Model Aircraft - August 2020 PDF

Swordfish Spitfire
Charlie Duke
Fishbed Specifics
F-86D MiG-21MF MV249
Combat Zone
Supermarine Attacker
EDUARD
1:48 Scale
D.III Dutch Vol 19 Iss 08 £4.95
Albatros
AUGUST 2020
Printed in UK
- DEFIANT TO THE L
RESEARCH AST
MA
Model Aircraft Manual ‘Expanded’
The Northrop F-5E Tiger II History
Step by Step Build
Colour Profiles
Scale Plans
MISSION
MODELS
PREMIUM HOBBY PAINTS, PRIMERS & ADDITIVES
CHANGE
THE
WAY
YOU
PAINT
WATER BASED ACRYLIC, ODORLESS, NON-TOXIC
WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM
Please visit our website above for dealer locations
Model by David Parker
MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 3
VOLUME 19 ISSUE 08
A Certain Flare
A
s we work our way through the Malcolm V Lowe gives us an insight into
current crisis, and slowly emerge Boulton Paul’s most famous son the ‘Defiant’
from our enforced hibernation, it’s in our Research Feature. Elsewhere, we ‘take
good to see that aircraft modelling a break’ as Dawid Branski enjoys a chocolate
is still on a high! Once again it is treat care of Airfix and his Spitfire build, and
a pleasure to present to you another feature on the subject of the Spitfire, Alan Price brings
packed issue of Model Aircraft. I am also pleased yet another of his superb builds with his 1:48
to bring you articles on three British designs, Mk.XIV as MV249, the mount of RAF pilot John
namely the Supermarine Wilkinson. We also have another of the excellent
Spitfire and Attacker, the Kinetic F-104 Starfighters to
elegant Hawker Hunter and bring you, and this one is
the Boulton Paul Defiant. courtesy of Marcin Torbinski,
I think I alluded to a story as he faithfully reproduces a
about Boulton Paul a few worn Danish version. Also, a
years ago, but it’s one that reminder not to forget to visit
deserves re-telling! My the MA Bookshop pages or go
grandparents lived very close to www.modelaircraftmag.com
the Boulton Paul factory in the where you will find information
West Midlands, and my dad about our current and future
would often tell me about books, plus back issues of our
the German raids, especially magazines and subscription
one night when German offers. So, all that remains for
bombers attacked the plant me to say is , keep calm, stay
and pathfinder flares were safe and……
dropped before the bombers arrived. One hit
my grandparents’ roof, broke off a number Happy Modelling!
of tiles and then burned in the garden, whilst
another set fire to a neighbour’s house further
down the road. Happily, he was in the air raid
shelter at the bottom of the garden! Historian
Andy
4 CONTENTS WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
6 SPITFIRE SPECIFICS WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 7 14 COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER COMBAT ZONE
FIGHTING COLO U R S
WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 COMBAT ZONE
FIGHTING COLO U R S
15 20 MA RESEARCH DEPARTMENT WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 21
Spitfire
SPITFIRE SPECIFICS
DEFIANT TO THE LAST

COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER
Model Aircraft Research Department A well-known ‘publicity’ image of a standard
production Defiant Mk.I, possibly N1573, showing
the typical 1940-era day fighter configuration of
distinguished itself in the air battles over the
Dunkirk beaches during the evacuation of British
and French forces. Nonetheless, several Defiants
the ‘bomber interceptor’ turret-armed Defiants.
by Malcolm V Lowe (Photo: Boulton Paul) had been shot down by German fighters, and
All images are credit - Boulton Paul, JB via Malcolm V Lowe
and The Malcolm V Lowe Collection the type’s vulnerability was becoming obvious. A
second Defiant Mk.I unit, 141 Squadron, became
operational in the early summer of 1940.
The Battle of Britain began on 10 July 1940.
During July and August the Defiant force fought
Specifics
bravely but suffered considerable losses to the
Luftwaffe’s nimble, well-armed Messerschmitt
Bf 109E. Initially the Germans had been caught
out by the Defiant’s unusual armament
configuration, but it soon became obvious how
to defeat the unconventional fighter, which
Alan Price builds the Airfix 1:48 was vulnerable to frontal attack. Eventually the
Supermarine Spitfire XIV as MV249 the Defiant was withdrawn in late August/early
The camera ports have to go. September from daytime fighter operations, just
mount of RAF pilot John Wilkinson Several rounds of filling and when the Battle of Britain was reaching its peak.
sanding were required to
permarine
The less than successful daylight aerial combat
E
erase the evidence of these
COMBAT ZON
experiences of the Defiant did not stop the type
The British Su
S
OUR
COL
NG
HTI
FIG
new when it was assigned to the Squadron

in early March and John used this aircraft
Attacker With aerials mounted on its starboard wing leading edge and elsewhere on
the airframe, the radar-equipped Defiant Mk.II represented the state-of-
Looking more like a sleek racing machine rather than a frontline warplane,
the very first Defiant was K8310, and was originally designated by Boulton
Paul as the P.82. It was initially built ‘clean’ without the fuselage turret fitted,
although it had been installed by the time of this image. (Photo: Boulton Paul)
T
on a number of sorties from Eindhoven he Attacker is a British single-seat naval the-art in night-fighter technology during the period 1941 into 1942.
