Now Enlisting: Foreign Fighters Campaign
MichaelSatin
Campaigns AdministratorColorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2018 - 07:28 AM UTC
Air arms in the wars of the 20th century frequently welcomed volunteers from other countries. From individuals who snuck across borders to covertly government sponsored recruitment programs, there were almost always people looking for adventure or believing in a cause enough to leave home and join someone else's fight.
How about a campaign honoring these flyers? It could include aircraft flown by an individual from another country flying in a normal line squadron or one from one of the bigger all-foreign units, such as the Lafayette Escadrille, 303 Squadron RAF, Eagle Squadrons, AVG, Normandie squadrons, etc. Could make for an interesting assortment!
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
#442
Malacca, Malaysia
Joined: July 20, 2015
KitMaker: 363 posts
AeroScale: 335 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2018 - 05:10 PM UTC
Michael,
I'd definitely be in! Got some P-40's that need to get done as AVG birds!
#372
United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
AeroScale: 1,619 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2018 - 08:59 AM UTC
Sounds interesting.
I need something to kick me up the backside to build that Omani Strikemaster I've had for years.
During their war with Yemen they were flown by serving RAF crews supporting SAS on the ground. Officially they were there to train and observe the Omani armed forces. Officially.
Rowland Whites book Storm Front is a fantastic read about the operations in Oman and contains lots of great first hand accounts.
There's a great bit in the book about Shorts Skyvans being pressed into service as bombers, rolling out oil barrels filled with homemade napalm. How they never lost one in a horrific accident is beyond me!
On the bench: 1/72 Mosquito, Lightning F.6, DH.2,
AMT Vulcan Shuttle Surak.
Cyber-Hobby 1:35 Sherman Firefly IC - still stalled.
#305
Christchurch, New Zealand
Joined: February 01, 2006
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
AeroScale: 1,517 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2018 - 04:54 PM UTC
Count me in! Being part of the commonwealth we (New Zealand) had pilots in every branch of the RAF just about, as did Canada, Australia, South Africa, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and possibly Fiji and possibly some of the smaller Pacific Islands. (Not sure if they supplied combatants or just support personnel)
European Union
Joined: August 09, 2009
KitMaker: 1,732 posts
AeroScale: 1,336 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2018 - 07:10 PM UTC
2 teams immediatly come into my mind here. First there's the famous F 19, the swedish volunteers who supported the Finnish Air Force during the winter war and second the "Esquadrilla Azul" of the "Blue Division". That were spanish volunteers who were part of JG 51 (I think) and flew on the Eastern Front with Bf 109 and Fw 190 between 1941 and 1943. I have a Hasegawa Bf 109 F with those markings, so I might be in if the time frame suits me.
Torsten
My campaigns for 2020:
MiGs - Done !
The Big Three - Done !
65 years Bundeswehr - Done !
40 years Leopard 2 - Done !
Land Lease - Done !
Georgia, United States
Joined: February 17, 2013
KitMaker: 173 posts
AeroScale: 108 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 12:41 AM UTC
American Ace, Frank Tinker,Spanish Civil War, Polikarpov I-16. I have a Eduard 1/48 I-16 type 10, and the decals for Tinkers plane.
On the bench, Blue Max, Mustang Funny car.
Airfix Hotspur glinder.
Uusimaa, Finland
Joined: October 01, 2016
KitMaker: 514 posts
AeroScale: 239 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 06:07 AM UTC
Quoted Text
First there's the famous F 19, the swedish volunteers who supported the Finnish Air Force during the winter war
And I have Roden's Gladiator II in F 19 markings, so I'm also in.
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 07:49 AM UTC
So to be clear, it's based on the pilot being a different nationality from the markings on his plane, right? For instance, an American flying a P-40 in Chinese markings, or a Russian flying a Mig 15 in North Korean markings.
It's not that the plane is flying under markings different from it's builder's country. Say an FAA Martlet or a Soviet P-39.
Right?
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
#305
Christchurch, New Zealand
Joined: February 01, 2006
KitMaker: 1,673 posts
AeroScale: 1,517 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 07:58 AM UTC
Mark it's my understanding that it's pilots who aren't of the nationality of the air force they're flying for. As an example the RAF's eagle Squadron which were American volunteers flying for the RAF or the flying Tigers American volunteers flying for the Nationalist Chinese Air Force. WW2 was filled with instances of pilots who left invaded/occupied countries to continue the fight elsewhere.
European Union
Joined: August 09, 2009
KitMaker: 1,732 posts
AeroScale: 1,336 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 08:10 AM UTC
@Mark, yes, that's how I understand it also.
.... french pilots flying for the VVS, polish/denish/norwegian pilots flying for the RAF, croatian pilots flying for the Luftwaffe and so on. This topic is more or less endless ....
My campaigns for 2020:
MiGs - Done !
The Big Three - Done !
65 years Bundeswehr - Done !
40 years Leopard 2 - Done !
Land Lease - Done !
