. This role expanded with the major UN peacekeeping mission on Cyprus following the Turkish invasion in 1974, and the subsequent partition across the island. The unit’s Whirlwinds were eventually replaced by Westland Wessex helicopters during the 1980s, and 84 Squadron continues to serve on Cyprus to the present day, currently equipped with the Bell Griffin HAR.2 helicopter. Apart from a brief time in Britain prior to moving to France in 1917 following its initial formation at Beaulieu in Hampshire, it is the only still-serving RAF squadron never to have been based on UK soil.
Somerset, and the UK aviation interests of Fairey Aviation at Hayes in Middlesex during the same year. These changes resulted in the creation during 1961 of Westland Helicopters Ltd, which was another step towards Westland becoming the giant that it is today within the rotary-wing arena. The ‘new’ company continued to develop and market the Whirlwind, with the type becoming increasingly ‘anglicised’ and less and less similar to the original Sikorsky S-55 that was its original pattern. In particular, Westland’s designers took the major step of up-rating the Whirlwind by mounting a turboshaft engine into the basic tried and proven WS-55 layout, in replacement of the existing piston engine installation. This development was part of the wider move in the helicopter industry towards the step up from the original piston-engine power of the early helicopters, into the ‘modern’ world of turboshaft propulsion. Such modernisation promised more power in all flight regimes, especially ‘hot and high’, together with potentially better reliability, and Westland’s chosen powerplant was the Bristol Siddeley Gnome H.1000-series turboshaft of 1,050shp. The Gnome was actually a licencebuilt General Electric T58, the
Although it was damaged extensively in a crash during December 1964, HAR.10 XP346 was rebuilt and served for many years, painted yellow overall, as an RAF SAR asset. (Key Collection)
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Illustrative of the Whirlwind HAR.2s converted to Gnome-powered HAR.10 standard was XJ762, seen here undergoing testing and painted in RAF search and rescue markings. (AgustaWestland)
licence to manufacture of which had been purchased in 1958 by the de Havilland Engine Company. This organisation had merged with Bristol Siddeley in 1961, and the T58/ Gnome had by then already
Whirlwind airframes were also built specifically for the civil aviation market as the Whirlwind Series 3, but the main use of the type was still as a military helicopter in domestic and export service.
Work in progress on several Whirlwind HAR.10s (with XP329 nearest) at Westland’s Yeovil facility. It was from the largest production batch of the HAR.10, which comprised 52 examples. (AgustaWestland)
first flown experimentally in a specially converted Whirlwind during 1959. The installation of the Gnome resulted in a lengthened nose, but the additional power gave the Whirlwind much better carrying capacity; the more powerful Gnome was also lighter than the piston-engine unit it replaced. The new Whirlwind/ Gnome combination worked well, and the type was at once applicable for civil and military employment. A comparatively small number of Gnome-powered
72-75_Whirlwind History.CC.indd 75
‘Junior Service’ workhorse
For the RAF, Westland created the HAR.10, which was an up-rated derivative of the earlier piston-engined HAR.2/4 series, for a wide variety of utility tasks including transport, training, cargo carrying, parachuting and search and rescue (SAR). Just short of 70 new-build HAR.10s were delivered to the RAF, the first of these, serial number XP299, flying on March 28, 1961. Among the initial RAF units to receive the type was 225 Squadron. The HAR.10 went on to be a true workhorse for the RAF, at home and overseas, with 84 Squadron on Cyprus being one of the main users. In addition to
the new-build examples, several of the older HAR.2 and HAR.4 piston-engined Whirlwinds were converted to HAR.10 standard. The latter did not suffer from the underpowered problems of piston-engined Whirlwinds, and the type was also capable of carrying four Nord SS.11 anti-tank missiles and related equipment. According to the HAR.10’s official Air Publication (A.P.4509K & M), it was powered by a Gnome Mk.10101 turboshaft, had a fuselage length of 44ft 2in (13.46m) (excluding rotors), and a main rotor diameter of 53ft (16.15m). The type was of basically all-metal construction, and could carry a crew of two on the flight deck and up to ten occupants in the main cabin. The Royal Navy Whirlwind version that was comparable to the RAF’s Whirlwind HAR.10, at least in powerplant, was the HAR.9. This navalised sub-type was created by upgrading using the Gnome turboshaft of existing Royal Navy Whirlwind HAS.7s, which were usually powered by an Alvis Leonides radial piston engine. Just a comparatively small number of these conversions were made, however, in the mid-1960s. A related development to the HAR.10 was the HCC.12, a richly configured VIP Royal transport for the Queen’s Flight. Two examples were completed (XR486 and XR487), and one of these still survives with its gleaming red and black colour scheme in The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset.
Westland gained important export successes with its turboshaft-powered Whirlwind. Lined-up on Westland’s airfield at Yeovil are two smart examples for the Ghana Air Force. (AgustaWestland)
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OUT AND ABOUT
NORTH MIDLANDS MODEL EXPO 2015 Best in show was this wonderful Eduard 1/48 Airco DH.2, which featured subtle, yet effective weathering and intricate rigging.
Stoke Revival T
he North Midlands Expo made a welcome return after an absence of several years, as Meir Model Club hosted the event at Stoke’s Sir Stanley Matthews’
Academy in May. Unlike many shows, this was divided almost evenly between modellers and wargamers, and this twin-track approach was mirrored in the traders’ stalls.
Indeed, there was something for everyone, with a broad variety of figures, armour, aircraft, and even an occasional ship model dotted among the stands. There was plenty to catch the eye, although for me the standout was the cleverly designed alien/archaeological dig, with two scientists looking rather confused as to what they had found! Overall this was a very friendly and welcoming event, and the venue has great potential for the future. Those looking to attend next year’s proceedings should note that Meir Model Club has now been renamed the Stoke-on-Trent Model Club and is also seeking IPMS affiliation. ❚ Stu Fone
Literally standing out in the competition area was this stunning depiction of Eric Bloodaxe in combat, complete with enemy arrows and a very determined expression!
Every show brings something different, and this wonderful archaeological dig diorama by Nigel Basford drew a great deal of attention to Crewe and District Model Club’s exhibit. (All Key – Stu Fone)
The IPMS Armour TAS stand provided a rather unusual subject with this Meng 1/35 T-90, which Ian Sadler bedecked in a red paint scheme and depicted it negotiating a tank demonstration course.
Mark Preston painted his Zvezda BTR-80 with a fictional scheme that helped to enliven the South Cheshire stand.
{78}
Standing out on the Staffordshire Moorlands Model Club table was Dave Cope’s excellent Eduard 1/48 Bf 108 Taifun, which benefitted from a beautifully weathered finish.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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OUT AND ABOUT
DOWNHAM MARKET MODEL SHOW Ray Baglin’s superb finish on Eduard’s 1/48 Albatros D.V stood out on the Peterborough Scale Model Club table, with a subtle, yet convincingly weathered airframe.
It just goes to show that one should never throw away an old kit! Alan Marks rescued this Monogram 1/24 Chevrolet Blazer from the scrap pile and went to town, turning it into a very battered and rusted wreck in this splendid diorama.
Father’s Day Fun D
ownham Market’s model show was held in the Town Hall in June and, although split between two floors (what is it with town halls and stairs?), was the perfect setting for IPMS West Norfolk’s small and friendly event. A well-designed layout ensured plenty of space for visitors, but also provided expansive display areas for various clubs and special interest groups (SIGs). The organisers are one of a growing number of clubs and associations that hold an open competition where everything on display is considered, and this certainly ensures a more inclusive
and friendly atmosphere. This year’s Best in Show was won by Glen Woodruff’s splendid display of four modified and superdetailed 815 Naval Air Squadron Lynx helicopters. An Airfix ‘Make and Paint’ stand was constantly busy with aspiring modellers and, it being Father’s Day, was also the source of more than a little nostalgia for several dads. The club Tombola was successful, too, and raised £450 for the West Norfolk Community Transport charity, which provides minibuses for the disabled. Stu Fone ❚
Always full of variety, the Between the Wars SIG display has enlivened many a show, and this Valom 1/72 BT-1 in US Navy markings by George Munroe was the pick of the bunch.
This gorgeous Airfix/Revell 1/48 Jaguar GR.1 in 41(F) Squadron markings, by Dave Evans, drew plenty of attention on the IPMS Rutland display. (All Key – Stu Fone unless stated)
VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com This marvellous Mosquito PR.IV engine change diorama by Graham Matthews, on the West Norfolk IPMS stand, was centred on a heavily modified Tamiya 1/48 kit with figures and vehicles from various accessory sets.
{80}
On the Peterborough Scale Model Club table, Ray Baglin’s well-built AFV Club 1/35 Centurion caught the eye; the basic kit benefitted from subtle weathering effects and additional items in the turret basket and on the rear hull.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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OUT AND ABOUT
RAF COSFORD AIRSHOW
Fond Farewells
The appearance of an RAF 22 Squadron Sea King rescue helicopter, in its final year of service, was a fitting tribute to the type’s stellar life-saving career.
It’s always a pleasure to see the world’s only flying nightfighter Meteor...this NF.11 owned by the Classic Aircraft Trust at Coventry. (All photos Matthew Roberts)
This German Navy Sea King from Marinefliegergeschwader 5 was an interesting exhibit in the static park, and will soldier on as British examples of the type retire this year.
he non-appearance of two exotic attractions – the MiG-29 and French Mirage 2000N ‘Ramex Delta’ display – didn’t deter the crowds at Cosford. ‘No-shows’, and leaden skies that posed aerial photography challenges might have irked some visitors, but it was still
the UK. And it was also a case of ‘bye-bye Vulcan’, because this is the last flying season for the giant delta-winged bomber, which has impressed a whole new generation of airshow visitors since it was brought back into the air in 2007. While there was much to savour from an aerial standpoint, the
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a great event with surprising exhibits and flying displays. The show did allow aviation fans to say goodbye to the RAF Sea King rescue helicopter, as it flew publicly for the last time (sad indeed, given the type’s stellar life-saving career), as very soon it will be usurped by civilianoperated rescue assets around
event also provided a welcome chance to photograph Jaguar ground instructional airframes from the RAF’s engineering school at Cosford; a Sea Harrier FA.2 and Harrier GR.3 (in Belize squadron markings), and the RAF Museum’s TSR.2, were wheeled out of the hangars and presented unmissable walk-round
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OUT AND ABOUT
RAF COSFORD AIRSHOW A pleasant surprise was a pristine Harrier GR.3 in 1417 Flight markings, loaded with fuel tanks, 30mm cannon pods and SNEB rockets.
opportunities for detail-hounds. Real ingenuity went into several formation flights, though...who would have expected the Blades display team to be matched with a Boeing 727 from T2 Aviation? The latter is used for dispersing
oil slicks and wears a very smart colour scheme. Many a visitor had a lump in the throat on witnessing Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricanes and Spitfires in concert with the Red Arrows, and it was great to see the Typhoon
paired with a Spitfire, but a low cloud-base meant ‘flat’ displays from the usually more dynamic jet attractions, such as the ‘Reds’ and RAF 29(R) Squadron Typhoon (in splendid 100th anniversary colours). In a way, though, it did
show what these aircraft can do in a tight space. With other gems such as the Gloster Meteor, Dutch F-16MLU, Swiss F-18 Hornet and Jet Provost splitting the air, and fascinating static exhibits, this was a day to savour. Chris Clifford ❚
Resplendent in its 29(R) Squadron 100th anniversary livery, this Typhoon wowed the crowds despite having to fly a ‘flat’ display due to the low cloudbase.
Privately owned vintage aircraft don’t come much smarter than this glorious Morane-Saulnier MS.317, which enlivened the static displays no end.
VIEW MORE ONLINE airfixmodelworld.com
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’
STRANDED SHINGLE ON THE
Marc Maes tackles AFV Club’s 1/35 ‘Dieppe Raid’ Churchill Mk.III... and finds certain aspects challenging
Once constructed the road wheel assemblies looked great, but care was necessary when all 22 sub-assemblies were added to the model, as everything had to be aligned correctly.
The novelty of workable suspension faded quickly as the issues with the tracks became apparent...in the end this feature seemed a waste of time.
