¹⁄72

The Catapult Squadrons 1939 Kalafrana Malta

The Model

The aircraft themselves apart from the Walrus and the Swordfish which was also modified were all vacform kits which were all extensively detailed.

The cowling of one of the two aircraft in the hangars and various working surfaces were removed and a scratchbuilt aero engine was installed. The wings were altered to shape to form a folded position, to fit in the hangars.

The figures were a real headache…..The band, honour guard and Marine detachment were all fashioned out from the old antique and very brittle Coldstream guards band and parade sets with heads removed and new ones with pit helmets stuck on. These were new ones cast from an original scratchbuilt one. Rifles were also replaced with ones cast from a master.

The RAF and RN contingents were all cast in white metal from two scratchbuilt master figures .

The rest of the figures, officers, pilots, workmen, mounted police and the rest were all fashioned out from different anatomical pieces from various polythene 1/72 scale figure sets.

The Limousine was fashioned out from the kit of Hitler’s ceremonial 10 wheeler staff car by shortening the chassis and altering the bodywork. The other vehicles were bits and pieces from other kits.

The ground work , hangars, equipment was all scratchbuilt from Balsa wood, plastic card, putty and whatever came handy from the spares box.

The sea was made out of different layers of clear resin to simulate shallows and depth. The diorama now stands with others at The Aviation Museum Ta Qali , Malta.

My apologies for the quality of some picture as this diorama is placed in a glass showcase.

Reference:
Military Aviation in Malta 1915 1993 by John F Hamlin
Victory in the Air by Richard J Caruana.
Malta An Aviation History by Alfred Coldman
The Battle for Malta by James Douglas Hamilton