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Post by smithy on Nov 15, 2018 20:30:13 GMT 12
Thanks Mark!
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Post by smithy on Nov 15, 2018 19:43:24 GMT 12
Just finished this one - well actually realised I need to add the IFF antennae, wing tip nav lights and do a few touch ups but effectively it's done. This is the new tool Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Ia kit which I have converted to a IIa using the 3D-Kits conversion set. Markings are for the Battle of Britain veteran Athol Gordon MacIntyre from 485(NZ) Sqn in the summer of 1941. Decals are a combination of kit, Carpena, Xtradecals and 3D-Kits, paints are Humbrol enamels, weathering is chalk pastels and silver artists pencil. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and there's a few little bits and bobs which I could have done better but overall I'm very pleased and of course it's always nice to finish a kit.
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Post by smithy on Nov 12, 2018 9:58:53 GMT 12
I'd never heard of Nairn Transport, absolutely fascinating. There's a book in there waiting to be written.
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Post by smithy on Nov 7, 2018 20:20:04 GMT 12
They have Dave. DK Decals, a Czech outfit, released a 485 Sqn sheet in 1/72 a couple of years back. I used it for Doug Brown's Spit Vb which I posted here awhile back. The only problem with the sheet is that the research is a bit iffy to say the least, especially for the Spit Is, IIs and Vs so there's a lot of schemes which aren't correct. For example Doug's plane on the sheet has the wrong serial number and incorrect fuselage and underwing roundels. Saying that the sheet is great for the nose art decals, presentation names and that type of thing but anyone wanting to be accurate needs to do a bit of research first and not rely upon the DK Decals sheet.
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Post by smithy on Nov 7, 2018 19:51:53 GMT 12
Here's an angle on AUCKLAND V (REMUERA). Does anyone recognise the crest? From the NZ Herald on the 13th of June 1942: Dave, that's AD114 (coded OU-Q), Jack Rae's regular mount at the time. The crest is meant to be the coat of arms of Auckland Grammar (Jack's old school) although it's not entirely accurately drawn. Remuera was the suburb that Jack grew up in as well. AD114 is thought to have been initially allotted the presentation name EXONIAN IV but subsequently was allotted AUCKLAND II and V. She also carried the name "Peggy" for a period, Peggy being Jack's girlfriend at the time. Peggy is actually present in this image in the scroll above the Grammar coat of arms although the quality of this image is pretty poor so it's rather indistinct.
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Post by smithy on Oct 30, 2018 19:55:14 GMT 12
Howard Hill's Spit R6616 was named Gwen as I think I may have told you Dave. I have two photos which I'll try and scan for this thread.
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Post by smithy on Oct 28, 2018 8:18:01 GMT 12
That was excellent Dave, thanks for posting it.
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Post by smithy on Oct 18, 2018 8:02:32 GMT 12
I think there is a difference between playing old footage at its designed speed, and the other aspects of 'doctoring' (as in, the first isn't doctoring). There probably is but then there's always going to be those pedantic enough to howl with indignation about anything deviating from the original footage. The original footage still exists and can be viewed as such. This new rendering is merely an attempt to improve this very early footage's quality and hence its immediacy for a modern audience. That doesn't bother me but obviously that rather verbose reviewer took exception to it.
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Post by smithy on Oct 17, 2018 19:30:20 GMT 12
There were always going to be those who dislike any doctoring of archive footage and they have a valid argument in some respects. At the same time to try and attempt to restore footage to make it appear "truer" to filmed life in relation to FPS, colour, etc and especially with WWI which comes from a time when film was in its infancy, has its place IMO. The jerky, overly rapid nature of undoctored WWI era film can also be argued to create an almost comical bent to footage in much the same way as old Chaplin flicks of the same era, and in fact slightly speeding footage up has been a comedic tool in film for over half a century. I think this project has the potential to remove that from WWI footage and give it a gravity which sometimes the general public miss.
I'm really looking forward to this and if this gets more people interested in learning about the Great War and the horrific loss of life and level of sacrifice of that time by nations such as ours then that can only be a good thing.
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Post by smithy on Oct 11, 2018 19:54:08 GMT 12
Hill flew a 2hr 25min sortie on 28 May 40, this being a patrol over Dunkirk-Ostend protecting the BEF's withdrawal. Errol Thanks Errol. That was the squadron show where they flew down to Martlesham Heath to join up with another couple of squadrons for a big show but were delayed initially due to mist over the airfield.
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Post by smithy on Oct 10, 2018 23:49:28 GMT 12
I think if you can Dave you should consider putting Kenley on the visit list. The runway layout is in its original WWII configuration, there's a few blast pens remaining and it's often thought as one of the best surviving fighter aerodromes. 485 were obviously there for quite some time and it's one of best preserved fighter stations. Plus it's not far from central London.
