Jan,

Excellent pic of an RAAF Boston during maintenance, note the nose mounted 0.30's, all the DB7b's, A20a's and A20c's the RAAF flew in operations had this field modification, straffing firepower fitted.
The A20 in RAAF service in the PTO was called a Boston {the same name the RAF had given this bird}.



Transformed from the older AMT A20b/c kit into a DB 7b Boston in 48 scale.


Modification of the Academy P 38e Lightning to F4-1a specs



Views of the almost completed F4 1a in RAAF service

Progress of the currant Italeri kit of the A20b/c Boston / Havoc




Repositioning of the undercarriage leg mounting points - moved forward a of an 1/4 inch, the pencil lines show the new location point.

Bomb bay made from .010 thou styrene sheet, as a means to hide the lead shot counter wieght, as this is being built as an RAF Nth Africa bird.


Gordon,

Sorry, the F4 1a that the RAAF had were the PR version of the P 38e.
The aircraft that I mentioned with bomb bays in each outer narcelle is the CA 11, this was a locally designed and produced bird that had 'Died before it was Born' 2 such aircraft where ever built and both were {sadly} lost in early and mid '44.
I had requests from countless people to produce this as a Multi Media kit in both 72 and 48 scales, based on the plans of the 1 - 1 scale bird, it is an interesting model subject.

Sorry for being with the model pix

There's no need to apologise Rob, in that case I'd be apologising too for the pics that I've put up here. But at least we both keep it to twin engines you know.... :-)
Great pics of you build matey, looking forward to see it finished. I'm sure that it will be just as stunning as your other builds.

Jan,

Thanks for the kind words on the birds and for setting things into 'Twins', awesome pix on the maintenance topic, here are a few more. I'll sort out some Kiwi 'Cat' pix in the next day or so as well as a few more RAAF ones.




A rather unique 'twin' and a very unique scheme.


A PTO cammo scheme.


Another A20g Boston IV as an RAAF bird.


Another little known subject.




The extremes we take our modelling, note: the {Non kit recommended} position of the gunsight, this is were it should be when locked in the firing position.


A very little known Tac Recon Mk If as operated by the RAF in Nth Africa.

Since we're planning this project with open cowlings, engine off etc...
Where can I find good plans for the engine mount??

Guys

These photo's just get better and better.

Any sugestions for my next twin kit to purchase? - other than another Cat - that's lined up already.

I have money saved and a trip to Telford Scale model world is calling.

Andy

Hmmm, I don't know matey. How about any of these??







Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk.X

Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI




Happy hunting Andy!

just thought that I'd try to sneak in a P-38 here without anyone take notice... :-)

Andy,

I agree with Jan on the choice of 'Twins' and would add the Mosquito in any of the 3 kit forms.

Jan,

The questions on the 'Cat' with removed engines and open cowlings, I think you'll be scratch building most of these bits for your model subject.


A few more pix to add to the growing collection:-




Where the idea came from for the modifications for my Mosquito model.


?????????


Another Gun Camera shot.


A 82 Sqn RAAF PR 40 the DAP {Aussie} built Mosquitoversion of the PR IV

1 Sqn RAAF FB 45's DAP Built


5 OTU Beaufort IX


Another Beaufighter.


Avro Anson Mk I in RAAF service.

Here's 3 pix that would make anyone weep:-





This 'Graveyard' is Oakey in Queensland Australia I don't know as to what year it is.

I'm heartbroken looking the graveyard pics.... I was suspecting that I'd have to scratchbuild the enginemount for the Cat.... difficult to find plans for them.... :-) Oh! I added three Mosquitoes to
Andy list of possible twins to buy....
More Catalina pictures....
This one gives a new meaning to "de-icing" the plane....


This one broke down over and had to land on open sea but was later rescued and towed back home by USS Salute AM-294

Jan and Rob

I've pre ordered a mk VI beaufighter and photoetch & wheels from Hannats for collection at Telford - taking advantage of their 10% show discount. Will post photos as the build progresses.

Cat coming on well - May have cockpit finished at weekend!!

Andy

And where's the pics my good man?? :-) :-) Good luck with the Beaufighter matey...

Andy,

I look forward to seeing your 'Cat' pix:

Also a good choice for your next 'Twin', do you know of which Mk VI kit you have ordered ?

If your AM wheels are Aires 'weighted' tyres, be carefull in fitting them to the model undercarriage legs, they are about 1/16 inch narrower than the kit wheels. I assume the PE set is from Eduard ?