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O
n August 19, 1942, Allied forces launched one of the most disastrous endeavours of World War Two in Operation Jubilee...more commonly known as the raid on Dieppe. The initial assault started before dawn and, under cover of the RAF and Royal Navy, more than 6,000 troops landed at five locations on the French coast. Among them was the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment equipped with modified Churchill Mk.IIIs, the subject of this build. Unfortunately, the tanks’ performance was less than spectacular; of the 29 involved, two sank, 12 became bogged down in soft shingle, and just 15 managed to cross the seawall. Their progress was stopped by German anti-tank obstacles and they were eventually forced to return to the beach, where they surrendered due to a lack of ammunition. Within ten hours this operation had foundered, but while considered a failure, it did provide vital lessons for the eventual landings in North Africa and Normandy.
Starting the beast An examination of the kit highlighted the real vehicle’s size. There were 14 styrene runners, a separate turned aluminium gun barrel, 22 metal springs and a small photo-etched metal (PE) fret. Markings were available for five vehicles from the 14th Canadian Army Tank Regiment (Calgary Regiment) and one captured/trophy vehicle with German markings:
A small photo-etched metal (PE) fret was provided, but it was very basic and added little enhancement to the model.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’ Two additional PE frets from Inside the Armour (ITA) improved the kit’s idler adjustment plates and various grab handles significantly.
The most impressive upgrade from ITA was this PE set for the exhausts and associated protection plates, which featured detail far superior to the kit components.
Inside the Armour’s idler wheel tensioner plate provided superior surface detail when compared to the kit parts, although it was a pity that most of this was subsequently hidden from view.
MODEL SPEC
• T68696, ‘Cat’, 13 Troop, C Sqn • T68560R, ‘Bert’, 6 Troop, B Sqn • T68176R, ‘Betty’, 7 Troop, B Sqn • T68177R, ‘Beefy’, 10 Troop, B Sqn • T68561R, Blossom’, 9 Troop, B Sqn Churchill Mk III ‘Dieppe Raid’ By:
AFV Club
Stock Code: AF35176 Scale:
1/35
Price:
£49.99
Available from: Pocketbond, www.pocketbond.co.uk
• Unknown serial, captured tank The plastic was flash free, though fairly soft, and some of the larger parts seemed rather flimsy and required careful handling to avoid breakage. During a visit to last year’s Euro Militaire, this modeller acquired three accessory sets for the Churchill (two PE and one resin), from Inside the Armour (www.insidethearmour.com) which improved the air intakes, exhausts and part of the running gear. The Churchill’s running gear was complex and almost a third of the steps in the instructions were dedicated to it. Sidewall construction came first, which required preparation in the form of drilling the holes to mount the suspension bogeys and the addition of nuts and bolts to the sidewalls. This was followed by the assembly of the actual suspension, which used metal springs and
Once the challenge of aligning the road wheels and suspension bogeys had been overcome, the rest of the lower hull construction proceeded smoothly. With the exception of the machine gun hatch, all doors on the model were attached in the closed position as no interior detail was provided. Note the replacement PE handles.
“THE CHURCHILL’S RUNNING GEAR WAS COMPLEX...”
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’
“THERE WERE NO TOOLS OR STOWAGE LOCATIONS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
Resin replacement exhausts from Inside the Armour provided a more realistic appearance than the kit items. The PE exhaust guards fitted closely over the resin components, which was a bonus as this assembly was highly prominent.
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allowed the builder to fully articulate the tracks and running gear. At first this appeared to be a good idea, especially if the finished model was to be placed on an uneven surface, but with all the trouble that the tracks would provide later on, in hindsight this seemed a wasted effort. The actual fit was straightforward, but careful attention must be paid to the orientation of the bogey attachment plates, as it was not obvious immediately that these were handed. Idler plates were replaced with PE parts from Inside the Armour (ITA) as they provided far superior detail. When the road wheels were attached, further care was needed as their axles were flimsy...and one had to ensure that they were all parallel and at the same height. Another small nuisance was that the instructions referred to poly caps to attach the drive sprockets, althopugh none were provided in the kit, but the spares box came to the rescue. As no interior detail was provided, all hatches were fixed in the closed position. After the sides and running gear had been completed, the hull began to take shape with the addition of the front and rear armour plates, which fitted very well. This was followed by the top deck, and almost all of the hatches were closed as no interior was available; the one exception was for the
machine gun mount. The handles for the various hatches were passable, but these were removed and replaced with PE handles from ITA as they were far better than the styrene versions. Stage 16 of the instructions suggested the installation of the exhausts but the plastic parts were rejected in favour of resin items from ITA... replacement PE exhaust covers were also sourced from the same company, for a more refined appearance. Before the hull was closed, AFV Club suggested that the builder assemble and fit the tracks, but this turned out to be easier said than done. Each track link comprised two parts, which needed to be cut from the runner, cleaned and assembled into two tracks, for a total of 72 per side. In itself this wasn’t an issue, had it not been that the tracks didn’t fit the running gear. Initially this builder was convinced that a mistake had been made in the assembly process, but a check with fellow modellers revealed that everyone had struggled with the same issue. This came as a major surprise, given this was a modern release from a company that specialised in armour kits! A fruitless search for replacements revealed that the only after-market tracks available were for a 1944 variant, which would not be relevant for a Dieppe vehicle. In the end a solution was found with the addition of the inner part of the links around the running gear, followed by the outer half. Any mismatches were hidden under the top track covers; a cheat that worked, but only just (see panel).
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’
TROUBLESOME LINKS The tracks in the kit were provided as separate links, whereby each consisted of a top and bottom half, which offered exceptional detail, but the parts didn’t fit! After a search for after-market replacements proved unsuccessful, the kit parts were forced into submission. First the inner links were built around the running gear, which hid the gap behind the idler wheel. The outer parts were then built around the track and any voids that remained were hidden behind the upper track guards.
The deep wading trunks were added to the PE intake grilles, which hid the superb detail. Here the locking clasps had yet to be added. The kit support cables for the air intakes were unusable, and so these were replaced with wire and tubing from Albion Alloys.
Hidden detail Next came the air intakes, and these were also enhanced with after-market PE components. Unfortunately, little of this detail could be seen on the finished model as the air intakes were positioned underneath the deep wading intakes, which fitted without issue, but the same could not be said of the cable assemblies, which held the towering intakes in place. The kit parts were very thick and resembled steel bars rather than cables. Each comprised two hooks, a cable and
tensioning device, and these were all supposed to be butt-joined in arrow-straight fashion. After a few failed attempts to replicate this, the majority of components were consigned to the bin. The hooks were salvaged and their ends were drilled, which enabled a section of Albion Alloys’ steel wire to be inserted, while the tensioners were replaced with a piece of metal tubing from the same manufacturer. Reasonable detail was exhibited by the gun and turret, but as there were no other internal furnishings,
the latter was assembled with all hatches closed and minimal time was spent adding any embellishment to the former. Construction here was uneventful and all parts fitted without trouble or the need for filler; the addition of the two exhaust extensions finished this stage of the build. The exhaust support cables suffered the same fate as those for the deep wading intakes, though, and replacement supports were fashioned as explained previously. Note that, unusually for a tank or armoured vehicle in general,
there were no tools or stowage locations on the outside, as the hull was going to be submerged, and just two towing cables were added before attention turned to painting the model.
Adding texture To provide an even base for subsequent colours, and to harmonise the different materials used, the model first received two thin airbrushed coats of Vallejo Acrylic Grey Primer. As provided, AFV Club’s hull and turret were very smooth; however, the
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’ AFV Club captured the asymmetric shape of the Churchill turret accurately, and the provision of a turned metal gun barrel in the kit added greatly to its appearance.
surface texture of the real vehicle was somewhat rough as a result of the casting process. To mimic this effect, Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 was stippled roughly over most areas and then left to dry, before the process was repeated twice until this modeller was satisfied with the uneven texture. A black pre-shade was then airbrushed into the recesses to increase the illusion of depth, before the tracks were masked and a base coat applied. Prior to 1944, the primary colour of British tanks was khaki, not green, and therefore two coats of Vallejo Air 71.029 Dark Earth were airbrushed lightly. Flat areas were lightened with a mix of Dark Earth and 71.028 Sand Yellow, ahead of two thin layers of Johnson’s Klear, which provided a good surface for the decals. After consideration, it was decided to depict the model as T.68176.R ‘Betty’, which was part of 7 Troop, B Squadron. Markings were applied with little trouble thanks to Microscale’s Micro Sol and Micro Set solutions. Several thin coats of Vallejo’s Matt Acrylic Varnish were then applied prior to the addition of any weathering effects. The tracks received a base layer of 71.073 Black Metal, before they were dry-brushed with 71.065 Steel, and a combination of Lifecolor’s Chocolate Brown and various pigments, pastels and filters created heat-stained and rusty exhausts. As the Churchills used in Operation Jubilee were, until then,
relatively untested in combat (and would have been at least partially submerged prior to landing), there would have been little, if any opportunity for dust and dirt to accumulate, and so weathering was kept to a minimum. A pin-wash of Winsor & Newton Sepia was applied to provide contrast, and this was followed by MIG Productions’ Rainmarks filter to create a streaked effect along the hull sides. The weathering was finished with the judicious application of various MIG pigments, which included Sand, European Dust and Dark Earth, to provide texture to the model’s surface. Finally, two antennas
Black pre-shading provided tonal variety, before several applications of Mr. Surfacer 500 were applied to mimic the cast surface of the real vehicle’s main hull.
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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
CHURCHILL MK.III ‘DIEPPE RAID’
“PIGMENTS, PASTELS AND FILTERS CREATED HEAT-STAINED AND RUSTY EXHAUSTS”
fashioned from Albion Alloys’ wiring were added to the turret to complete the build.
Final outcome While the actual raid was a fiasco, the same cannot be said of this model. The parts fitted well and with two exceptions the build was trouble-free. Attaching the deep wading air intake supports required a different approach, but this shouldn’t be beyond the average modeller’s skills. But the negative point was the trouble with the tracks and there weren’t many solutions; one either had to acquire inaccurate after-market items or persevere with what’s in the box. Yet despite this, the end result was a vehicle that cannot entirely be described as mainstream, and featured a strange shape that will certainly raise interest from other modellers. In summary, AFV’s Churchill Mk.III is best recommended for a relatively ❚ experienced military builder. For a detailed account of Canadian Churchills during the Dieppe raid, see AMW June 2013
A base layer of Vallejo Air Dark Earth was employed for the khaki colour scheme, and the tracks were painted in various steel tones.
Decal application was aided greatly by airbrushing the model with Johnson’s Klear, and the use of setting solutions. After a layer of acrylic varnish, oil washes were applied to provide tonal variation and accentuate the detail. Weathering effects were kept to a minimum, as the vehicles were previously barely used in combat, and any accumulated dust and dirt would have been removed when the tanks were submerged prior to landing on the beaches.