(Photo: Boulton Paul)
and Twente before moving to Celle jet fighter designed and produced by
in northwest Germany. This was aircraft manufacturer Supermarine forward-firing armament within the Defiant effect being a ‘bomber interceptor’. It was from eventually becoming a useful fighter, but in
not far from the Bergen-Belsen for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, itself – which was to prove a costly deficiency. already becoming obvious even in early 1940, a far different role. Both 264 and 141 Squadrons,
concentration camp, which and the type has the distinction of Retractable fuselage fairings ahead of and just however, that Defiants were going to have to and later several other units including the
Defiant to the Last

John saw after it was being the first jet fighter to enter operational several deficiencies, one of which was using the behind the turret gave the turret an excellent face formidable German fighter opposition – for Polish-manned 307 Squadron, commenced
liberated. On the 16th of service with the FAA. Performing its maiden Spiteful tail-wheel undercarriage rather than a traverse and field of fire. The first prototype which the lack of fixed, forward-firing armament using their Defiants for potentially less hazardous
April, John shot down an flight on 27 July 1946, the flight-testing phase to equip the RAF while another aircraft, the eighteen De Havilland Vampire Mk. 20s for the nose-wheel undercarriage, a configuration that was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin I engine of was going to be a huge disadvantage. night patrols. Success was achieved with several
Fw 190 which exploded, of development was protracted due to several Gloster E.1/44, that was also powered by the purpose of gaining experience with jet aircraft. resulted in the Attacker being considerably more 1,030hp. The squadron became operational during German bombers intercepted in the dark by
badly damaging MV249. issues, including handling difficulties. The same Rolls-Royce Nene engine, completed After evaluating both the Jet Spiteful and the difficult to land on an aircraft carrier. A second, supplemental prototype (K8620) March 1940, and was involved from the outset 141 Squadron during September 1940 as the
He managed to land back first Attackers were introduced to FAA service development. On 30 August 1944, an order for E.1/44, the RAF decided to reject both designs On 17 June 1947, the first navalised prototype, flew in May 1939, but long before this, during when the Germans attacked France and the Low Germans increasingly switched to nocturnal
safely, and the aircraft during August 1951. Common to the majority three prototypes was placed with Supermarine, since neither aircraft offered any perceptible Type 398 TS413, conducted its first flight, flown April 1937, an initial batch of Defiant Mk.I had Countries in May 1940. Early encounters with operations. At first the Defiants were very austere
was sent for repair but of other first-generation jet fighters, the and it was stipulated that the second and third performance advantage over contemporary by test pilot Mike Lithgow, occurring four years The Boulton Paul Defiant was the RAF’s only single-engined front-line two-seat turret- been ordered. The first production aircraft, Luftwaffe aircraft were encouraging, several night-fighters, with no radar and relying on the
with the end of the war it Attacker had a relatively short service life before prototypes were both to be navalised. On 7 July fighters such as the Gloster Meteor and the after the Meteor had performed its first flight.
being replaced, this was due to increasingly 1945, a follow-on order for a further twenty-four de Havilland Vampire, which were the RAF’s On 5 May 1950, the first production variant of
equipped fighter of World War Two. It had a chequered career as both a day fighter and L6950, flew in July 1939. Dimensionally, with a being shot down by the Defiants, and the unit pilots’ skills to operate in the dark.
was no longer needed so wing span of 39ft 4in (11.99m) the Defiant Mk.I
it was struck of charge on advanced aircraft harnessing the jet engine pre-production aircraft, six for the RAF and the first two operational jet aircraft. Following the the aircraft, designated Attacker F.1, performed a nocturnal warplane, as Malcolm V Lowe explains was just smaller than a Hurricane and larger
the 19th of May. being rapidly developed during the 1950s and remaining eighteen for the Fleet Air Arm was design’s rejection by the RAF, Supermarine its first flight, one year later, deliveries of the than a Spitfire, but was longer than both of
I T
have been fortunate in the pursuit of this Having picked up one 1960s. Despite its retirement by the FAA during also placed. decided to approach the Admiralty with an type commenced. While originally designed he Boulton Paul Defiant received Britain’s aircraft industry for a two-seater fighter, that became a central feature of its response to these with a length of 35ft 4in (10.77m). Power
hobby to come into contact with many of the new Airfix kits, the 1954, only three years following its introduction, Handling problems with the Supermarine offer of developing a navalised version of the to a wartime requirement for the RAF, it was much fanfare at the time of its armed with a gun turret, for just this purpose. Specification F.9/35. Initially designated P.82 by for the production aircraft was provided by the
interesting people and been able to work next issue was how to back the Attacker would be adopted by the newly Spiteful prototype delayed progress on the project. On 27 July 1946, the maiden flight of not introduced until the early 1950s, and was creation in the second half of the the company and eventually named Defiant, improved Merlin III engine, of similar rating to
on a lot of fascinating projects. One of date this to an early Mk.XIV? formed Pakistan Air Force, who would continue jet-powered version, leading to the pre- the type was performed by prototype Type 392 ultimately developed for use aboard aircraft 1930s. At that time Britain was faced Specialist Company the Boulton Paul design was a potential winner the Mk.I.