Hannants also have the SAM 'Data File' Modellers Guide books, if they have a copy of the Beaufighter book, grab it, as it has mountains of [Walk around] detail pix, colour sideviews, plans and refs to correct the missing bits of the Tamiya Kit, as well as a rundown on all the kits produced of the Beaufighter. {I use this book as a reference to my Beaufighter kit builds, together with a set of scale drawings}.


Jan,

Yep the 'Graveyard' pix do bring a tear to the eye and I often wonder when looking back from time to time [refs to the A20 canopy hatch for my model subjects], as to how many of these birds became 'Pots and Pans' or even 'Frying Pans'.
There are many a frypan that has built in 'Torque' - nothing stays were you want it to be -

Nice pic of the Coast Guard PBY 5a.

I've ordered the non nightfighter Mk VI - wheels are true details - have these for the black cat as well - photoetch is indeed eduard - and eduard canopy mask.

Photos of cat will follows soon i promise - but it takes time and evenings are short. The weekend is free this weekend, so good progress should be made.

Andy

Another question fellas in quest for imformation for my Cats. Has anyone got these two books, are they good? I also saw that they have books for the Beaufighter and the B-25...are they worth the money?



And another Catalina picture and some nice art.

OK

You wanted progress pics - here's the cockpit so far



I am begining to hate Photoetch at 1:72

Andy

Looks great!





Maybe it's because it's in the "wrong" scale matey..... :-) :-)

Jan

Can you point me in the direction of a 1:48 Cat kit?

I'd be more than happy to oblige you and come to the 'correct' scale.

Andy

:-) :-) :-) :-)

Sure Andy mate... Revell and Monogram is the good ones. You can find them on the ebay. When I checked today there were two -5's there.

Here you go Andy....I'll see if I can find anymore 1/48 Cats for you in the "correct" scale. :-)

PBY Catalina 1
PBY Catalina 2
Happy hunting mate....

Andy,

Good progress on the 'Cat' 'pit so far, as for the 48 scale Catalina's, Revell/Monogram did the PBY 5 and Revell Germany did the PBY 5a kit, like Jan I hope your search is successfull.
Seems the Mk VI Beaufighter kit is the Mediteranian boxart version, one thing to remember with the canopy masks is Eduard supply the mask for the 2 side 'Cold Air' vents, they are a little tricky to apply to the canopy.
If I may add a tip on the Beaufighter kit decals, they are on the thickish side and take a bit of decal set to make them sit on the model, try some AM decals if you can, Cutting Edge did 3 sheets for the Beau and Eagle Strike do a sheet for the Aussie Mk XXI's in 48 scale.
I have some AM Beau decals spare if your interested.

Jan,

The 2 books you show are Polish Publications, {I haven't seen these books in Oz as yet}, 'they have English Translations and good pix, drawings and other details, {I have a couple of this type for other model subjects}.
Try Squadron Signal Books they have 2 on the Catalina:-
1 as an In Profile and the other as a Walk Around.

As for the 72 scale Catalina 'Guinea Pig' here are some progress pix and the discriptions:



Upper Tailplane and Rudder control surfaces painted in a Faded Flat Black - 12 drops of Humbrol # 140 mixed into the Matt Black {to replicated a GREYISH or Bleeched hue} - this mix was done after the Undersurfaces of canvas had been painted.


This pic shows the Humbrol Maskol that has been applied to model by toothpick and drawn across model surfaces.


Close up pic of the 'Faded Matt Black'.


Note: Copper wire {fixed into rudder post} - Trailing Antenia mounting.


This pic shows the diviation in colour effect I have applied to this model subject's canvas area's of the lower main wing and tailplane surfaces, with the aide of a mirror base.


Another view of the Maskol treatment.


Model Master 'Burnt Steel' metalizer applied to cowlings and main wing surface, in preperation of the severe exhaust staining.

Looking great Rob! Can't wait to see more.....awesome!

Both

Thanks for the kind comments - the seat was the sum total of 1.5 hours work last night - 7 very small bits of PE and i have the other one to do yet. Any one know of a place to buy a pair of younger eyes??

Rob

Many thanks for the offer of AM decals - if i can't find any i may take you up on that.

Jan

Only 'correct' scale Cats are in the states at the moment - but i may just take the shipping costs on the chin so i can get one.

Have you seen this website for the De Havilland Mosquito?
The Mosquito Page