- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

Rik · Posted: Thu 15 Oct 2009 09:33 am Post subject:

W3085 was not on HMS Indomitable but was on HMS Victorious along with L2322. They were nicknamed Darby and Joan. Darby was taken on board in Sydney in June 1945 and sunk by an American destroyer on the 10th (official records) or 14th (Log book)August 1945. Friendly fire? Fl.Lt.BL Ada and Sub Lt.R Humphries were sent to rescue a NZ pilot Fl.Lt Derick Morten who had ditched his Corsair from HMS Venerable close to Japan. The USS Peto (SS265) got there first and rescued him but on seeing a strange aircraft heading for them, crash dived. Bruce Ada never saw them and ran out of fuel (official report says "engine trouble") off Sendai (Official report says "Tokyo Bay" 400km south). An American destroyer rescued them and after sinking poor old Darby, delivered them back to HMS Victorious.

Rik · Posted: Thu 15 Oct 2009 09:51 am Post subject:

W3085 features in art work in Profile Publications #224 (1971), Squadron Signal "Fleet Air Arm", Scale Aircraft Modelling July 2002, Classic Airframe decal # 48.006 and the 1/72 Revell/Matchbox kit. The problem is that none agree on details and I have been searching for a photo for quite a few years with no luck. If anyone knows Sub Lt. J Wilson,R Humphries, Alan Braithwaite or R Marshal (RNVR?)(the Walrus observers on HMS Victorious) or their relatives possiby they might have a photo.
On feature missed by all Walrus kits is that the front main struts are of much smaller profile than the rear....just look at any photo! Easy enough to replace wth suitable Contrail aerofoil.