these people is John Mollison who runs build it – only I had had the opportunity to to operate the type possibly as late as 1964. As production order being stopped, although serial number TS409, a land-based version, by carriers. For a jet aircraft, the Attacker’s design with the growing need to defend One manufacturer in particular was well- from the start because it incorporated all of
the website www.oldguysandtheirairplanes. just in time as email John Wilkinson during the originally intended, the Attacker programme work on the three prototypes continued. Due to test pilot Jeffrey Quill. The Air Ministry issued was unusual, with a tail-dragger undercarriage itself in the future against formations of enemy placed to answer this requirement. The original the company’s know-how in turret design and Early Problems
com. John and I have collaborated on a John Wilkinson sadly original project and he was able to was supposed to provide an interim jet fighter the delay, the FAA instead procured a batch of Specification E.1/45 to cover production aircraft; with twin tailwheels, as well as an unswept wing. bombers, the prevailing thinking being that Norwich-based Boulton & Paul company (the technology. The initial RAF frontline recipient of the Defiant
number of projects over recent years, John passed away just after give me a lot of details over the course meeting its various requirements necessitated a The flight controls were relatively conventional, incoming enemy bombers would fight their aviation-related department of which became Allocated the British military serial number was 264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, which
interviews retired pilots, he puts the interview it was completed. With the of the original build. Most Mk.XIVs were built range of extensive modifications to be made to based on those of the Spiteful. The forward way unescorted to their targets. Therefore, Boulton Paul Aircraft in 1934) was a world-leader K8310, the initial P.82 aircraft made its first flight received its first aircraft in December 1939. The
on the website and does a colour profile of new Airfix kit on the market I really as FR.XIVs, that is with the reconnaissance the design, including a revised fin and tail plane position of the cockpit was well-received and defending fighters would simply need to shoot in gun turret design and manufacture. The on 11 August 1937, piloted by company test pilot unit moved to RAF Martlesham Heath to operate
their aircraft. I help John with the research wanted to build one to represent John capability built in, in the form of the camera arrangement, as well as an increased internal provided an exceptionally good view for the pilot. down the bombers using a heavy offensive company was fully aware of turret developments Cecil Feather. It was not fitted with a turret at the Defiant, but several varied malfunctions
and build a model of the aircraft. When John Wilkinson’s aircraft, this was the kit I always ports. This is how the Airfix kit is. John’s aircraft fuel capacity. Accordingly, a large external The Attacker had a relatively strong structure, armament, without the need to defend that were taking place during that era in France that time and looked sleek and purposeful. The were found with the new aircraft, while special
interviewed former RAF pilot John Wilkinson, wanted to build for this project had full span wings, not clipped ones, and ventral fuel tank was adopted, along with an making extensive use of heavy-gauge materials, themselves against enemy fighters which would and used some of the French technology armament chosen for the Defiant was a Boulton tactics had to be worked out to decide the most
we really wanted to build a model of the John Wilkinson was with No.41 Squadron did not have the fuel tank behind the pilot. extended dorsal fin and folding wing tips. Flight principally aluminium alloy, which were used not be present to look after the bombers. With in its own gun-equipped turret design and Paul ‘A’-series turret, based on a French de effective use of the heavy gun turret. An attack
aircraft, MV249. At the time the only available and in March 1945 they were based in Holland. Fortunately, the kit comes with full span testing was largely conducted at Supermarine’s with stressed-skin construction and supported hindsight this thinking was fatally flawed, but manufacture. The company’s development Boysson design, mounting four 0.303in (7.7mm) from below into the target aircraft’s ‘blind spot’ Photographed in flight during daylight, this nocturnal Defiant Mk.II night-fighter, AA436 coded DZ-V,
option was the Sword 1:72 kit. I did manage to Spitfire Mk.XIV MV249 was almost brand wings so that was not an issue. Markings were newly created experimental establishment at by twenty-four closely spaced stringers and Air Ministry Specification F.9/35 of 1935 asked work also led to the four-gun turret design Browning machine guns. But there was no fixed was the most obvious approach, the Defiant in was flown by 151 Squadron. (Photo: JB via Malcolm V Lowe)
the former RAF Chilbolton. The Attacker had formers. The nose had an unusual lobster-
6 Spitfire Specifics 14 Combat Zone - Navy Attacker 20 The Model Aircraft Research
Alan Price builds the Airfix 1:48 Supermarine Lee Powell builds the 1:48 Trumpeter F.B2 Department - Defiant to the Last
Spitfire XIV as MV249 the mount of RAF pilot John Malcolm V Lowe looks at the Boulton Paul design
Wilkinson
56 F-104G STARFIGHTER WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 57 60 HAWKER HUNTER F.6 WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 61 64 MIRAGE F1C WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 65
DRAB DANISH STAR
VALLEY HUNTER
‘ORANGE’ INTERCEPTOR
Drab Danish Valley Hunter ‘Orange’
STAR Interceptor
Marcin Torbinski adds a
unique worn camouflage
scheme to the Kinetic
F-144G Starfighter James Bamford
builds the 1:48
Airfix Hawker
Hunter F.6
Ashley Dunn builds
the 1:48 Italeri
E
very modeller has his own key for
choosing the models that will be on Mirage F1C in the
his workbench. It’s sometimes the fuselage and fit a small amount of filler, but this colours of EC 1/5
matter of the shape, the beauty or the into two locating could have been easily rectified from Orange in 1978
history of a machine as in the case holes on the outside if the sides of the cockpit tub
of Supermarine Spitfire, Grumman F-14 of the fuselage. This had been sanded down for a
Tomcat or Sukhoi Su27. Other times, gave a great representation less tight fit.