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
TOP TUTORIAL GUIDE and how to eliminate ejector pin marks in recessed spaces. More than three-quarters of the volume is then devoted to how to build, detail and paint an aircraft cockpit...it begins with techniques suited to beginners, before concentrating on more advanced methods. These include how to scratchbuild interiors and paint/ embellish wooden cockpits, the latter common in World War One subjects. The quality of photographs is generally excellent, and while those depicting completed models may be slightly daunting, the clear and straightforward explanations of the techniques
will aid any beginner greatly. That said, this will also be of huge use to those who are more experienced, and even though this reviewer has been building kits for nearly 40 years, there were several previously unknown methods explained here, and I’m now itching to try them out! SF
BOOK SPEC
In the first of a five-volume series, the author provides a wonderful pictorial introduction into how to get the best from an aircraft kit, and there is a huge
amount of guidance crammed into just 123 pages. While many ‘how to’ publications can be a little daunting at times, there is a definite focus on the basic skills required to produce a good model, but also plenty in the ‘advanced’ sections for more experienced ‘plasticbashers’. The initial section is an absolute goldmine for beginners, as it provides a complete breakdown of the tools and accessories necessary to build a kit, and how to remove and prepare parts before assembly. Handy hints include a concise description of the different paint types (with their strengths and weaknesses)
Encyclopedia of Aircraft Modelling Techniques By:
Diego Quijano
ISBN:
978-84-943198-7-7
Price:
€25
Format:
A4
Available from: www.migjimenez.com
THE FIRST OF BRITAIN’S HEAVIES
BOOK SPEC
Innovative when it entered service, the Short Stirling was the only British ‘heavy’ to be designed from the outset as a four-engine bomber. Yet, as described by the author, the aircraft was regarded as "past Short Stirling 1939-49 (all marks) By:
Jonathan Falconer
ISBN:
978-085733791-7
Price:
£25
Format:
214mm x 276mm
Available from: Haynes Publishing, www.haynes.co.uk
it" in that role less than three years later...hampered by its narrow bomb bay cells and limited operational ceiling. However, the Stirling continued to be of use to the Allies, and served as a para-drop, glidertug and transport aircraft. This volume follows the same format as previous subjects, with a history of the aircraft’s development and operational service followed by a detailed examination of its anatomy. It also provides perspectives on the type from the standpoints of the pilots and engineers. The final section is unusual, as it outlines an attempt by the Stirling Aircraft Project
to restore/build a complete fuselage from partial airframes currently located in either museums or storage, although the entire front section will be built from scratch. There is a wealth of little-known facts buried in this excellent account, from the RAF’s need to establish the role of Flight Engineer as a result of the Stirling’s complexity, to it being the longest and tallest of the British heavy bombers. In addition to the extracts from pilot’s notes and maintenance manuals, which embellish the technical section, there is a revealing series of rare photographs, which document the construction of an airframe
and will be of huge interest to modellers. Haynes has really covered this subject well, and besides actual in-service types, describes paper projects with sufficient detail to enable one to modify either the Airfix or Italeri kit into something a little different. SF
GREAT WAR ACE OF ACES
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then as a pilot, before he was transferred to the Italian Front. He would eventually amass a total of 35 victories. One of his innovations was to have tiny pale swirls painted over the aircraft
camouflage, which toned it down and made it harder to see...this was soon adopted by other pilots in his unit (although one must pity the ground staff who had to paint them all). While not everyone will know of Brumowski, his aircraft is instantly recognisable. Possibly inspired by Baron von Richtofen, it was painted overall red (complete with pale swirls), with large white skulls on the fuselage...his opponents would certainly know whom they were fighting! Following the collapse of the Austria-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Brumowski struggled to find a new life, but did establish an aircraft production business
and a flying training school, and it was at the latter where he was killed in a crash in 1936–not as the pilot, but as passenger. From start to finish, this is a fascinating narrative and fitting tribute to an aviation legend. SF
BOOK SPEC
Mention World War One, and thoughts of either the Western or Russian Fronts come to mind... yet another major conflict zone existed, between the forces of the Austria-Hungarian Empire and Italy. It was here that Godwin von Brumowski, son of a senior imperial officer, gained legendary status and became the empire’s ace of aces. By chance, the author (a noted aviation artist) was contacted by Brumowski’s grandson about a painting that featured his grandfather in action, and this biographical tribute is the result. Brumowski’s first kills were gained in the east, initially as an observer/gunner,
Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski By:
Ivan Berryman
ISBN:
978-0-9555734-5-3
Price:
£15
Format:
A4
Available from: Cross & Cockade International, www.crosssandcockade.com
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
TEUTONIC BATTLEFIELD GEAR of a telephone cable spool, tripwire flare, dynamo lights and torches. Many other weapons are offered, such as various machine guns, anti-tank rockets in the Panzerfaust family and the fascinating (and new to this reviewer) Panzerwurfmine (L)...a hand-thrown shaped charge employed by Luftwaffe ground troops against tanks. Mines, mortars and demolition charges come before the larger subjects, such as field artillery and flak guns, and the book closes with illustrations of tracked guns, tracked demolition charges and machines such as the Wanse, Borgward and sWS with
15cm Nebelwurfer. Black and white period photos are great for reference, but this softback work offers a whole new level of detail and technicality with its artwork...and scratch-builders have inspiration here by the bucket-load. CC
BOOK SPEC
Renowned technical artist Keith Ward has poured all his 3D wizardry into this fascinating examination of German materiel used during World War Two.
A wealth of equipment is portrayed by these high-quality colour renderings, all of which will be useful for military modellers...particularly those who specialise in dioramas/ vignettes and figures. Small arms are tackled first and the famous MP40 is accompanied by much more interesting assault rifles, sub-machine guns and ‘paper projects’. There’s the Sturmgewehr 44 with Krummlauf device for shooting around corners, and Volkssturmgewehr 1-5, 10,000 of which were issued to militia units in the late-war period. But then the content delves into the more esoteric, via illustrations
World War II German Field Weapons & Equipment By:
KR Ward
ISBN:
978-1-909384-44-6
Price:
£19.95
Format:
A4
Available from: Casemate Publishing, www.casematepublishing.co.uk
AIR COMBAT AFTER THE INVASION
BOOK SPEC
This title is the first in Valiant’s Airframe Extra series and represents good value for anyone interested in post-D-Day aerial tussles. Across 84 pages, the multi-faceted ‘bookazine’ D-Day to VE Day: The Air Battle Over Europe By:
Various
ISBN:
978-099309081-3
Price:
£7.95
Format:
A4
Available from: Valiant Wings Publishing, www.valiant-wings.co.uk
blends history (via a month-bymonth timeline), colour profiles and model builds to examine the last 11 months of World War Two from an air combat over Europe perspective. Those who enjoy profile artwork, and find it inspiring, have much to enjoy with illustrations of everything from the AW Albermarle, B-26 Marauder and Douglas Boston, to the Short Stirling, P-51D, B-17 and Lavochkin La-5. Axis types include the expected Fw 190A/D, along with the Heinkel He 162, Me 262, Macchi C.205 and Fiat G.55; there’s real variety and colour to get the creative juices flowing and well-known
aircraft (B-17G 'Flak Eater' et al) are supported by more unusual examples, such as a Bulgarian Air Force Ar 196 floatplane and heavily mottled Me 163B. On that front, actual modelling is exemplified by various build projects, and these are: 1/72 C-47 and Spitfire PR.XIX from Airfix, Hasegawa’s 1/48 Bf 109G10, an Academy 1/48 P-38 as a recce F-5E, Hobby Boss’ 1/48 Me 262B-1a, Hasegawa’s 1/32 P47D (depicting Don Smith’s attractive ‘Ole Cock III’ and a meaty conversion of Hasegawa’s 1/32 Spitfire Vb to a PR.XIX. Slightly disappointing, though, is that the latter project has no
in-progress photos; just text and shots of the finished model. With a clean, neat design, this softback offers much and will undoubtedly be a well-thumbed addition to anyone’s reference/ how-to collection. CC
BLIGHTY’S SEA-GOING SCHEMES a vast collection of profiles to confirm the fact, and to inform and inspire ship modellers. And with more than 700 artworks included and described via lucid captions, this is a truly dazzling foray into the fascinating world of warship schemes. The chapters cover
vessel types such as destroyers, ‘Hunt’ Class escort destroyers, sloops, frigates, corvettes, minesweepers, auxiliary antiaircraft ships, coastal warfare craft and even submarines. Among all of these are simply amazing camouflage patterns to explore...but one challenge will be finding appropriate kits (and in a favoured scale). Examples such as the ‘24’ Class sloop HMS Silvio (T05), and the corvette HMS Azalea (K25), will have any modeller who loves colour in total rapture, but these are just a microcosm of the many stunning camouflage patterns shown. A paint guide is provided and this gives a
highly useful appraisal of official numbered/named shades, and the more nebulous ‘local procurement shades’. Some will think the profiles very small, but it would be difficult to enlarge them without having a book twice the size and cost. CC
BOOK SPEC
Of all the modelling genres, maritime is arguably the most daunting for many. But if one can overcome the slightly intimidating nature of the subjects, a deeply satisfying experience can be had...and colour schemes play a huge part. The fact has not been lost on author Malcolm Wright, who is a renowned maritime artist and wargames designer; more than most, he knows much of the sometimes complex and surprisingly colourful patterns applied to British and Commonwealth warships during World War Two. In this 160-page landscape-format book under the Seaforth imprint, Wright offers
British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WWII By:
Malcolm Wright
ISBN:
978-1-84832-205-9
Price:
£30
Format:
208mm x 228mm
Available from: Pen & Sword, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF BOOKS
ARTWORKS OF A LEGEND
Colour profiles have long been a source of inspiration for modellers; who hasn’t thumbed through a magazine or book and said to themselves: “Ooh!...now
not until one sees a particular piece of artwork that one simply falls in love with an aircraft and/or its livery. I myself have often been swayed by a colour scheme long before I had any love for the aircraft in question. For those who favour colourful aircraft, the profiles here will be hugely enjoyable. One has the unusual example of a captured Albatros with British Royal Flying Corps roundels, and another in French markings, but the remainder are of ‘enemy’ aircraft. These are a mixed bunch, and varnished wood dominates over camouflage. The high point with many is the personal and Jasta markings, employed with great
style by those such as Werner Voss and Hans Bohning. There are also welcome splashes of vivid green (always a pleasing colour on any aircraft), and a fine example is the well-known ‘Stropp’ of Jasta 46. Inspiring indeed! CC
BOOK SPEC
I’d love to build that!”. The digital arena has certainly revolutionised artwork in publishing, and here, American illustrator and modeller Dave Douglass has indulged himself by creating 41 profiles of one of his favourite obsessions... the Albatros D-series fighters from World War One. As Dave himself says in the Introduction, “The Albatros is perfect for the genre of aircraft profile art”, and he’s not wrong. Who could fail to be impressed by the dazzling colour schemes, and luckily, we have fairly decent kits and plenty of decal sheets with which to portray them. And that’s where this title scores highly, because sometimes it’s
Spotlight on Albatros Fighter Aircraft of WW1 By:
Dave Douglass
ISBN:
978-83-6367857-9
Price:
£19
Format:
304mm x 216mm
Available from: Mushroom Model Publishing, www.mmpbooks.biz
SCANDINAVIAN HOTROD
BOOK SPEC
Any modeller who enjoys building aircraft from Sweden, Finland, Austria and the like will undoubtedly have seen or bought the excellent books from Nordic Airpower. The publisher’s last work, the volume on the Nordic Airpower #6 Saab 35 Draken By:
Jan Jørgensen and friends
ISBN:
978-87-9936885-3
Price:
€45
Format:
302mm x 215
Available from: www.nordicairpower.com
SAAB Viggen, provided one of those ‘wow!’ moments for many seeking the ultimate reference on the type. Now, though, ‘Scandy’ fans have a title on the Draken which is just as impressive. This weighty 248-page hardback follows the series’ usual format, with a plethora of high-quality, fullcolour photos throughout and with informative captions. Each Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) sub-type of Draken is tackled in turn (J 35A/B/D/F/J/ SK 35 C), but not before a pleasing examination of the development and prototype examples, with archive imagery. The stunning photography by
Jan Jørgensen and his fellow lensmen, amassed throughout more than two decades, also extends to the export users– Denmark, Finland and Austria– and it’s splendid to have the whole family represented in this way for truly rounded coverage. Detail-hounds will welcome the close-up shots of weaponry and cockpit features, and the wonderful special schemes worn by Drakens from all user airarms will have one searching for relevant decals...if they’re not in the stash already! Photos of the Danish recce Drakens prompted waves of nostalgia for me, as they were fascinating visitors to RAF Leuchars when I was