MichaelSatin
Campaigns Administrator Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 09:01 AM UTC
You guys have it correct. Nationality of the pilot is the key, not where the aircraft was built.
Seven (or eight) so far!
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2018 - 02:23 PM UTC
OK, now that's cleared up, my favorite candidates are a couple of Flying Tigers. Academy P-40B or a Pavla Curtis Hawk 81A.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
Texas, United States
Joined: September 07, 2018
KitMaker: 9 posts
AeroScale: 9 posts
Posted: Friday, September 07, 2018 - 01:46 PM UTC
I have a HOBBYCRAFT Russian front Romanian Bf109-g3
MichaelSatin
Campaigns Administrator Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 01:27 AM UTC
That's 9. Anyone want to push us over the line?
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
Saskatchewan, Canada
Joined: April 23, 2006
KitMaker: 140 posts
AeroScale: 89 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 03:18 AM UTC
So, how about a Canadian flying Corsairs in the Royal Navy? Not sure if that’s “foreign” enough. If so, I’d be in.
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 28, 2013
KitMaker: 159 posts
AeroScale: 116 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 03:33 AM UTC
I'll be up for it if it's late next year. I just happen to have a Spit with Eagle squadron markings.
A man's GOT to know his limitations
Surely you can't be serious.
- I am serious. And don't call me Shirley
This isn't the state of California, it's a state of insanity!
MichaelSatin
Campaigns Administrator Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 05:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
So, how about a Canadian flying Corsairs in the Royal Navy? Not sure if that’s “foreign” enough. If so, I’d be in.
Yeah, I had to think about Commonwealth pilots in the RAF/FAA when I came up with this idea. Since those countries had their own governments and their own armed forces, I think they qualify. As long as they're serving in RAF or FAA squadrons, not squadrons from their services flying alongside British units.
Robert: I'm looking at 1 January - 1 July, 2019. Is that late enough for you?
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 28, 2013
KitMaker: 159 posts
AeroScale: 116 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2018 - 12:17 PM UTC
Eck, Michael not going to make timeline. We should be finishing our new home right about the end of the campaign.
Great idea and I'll be watching!
A man's GOT to know his limitations
Surely you can't be serious.
- I am serious. And don't call me Shirley
This isn't the state of California, it's a state of insanity!
Saskatchewan, Canada
Joined: April 23, 2006
KitMaker: 140 posts
AeroScale: 89 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 09, 2018 - 04:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
So, how about a Canadian flying Corsairs in the Royal Navy? Not sure if that’s “foreign” enough. If so, I’d be in.
Yeah, I had to think about Commonwealth pilots in the RAF/FAA when I came up with this idea. Since those countries had their own governments and their own armed forces, I think they qualify. As long as they're serving in RAF or FAA squadrons, not squadrons from their services flying alongside British
I’ll be in then. The later next year the better for me!
MichaelSatin
Campaigns Administrator Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 06:27 AM UTC
This campaign is APPROVED! To see the rules and sign up, go
here. Should be an interesting one!
Anyone have any thoughts on a ribbon design? This could be tricky.
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 06:47 AM UTC
I'm in, that's 3. Considering a 1/72 Pavla Curtis 81 hawk for the AVG.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
MichaelSatin
Campaigns Administrator Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 07:07 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm in, that's 3. Considering a 1/72 Pavla Curtis 81 hawk for the AVG.
Nice! I have the Vintage Fighters 1/24 kit and am at least thinking about doing that. Have to do a fair amount of work to make the cockpit deeper, but maybe...
Of course, I have the Airfix 1/48 kit too, in case I chicken out!
Michael
On the bench:
Sorta depends on your definition of "on the bench"...
#439
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 07:20 AM UTC
LOL, I've got the Academy P-40B as a back-up.
Hanger Queens in Waiting:
Monogram 1/72 F8F-1
Corsair the Sky Pirate - 1/72 Ace A-7D
Century Series - Airfix 1/72 F-105G
Anti Shipping - Academy 1/72 PBJ-1D
Academy 1/72 F-84E
Ohio, United States
Joined: May 02, 2010
KitMaker: 596 posts
AeroScale: 197 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 18, 2018 - 01:58 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Eck, Michael not going to make timeline. We should be finishing our new home right about the end of the campaign.
Great idea and I'll be watching!
Not sure if there are any thoughts about extending the campaign dates? I'm always pretty cautious of how much free time I'll have to dedicate to a build, and I have a few kits already on my in-progress list. Either way I think I'll throw my hat in the ring
I inherited an old AMT-Ertl Spitfire from someone in my IPMS chapter. I'm planning on building it as one of Israel's first fighters, which was chock full of volunteers from all around the world. I have yet to decide on an individual pilot to showcase, but I have my sources...
#041
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
AeroScale: 3,788 posts
Posted: Friday, October 26, 2018 - 07:06 PM UTC
I am in. I think I have some and 109s with interesting markings for Croatian pilots.
Looking forward to it
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