- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

stuzzar · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 20:10 pm Post subject:

OK Sarge I will be on the look out

Cheers

Stu

Ratch · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 20:54 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 17 Jan 2008 22:45 pm Post subject:

OK mate, I'll send you a set when I send Stu's and will bag up any Bofors Related bits that I have left over in case you might want them later.

All the best

stuzzar · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 19:23 pm Post subject:

Well I located the magazine with the Leyland Retriever article in it surprisingly much easier than I thought, nice to know my indexing system works (or that at least is what I am telling myself

)

Will take it into work tomorrow and get it scanned.

There aren't any scale plans but absolutely loads of variants are shown (even a mobile church

) all based on the Matchbox/Revell Monty's caravan kit, may have to get myself a few more

Cheers

Stu

BrianG · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 20:03 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead,

I found a reference relating to Bofors on trucks, they were not of the portee type but to make them more mobile within the units. See link and scroll down the page to Bofors.

http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/equipartillery.htm

BrianG
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Words are the dress of thoughts!

Spudgun · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 20:22 pm Post subject:

Preston Isaac at Cobbaton Combat museum actually has one of these trucks. I haven't got a photo of it, but if this AA GB goes ahead, I'll nip out and get some pics for you.
_________________
Collectable kits built here. Baggies, blisters or boxed. You collect 'em, but I'll build 'em.

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:03 pm Post subject:

BrianG,
Thanks for that link, I had a vague inkling of there having been such a thing as you may have guessed. I don't suppose you have any idea what sort of truck it is would you?

Spudgun
I'd be willing to trade you a surplus Bofors Gun kit (minus tractor and crew) for those photos anyday!

Stuzzar
I'm relieved to hear there are plenty of options for the Retriever.....I seem to have a real mental blindspot when it comes to googling trucks! I always end up dazed and confused, with about a hundred windows open, looking at wildly different pictures of what are apparently supposed to be the same thing!

All the best

Spudgun · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:34 pm Post subject:

There maybe a wait for the photo's as Cobbaton is rarely open during winter. The first time it'll be open to the public (unless it's by special arrangment) will be Easter. As for the Bofors kit, thanks for the offer, but I have one in the stash. As far as I'm concerned, you can have the photo's for nothing.
_________________
Collectable kits built here. Baggies, blisters or boxed. You collect 'em, but I'll build 'em.

BrianG · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:39 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead,

I had another look around and found this and I quote:

'But the main self-propelled version of the Bofors was with the gun set on the chassis of a Morris Commercial four-wheel drive lorry. Such guns were used in support of Army divisions to provide swift protection against air attack without the need to unlimber. They saw service in North West Europe, where six SP Bofors of 92nd (Loyals) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, landed with 3rd British Infantry Division on Sword Beach on D-Day to protect the vital bridges over the Caen Canal and Orne River (Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge), shooting down 17 German planes. Later in the campaign, SP Bofors were used extensively for ground shoots as well as in an anti-aircraft role'.

Does this answer your question?

BrianG
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Words are the dress of thoughts!

BrianG · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:46 pm Post subject:

Just a bit more, at the Cobbaton Combat Museum is the following item of interest:

Morris C9B, SP Bofors 1943

BrianG
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Words are the dress of thoughts!

BrianG · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:52 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead,

It's funny how you get your teeth into something but I have found another site where you can get more information about the SP Bofor.

http://morris-c9b.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/index.jhtml

That's enough for now, my head is reeling after all that.

BrianG
_________________
Words are the dress of thoughts!

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:55 pm Post subject:

So it is the normal towing vehicle, with a chop job, presumably some sort of flatbed. This makes this vehicle a viable option for OSL (If not the BEF) because all of the components were available by Autumn 1940!

Hmmm.....I really do need to find some photos of this beastie! Think

Thanks for your help so far guys! Cheers!

All the best
EDIT - Dammit no it doesn't!

While I have been typing this BrianG and Stuzzar have done what I should have been doing and found a piccy.

It looks like this vehicle is based on the later Quad derived version as depicted in the MB/Revell 17pdr set. These are, unfortunately for me, post D-Day weapons!

Oh well back to the Retriever Portee it is then.....Maybe I should go for a bigger gun!

stuzzar · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:58 pm Post subject:

That would be the Morris Commercial C9/B, here are some links that may be of use

http://www66.tok2.com/home2/tankguy/beltring06/morrisc9spg.html

http://www.warwheels.net/MorrisCommercialC9_B_withBoforsINDEX.html

A 1/76th scale kit is available from Giesbers although I would imagine that this is another possible conversion from the Airfix kit

http://henk.fox3000.com/giesbers.htm

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:06 pm Post subject:

Stu,

You could do an all Airfix build based on the Quad but it would be a bit of a mare!

Much easier to use the MB Chassis and Airfix gun. It would look quite nice and be relatively easy to do too.

Unfortunately it's completely the wrong scale for my post D-Day stuff and no one makes this or any other ruddy Morris in 1/72*** that I know of!

All the best
***Having said that there is the Esci/Italeri 1/72 Quad and I firmly believe that they will give us a 1/72 Bofors before too long too.....Maybe there is some hope!

stuzzar · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:10 pm Post subject:

Think we must of all been researching that at the same time

, checked in my trusty copy of Bart H. Vanderveen's 'The Observer's Fighting Vehicles Directory WW2' for the chassis designation but Brian beat me to it

This would certainly make an interesting Group Build subject,

Cheers

Stu

stuzzar · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:18 pm Post subject:

Oh yes it would have to be the quad wouldn't it

I have plenty of them in the stash but as you say it would be a fair old job, may still have a go. I also have plenty of Matchbox/Revell Morris tractors so could also have a go at that one.

I think that you may well be right with regard to Italeri and a 1/72 Bofors, I can see them doing a scaled down version of theiR 1/35th kit (fingers crossed)

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:31 pm Post subject:

Looking at the pictures you linked me up to and the various stats, I'd say that there is more Bofors than Morris in that combination.....Making it an Airfix kit with added MB/Revell parts!

Italeri appear to have a new crew at the top too and they are industriously banging out new 1/35 stuff and scaling a lot of it straight down to 1/72 within 12 months.

All the best

stuzzar · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:38 pm Post subject:

Certainly looking good on the small scale front from Italeri

, they do seem to be listening to the punters, I am sure that Airfix will get back there too.

May have to weigh the the parts balance for the bofors conversion

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:43 pm Post subject:

Please Airfix dont forsake your humble 1/72 fans!

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Mon 10 Mar 2008 02:14 am Post subject:

Any thoughts on when to start the ball rolling on the next GB.....I'm still up for the AA Build with some Airfix Bofors Gun & Tractor kits OOTB.

I've come to the conclusion that my Retreiver/Bofors Portee is just too much Revell/MB and too little Airfix to count.....I still think your idea for the Morris C9 AA will be well over 50% Airfix when the parts are all balanced out.

TIA & All the best