stationed there in the late 1980s. Unit profiles with artwork of their official badges, and concise lists of airframe numbers/codes/ remarks, complete an absolute visual masterwork. CC
NOTORIOUS SOVIET DEFENDER
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where passengers were hit by engine debris. Pen & Sword’s book on the Flagon, the fifth in its Flight Craft series, follows the usual format with considerable
history text and period images. While the technical content is worthy, a renowned writer such as Yefim Gordon does himself (or the book) no favours with what can only be described as a break from impartiality; his biased view that any foreign aircraft making a border infraction must be spying is, in this reviewer’s opinion, rather crass and makes no allowance for navigational error or technical malfunction. But the ‘Modeller’s Corner’ section, which fills the final third of the book, does a creditable job of describing all the available kits (and their failings), such as the Trumpeter’s 1/48 Flagon-A/F/G
offerings, as well as 1/72 kits from Pioneer 2, VES, Trumpeter and A Model; after-market items are also explored. With 29 splendid colour profiles, and black and white line drawings, this is vital stuff for anyone building a Flagon. CC
BOOK SPEC
As the sub-title intimates, the purposeful-looking Flagon will forever be known as the type that shot down the Korean Airlines Boeing 747 in 1983, with all passengers and crew killed. But the Su-15 has been involved in many more ‘scrapes’ since the type’s first public airing in Moscow, in 1967. Various airspace infractions resulted in Flagons being launched to intercept and, besides numerous light aircraft being policed, yet another Korean Airlines aircraft (Boeing 707), was fired at and damaged by a Su-15 in 1978... but the pilots managed to land the ‘liner on a frozen lake in Russia, with just two deaths
Sukhoi Su-15 The Boeing Killer By:
Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov
ISBN:
978-1-47382-390-7
Price:
£16.99
Format:
A4
Available from: Pen & Sword, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
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14/07/2015 10:57
ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
LOW-COST CARRIER
LAST-DITCH INTERCEPTOR
QUARTER-SCALE SPOOKY
A completely new fuselage section and vertical stabiliser is included on Brengun's Natter prototype, the BP-20, and these capture the differences with ‘in-service’ airframes very accurately. Cockpit detail is comprehensive, given the small size of the kit, and the photo-etched metal seatbelts are a neat touch. A crate-style support frame is provided for the finished model and, for those who wish to pose their Natters ready for action, Brengun has also released a putative launch rail (BRS 72002), which is reviewed in this issue’s Accessories section. The Bachem Natter 22/23 schemes offered are for the initial By: Brengun two manned vehicles...the first Item no: BRP 72015 actually carried a dummy pilot, but the second crashed during testing, Scale: 1/72 and killed its occupant. Both feature Price: €14.16 a ‘scribble’ pattern RLM 75/76 Available from: upper surface camouflage with black Brengun, www.brengun.cz undersides.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Hasegawa has re-released its worthy Airbus A320 kit in yet another eyecatching livery, this time for Vanilla Air, a low-cost Japanese airline owned by ANA. To simplify painting, the fuselage is moulded in white styrene, with the remainder of components in grey. Exterior detail is represented by fine recessed panel lines, and there is an option for either wheels-up or wheelsdown configurations. A stand is provided for the former, along with a clever nose weight composed of a large bolt and styrene bulkhead, if one opts for lowered undercarriage. The decal sheet is first-rate, and provides a Airbus A320 Vanilla Air choice of large blocks of colour for By: Hasegawa the rear fuselage as an alternative to Item no: 10743 painting this area...helpfully there are Scale: 1/200 cuts in the larger sections to allow it to conform to the curves of the airframe. Price: £19.99 Two schemes are provided: Available from: • JA01VA, white/yellow livery Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk • JA02VA, overall white livery
STRATEGIC BOMBER
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Hasegawa has gone all retro with the re-release of its 1960s vintage B-47 Stratojet, with original-style artwork and instructions. It is still the only kit of this type in 1/72 scale, and despite its age, is pretty accurate. The main issues modellers may have with it are the raised panel lines and rivets...while the former would be better re-scribed, it should be noted that the real aircraft used flush rivets, and therefore had a very smooth finish. Interior detail is minimal, although there are representations of the fuselage wheel wells and bomb bay; the latter includes two racks of 12 bombs each. A basic B-47E Stratojet cockpit correctly places the throttles’ By: Hasegawa assemblies and consoles on the rightItem no: K7 hand side, but this should probably be Scale: 1/72 replaced with an after-market item, as this area is highly visible through the Price: £22.99 canopy. Just a single scheme is offered: Available from: • 52-0154, 301st BW, Strategic Air Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk Command, USAF
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Revell’s re-release of the 1970s Monogram AC-47D is a welcome return of an old favourite. Crisp raised panel lines feature on the exterior, and although not to everyone’s taste, with a little care a convincing effect can be achieved through pre-shading. Interior detail is excellent considering the kit’s age, and while not up to modern resin/photo-etched metal standards, it is amazing what Revell-Monogram achieved with just styrene. In addition to a full cockpit, navigator’s and radio stations, there are three impressive miniguns, complete with ammunition feeds AC-47D Gunship and spare magazines. Two colour By: Revell schemes are offered: Item no: 04926 • 43-339 ‘Spooky’, 3rd Air Commando Squadron, Nha Trang Scale: 1/48 AB, South Vietnam, 1968 Price: £29.99 • 43-916, 4412 Combat Crew Available from: Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Revell, www.revell.de/en Florida, 1971
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14/07/2015 10:58
ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
RISING SUN FIGHTER
SWISS MEDIC CHOPPER
1/48
Price:
£37.99
Available from: Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk
FASCIST IN SPAIN
PRODUCT SPEC
Scale:
This is a re-release of the firm’s worthy A-109 kit, with markings for Rega, Switzerland’s year-round civilian air-ambulance service. Three white runners carry 66 parts, some being rather basic (which echoes portions of the real machine faithfully), while others are rather more impressive. The cockpit is well appointed, with reasonable seats, radio gear and control sticks, and the cabin is equipped with a stretcher, A-109 K2 Rega paramedic seat and bulkhead/ By: Revell ceiling with effective sound-proofing Item no: 04941 texture. Above all, the panel lines are Scale: 1/72 very fine and all the styrene is white to ease painting. Revell’s small but Price: £9.50 well-printed decal sheet provides Available from: one Rega scheme, for HB-XWB, Revell, www.revell.de/en based at Zurich Airport in 2010.
SUBMARINE HUNTER
PRODUCT SPEC
With an extra runner and new decals, ICM has given extra life to its existing Hs 126A-1. The fresh guise comes via a single SC 50 bomb and its rack, and markings for the German Condor Legion. The model is surprisingly large in this scale and, with the impressive detail, will result in a worthy rendition. The well-appointed engine iand has nine parts minus the cowling and prop. Cockpit-wise all is good too, due to Hs 126A-1 with bomb rack the inner fuselage embellishments, By: ICM raised features on the clear-moulded instrument panels, radio gear and Item no: 48213 spare machine-gun magazines. Scale: 1/48 The colour schemes are: Price: £19.99 • 19•5, 5.A/88, Legion Condor, Available from: Spain, 1938 ICM, www.icm.com.ua • 19•3, 5.A/88, Legion Condor, 1938
The only other kit of this type is VEB's from the 1970s, and so Trumpeter’s lifts the bar considerably in terms of detail. Interior-wise there’s much to savour, as the cockpit is splendid and has deft moulding of instruments, and consoles. There’s a detailed rendition of every crew station, from the nose to the tail gunner...although much this further along the fuselage won’t be seen in the end. Crisp panel lines, anti-sub armament and optional beaching gear are other highlights, but the propellers are slightly out in shape. This kit portrays the Be-6M, Be-6 Madge rather than the later BE-6PLO, which had the tail gun replaced with a By: Trumpeter magnetic anomaly detector boom. Item no: 01646 All in all, this is a pleasing package Scale: 1/72 with more than 240 parts and three colour schemes: Price: £62.99 • Yellow 43, Soviet Navy Available from: • Yellow 04, Soviet Navy Pocketbond, • White 9053, Chinese People’s www.pocketbond.co.uk Liberation Army Naval Air Force
PRODUCT SPEC
white and blue eagle and frog’s head: • 67-8390/390, 7th AW, 302nd TFS, Hyakuri AB • 57-8369, 5th AW, 301st TFS, Nyutabaru AB
PRODUCT SPEC
Another limited edition re-release from Hasegawa finds its way to market, this time being the firm’s venerable F-4EJ in Kai (improved) format. This is the same moulding as the firm’s recent ‘Sea Camouflage’ F-4EJ and so the main Japanese Kai details are present (double radar warning receivers on the vertical tail, new wingtip RWR fairings) along with an F-15 centreline fuel tank, standard wing and centreline tanks, AIM-7s, AIM-9s (inaccurate forward fins) and launchers for AIM-4 Falcons (but no actual missiles). Some parts, such F-4EJ Kai Phantom II ‘Air as the pylons, have raised panel lines Superiority Camouflage’ but in general this is a great kit. The By: Hasegawa new decal sheet offers two schemes Item no: 07396 and well-known squadron badges...red,
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{95} 14/07/2015 10:59
ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
VERY PRETTY BULLET
PRODUCT SPEC
An much brighter aircraft can be built with Special Hobby’s second Bristol M.1C. While the first dealt solely with drab Great war schemes, this offers mostly silver dope trainers. There’s a lovely resin wicker seat and photo-etched brass provides seatbelts and other items. Excellent moulding can be found on the engine, although this radial Bristol M.1C ‘Checkers and unit comes in halves so careful Stripes’ seam clean-up will be vital. The four By: Special Hobby schemes include: • C4995/82, No.2 Fighting School, Item no: SH 32060 Marske, 1918 Scale: 1/48 • C4994, possibly No.2 Fighting Price: €43 School, Marske, 1918 Available from: • C5017, No.1 School of Aerial Special Hobby, cmkkits.com Fighting, Turnberry, 1918
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While the origins of Revell’s BO 105are in the early 1980s, the mould is decent and there’s reasonable detail. This re-release offers a smart special scheme; the helicopter (87+28) painted to mark the decommissioning of the German Army’s CHR 26 ‘Franken’, stationed near the Franconian town of Roth. The markings show a timeline of saluting soldiers, stylised BO 105 artwork, unit badges and a ’35 years’ crest. The styrene itself is pretty good and the cockpit has raised BO 105 35th Anniversary detail on the instrument panel and of Roth centre console, cyclic, collectives, By: Revell basic seats and a well-detailed Item no: 04906 quilted rear cabin bulkhead. Panel Scale: 1/32 lines are raised but there are well-rendered grilles on the upper Price: £9.99 fuselage sides. HOT missile launch Available from: tubes feature but they are not Revell, www.revell.de/en relevant to this machine.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Eduard’s MiG-21PF is re-boxed with different markings, but the same ProfiPACK goodies such as photo-etched (PE) metal and tape masks. This kit is every bit as good as the MF and R versions, and has the trademark slim spine and forward-opening canopy associated with the PF. High points include a superb cockpit and ejection seat (dressed with PE), exhaust/afterburner unit and a generous armoury, which includes RS-2US (AA-1 Alkali), S-24 and R-3S (AA-2 Atoll), and there are 490 lit and 800 lit fuel tanks. Five colour schemes are offered: • Red 4326, 921st Fighter Regt, MiG-21PF Vietnam AF, late 1960s/early 1970s By: Eduard • 761008, Red 851, JG 2, East German Item no: 8236 AF, Trollenhagen AB, late 1980s • Red 40, Soviet AF, Ceske Budejovice, Scale: 1/48 Czechoslovakia, August 1968 Price: €44.95 • White 79, 702nd UAP, Chernigov AB, Available from: Soviet Union, 1980s Eduard, www.eduard.com • Red 0615, 1st Fighter Regt, Polish AF
FRANKEN-COPTER
GREAT WAR RE-ISSUE
A re-boxing of Eduard’s 2003 product, this Junkers has excellent detail and this is exemplified most by the ribbed wings and tails. The engine and cockpit are well appointed—photo-etched [PE] brass provides a control column, seatbelts and armrests—but one must drill out the exhausts as the ends are solid. The PE also offers control horns, a cooling jacket, ammo belt and Junkers J.I magazine for the machine gun, and By: Eduard various structural features. Four colour Item no: 7046 schemes are given, and they include: • 101/17, Flieger Abteilung (A) 250, Scale: 1/72 Autumn 1917 Price: €15.94 • 134/17/A, Flieger Abteilung (A) 263 Available from: • 586/18, Villers la Chevres, Eduard, www.eduard.com September 1918
PRODUCT SPEC
COLD WAR COMMUNIST
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ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
HAVEN FOR THE WOUNDED
PRODUCT SPEC
ICM has re-worked its Lastkraftwagen into a splendid ambulance version. This time, the flatbed and cover hoops give way to a hard box section, with a busy 12-part mounting frame. There is no interior detail for the rear save for a plank floor, but the rest is excellent. There’s a Lastkraftwagen 3.5t AHN fully detailed engine and suspension, with Shelter reasonable cab with seats, foot By: ICM pedals, gear lever and steering wheel. The decals provide large red Item no: 35417 cross markings (tricky to apply over Scale: 1/35 the grille), and the single suggested Price: £22.99 colour scheme is for a yellow, green Available from: and red-brown vehicle of the Heer, in ICM, www.icm.com.ua France, 1944.
