Polar Bear I have an old Revell 1/48 Mk ll that I could make into a PRlV but does anyone know where to get a conversion kit that would at least help with the gull wing area that is non existiant on the Revell a/c.? And is there any referance for such aircraft?

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Savage: Thanks for the info on the Cheetah versions, and for the great link! Some really nice markings. I especially like the Swiss Mirage IIIRS - very stylish! (Syhart decals are suppposed to release decal sets in both 1/48 and 1/72 with these markings) And seeing a Viggen always make my fingers itch...! Welcome to the campign, btw! Any idea what to build?

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PolarBear those Swiss Mirage IIIRS sure make you want to build Mirages and buy decals. The Viggen always looks Good!


I have Hasegawa's 72nd scale Blackbird in the stash, but would like to try one of the following if I can get enough reference material:

1. Hawker Hurricane IIb of No. 6 Squadron, Indian Air Force - They were fitted with 2 cameras (started using this config Nov 1943)

2. F4F-7s (F4F-4 Wildcat recon version) - Marine Observation (VMO) 251 (could remain airborne for 24Hrs)

3. Mirage 2000RAD which is the Mirage 2000EAD fitted with recon pods as flown by the UAE Air Force

4. Spitfire XIVe No. 6 Squadron, Indian Air Force

5. Supermarine Spitfire P.R. Mk. IX of No. 318 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron

6. P-51B/C photo reconnaissance variant aka F-6C


My fall back is this:

Hello there Eric you have piqued my intrest with the comment on the F4F-7 staying aloft for 24 hours. I served with VP-8 and was one of the aircrew (ordnance). The longest we stayed up which was 1. travel time to station, 2. on station, 3. travel time back to base was 16-22 hours and that was with four engines and (1 turned off on station to save fuel) a lot of fuel. I would like to know if possible the information regarding that version of the F4F.

Bob

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Hello there Eric you have piqued my intrest with the comment on the F4F-7 staying aloft for 24 hours. I served with VP-8 and was one of the aircrew (ordnance). The longest we stayed up which was 1. travel time to station, 2. on station, 3. travel time back to base was 16-22 hours and that was with four engines and (1 turned off on station to save fuel) a lot of fuel. I would like to know if possible the information regarding that version of the F4F.

Bob

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Bob no big secret, they stuck an extra 555 gallons of fuel in the plane, bringing the total up to ±672 gallons, more than 5 times its original capacity. Add a single F-56 camera and remove all those pesky extras like folding wings, guns and if memory serves Armour plating.
Now Bob keep in mind that I actually like F4F Wildcat’s when you read the rest!

There you have it, an un-armed flying fuel tank that has one camera and can only outrun a Japanese Zero in a dive. The Wildcats although outclassed were quite nimble/agile aircraft, but add 2 odd tons of fuel and this changes quickly. Remember the destabilising problems the long range PRU Spits and first P-51 encountered with half full fuel tanks… Now imagine 672 gallons of fuel swishing around! Not even to mention the physical limitations of a single seat “fighter”.

No doubt the Marines changed a few of these specs before actually using the aircraft….

Time to start your engines, boys and girls! This campaign will get off the ground July 1st! I'll ask the campaign manager for an "ofiicial thread". See you there!

Cheers! // PolarBear!