Spitfire MA419, 1435 Sqn, Italy, 1943.

[neil55]

Not really a NZ Squadron but this is a model of one Spitfire flown by my Dad, then Flt/Lt Warren Schrader, 1435 Squadron RAF,  December 17, 1943.
I have a combat report for this mission so can confirm the a/c serial number MA419.
The Squadron claimed 4 E/A confirmed for no loss. Here is a link to a video of the first flight. First two test flights flown by Frazer Briggs



The model is built from the Brian Taylor plan: Scale 1:5.33, wingspan 83 inch (2.1M) weight 18.5 lb (dry).

This video filmed at Waharoa Airfield, Waikato, Sept 01/09/2019. This may offend our esteemed AVM but it is a brilliant flying site and they are very hard to find as I know from bitter experience.

[planecrazy]

Wow so nice, wish all my maidens went like that!

[Dave Homewood]

Very nice model Neil, well done!

[markrogers]

Very well done, great looking model and looks good in the air too.

[neil55]

Thanks guys. It really was a labour of love spread out over 10 years or so. It was great having an amazing R/C flyer Frazer Briggs do the maiden flights as it took all the pressure off and allowed me to video the event.
I have flown it since and it really does fly like... well ...a Spitfire!

Actually Dave, I remember buying some modelling stuff off a Gordon Homewood back in the early nineties I think. Was that your Dad?

[Dave Homewood]

Yes that was my late Dad. He ran GRH Hobbies.

[WayneB]

Great looking model, good effort. There is something about a Spitfire.

[pjw4118]

Looks lovely change the sound track and it could be 1:1 , the curving flypasts are perfect. Tell me Neil , how did your Dad get his nickname.? I was friends with Roy Montrowe who was with NAC at the same time .

[neil55]

Actually, I don't think even Dad quite knew how he got his nickname. At that time everyone seemed to have one and they are inevitably coined by someone else.
Dad told me at that time there was a popular jazz musician called 'Smokey' Schneider so perhaps 'Smokey' Schrader had that ring to it. My father never smoked so it was nothing to do with that.
I don't think he was particularly fond of the nickname and said he assumed that when he came back to NZ after the war it would disappear. However he joined NAC where there were quite a few ex wartime pilots so he was stuck with it for life!