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It’s always good to see new truck kits and this Kraz-260 is no exception, as the type was the mainstay of Soviet, Warsaw Pact and Russian forces from the 1980s. Assembly looks straightforward, although there are large ejector pin marks, particularly on the dash and front bumper. A photo-etched metal fret enables scale thicknesses for items such as the mudflaps. The chassis and transmission are complex assemblies, with almost half of the instructions devoted to these areas. The vinyl Russian Kraz-260 wheels are neat and portray the By: Takom heavy tread pattern well. Four Item no: 2016 schemes are offered, in a variety of plain and multi-coloured camouflage: Scale: 1/35 • VA66-3644, DDR (East German) Price: £47.99 Army Available from: • 1601CM91, Russian Army Pocketbond, • 1792CM78, Russian Army www.pocketbond.co.uk • 393 40-12, Slovak Army
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
In a move executed to combat Tamiya’s release of the L/48, Dragon has added new parts to its previous L/70 version of the Jagdpanther. With a mix of standard Dragon Panzer IV runners, and new items dedicated to the L/48, the kit relies little on photo-etched (PE) brass for extra detail; just nine PE parts are provided, but they do not include side skirt armour as this is in styrene. Jagdpanzer IV L/48 July 1944 The major bonus is the moulded Production with Zimmeritt Zimmeritt which, although it might not By: Dragon be pronounced enough for some. DS Item no: 6369 Styrene tracks are provided and the Scale: 1/35 three colour schemes are: • Black 57, Pz.Jg.Abt ‘Heeresgruppe Price: £49.99 Mitte’, Warsaw, 1944 Available from: • White 212, Pz.Gren.Div. ‘Hermann The Hobby Company, Goering’, East Prussia, 1945 www.hobbyco.net • Unknown Pz.Jg.Abt., 1945
HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK
FULDA DEFENDER
A major component of Cold War US and NATO forces, the M60 A3 has been re-released in 1/72 scale by Revell. When first issued in 2004, it represented cutting-edge moulding and still holds up well...the single-piece upper hull features impressive detail on the rear section. Perhaps the only fiddly element will be the seven-part turret basket. The link-and-length tracks appear to have an accurate block pattern, and there are four US Army schemes: M60 A3 • C Co. 3rd Bn, 32nd Armored Regt, 3rd By: Revell Armored Div, W. Germany, early 1980s Item no: 03140 • B Company, 1st Bn, 1st Cav Regt, 1st Scale: 1/72 Armored Div, W. Germany 1991 • B Company, 3rd Bn, 68th Armored Price: £11.99 Regt, 8th Inf Div, W. Germany, 1988 Available from: • C Company, 1st Bn, 210th Armored Revell, www.revell.de/en Regt, Fort Drum, USA, 1990
PRODUCT SPEC
OLD PANZER, NEW PARTS
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ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
PRODUCT SPEC
In a departure from its 1/72 scale omnibuses, Roden has released a scaled-up version of its Opel 3.6-47, which combined the Blitz with a new engine and longer chassis. Interior detail is somewhat basic, although this does reflect the Spartan nature of the real vehicle, and the wooden slat seats will benefit from careful ‘staining’. The vehicle exterior has been captured accurately, in particular the various tools and equipment added while in service. In a Opel 3.6-47 Omnibus carry-over from the smaller scale, the By: Roden windows are provided as clear acetate Item no: 807 film. Three schemes are offered: Scale: 1/35 • WH-455647, Eastern Front, near Kiev, Ukraine, autumn 1941 Price: £42.99 • WH-183236, Deutsche Afrika Korps, Available from: autumn 1942 Pocketbond, • WH-412584, Unknown medical unit, www.pocketbond.co.uk probably Western Front, summer 1944
STAFF RUNABOUT
ICM’s all-new Horch offers not just an impressive engine and chassis, but a worthy interior, too. The floorpan has non-slip texturing, the multi-part seats offer a high degree of refinement and there are also rifles in their racks (tools are provided). This is an open-top version with single-piece engine cover; the latter has a fine piano hinge down the centre, while the radiator/grille unit is also well detailed. Four suggested Wehrmacht Horch 108 Typ 40 colour schemes are catered for and By: ICM these wear grey or sand paint: Item no: 35505 • 8.Pz Div, Soviet Baltic, Scale: 1/35 Summer 1941 • Lutwaffe, Russia, Summer 1942 Price: £20.99 • Luftwaffe, Russia, Autumn 1942 Available from: • Lutwaffe, KG 51, Russia, ICM, www.icm.com.ua Summer 1943
PRODUCT SPEC
LONG-WHEELBASE BLITZ
Designed as a towed artillery system, the M1 was an 8in (203mm) gun used by US and British forces during World War Two, and was carried into action on two trailers. Hauler has released the barrel and associated six-wheel trailer unit, and one hopes that the gun carriage on the M3A1 transport wagon will be released in the future. All in resin, it comprises M1 8” Gun Transporter 26 components and photo-etched Wagon metal, and is surprisingly large for By: Hauler 1/72 scale. Standout features are the road wheels with diamond tread Item no: HLP72016 pattern rendered superbly. It should Scale: 1/72 be noted that the M1 trailer was also Price: €28.31 produced with a much heavier blockAvailable from: pattern tyre and this is the version Hauler, www.hauler.cz usually seen in period photographs.
Takom is to be commended for producing less obvious modern military subjects such as this German Forces forklift. A four-in-one kit, it comes with short and long forks, crane and snow-plough attachments for real versatility. There are seven green styrene runners, one clear and a single-piece chassis. In addition photo-etched brass offers a mudguard-mounted equipment frame. Bundeswehr The detail is impressive, especially Feldumschlaggerat FUG 2.5t on the drive chain for the forks, By: Takom which is moulded beautifully. Chunky Item no: 2021 rubber tyres with accurate tread are Scale: 1/35 provided, and there are four suggested colour schemes. Two of these are the Price: £44.99 Afghanistan machines ‘Thor’ and ‘Odin’, Available from: while the plough-equipped vehicle is in Pocketbond, standard NATO European camouflage. www.pocketbond.co.uk The final example is in overall white.
PRODUCT SPEC
LIFTING AND STACKING
PRODUCT SPEC
WHEELED ARTILLERY
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ON THE SHELF
MARITIME KITS
PRODUCT SPEC
Developed from the Asashio-class, the Imperial Japanese Navy’s 19 Kagero-class destroyers were among the most powerful of their type. Aoshima’s waterline Maikaze (Whirlwind) has been around for many years and here the basic kit has been augmented by runner X from the Waterline series’ Light Vessel Ordnance Set. This provides torpedo tubes, optional replacement 12.7cm (5in) twin gun turrets, whalers, searchlights and depth-charge launchers. Given the age of the moulds, small amounts of flash are present on several smaller parts, and the majority IJN Destroyer Maikaze 1942 of surface detail is in the form By: Aoshima of raised lines. Although this is Item no: 034071 intended to be the Maikaze, the lack Scale: 1/700 of any hull markings means that any Kagero-class vessel can be built Price: £5.13 from this kit, albeit in early-war Available from: configuration. The single scheme Aoshima, depicts Maikaze during 1942, before www.aoshima-bk.co.jp any of its major refits.
UNDERWATER BRIT
CLASS UPGRADE
This new Aoba comes hot on the heels of Hasegawa’s recently released Furutaka in 1/700 scale; the move makes perfect sense and the company is to be commended for its thoughtfulness. Aoba was to be another Furutaka Class vessel, but then the design changed and the ship started a new class of its own, and that is reflected in Hasegawa's moulding with its different aircraft launch area, funnel layout and revised forward superstructure/ bridge. As with the Furutaka, the Aoba comes with a photoetched brass fret, which offers very fine railings, masts, radar and aircraft catapults, and there are also white metal propellers and turned brass gun barrels. The styrene floatplanes are well moulded and replicate Alf, Dave, Jake and Pete machines. This is Japanese Navy Heavy a full-hull kit and the lower hull Cruiser Furutaka section (and a handful of other By: Hasegawa parts) is moulded in a suitable Item no: 43166 dark red shade. A wooden base and self-adhesive nameplate complete the package, which also allows representation of the Aoba’s sister ship Kinugasa. This is a splendid release and a great addition to the genre.
PRODUCT SPEC
NAUTICAL WHIRLWIND
Scale:
1/700
Price:
£44.99
Available from: Amerang, www.amerang.co.uk
TEN-GO BEACH
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Sister-ship to the Imperial Japanese navy vessel Maikaze, and escort to Yamato, the Hamakaze (Beach Wind) was sunk by aircraft of the US Navy's Task Force 58 in 1945, during the notorious Operation Ten-Go; this was the failed Japanese attack against Allied forces on Okinawa. As with many of its kits, Aoshima’s re-release adds upgraded styrene parts from the very useful Waterline series Light Vessel Ordnance Set, and there are sufficient spare items on this runner, which includes paravanes, searchlights, whalers and davits, to enable the ship to be built as she appeared at any time IJN Destroyer Hamakaze during Word War two. Despite its 1942 age, there is a wealth of pleasing detail, which includes bolt heads By: Aoshima on the main gun turrets and raised Item no: 034088 torpedo trackways on the deck. Scale: 1/700 No decals are provided, but a small printed paper sheet provides Price: £5.13 suitable Japanese ensigns for the Available from: aft mast. The single scheme is of Aoshima, Hamakaze as she appeared in early www.aoshima-bk.co.jp 1942, prior to a radar refit.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
The Royal Navy X-Craft mini-subs are the stuff of legend, especially when one thinks about Operation Source, which damaged the Tirpitz while moored in Norway. With this in mind, Merit has plugged the gaping hole in the market for a good mainstream X-Craft with this kit, which is well detailed and simple to build. It’s imposing in this scale, too, and has a hull of approximately 17 1/2in (45cm) once the rear planes are fitted. The hull halves are detailed in a worthy fashion, but the top decking more so; the two hatches have proper inserts, into which the hatches themselves actually fit, but they can also be posed open. No interior detail is supplied, sadly, so let’s hope a canny after-market producer such as CMK offers resin details, British HMS X-Craft as it did for Revell’s Typ IXC Submarine U-Boat. Finer points include By: Merit deftly moulded attachment Item no: 63504 straps for the under-keel railings, an equally good towing/ Scale: 1/35 mooring eye at the bow and a Price: £45 small photo-etched metal fret. Available from: Complete with full periscope, Pocketbond, snorkel and boarding ladder, this www.pocketbond.co.uk is a maritime treat.
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ON THE SHELF AUTO KITS
HARD-TOP HORSE
ADHESIVE RACER
RAGING BULL AT 50
PRODUCT SPEC
Few supercars can match the Aventador for sheer brute force and aggressive styling. Having already produced several mouldings of this car, Aoshima now has a 50th Anniversary model, with a newly tooled body shell and interior, enlarged front bumper and extensive rear meshwork. The shell is in white styrene, to ensure good opacity and richness of the chosen top colour, and the detail everywhere is a sight to behold. From the inner quilting effect of the upholstery and splendid dashboard, to the crisp meshwork, busy engine unit and moving doors, Aventador LP720-4 50° this is a corking kit for any supercar Anniversario modeller. It even has an alternative By: Aoshima panel section with nuts and bolts Item no: 011522 underneath, if one wishes to fix the model to a display base. PhotoScale: 1/24 etched metal grilles, convincing Price: £17.25 rubber tyres and decals with two Available from: registration plate options complete www.aoshima-bk.co.jp the package.
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muted alloy shade, and the rubber tyres are ‘slicks'. Window masks are included and Cartograf has printed the splendid decal sheet for the #41 Loctite-sponsored long-tail car.