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Post by smithy on Oct 10, 2018 22:43:26 GMT 12
I get a picture of an overworked Adjutant getting behind with the ORB entries, and the newly appointed IO struggling to catch up and making mistakes in the process. Probably a fair assessment. It's also worth noting that 92 was Mac's first posting on acceptance to the admin branch of the RAFVR and also his first as adjutant. He had no prior experience in the position and so he was a "new" adjutant and he was also having to undertake IO duties and when at the time in question, 92 was also being moved south sometimes on a day by day basis. Tom coming onboard compounded the problem with his language deficiency and also the hectic situation of the time. These circumstances all added to understandably affect the quality of the ORB at this time. I have not been able to find ORB confirmation of P/O Hill's participation in the Calais-Boulogne-Dunkirk patrols of 23/5/40, but considering that he was an experienced pilot when he came to the Sqdn I think he may well have done so, just eleven days after his first flight in a Spitfire. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, so I think it may be right to include his name on the list. Except that there is not a total absence of evidence. To rely solely on an ORB (and especially 92's at this time) is too narrow an approach. Some ORB's are very detailed with rare errors, others such as 92's at this time should not be taken as being the be all and end all. Michael Robinson in his seminal work on 92 at this time "Best of the Few" had logbook and correspondence access for Howard and chronicles Howard's involvement in the Battle of France, and even includes a letter from Howard to his family dated 10th June 1940 specifically talking about two of these patrols and describing conditions over Calais, Ostende and Dunkirk. Not trying to be combative but just wanting to show that whilst ORBs are a good place to start they shouldn't be regarded as the final word or always completely accurate or exhaustive. It would also be a shame if a Kiwi who risked his life over the beaches of France at this time had his involvement forgotten.
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Post by smithy on Oct 10, 2018 3:49:46 GMT 12
Here's one who to my knowledge hasn't been included yet. P/O Howard Perry Hill. Flew with 92 Sqn's Green section during the Battle of France. As far as I can tell P/O Hill did not take part in air operations over France although he was, as you say, with 92 Sqdn during some of that period. The 92 Squadron Operations Record Book, Form 541 entry for the 12th of June, 1940 has him making his " 1st Solo on Type " on that day, time up 1135, time down 1220. Spitfire s/n N3285. Thereafter until the 30th of June he is shown as doing a lot of local flying, practice aerobatics, formation flying and air drills, even a convoy escort, but nothing over France. 92 Squadron was " resting " at Pembrey in Wales for most of the time. I wouldn't be too quick to remove Howard from the list. The 92 ORB is notoriously full of errors and omissions and especially once Tom Wiese became IO (Tom was Norwegian and his English was poor at best. Added to this seems to have been a laxness in recording all details). Brian Cull and I earlier this year were discussing an entire op with a claim which was completely missing from the ORB. Howard soloed on a Spitfire for the first time on Sunday 12th May after returning from the Palace Hotel in Torquay after convalescing from pneumonia. He first flew over the French coast and the fighting on the morning of Thursday 23rd May flying a patrol line between Boulogne and Dunkirk.
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Post by smithy on Oct 5, 2018 21:23:24 GMT 12
"The price will be eye-wateringly high though. I've heard it bandied about that this will most likely be around the $US500 mark price-wise" Really? Its only marginally bigger than a Felixstowe, and that is only USD269... Even with a couple of extra engines, and some turrets, there to 500 bucks is a big leap.... Not just engines and turrets. Far, far more internal structures and consequently far, far more parts. More parts = more plastic. More plastic = more money.
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Post by smithy on Oct 5, 2018 20:32:30 GMT 12
Here's one who to my knowledge hasn't been included yet.
P/O Howard Perry Hill. Flew with 92 Sqn's Green section during the Battle of France.
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Post by smithy on Oct 5, 2018 19:29:21 GMT 12
I'm just hoping in some way that this new release is somehow aligned with a go ahead with PJ's Dambusters remake.
Not anymore Dave.
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Post by smithy on Oct 5, 2018 18:38:48 GMT 12
It will undoubtedly be THE best Lanc kit on the planet and the CAD renderings and now the plastic look phenomenal.
The price will be eye-wateringly high though. I've heard it bandied about that this will most likely be around the $US500 mark price-wise, so perhaps don't let slip to the missus. And you'll also need to kick one of the kids out of his room to sleep on the sofa so you'll have somewhere to put it!
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Post by smithy on Mar 12, 2018 21:01:49 GMT 12
@rnzsunday: A book about NZ airmen & women "Fearless" is the first full history of their efforts in WWI. Historian Adam Claasen of @masseyuni at 10.05 t.co/8Kl2P3mIMbOnly just stumbled across this and have duly purchased. Many thanks for the heads up, although I don't think my bank account is too thrilled this is the third WWI aviation title I have bought this month!
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Post by smithy on Feb 12, 2018 7:25:28 GMT 12
I found this really interesting. I just can't add anything as it's a million miles from what I have information on.
Great stuff though.
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Post by smithy on Jan 17, 2018 21:14:01 GMT 12
Thanks for the kind words Johnny.
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