RNZAF PBY-5 Catalina diorama - NZ4013 XX-O "Dumbo Mission"

[dewobz]

The Story.
11 October 1944. J2F-6 Duck from VJ-12 is in trouble. Out of fuel on the open sea in 15 - 20 foot swells with 15 knot winds.


XX-O DIO 015 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

Duck's crew spread a parachute over the wing. A crash boat is still some hours away so they are pleased when RNZAF 6 Squadron PBY-5 NZ4013 XX-O, W/O Ian Donaldson Captain, lands safely despite the sea conditions.


XX-O DIO 034 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO 038 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO 028 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO finV1 + Bases 019 (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

Earlier that year on 26 Jan '44 XX-O captained by F/O W Mackley had made the single largest RNZAF 'Dumbo' rescue of the war when 10 crew of a B-24 Liberator were secured. On 11 October things did not go so well after this successful landing and the safe retrieval of J2F-6 Duck's crew.


XX-O DIO 007 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO 013 CROP II (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO 036 (Medium) CROP by Wally Hicks, on Flickr


XX-O DIO 003 CROP (Medium) by Wally Hicks, on Flickr

Upon attempted takeoff the aircraft was thrown off the top of a swell, hit the water again and dug in the port wing float, causing her to "water loop violently". XX-O ended up disabled on a 30 degree list. Crash Boat PC-1587 eventually picked up both crews and at 0410 hours NZ4013 turned over completely and was sunk by gunfire.
My 1/72 diorama based on these true events gleaned from 'Dumbo Diary' by Jenny Scott depicts the moment of "full stall" open sea landing by NZ4013 at 1020 hrs on 11 October '44.
This diorama was my 1st and is considered my winning entry in Kiwimodeller's recent PTO CBI Group Build Competition. (A win slightly tempered by the fact no-one else got their entries completed on time).
Academy 1/72 PBY-5 Catalina, Aeromaster paints, Ventura & Aeromaster decals.
Airfix J2F-6 Duck, Aeromaster self-mixed paints, various decals. Scratchbuilt raft & chute.
The base is ply, foam, No-more-Gaps and acrylic paint with acrylic & lacquer gloss + Water Effects.
Hope you enjoy
Cheers
Wally.
PS - if you look really closely at pic 019 there is a face in the engineer's window high up under the wing.

[Andy Wright]

Absolutely brilliant, Wally. You've done really well to interpret what you have read. A true story teller.

[Dave Homewood]

I really love it Wally. Well done mate!

[Dave Homewood]

Are you coming down to the model competition at Armistice in Cambridge next weekend? If you are, bring this model! it fits in perfectly with the War In The Pacific theme.

[dewobz]

Yes, I'll be there with this diorama, my four other entries in the PTO CBI GB Comp - 1/48 Hudson NZ2049, Harvard NZ1041, Walrus NZ152 & 1/32 Corsair NZ5286 (which I'm picking up from Brenton & Alan Emmett on the way through) - plus a number of other RNZAF, Allied & Axis Pacific aircraft (depending on how many I can safely transport). Aside from one North Africa diorama PTO is about all I have built for years now.

[ianbw12]

That's absolutely brilliant, well done!

[Andy Wright]

What was the North Africa diorama, Wally?

[dewobz]

I'll post it up as another thread.

[Dave Homewood]

Great, I will look out for you and your models Wally.

[flyjoe180]

Another awesome build Wally, loving the background to this one in particular with the direct RNZAF connection.

[harrysone]

Quite cool Wally, I especially like the activity around the Duck.

[pjw4118]

Great modelling , how about a scene for our NZBCSA displays at MOTAT

[dewobz]

Thanks for your comments folks.
pjw4118, you can email me as per the address below or PM me on here to discuss the idea more.
Provisionally I am keen.
What scene did you have in mind?
Cheers
Wally.