PRODUCT SPEC
Here’s a wonderful option for race car fans, particularly those interested in the Le Mans 24-hour event. Aoshima’s McLaren is a busy affair, with 11 black styrene runners, one in dark grey, two in chrome, one alloy, one each in clear red and yellow and two clear. These are completed by the body shell and floor pan. The kit has a superb 12-piece engine, which will be visible under the clear cover, and there’s copious detail in the cockpit McLaren F1 GTR 1998 Le (bucket seat, roll bar, foot pedals, Mans 24 Loctite #41 control panel, excellent steering By: Aoshima wheel and mount, and gear lever). Item no: 007457 The exhausts come moulded in a Scale:
1/24
Price:
£21.66
Available from: www.aoshima-bk.co.jp
PRE-PAINTED COUPÉ
When a kit is labelled as ‘pre-painted’, one does wonder what it will contain... but Aoshima’s re-released Subaru is pleasantly surprising. The paint demarcations and finish are brilliant, with gloss sheen to the metallic blue, and the black and aluminium are suitably matt and metallic respectively. The standout among the painted parts is the lower chassis, with all three colours applied perfectly. All that a modeller needs to complete the kit is clear red or clear red and orange depending on whether one prefers the Japanese or European/US version. Left- and righthand drive consoles are included with Subaru BRZ the console, which features optional By: Aoshima manual or automatic transmission, Item no: 010075 associated gear stick and foot pedals Scale: 1/24 and even a choice of tape decks! The vinyl tyres are moulded cleanly, Price: £18.67 with the Bridgestone logo and tyre Available from: dimensions highly visible. Obviously, www.aoshima-bk.co.jp just a single colour scheme is offered.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Yet another re-release from Revell, the Ferrari F50 was previously issued as Barchetta and hard-top versions in 1995 and 2002 respectively. There are no indications of an upgrade to the kit components, and several are stamped with the original ‘1995’ date, but Revell has included a number of stencils on the decal sheet for the engine, transmission and brakes, which will inject extra colour and interest to the model. The interior is well appointed, and includes foot pedals and inner door furnishing, but Ferrari F50 just a left-hand drive configuration By: Revell is offered. Other vehicle options Item no: 07370 include a raised or lowered engine cover. Although just one colour Scale: 1/24 scheme is provided, for an overall Price: £22.99 red vehicle, Revell has included its Available from: usual selection of registration plates Revell, www.revell.de/en from around Europe.
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ON THE SHELF FIGURES
RISING SUN FLYER
MIDDLE-EAST SCOT
Plus Model
Item no:
AL4057
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€7.90
Available from: Plus Model, www.plusmodel.cz
CURRENT BRITS
PRODUCT SPEC
In this useful set one receives five modern British troops; two are posed standing and wear large packs, body armour and webbing (one soldier has a General-Purpose Machine Gun while the other carries an SA80A2 with Under-slung Grenade Launcher). The remaining trio features two in seated positions, and another man with arm raised to rest on the roll-bar of a Land Rover–all three are designed to fit Hobby Boss' 1/35 WMIK with roofmounted Milan. The helmets have decent cover detail, but the step down from the font is arguably a little too deep.
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Modern UK Infantrymen, present day By:
Masterbox
Item no:
MB35180
Scale:
1/35
Price:
£9.99
Available from: Master Box, www.mbltd.info
glued to the arm. Careful painting, shading and wash treatment will pay dividends here, to ensure a delightful accompaniment to a 1/48 Nipponese fighter. Skilled figure specialists could always convert the head to sport a Kamikaze headband, too.
TARGET DISCUSSION Seasoned sculptor Nino Pizzichemi has worked his magic yet again for Tommy’s War, with this stunning resin artillery sergeant. The summer of 1916 was warm, and so the soldier is depicted in shirt-sleeve order and holding a clipboard. He wears protective leg gaiters and standard tin helmet, but thoughtfully an alternative head with Wolseley helmet is offered, for anyone considering portraying a Middle East scene. The facial features are strong and full of character, and as with all TW figures, this is mastered quite tall. Battery Sergeant, Royal Field Artillery, The Somme 1916 By:
Tommy’s War
Item no:
TW54027
Scale:
54mm
Price:
£14
Available from: Tommy’s War, www.tommyswar.co.uk
Captain, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, Tel-ElKebir 1882 By:
Tommy’s War
Item no: VH54003 Scale:
54mm
Price:
£14
Available from: Tommy’s War, www.tommyswar.co.uk
MILITIA DUO
An interesting release, Master Box’s male-female German Volkssturm duo is pleasing. The figures and wheeled cart come on four small runners, and the detail is excellent. Both subjects are depicted pulling said cart, each having a hand on the handles. Obviously teenagers, both wear uniforms akin to the Hitler Youth and League of German Girls. Weapons-wise there is much variety, with Panzerfausts, stick grenades, Mauser rifles and more, while a small photo-etched brass fret provides fine wheel spokes and other details for the cart. Volkssturm. Ammunition to the Frontline By:
Master Box
Item no:
MB35182
Scale:
1/35
Price:
£9.99
Available from: Master Box, www.mbltd.info
at the rear of the kilt, the welldetailed sporran and excellent face/head, which has very good hair and moustache. The sword’s intricate guard is also worthy of mention, but emulating the kilt’s tartan in 54mm will be challenging to all but experienced figure painters!
BIG GUN BOSS Released to accompany TW’s other RFA figure reviewed here, this resin example is that of an officer instructing his NCO. Aside from the wonderful sculpting and casting, what immediately hits home is the superb face, with typical handlebar moustache befitting an officer of the time. As with the sergeant, this figure comes with an alternative Wolseley-helmeted head, and the pose is superb... with swagger stick being pointed in direction. This and the NCO are perfect accompaniments to TW’s Ordnance QF 18-Pounder Field Gun...built in AMW’s December 2014 issue.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
PRODUCT SPEC
Pilot A6M Zero
PRODUCT SPEC
Here’s a splendid subject, the third in TW’s new Victoria’s Heroes sub-brand. The resin figure is that of a Cameron Highlander officer, with sword in hand and helmet in the other, while at 1882’s battle of Tel-El-Kebir (in which the British Army fought rebelling Egyptians and Sudanese). Standout features are the superbly rendered pleats
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
With a defiant pose and enviable detail, this crisp resin Japanese pilot could accompany various fighters even though it’s billed as being designed for a 1/48 Zero. The flying suit and parachute harness are beautifully rendered, and there’s a pleasing sit to the leather flying helmet flaps. The defining feature, though, is the iconic Katana sword in its scabbard being gripped by the right hand, which is cast integrally and needs to be
Major, Royal Field Artillery, The Somme 1916 By:
Tommy’s War
Item no:
TW54028
Scale:
54mm
Price:
£14
Available from: Tommy’s War, www.tommyswar.co.uk
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
PIRATE CATS
FILM STAR FORTS
F-14A Tomcat VF-84 Jolly Rogers By:
CAM Decals
Item no:
P72-020 and P48034
Scale:
1/72 and 1/48
Price:
US $10 and $12
Available from: CAM Decals, www.camdecals.com
stripes, partial stencilling and a full complement of formation ‘slime lights’, the latter with excellent boundary rivet details. For the remainder of the fuselage annotations, one can use either kit decals, or CAM’s own recently released hi-viz set in either scale. Just the single scheme is offered: • 160414, AJ/201, VF-84 Jolly Rogers, CVW-8, USS Nimitz, 1981
Kits World has wandered into cinematic subjects before, with its sheets on B-25s portrayed in the films Hanover Street and Catch 22. Here, it does so again with eight aircraft featured in the 1990
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Of all the US Navy’s squadrons, VF-84 is arguably the best known, due to its infamous skull and crossbones insignia, and its Tomcats hogging the limelight in the 1980 film ‘The Final Countdown’. Custom Aeronautical Miniatures (CAM) has now released decals for an F-14 in overall FS 36440 Light Gull Gray camouflage, as part of its CAMpro range in both 1/72 (P72-020) and 1/48 (P48-034). In addition to the squadron insignia and black/yellow livery stripes, which are in perfect register, this set provides glovevane walkways, arrestor hook
SMART FAT ALBERT
{106}
Caracal Models
Item no: CD48065 Scale: Price:
1/48 US $14.99
Available from: Caracal Models, www.caracalmodels.com
Kits World
Item no:
KW172019
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£10.20
Available from: Kits World, www.kits-world.com
As one may have seen in last month’s issue, we used markings from this set on our exclusive Airfix test-shot. The choice is wonderful, and apart from standard splinter patterns, there is also the earlier variant of splinter in RLM 62/63/65, and a desert machine in RLM 79 over RLM 65. Of the eight P-2s represented, examples include: • S7+HA, Stab StG./3, Derna, Libya, 1941 • 25+E33, 3./KG 255, Menningen, August, 1939 • Wk.Num. 2149/G1+JL, 3./KG 55, France, 1940 • 1G+BB ‘Der alte Fritz’, Paul
US Navy Blue Angels C-130 By:
By:
LUFTWAFFE STALWART
aircraft (164763) on its website. Federal Standard paint codes are quoted on the instructions, while colour profiles and plan/ underside views give all the relevant information on markings placement and painting. National insignia are also included.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
For anyone with the courage and display space to tackle Italeri’s huge quarter-scale Hercules, Caracal now offers this sheet, with which to portray the famous Blue Angels’ support aircraft. Resplendent in blue, white and yellow, ‘Fat Albert’ is catered for with two schemes, which differ just very slightly in terms of the ‘Blue Angels’ font style. The aircraft is actually a KC-130T, but the Italeri/Testors C-130H is the required base kit. Besides these well-printed decals, Caracal also provides reference photos of this
B-17s of the Movie ‘Memphis Belle’
movie Memphis Bell. One livery is for the famed B-17F Memphis Belle herself, and another is Duxford's Sally B, but the others are purely fictional. Two sets of national insignia are provided, and fans of the film will recognise the aircraft names instantly. They are: • 22360/DF-O ‘Gee Whizz’ • 124292/DF-U ‘Baby Ruth’ • 124299/DF-X ‘C-Cup’ • 124485/DF-A Sally B/Memphis Belle • 124485/DF-A ‘Memphis Belle’ • 25703/DF-S ‘Mother and Country’ • 22960/DF-M ‘Windy City’ • 22656/MJ-K ‘Clooney Baby’
Heinkel He 111P By:
Xtradecal
Item no:
X72220
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£7.99
Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk
Hollinde, Stab I./KG 27, Gablingen, Autumn/Winter, 1939-40 • Wk.Num. 1417/1G+FN ‘Hexe’, Stab 5./KG 27, Gabilngen, AutumnWinter 1939-40 • 1G+DL ‘Muss-Man Haben!’, 3./KG 27, Münster-Handorf, May 1940
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
DECALS FOR ‘THE FEW’
The perfect partner to Xtradecal’s Spitfire sheet also reviewed here, Hannants' own brand offers ten exciting liveries for the 1940 Hurricane Mk.I. Among the famous flyers represented are Douglas Bader, and to shakes things up a bit the schemes offer different styles of fuselage roundels and codes... and there’s an aircraft with the split black and white undersides for extra variety. National markings are supplied for all choices, and of course, ace pilots also feature. Some of these are:
Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia By:
Xtradecal
Item no:
X72221
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£7.99
Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk
GOERING’S NEMESIS
• RN-N, Flg Off Desmond Sheen, 72 Sqn, Leconfield • X4382/LO-G, Plt Off OV Hanbury, 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqn, Westhampnett • P9398/KL-B, Plt Off Alan Deere, 54 Sqn, Hornchurch • R6800/LZ-N, Sqn Ldr Rupert Leigh, 66 Sqn, Gravesend
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Highly appropriate in this 75th anniversary year, these markings offer great choice and notable pilots. The sheet is excellent value as it offers ten 1940 options, and especially as every example comes with national insignia; all markings are for the Spitfire Mk.Ia subtype. A pleasing addition is ‘Grumpy’ Unwin’s Mk.Ia ‘QVH’. The choices include: • K9953/ZP-A, Flt Lt ‘Sailor’ Malan, 74 Sqn, Hornchurch • N3093/QJ-WII, Flt Lt Denys Gillam, 616 (S. Yorkshire) Sqn, Aux AF, Leconfield
Xtradecal
Item no: X72223 Scale:
1/72
Price:
£7.99
Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk
Xtradecal
Item no: X72222 Scale:
1/72
Price:
£7.99
• P2798/LK-A, Flt Lt Ian Gleed, 87 Sqn, Exeter • V6665/RF-J, Flt Lt JE Kent, 303 (Warsaw-Kosciusco) Polish Sqn, Northolt • V7467/LE-D, Sqn Ldr Douglas Bader, 242 (Canadian) Sqn, Coltishall • P3395/JX-B, Flt Lt Arthur V ‘Darkie’ Clowes, 1 Sqn, Northolt • P3148/NN-Q, 310 (Czech) Sqn, Duxford