it is the matter of memories, one’s quality of the paint used such as SEA Camouflage Green, Bulkhead Grey of the curved intakes of the The tail pipe was my next
personal experiences of their until 1979, was so poor that to create a shade similar to the Danish faded real Hunter, unlike some kits that port of call and because of
childhood when say a MiG-21, it faded after few months. It green. Browsing through the photographs allow the intakes to simply disappear the scheme I was to be modelling this
F-4 Phantom or Hawker became extremely flat and rough of Starfighters on the Internet you may into the wings. These fit in with no problem. aircraft on, it required the use of the tail without
Harrier, symbols of the and together with the underpainting feel tempted to divide the shades into two At this point it is important to note that before the parachute housing. I imagine that the
Cold War flew over their it created a mosaic of the most amazing groups. The first one, for aircraft numbered mating the fuselage halves, the kit requires chute-housing tail is in there for a later release
heads. In my approach shades. As much as the painting was a R-850 to R-600, the oldest machines, of which F-104G Starfighter also picked out in respective colours. Once at least twenty grams of weight in or around of the kit with different options or maybe an
however, I decided to focus on the technical, pain to the mechanics of the Danish Airforce, discolorations were light green or in some Manufacturer: Kinetic dry, the cockpit assembly was glued into one the nose, forward of the main landing gear in FGR.9 version? That would be nice! Anyway,
artistic aspect. In every build I like to try a new it remains a delightful canvas to practice shots, even grey. In some cases, the greyed Scale: 1:48 fuselage half and building of the intakes could order for it not to be a tail sitter. Of course, the this was fitted around the three-part exhaust The upper areas were
approach, from the gluing to the final touches, your modelling skills. Since my approach paint on the tail had a yellowish hue to increase Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded commence. An engine face piece sat halfway further back you put the weight, the more you’ll pipe and glued to the underside of the tail with with a sanding stick is required to get a flush primed with Vallejo
Light Grey Primer
T
a constant perfecting and adding different of focuses on painting, a straight-from-the-box in temperature in that area. The second group, Kit Number: 48083 alongside contractual military operations to act down the fuselage halves, not only to give need. I ended up putting around thirty grams no problems whatsoever. Another piece of his is a re-boxed version of the highlight featuring no less than nine different finish. The cockpit can then be sandwiched in
modelling techniques with a continued search model with no additions turned out to be a on the other hand, are the aircraft below R-600. as the enemy. Most recently, one turned up to detail deep in the intakes but also to add extra in. About 10g went into the nose cone itself wonderful engineering on this kit is the wing venerable Esci kit which was first options – six of which are in the French Non- between the fuselage halves and closed up.
for interesting paint and visual effects that will perfect candidate. So, I chose the 1:48 F-104G RIAT 2019 in a stunning tri-tone grey splinter structural support to the fuselage. This was and the rest sat behind the cockpit tub. Once assembly. Unlike other kits, in both 1:72 and issued in 1978. The kit, by todays’ Specular Blue the other French option being in The fit is really good on the topside but slightly
T
catch the eyes. Starfighter from Kinetic, as the quality of sprues he Hawker Hunter is without a doubt camouflage - one that must be modelled soon painted silver however, once closed up, would the weights were glued in place with copious 1:48, where they have two separate wing sets standards is a little basic in areas but desert colours. There’s a Spanish three colour The instructions would have you add the off on the underside, and this required some
So, here I focussed on the Royal Danish Air is just so good. The kit also includes a radar as one of the most iconic British aircraft with this cracking Airfix kit! not be seen. The intakes were in two-pieces for amounts of superglue and Blu-Tac, it was time with two pieces being top and bottom, Airfix must have been fairly cutting edge camouflage scheme with another in Greek front undercarriage to the underside of the Mr Surfacer 500 and some re-scribing of panel
Force. My wish was to create a collection of well as a detailed electronics bay. to grace the skies. Designed in the Airfix announced in late 2018 that they each side. Once mated, these curved from the to mate the fuselage halves. The fit was very have very cleverly provided one wing, which in its day. It comes on four sprues in a light and finally a Royal Jordanian Air Force scheme. cockpit tub in the next stage, but a quick lines but nothing too serious. The instructions
three of its aircraft - the SAAB 35 Draken, So, my first step was black basing. With the late 1940’s and first production would be releasing a brand new tooled 1:48 engine face piece out of a gap in the side of the nice, if a little tight. This did lead to the need of perfectly slits into the gap on the top of the grey plastic which is relatively soft and features The build began with the cockpit area, which test fit revealed this could be left off till the have you remove some pre-moulded aerials
the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and the use of a Uschi van der Rosten’ Trinity Splatter through the 1950’s, the Hawker scale Hawker Hunter in the 2019 catalogue fuselage halves with no problem. This also recessed panel lines through-out, two different is a little basic but acceptable given the age of end and would ease painting later and limit on the upper surface which I believe are part of
North American F-100. These aircraft Airbrush Stencil, I created differentiating Hunter entered RAF service in 1954. Production and this was met with great delight as the Hawker Hunter F.6 has most of the spine on the top wing piece types of ejection seats and a nice selection of the kit. There are no raised or recessed details any potential damage. Next up were the air the Mirage F1CT. Next up were the wings and
all shared one common feature, a patterns on the surfaces. My next step was started with the F.1, leading to the most closest and best tooling in the scale to this Manufacturer: Airfix THE SCHEME I HAD CHOSEN WAS FOR A MACHINE which marries up with the beginning of the weapons. Lastly, a clear sprue for the canopy on the instrument panel or side consoles intakes with the shock cones. These are two- rear horizontal stabilisers. Each wing has an
matt green finish, which the RDAF finding the right shade of paint, which was prominent versions being the F.6 and FGR.9. point was the Academy offering. The Academy Scale: 1:48 FROM NO.4. FIGHTER TRAINING SCHOOL BASED AT tail with an almost seamless transition. This and glazed elements. The decal sheet is a real instead decals are supplied which are a little piece for each side and fit is almost perfect upper and lower element, not quite in halves I then added some
pre-shading
used as their camouflage. The supposed to be a faded colour. This was quite
hard, especially that I had to think ahead about
