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feanor

Ayup...

Progress of XN923's Build will be posted here...
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XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Some thoughts here. In 1/72, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver as a FAA aircraft (saw squadron service with one unit but never went into action), Corsair or Hellcat, Sea Hurricane (converted from MkI or MkII).

In 1/48 Seafire FR46/47, Sea Hurricane (converted using MDC arrestor hook and catapult spools), Buccaneer.

walrus · Posted: Thu 04 Dec 2008 13:25 pm Post subject:

The Hurri Mk 1 saw its first FAA service without arrester hook or catapult spools - was considering doing this myself as it is a scheme i will do at some point and Hewman 100 already probably has

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

walrus · Posted: Thu 04 Dec 2008 13:36 pm Post subject:

feanor · Posted: Thu 04 Dec 2008 13:50 pm Post subject:

Ayup XN and Walrus...

I appreciate both your collective enthusiasms for the GB, but may i ask that any discussions about it and potential models FOR it, be discussed in 'Chat' rather than the participants BUILD thread.

Cheers guys.

(sign up Walrus mate, you know you want to !)
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

I will be building the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver as a Helldiver MkI of 1820 Naval Air Squadron, during the Fleet Air Arm's ill fated flirtation with the 'Big Tailed Beast'. The FAA originally wanted large numbers of the aircraft, but were stymied by the Anglophobic Admiral Ernie King and only ever received enough aircraft for one squadron. This unit worked up, but suffered a series of accidents and disbanded before going into action.

Here's the sprue shot:

And the Eduard etched fret for the dive brakes (pinched from the Academy kit)

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 15 Feb 2009 20:19 pm Post subject:

Ahh.....The infamous S.O.B. 2nd Class!

Are you sure the Academy P/E fret will fit the Airfix kit?

Just a thought, all the best
Sgt.S
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feanor · Posted: Sun 15 Feb 2009 20:45 pm Post subject:

Ayup Sarge...

They're the same scale aren't they?
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 15 Feb 2009 20:48 pm Post subject:

I was thinking more of potential issues relating to the wing fold and so on.

All the best
Sgt.S
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XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

hewman100 · Posted: Mon 16 Feb 2009 12:11 pm Post subject:

This will certainly be interesting XN923, especially if you can use the PE.

I put an 1820 Sqn scheme on one of my Matchbox Helldivers.
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johnwalker · Posted: Tue 24 Feb 2009 14:33 pm Post subject:

Ratch · Posted: Tue 24 Feb 2009 15:02 pm Post subject:

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

...And once again it appears I have committed myself to a bigger job than I first imagined..

I'll have a think about this and consider my options. Might be better off tackling something a bit more straightforward.

johnwalker · Posted: Tue 24 Feb 2009 16:15 pm Post subject:

The "perforations" on the Airfix wing are actually fine raised circles so you could sand them off - believe me it's easier than drilling them out! The 3-blade prop shouldn't be too much of a problem.

It has also been claimed that the Airfix kit is under scale. I think it's a bit short in span, the problem being in the outer folding panels which have too much trailing edge sweep.

John
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Robert Burns 250th Anniversary 1759 - 2009

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Fair enough. I'll press on with the Helldiver then.

Does anyone happen to know if the Canadian Car and Foundry plant used British or American interior colours?

johnwalker · Posted: Thu 26 Feb 2009 16:34 pm Post subject:

I've been building a "stock" Helldiver and used Humbrol acrylic Interior Green 226:

Another point worth bearing in mind about early Helldivers is that the first part of the spine behind the pilot's sliding hood was glazed. It isn't too clear on many photos, especially if the hood is opened, but it is there. You can see it in this photo:

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/HelldiverMkI_JW117_IWM.jpg

John
_________________
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The Man's the gowd for a' that.

Robert Burns 250th Anniversary 1759 - 2009

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

It's possible some of you may have noticed my absence here of late. OK, not probable. I have been moving house and the whole process has really put the brakes on my modelling for the best part of a month. Anyway, I was getting itchy feet so rather than try and locate the Helldiver I launched in on the nearest available, suitable kit which happened to be the Corsair from the VJ Day set. I had a True Details cockpit put by, and some decals from Sky Models which has a number of FAA options on it.

Progress so far:

Cockpit painted, awaiting seat and control column

Fuselage halves partly prepped

Work on the cowling

And an attempt at the canvas effect on the wings

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Continuing my theme of not finishing a single GB within the time limit this year, here's my Corsair