FOXY MARKINGS Here’s Kits World’s second foray into mixed subjects from the RAF’s 12 Squadron, and again, there’s one option each for a Lancaster and Tornado. This is not a new idea, as it’s been explored by other manufacturers, the total of 11 include: • Ju 87B-2, A5+HH, 1./StG 1, Luftwaffe, Bulgaria, 1941 • J9+IH, 7./StG 1, Luftwaffe, Ostende, Belgium, 1941 • Ju 87R-2, 7060/239, 239a Sq, 97° Gruppo, Regia Aeronautica, Italy, 1941 • Ju 87B-2, J9+BL, Oblt Otto Blumers, 9./StG 1, Luftwaffe, France, 1940
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Various kits would benefit from these stunning decals, but they’ve obviously been produced with Airfix’s forthcoming new-tool Ju 87B in mind. There’s delightful variation too; apart from the ordinary splinter, there’s a jazzy Hungarian example, two Libya-based Stukas with different desert camouflage, and a captured Yugoslav Partisan machine. The Luftwaffe night intruder is cool, especially as it has decals to replicate the over-painted crosses in all positions. Examples from
By:
By:
Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk
THE SCREAMER
Junkers Ju 87B/K/R Stuka
Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Pt.1 Hawker Hurricanes
RAF 12 Squadron Lancaster/ Tornado By:
Kits World
Item no:
KW172126
Scale:
1/72
Price:
£10.20
Available from: Kits World, www.kits-world.com
but this sheet does offer a splendid special 90th anniversary tail ‘Tonka’. The decals are well printed, but one must mix paint shades appropriately to paint the Leaf Green on the rudder of the Tornado. National insignia features for both types: • Lancaster B.III, ME758/PH-N ‘N for Nuts’, Wickenby, 1942 • Tornado GR.4, ZA543 ‘Leads the Field 1915-2005, Lossiemouth, 2005 Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
ANGELS HIGH
FISHBED DATA
By:
CAM Decals
Item no:
P32-022
Scale:
1/32
Price:
US $15
Available from: CAM Decals, www.camdecals.com
• A-4F, 154986, 1, Cdr Bill Newman • A-4F, 154177, 2, Capt Dan Keating • A-4F, 155029, 3, L/Cdr Bruce Davey • A-4F, 154179, 4, L/Cdr Don Simmons • A-4F, 154983, 5, L/Cdr John Millar • A-4F, 155056, 6, Lt Mike Curtin • TA-4J, 158722, 7
ALBINO SCOOTER
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: MILSPEC 72/48/31-01 Scale:
1/72, 1/48, 1/32
Price:
US $8, $10 and $12
Available from: CAM Decals, www.camdecals.com
{108}
By:
Eduard
Item no:
D48020
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€11.25
Available from: Eduard, www.eduard.com
The RAF’s Typhoon has suddenly become a most suitable canvas for out-ofthe-ordinary liveries, and the two here will surely make Revell’s kit a real dazzler. The first option is ZK343/BX flown by Flt Lt Noel Rees of 29 Squadron, RAF Coningsby, as the display jet for last year’s airshow season. It has a very stylish rendition of the squadron’s eagle head and three Xs on the tail, as well as decorated canard foreplanes. The other aircraft is ZK342/ED of 6 Squadron, to mark the unit’s 100th anniversary
Blue Angels TA-4 Casper #7 CAM Decals MILSPEC Decals
MiG-21R stencils
manufacturers’ kits, this profusion of stencilling will certainly enliven a MiG-21’s bare-metal finish, as well as is weaponry. In the case of the R sub-type, there are also markings for the four different reconnaissance pods it carries. Weapons stencils are provided for R-2US, S-24, R-3S and R-3R stores (and pylons), and there are also data plates for the ejection seat and canopy interior frame.
COOL-TAILED TIFFIES
When one thinks of the US Navy’s Blue Angels display team, it is invariably of gloss dark blue aircraft, with markings in golden yellow. However, in 1981, a TA-4J was loaned to the team during the winter training period and was nicknamed ‘Casper’, as it retained its overall white scheme. Custom Aeronautical Miniatures (CAM), has now printed markings
By:
PRODUCT SPEC
A-4 Skyhawk (A-4F and TA-4J)
Printed with Eduard’s own 1/48 Fishbed family in mind, but also useful for other
for this scheme under its new sub-brand Milspec Decals, as its inaugural product and in all three major aircraft scales. Each set comprises two small sheets, which combined provide a full set of markings, stencils and Blue Angels logos. Just the single scheme is offered, this being the TA-4J Bu.No. 153477/ 7, Blue Angels, 1981.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Designed for Hasegawa’s A-4 and TA-4 Skyhawk kits, this release from the CAMpro series of decals enables one to build an example of the US Navy’s famous Blue Angels display team. Modellers can choose from all seven aircraft, and additional markings are provided for the longernosed TA-4J airframe. There are handy notes on the correct shade of blue for the overall colour scheme, as well as a suggestion on how to mix the specific hue. Seven schemes for the 1978 display season are offered:
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 Special Schemes By:
Xtradecal
Item no:
X32056
Scale:
1/32
Price:
£7.99
Available from: Hannants, www.hannants.co.uk
last year. The defining feature is that of the World War two-style Dark Earth and Middle Stone on the tail and spine, and this jet also wears decorated canards. Both are splendid if one wants a change from the standard low-vis grey scheme.
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
Item no:
35 A124
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€9.85
Available from: www.aber.net.pl
FRENCH GUNFIGHTERS
Ramp/Trailer for Bachem Natter By:
Brengun
Item no:
BRS72002
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€27.33
Available from: www.brengun.cz
POINTING THE WAY
{110}
Vought F-8 Crusader By:
L’Arsenal
Item no:
AC 350 168
Scale:
1/350
Price:
€9.95
Available from: www.larsenal.com
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
These resin 1/350 F-8 Crusaders from L’Arsenal will look stunning on any Nimitz or angled-deckmodified Essex class carriers. Five aircraft are included and each comprises three resin and 15 photo-etched metal (PE) parts, the majority of the latter for the undercarriage legs and doors. Helpfully, L’Arsenal offers a set of spare PE components, as the main legs look fragile.
Signposts are crucial to junctionorientated dioramas, and these Normandyassociated signs will be of use to anyone who wants to make a D-Day scene. In addition to standard French placards, there are military-associated labels, including signs for a hospital and a 2 Div sign which warns its soldiers to ‘behave themselves’. Thoughtfully, Matho provides suitable wooden or metallic backings on the rear of the sheet for simple assembly. Normandy Road Signs By:
Matho Models
Item no:
35001
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€7.95
Available from: www.mathomodels.com
GBU-10 Paveway II By:
Eduard
Item no:
672052
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€7.45
Available from: www.eduard.com
STAINED LUFTWAFFE Bespoke weathering products seem to be all the rage, although it has to be said that sets such as this from AMMO MIG make the task much easier. It comprises three different premixed panel line washes, which are designed to provide relevant contrast for various camouflage colours on early-war German aircraft. Perhaps the most unusual is the shade intended as a wash for RLM 04 Gelb (Yellow). German Early Fighters and Bombers By:
AMMO MIG
Item no: A.MIG 7414 Scale:
N/A
Price:
€10.80
Available from: www.migjiminez.com
PRODUCT SPEC
Aber
BUCKLE UP It seems that the aftermarket companies were just waiting for the likes of Wingnut Wings to ignite a new range of innovations for accessories. Typical of this shift is a seatbelt set for a 1/32 SE.5a by HGW Models, which provides pre-cut microtextile belts with photo-etched metal buckles and clasps. While separate, the components appear intricate, but together they look amazing...and will make a huge difference to the interior of one’s SE.5a. SE.5a Seatbelts By:
HGW Models
Item no:
132565
Scale:
1/32
Price:
€9.66
Available from: www.hgwmodels.cz
SCALE FOLIAGE
Creating accurate scale foliage is always tricky, so it’s great to see Royal Model producing sets of leaves in photo-etched metal. Here, it provides three sizes of what appear to be either maple or sycamore leaves, which vary in size from 11/64in (4.5mm) to 9/64in (3.5mm). Preparation looks to be merely a matter of removing the leaf from the fret and attaching to either a branch or ground/vehicle, and then painting it.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
Often overlooked by kit manufacturers, weapons have become one of the staples of after-market companies. Eduard has added to its own range with a stunning 2,000lb GBU-10 Paveway II. Two bombs are included, and each comprises a main body/guidance adapter section, separate foreplanes and a choice of two seeker heads, one of which is fitted with a protective cover. What makes this package even better is the excellent decal sheet, which provides all necessary stencils and markings.
PRODUCT SPEC
Glasses and Watches
If one is looking for a different way of displaying a Natter, then this elegant resin set is perfect. It comprises 36 resin and photoetched metal components and can be built to represent either a transport trailer (which carried two Natters end-to-end) or a vertical launch support. Clever engineering means it's simple to alter the configuration.
PRECISION RESIN
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
As good as modern figures are, at times they seem to lack certain items that scream ‘individuality’. Aber has come to the rescue with this photoetched metal fret of watches and spectacles. Sufficient numbers of each are included for at least three boxed figure sets, and while there is just a single style of watch, there are several lens shapes provided.
ROCKET LAUNCHER
PRODUCT SPEC
SPECTACLE TIME
Leaves (no.5) By:
Royal Model
Item no:
706
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€12
Available from: www.royalmodel.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
Item no:
A.MIG 7418
Scale:
N/A
Price:
€10.80
Available from: www.migjimenez.com
EXTRA ARMOUR
Jagdpanzer IV L/48 Schürzen By:
Eduard
Item no:
36317
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€22.95
Available from: www.eduard.com
Brengun
Item no:
BRL144107
Scale:
1/144
Price:
€10.13
Available from: www.brengun.cz
SOVIET CARGO
Tamiya’s excellent quarter-scale GAZ truck will look suitably busy with this handy 11-part package. Cast in pale grey resin, one receives a main stowage item in the shape of several crates and two jerry cans covered by a tarpaulin. Also supplied are four separate wooden crates, five tied items that will suffice for small tarps or bedding, and a spare wheel.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Dragon has moulded the Schürzen armour plates as one combined piece for each side on its latest Jagdpanzer IV L/48. While this will suffice for some modellers, others will undoubtedly want individual armour plates, which makes the rendering of battle damage easier. Eduard’s set provides all the armour plates as separate brass items, along with their hanging brackets.
By:
Storage for Tamiya GAZ MM By:
Red Zebra
Item no:
N/A
Scale:
1/48
Price:
£9
Available from: www.redzebramodels.co.uk
By:
Brengun
Item no:
BRS72003
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€15.02
Available from: www.brengun.cz
PRODUCT SPEC
AMMO MIG
A/S32A-32 Spotting Dolly
ALLIED TRUCK Designed to fit IBG Models’ kit, this impressive photoetched brass package provides a wealth of extra and replacement parts for heightened refinement. Items such as radiator and engine grilles, ignition cables, fan belt, dashboard dials, windscreen wipers and mudguards all feature, among other smaller embellishments. Bedford QL Series By:
Eduard
Item no:
36315
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€17.25
Available from: www.eduard.com
ASSISTED ESCAPE
LIGHTWEIGHT MULE Extra refinement for Airfix’s recent 1/48 Bedford truck can be ensured via Hauler’s photoetched metal set. It’s a pretty comprehensive affair, which offers whole new windscreen, door and window frames, instruments, foot pedals, wipers, engine covers, footsteps and more. One even gets retaining straps for a rolled canvas rear cargo bed cover! Clear acetate windows are also provided. Bedford MWD Light Truck By:
Hauler
Item no: HLX48362 Scale:
1/48
Price:
€14.16
Available from: www.hauler.cz
If one plans to build a quarter-scale Intruder with a scheme from the mid-1970s or before, these stunning new resin ejection seats are a must. They depict the earlier GRU-5 fitted to the A-6A, early A-6E and EA-6A. Although designed to fit Hobby Boss' kits, they could, with work, also enliven the Revell-Monogram Intruder family. A superb amount of detail is evident all over the seats, such as a full array of belts, main gun, drogue gun initiation rods and face screen firing handles...the latter two items being cast separately.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
Westland Wessex HAS.1/.31A
A common sight on modern US Navy carriers is this towing tractor, used to manoeuvre aircraft while on the flight deck and below deck in the hangar. Brengun’s resin version offers superb detail across its 13 parts, and the main body is particularly well rendered. A small photo-etched brass fret carries extra components such as engine grilles, driver’s seat supports and control handles, while a selection of decals will ensure further authenticity.