Over the years, eighteen primary versions were
developed and used by the RAF and RN, and
kit was good in many ways, however, from
my experience and many others, the cockpit
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
Kit Number: A09185
RAF VALLEY IN 1974 on the heavy side as far as detail goes. The
kit seat when built, painted and weathered
with the fuselage sides. Only a quick swipe though. The lower section fits ‘within’ the upper
wing but along panel lines so as to eliminate
the following steps and bear in mind that the a huge forty-four versions were converted or seemed way too small - closer to something looks acceptable. I did add some seat belts by any sanding. The fit was exemplary. These are
shades will get darker. In my work, I use Hataka made for the export market. The RAF were just like 1:60, and so a resin bang seat was needed the way of painted masking tape strips. The Adding a offered into slots on each side of the fuselage
colours and blended several different shades one of twenty-two operators of the type. Other at a minimum to fill the cockpit, ideally a resin Eduard’s superb seat belts designed for this cockpit tub is made up of three pieces – the Gloss Black which are very positive and provide just a nice
base coat
notable users being Belgium, The Netherlands, cockpit would be the best course of action newly tooled Hunter. These sat beautifully main tub and two bulkheads, one for the front level of resistance for fixing and gluing. The
India, Switzerland and Sweden. Other nations though. The Airfix Hunter boasted some on Airfix’s three-part seat of which, as I stated which includes the instrument panel and seam line between the wing and fuselage was
such as Chile, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Rhodesia fantastic out of box detail. The ejector seat had above, has the option of a detail-less seat to rudder pedals and the rear for the area behind hardly noticeable. The rear horizontal stabilisers
also flew the type. The Hunter was retired from two options for pre-moulded belts or without allow the addition of a pilot or aftermarket the ejection seat. Everything was then sprayed are one-piece each with a good solid tab for
UK military service in 1999 when the Empire if you were to add photo-etch to them, which I seat belts. I made use of this and added the Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black and left to dry. It fixing into the fuselage.
Test Pilots School retired theirs, however, the did. You were also provided different tail units seat belts in with superglue once the main was then just a case of adding some shades of Next, it was time to add the exhaust section, For the upper surfaces, I used Gunze
Hunter would live on elsewhere in the world to have the brake shute housing or not which colours of black and the olive-green seat were Khaki Green to the seat cushions. I added but I left it off to ease painting and masking. Up Intermediate Blue H56 mixed with
Greyish-Blue H337 with a drop or
until 2014 when the Lebanese Air Force finally opens up the ability to model a huge amount dry. The two-part cockpit tub and instrument the decals for the side consoles and next was the nose cone and the requirement for two of white
retired theirs from active military service. of options. Crisp details are found all over the panel was then glued and also painted black. Mirage F1C instrument panels but added some adding 20g weight to this area. I added some
The Hunter can still be enjoyed even now model and carry onto the canopy parts which I had no need to add any other etch into the Manufacturer: Italeri colour in the way of switches Blu-Tac and fishing weights followed by some
with many civilian companies flying the type. are also nice and clear with no distortion. cockpit as the instrument panel decal was very Scale: 1:48 painted on in red and Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity to fill any gaps.
Hawker Hunter Aviation (HHA) also operate The kit started off in the usual style with nice and conformed perfectly to the supplied Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded yellow to add some The fit of the nose cone was slightly off, being
a few within a fleet of ten ex-Swiss Mk.58s cockpit and seat first. To quickly note, the only kit part. It is sharp and clear and stands out in Kit Number: 2790 interest. slightly wider in diameter than the fuselage
which provides Aggressor role aircraft to work addition I made to this kit was the addition of the enclosed cockpit. Other small details were end and required some decent sanding to get
56 Drab Danish Star 60 Valley Hunter 64 ‘Orange’ Interceptor

Marcin Torbinski adds a unique worn camouflage James Bamford builds the 1:48 Airfix Hawker Ashley Dunn builds the 1:48 Italeri Mirage F1C
scheme to the Kinetic F-144G Starfighter Hunter F.6 in the colours of EC 1/5 from Orange in 1978
35 Model Aircraft Manual

The Northrop F-5 Tiger II
‘Aggressor - Train to Fight’
Two Seat Bandit

Andy Renshaw builds the 1:48 AFV Club
F-5F Tiger
VOLUME 19 ISSUE 08
26 ALBATROS D.III WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 27 MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 45 52 MIG-21MF WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 53
DUTCH ALBATROS
MODEL AIRCRAFT – F-5 TIGER II
SWORDFISH FISHBED
Swordfish
CRAZY AND UNIQUE CAMOUFLAGE SCHEMES
Model Aircraft Manual REALLY APPEAL TO ME!
Albatros D.III
Manufacturer: Eduard
Scale: 1:48
Kit Number:
Working on
the interior
The Northrop F-5 Tiger II Fishbed

History Colour Profiles Scale Plans Step by Step Build Walk Around
David Rainer builds the 1:72 Eduard The detail in the
cockpit is raised and
MiG-21MF Weekend Edition really nice
The fuselage of the
Albatros D series were
Two Seat Bandit

constructed of plywood and in most
cases were not painted, only varnished
Kees Kleijwegt
builds the
1:48 Eduard THE ROUNDEL FOR THE ‘LUCHTVAARTAFDEELING’ WAS JUST Andy Renshaw builds the 1:48 AFV Club F-5F Tiger
Albatros D.III AN ORANGE CIRCLE, SO CIRCULAR MASKS WERE CUT FROM
F-5F Tiger II
A
BROAD TAMIYA TAPE AND PAINTED USING MRP ORANGE dversary aircraft are always a
favourite amongst modellers, and Manufacturer: AFV Club
with the availability of great A-4 and Scale: 1:48
Dutch
F-5 kits, the only thing needed is Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded To begin, I applied
an overall coat of
E
decals. Luckily, we have seen a huge Kit Number: AR48106 duard has a wide range of MiG-21 Primer. Once the cockpit was finished it was colours in several thin layers, that way I can
influx of great aftermarket decals, with Furball Furball Aero Design #48-056 Top Gun Tigers & Talons Ammo by MIG One
models, and when they released this closed up (either temporary with some putty control how much of the pre-shading remains Shot Black Primer
Aero Design providing a sheet in several scales 1:72 Polish kit I had to build it, as crazy or permanently with some glue). After that I visible. In this case, I applied four layers of
covering the USN Adversary F-5’s for a good and unique camouflage schemes applied an overall coat of Ammo by MIG One paint. Once the main colour was dry, I painted
span of time. One scheme in particular caught really appeal to me! Shot Black Primer, followed by some mottling in the smaller areas such as the nose cone and
my eye, on an F-5F BuNo 160965, with its tan, The kit has some outstanding detail and a and pre-shading. I like to spray the camouflage exhaust nozzle.
brown, and green scheme. It may look familiar great fit, and only a few areas required sanding
Albatros
to those who have F-5 kits, as it’s the same and filling. The detail in the cockpit is raised
scheme in the old Monogram F-5F kit. I had I added some and really nice, so I decided to completely hand
built that kit in my youth, with a not so stellar additional detailing paint it. The chrome intake ring was painted Masking canopies in
to the cockpit 1:72 takes patience!
job at painting, and it eventually ended up in with Molotow Liquid Chrome after I applied
the bin as better builds graced my shelves. some black Ammo by MIG One Shot Black
However, I never did get another F-5F built. So,
with the decals in hand, and the fantastic AFV
Club kit at the ready, this was a great time to
remedy that!
D
uring the Great War, the Dutch In many cases the aircraft only had minor The AFV Club kit needs no long introduction
government chose to remain damage and were added to the fast-growing as it has been out for some time. There are
neutral. As a result of this, by inventory of the ‘Luchtvaartafdeeling’ (literally some minor improvements you can make to
international law, it was not allowed Aerospace Department) of the Dutch Army, the the stock kit, while keeping the aftermarket to and wire was added to the
for countries taking part in the War forerunner of the current Royal Netherlands a minimum. First, using the cockpit. I added rear bulkheads adjacent to each
to cross the Dutch border with personnel or Air Force. In 1917, German pilot coiled wire for the cords on the cockpit lamps seat location to busy this up a bit. Then
material. Instead of taking prisoners, all troops Franz Becker of Jasta 20 landed along the starboard wall. Some other bits of rod using reference images, I also built some of the
and vehicles crossing the Dutch border were to in Breskens with his Albatros missing linkage for the rear canopy actuator. MiG-21MF
be ‘interned’ until the end of the War. Between D.III after he became lost in the clouds. This is the same on the single seat F-5E, while Manufacturer: Eduard
1914 and 1918 quite a lot of British, French
and German aircraft made a crash landings
The aircraft was undamaged and as such was
added to the ‘Luchtvaartafdeeling’. His aircraft
THE ‘RED 47’ IS PLACED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON EACH the forward canopy has a much simpler
mechanism. A few lengths of brass wire, some
Scale: 1:72
in the Netherlands, or sometimes the pilot is the subject of this build. SIDE AND IS NOT SYMMETRICAL plastic rod, and a few plastic boxes were added Kit Number: 7451
just got lost and landed in the ‘wrong’ place. As usual, construction started with the for a much more detailed result. The seats were
26 Dutch Albatros 35 Model Aircraft Manual – 52 Swordfish Fishbed

Kees Kleijwegt builds the 1:48 Eduard Albatros The Northrop F-5 Tiger II David Rainer builds the 1:72 Eduard MiG-21MF
D.III ‘Aggressor - Train to Fight’ Weekend Edition
70 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE FR MK.XIV WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 71 74 F-86D SABRE DOG WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM 75 78 CHECK YOUR REFERENCES WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 79
KIT-KAT-SPIT
MISSION MODELS MASTERCLASS
CHECK YOUR REFERENCES

Mission Models Masterclass Aircraft of the Astronauts #6 CHECK YOUR
REFERENCES
Models Aircraft’s Monthly Look at New Books
The cockpit is
Mac Patterson builds surprisingly well
detailed
the 1:48 Revell F-86D in
the colours of Apollo 16 Hawker Siddeley
astronaut Charlie Duke
Charles Moss Ikarus IK-2 Fairey Swordfish (BAe)/McDonnell- Coastal
Duke Jr Publisher: Kagero
Authors: Aleksander M Ognjevic Mk.I, II, III, IV Douglas/Boeing Command’s Air
• Lunar Module Pilot Apollo 16 and Branislav J Mirkov
ISBN: 9788366148628
and Floatplane Harrier War Against the
• Cap Com Apollo 11 Publisher: Kagero
Format: Softback
Price: £22.00
Publisher: Kagero
Author: Anirudh Rao Author: Salvador Mafe Huertas German U-Boat
IBN: 9788366148871 IBN: 9788366148833 Publisher: Pen and Sword
T his book is a history of Format: Softback Format: Softback Author: Norman Franks
pre-war Yugoslav aircraft Price: £13.00 Price: £15.00 ISBN: 9781783831838
production, in particular the Format: Softback
W W
Ikarus IK-2, which was designed by ith production starting ith a brief introduction Price: £14.99
I added some wiring in the cockpit…. also used MDC Cold War era dial face decals to
two Yugoslav engineers who had in 1935, the Fairey on the development of
replicate the instrumentation. The ejection seat
Secret Wings of Swedish Bomber
Dawid Branski ‘Takes a Break’ with the 1:48 Airfix
Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV
Dog appeared to have been on strength with
the squadron during Duke’s early service in
West Germany, so fitted the bill.