PRODUCT SPEC
WWII Japanese Airplanes Air Weathering Set
The price may seem a little steep for the size of the fret (just 4x4cm), but what’s on it will make a world of difference to Mark I’s Wessex. There’s an instrument panel and consoles, seatbelts, rotor hub embellishment, an engine grille for the nose and a complete winch and rescue stretcher. If one’s eyesight is up to the job, this will be great fun and offers sublime detail.
CARRIER VEHICLE
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
The often monotone nature of Japanese World War Two aircraft means that help is required to enliven the surface of a model, but AMMO’s new three-bottle set of enamel panel line washes should help no end. In Dark Red Brown, Medium Tan and Sky Grey, these offer a sympathetic avenue for weathering of Japanese subjects, whether they wear naval grey or air force green. With Airfix’s brand new B5N2 Kate kit imminent (and built in this issue!), these washes are definitely worth a try.
TINY CHOPPER
PRODUCT SPEC
FAR EAST GRIME
Martin-Baker GRU-5 Seats By:
Hypersonic Models
Item no:
HMR 48022
Scale:
1/48
Price:
£6
Available from: www.hypersonicmodels.co.uk
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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ON THE SHELF ACCESSORIES
CMK
Item no:
4312
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€21
Available from: www.cmkkits.com
FANCY FRONT
By:
CMK
Item no:
7315
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€10.30
Available from: www.cmkkits.com
18 CYLINDERS
Spitfire Mk.VIII cockpit By:
Eduard
Item no:
648199
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€29.95
Available from: www.eduard.com
ROLLING RESIN
{112}
By:
Limes Model
Item no:
35023
Scale:
1/35
Price:
€7.33
Available from: www.limesmodel.hu
Wright R-3350 By:
Plus Model
Item no:
AL7013
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€12.30
Available from: www.plusmodel.cz
If one has a 1/72 Spitfire build on the cards, from Mks I to V, why not consider SBS Model’s new resin wheels to add that little extra? They are of the five-spoke variety and have wonderful detail, with realistically deep recesses in the hub. Slight casting gates mean easy removal, clean-up and fitting.
PRODUCT SPEC
Willys Jeep MB early type slat grille
Wright’s R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone powered aircraft such as the B-29, A-1 Skyraider, Constellation, DC-7 and Neptune. Plus Model has recognised the usefulness of a highly detailed resin replica, although if building a twin- or four-engine recipient the budget will rise, of course. This offering has splendid casting and all the cylinders and main body items are cast separately. A sublime product, but it will need careful assembly, painting and fitting.
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Hungarian company Limes Model excels with its laser-cut card accessories and this Jeep grille upholds the reputation. It depicts the early BBQ-style unit and will work on most Jeep kits; a bonus addition is the rear panel for the vehicle, which is in resin and comes with lights cast in situ, along with the original manufacturer name.
Spitfire 5-spoke wheel set By:
SBS Model
Item no: 72028 Scale:
1/72
Price:
€3
Available from: www.sbsmodel.com
One of the Germans’ well-known defensive measures was to sink a tank turret into the ground. Here, hauler has produced a little marvel with its 1/72 version of the Pantherturm I installation, rendered in its firing position. All parts are cast beautifully in resin, save for the turned aluminium gun barrel which has a resin muzzle brake. Photo-etched brass details include the ring around the Panther turret base, and vision block guards. The base in particular is great, because it comes with rubble, plank, concrete path and wooden boardwalk detail all cast in situ.
PRODUCT SPEC
By:
Hurricane Mk.I fabric Wing Armament Set
While the outlay might be a bit much for some, Eduard’s aftermarket cockpit will certainly add much more to its base MK.VIII kit. This Brassin package, which offers resin and photo-etched (PE) metal parts, is a real gem; it comprises cockpit sidewalls, floor, seat, control column, bulkheads and the instrument panel, and all are stunning in their detail. Other equipment such as gas bottles, rudder pedals and a gunsight also feature, while the PE components include pre-painted instruments, head armour, seatbelts, a throttle quadrant and more. A stunning set.
TURRET PILLBOX
Pantherturm I By:
Hauler
Item no:
HLP72015
Scale:
1/72
Price:
€25.99
Available from: www.hauler.cz
SPOOK STUFF This neat package has two metal frets...one in plain brass, the other in selfadhesive prepainted alloy, but both will go a long way to improving Academy’s recent US Navy ‘Juliet’ Phantom. Pre-coloured items include instrument panels and console details, while the brass offers canopy sills, locks, end frames and mirrors, and structural features with which to improve the central glazing portion.
PRODUCT SPEC
AS-34 Kormoran
Airfix’s 1/72 Hurricane will benefit considerably from this dedicated resin armament set, which offers the wing bays, guns, ammunition boxes and replacement panels. A hint of very light flash was apparent on our sample but it’s removed easily. One must also perform surgery on the kit’s wing halves to make all this fit (and trim the gun barrels a tad for snug locating).
MARK EIGHT ‘PIT
PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Anyone with a 1/48 German Starfighter or Tornado should consider CMK’s Kormoran missiles. These twoin-a-pack anti-ship stores are cast in resin and have excellent detail. The fins are all cast separately, as are the rear rocket motor plates, and adapter rails are included. Neatly printed decals and photo-etched metal 'remove before flight’ streamers also feature. Oh, and Italian Tornados can carry these, too!
WINDY WEAPONS
PRODUCT SPEC
MARITIME MAULER
F-4J interior By:
Eduard
Item no:
49712
Scale:
1/48
Price:
€22.45
Available from: www.eduard.com
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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MODEL MART
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Tel: 01530 231407 www.aviationbookcentre.com Unmade or already built, any quantity, especially large collections, Will collect nationwide and pay best cash price.
Please call 01202-976974. or 07901-890461. Thank you.
Email:
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PRODUCTS
All plastic kits & Diecast models wanted. Airfix, Corgi,Tamiya, Armour, Revell. Collections Purchased/ collected 27, A, The Grove, Biggin Hill Kent TN16 3TA
Stands to reason
www.sphereproducts.co.uk
BESPOKE STORAGE SYSTEMS TRANSIT CASES, TOOLS AND WORKSTATIONS
07973 885754
Freightdog Models
+ 4 4 (0)1473636787 e:
[email protected] 19 Anson Road, Ma rtlesham Heath, Ipsw ich, IP5 3RG
Home of Blue Max and Pegasus Models Online shop for kits, decals ands accessories www.freightdogmodels.co.uk +44 (0) 1342 716004 Fairlight, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, Crawley, RH10 4HX
You can also view and buy from our huge selection of Eduard kits, etch and Brassin, as well as our massive range of kits from Valom, A-model, Pavla, Sword and many other hard to find brands.
www.oxoniansplasticfantastic.co.uk
[email protected]
Fast and friendly service Easy to navigate webshop Large range of over 3500 models, figures, tools and accessories from Revell, Airfix, Italeri, Tamiya and many more, ready for immediate despatch Based in the Midlands since 2001 with worldwide shipping available
Web: www.models2u.co.uk Email:
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Phone: 01543 433999
To advertise here please call Ben Harrison on 01780 755131 or email
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FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CALL BEN HARRISON ON: +44 01780 755131
Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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THE PLASTIC SURGERY ASK THE EXPERTS
PLASTIC SURGERY
Sponsored by
THE
Airfix Model World’s team of experts answers your modelling questions I replicate this effect of dry dust, faded paint and wet fuel stains all on the same area of fuselage?” Matt Gosling, via e-mail
(USN, National Archives)
Stained Pirate
Q
“I am currently at the weathering stage of my Tamiya F4U-1 (Birdcage) Corsair. Wartime photos of the aircraft show that many had extensive fuel staining on the
front forward fuselage, from the main tank but mixed with copious dust staining...layer upon layer where fuel was spilt and dust stuck to it. The paintwork also faded quite badly, so how best do
Spraying basics
Q
“I stopped modelling when I joined the RAF and got to play with the real things, but now I’ve retired I am returning to the hobby. Which airbrush should I buy, and which features should I look for in general with a beginner’s airbrush? Also, which accessories are essential, and which are simply just desirable?” AM Clark, via e-mail AMW contributor Steve Budd replies: “The Harder & Steenbeck Ultra 2 in 1 airbrush provides a 0.2mm nozzle set, married to a 2ml colour cup for fine detail spraying and a 0.4mm nozzle unit, with 5ml paint receptacle for more general coverage.
While there are many good airbrushes available, from the likes of Iwata and Badger, the Harder is a hugely flexible beginner’s airbrush and an absolute bargain at around £82. A reliable, long-term air source is essential and I recommend the Sparmax TC-610 compressor at about £164. Solid build quality, auto on-off, a pressure gauge, moisture trap and 2.5 lit air tank are among its features. Regarding accessories, here are my thoughts on essentials: • A Badger electric paint mixer to ‘blitz’ your colours creamy smooth in short order • Micro cleaning brushes to keep the channels clear
AMW contributor Eric Larson replies: “There are numerous ways to achieve these effects and while no particular one is best, here are some of my preferred techniques. As you mention, these effects occurred in layers and that’s how replicating them is best accomplished. For fading I use a technique called diffusion painting, which involves airbrushing tight random patterns of the base colour, lightened with a few drops of white or light grey over those areas exposed to sunlight. Avoid focusing on panel centres or other regular patterns to prevent an unrealistic patchwork appearance. Next, misted coats of the lightened base colour
• An airbrush stand for secure support • Tamiya and Aizu masking tape in various widths • A twin-cartridge respirator with appropriate solvent filters • Disposable gloves for skin protection On the ‘desirable’ front, you could consider: • Daylight balance lighting to illuminate your work • A quick-release airbrush body to speed cleaning • An airbrush cleaning pot to reduce mess Join a local modelling club; your skills will sharpen quickly under suitable guidance from other experienced airbrush users. Nothing beats ‘one-onone’ learning but above all relax, have fun and enjoy...it’s only plastic!”
applied overall even out the appearance. Decals should be applied before this step to ensure they are faded too. Protect the finish with a clear gloss that won’t be affected by the next steps. If oil or enamel washes are used apply an acrylic clear such as Alclad Aqua Gloss. Fuel and fluid stains can be made from highly diluted red or brown paint, or you might try some of the new weathering products from companies such as AK Interactive, which actually makes a Fuel Stains paint. These are best applied with a fine brush, using reference photos to determine flow patterns. Remove excess or mistakes with a cotton bud moistened with the appropriate thinner. Finally, chalk art pastels or commercial weathering pigments, applied and blended with a small brush, are ideal for dry dust and dirt...and work best over a matt finish.”
Contact us Do you have a modelling conundrum regarding techniques or references? If so, why not quiz our band of contributors, history writers and industry contacts? Simply send your query via e-mail (with The Plastic Surgery in the subject line), to: chris.clifford@keypublishing. com, or on a typed letter by post to: The Plastic Surgery, Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, United Kingdom. Each question printed will receive a selection of Ultimate Modelling’s sanding sticks worth approximately £15. For further details on Ultimate Modelling products, please visit www.umpretail.com
THE NEXT ISSUE IS ON SALE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2015* *UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.
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Airfix Model World www.airfixmodelworld.com
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