This must have been one of Monogram/
is refined being made up of a number of parts,
once painted I used Eduard pre-printed etched
seat belts for added realism. The completed
cockpit section is then glued in place, sitting
World War II
Publisher: Lance Cole
Colours 1924-
1958
been trained in France. The first
third of the book is a very detailed
history of the aircraft development
in Yugoslavia and describes the
Swordfish became
the main torpedo bomber and
reconnaissance plane for the
Fleet Air Arm, flying both from
the British Harrier, and the
subsequent building under licence
in the US, the subject aircraft within
this book centres on the US built
T his book summarises the
story of how RAF Coastal
Command overcame the
German U-boat danger during
Kit-Kat-Spit
Author: Norman Franks trials for the IK-2 as it progressed to aircraft carriers and the floatplane aircraft in service with the Spanish the Second World War and how
Revell’s finest offerings, as the silvery/grey on the top of the engine intake trunking, this
plastic has delicate, well defined recessed entire subset in then attached to the interior ISBN: 9781526782021 Publisher: MMP Books production, and finally into service version catapulted from capital Navy. With the first aircraft, officially the escalation of the U-boat war
‘We’re breathing
Author: Mikael Forslund and combat. Most pages have ships. Starting with a short text titled ‘Matadors’, (but not a regularly promoted the development of
THE CHOCOLATE BAR IS MENTIONED panels, the cockpit and ejection seats look
especially nice, and the decal sheet was glossy
of the fuselage via locating tabs. Including
sufficient blast in the nose to ensure the Dog
Format: Softback
ISBN: 9788365958372 period photographs or illustrations, on the aircraft in both English used name), arriving in 1976. Both anti-submarine warfare, leading
Price: £14.99
AS ‘STEP 38’! and well printed. Building straight-from-the-
Grumman F-14 Tomcat Format: Softback and also images from manuals. and Polish, the following pages single seat and two-seat trainers to victory over this menace in
box, the cockpit has lovely console detail with
fine switches and dials, these pop out really
well with some patiently applied paint, similarly
the instrument panel has recessed dial faces. I
Kagero Kit Built 1
Publisher: Kagero
Authors: Robert Skalbania and
with relevant information. It is
refreshing to see that the authors
have made use of products from
T here are many myths
and legends surrounding
the advanced German
aeronautical technology of the
Price: £TBC
A n illustrated study of
Swedish bomber aircraft
There is a technical description of
the various sub-assemblies, again
with images, data on the armament
and translations of Yugoslav military
have 1:72 multi-view drawings
of the Gloster Gladiator Mk.I,
Mk.II, Sea Gladiator, Mk.II Meteo,
Mk.I Tropical, J-8 Finnish export
were bought and operated from
the Spanish Navy’s aircraft capable
ships, the Dedalo (decommissioned
in 1989) and the Principe de Asturias
the Atlantic. At the start of the
war, RAF Coastal Command had
virtually no real chance of either
finding or sinking Germany’s
T again…’
his kit had a very unusual addition Adrian Wolnicki a variety of manufacturers, using Second World War. There are also deployed before and terminology. Other charts list the model, and Mk.I and II with skis. (decommissioned in 2013) and submarines, but within a short
– a Kit-Kat snack bar contained on a F-86D Sabre Dog IBN: 9788366148567 what they consider to be the best facts and proven events. Yet within during World War II and in the airframe serials of individual aircraft The drawings are then repeated in Juan Carlos I. Details of the second period of time, new methods of
Manufacturer: Revell/Monogram on the market. The finish on these these stories and behind these facts early 1950s. The camouflage and their history, comparison of the larger 1:48, including fuselage generation aircraft are given, along detecting and delivering deadly
sprue! It’s even mentioned as ‘step …and then did some detail painting Format: Softback
Scale: 1:48 models is superb, especially the lie conspiracy theories, mistaken and markings on the aircraft aircraft and geographical locations. sections, ideal for scratch-building with a list of airframe numbers and ordnance with which to sink this
38’ in the instructions and marked as Price: £18.00
‘take a break and treat yourself with Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded weathering on the first aircraft. assumptions and denials that seem (which were sourced from many This second section consists or checking kits. The centre individual histories, but the major underwater threat were dreamt
T
a chocolate bar’ - nice move Airfix! I began Kit Number: 48176 his is a ‘how to’ book, which At the back of the book are seven to contradict the evidence. So, what different foreign countries) are of twenty-five sheets of scale four pages contain four colour plus of this book is the excellent up and implemented. It took the
with assembling the cockpit, and immediately illustrates the modelling pages with ten colour profiles, really happened? How far ahead described in unparalleled detail drawings in both 1:48 and 1:72, profiles, with an additional two colour photographic coverage. Both men of Coastal Command long
replaced the seat with a resin one from Quick- techniques used to produce and the back cover has a beautiful were the German scientists? And, by the well-known author Mikael with details, fuselage and wing on the back cover. In common in-flight and parked up aircraft are hours patrolling over an often
B
Boost. I also added a few extra little details eing a member of the exclusive Duke’s only space flight, but he does have the Dogs and later, F-102 Delta Daggers ready to two different models of the F-14 rendition of a pair of Tomcats of even greater interest, why and Forslund. They are then shown sections, covering prototypes with the Kagero range, there is seen in great detail, along with the hostile sea, in all types of weather,
onto cockpit side walls using few small pieces Manufacturer: Airfix ‘Moonwalkers Club’ would seem to privilege of being the youngest man to walk scramble at a moment’s notice. This project Tomcat made from the 1:48 on patrol. As with many Kagero how? There have been other books in many previously unpublished and production models. The third also two large pull-out sheets pilots often named. Four colour but their diligence, perseverance
cut from some very thin polystyrene sheet Scale: 1:48 be enough recognition for anyone, on the Moon. He and mission Commander had the falsest of false starts, as I had elected Tamiya kit and the 1:72 Fine Molds publications, there is a bonus of about advanced German wartime photographs and in exclusive section consists of some 116 pages with the drawings in 1:32, making profiles of three Spanish and one and dedication won through,
and 0.2mm copper wire. I sprayed the cockpit Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded with chocolate but for Charlie Duke as ‘Capcom’ John Young would spend just under three days to build a Delta Dagger from Duke’s squadron, kit. The former is a carrier-based a decal sheet containing both aeronautics, yet few authors have colour profiles created for this of computer-generated 3D views it an ideal one-stop publication. Thai aircraft complete the book. saving countless lives of both
with Hataka HTK-C026 Interior Grey Green, Kit Number: A05135 of the Apollo 11 landing, with his conducting experiments on the lunar surface, having the old Monogram/Revell 1:48 boxing to aircraft, the latter, trainer in 1:48 and 1:72 markings. The first fully examined the detail of the book by the artist Karolina Holda, of the IK-2 seen from all angles. The Another excellent booklet from Despite being a rather niche subject, merchant and navy seamen out
and other sections were treated with some distinctive southern drawl, responding to leaving photographs of his family in the soft hand I began to build the kit. Although an older desert camouflage. In each case in a new series from Kagero, this designs and their relevance to the Marek Radomski and others. Kagero bonus is two large pull-out Kagero ideal for both the model- this is an excellent book which will in the cold wastes of the Atlantic
AK Interactive Xtreme Metal Aluminium. I Armstrong’s ‘The Eagle has landed…” message, lunar dust. production, with raised panel lines and some we are given an introduction ideal for those wishing to build a fighter and bomber legends of www.mmpbooks.biz sheets with 1:32 drawings, sections maker and aviation enthusiast. prove invaluable to both model- and contributing much to the final
then brush painted the other details, and then carefully applied using toothpick. For sanding, surfaces I wanted to will be forever etched in people’s memories. As with all of the Apollo Astronauts, Duke slightly clunky detail, the kit went together well into the research and sourcing model of the subject aircraft, not the 1950s and 1960s, let alone the and details. This is an excellent Paul Middleton makers and aircraft enthusiasts. victory over Nazi Germany. This
added some Flory Models Dark Dirt Wash to I used some Tamiya 400 and 2000 grit sanding add just a couple of small chips with brush or Famously capturing the tension of the had a fascinating military flying career, after - right up to the point where I couldn’t find the of the kit, and the approach necessarily those illustrated, as current crop of military and civil collection of material on a quite www.casematepublishing.co.uk Numerous kits in a variety of new addition to the Images of War
weather the interior. sponges. I then primed the model with Mr sponge after painting. So, the lower surfaces moment, Duke allowed his test pilot cool to slip graduation he joined the Air Force and would nose cone, and without this part, I was unable taken. In addition to large format the details are applicable to other all-wing or blended-wing aircraft. obscure aircraft, (only twelve were scales are available of the Harrier series serves as a tribute to these
After joining two halves of the fuselage Surfacer 1500 Black, and the gave some careful were then painted with Hataka C034 Medium for just a second as he replied; ‘Roger Twank… select frontline service with the 526th Fighter to complete the build- a lot of harsh language photos of the completed models, aircraft. This book charts the story from built). For those interested, it is a in different versions. This book is a men, recording their exploits in
together and fixing the wings, I noticed a consideration about how the model would look Sea Grey. On the upper surfaces where the Tranquilty, we copy you on the ground…’ that Interceptor Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, was used! An alternative was required, the process of construction Paul Middleton its origins, through current-day ‘must have’ whether a model-maker must for those wishing to make an words and images.
few gaps here and there. So, these were filled when finished, and how much weathering to traffic would be higher, certain spots where the slip of the tongue revealing the very human, during the height of the Cold War. On constant fortunately a slightly forgotten Revell boxing of and painting is illustrated with www.casematepublishing.co.uk innovations and beyond, into the or just interested in aviation history. accurate model of a Spanish version. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
with some Vallejo Putty, and some CA glue, add. At this stage I decided that on the lower pilot and ground crew would be walking, I find true nature of the man. Apollo 16 was to be alert the squadron would have F-86D Sabre the F-86D resurfaced from my stash, the Sabre detail photographs annotated all-wing future of tomorrow. Paul Middleton Paul Middleton
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk www.casematepublishing.co.uk www.casematepublishing.co.uk
70 Kit-Kat-Spit 74 Mission Models Masterclass – 78 Check Your References

Dawid Branski ‘Takes a Break’ with the 1:48 Airfix Aircraft of the Astronauts - ‘We’re Latest Book reviews.
Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV breathing again…’
Mac Patterson builds the 1:48 Revell F-86D in the
colours of Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke
ANT TO THE LAST

DEFI
ARCH
ESE
R
MA
6 SPITFIRE SPECIFICS WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Spitfire
Specifics Alan Price builds the Airfix 1:48
Supermarine Spitfire XIV as MV249 the
mount of RAF pilot John Wilkinson
I
have been fortunate in the pursuit of this
hobby to come into contact with many
interesting people and been able to work
on a lot of fascinating projects. One of
these people is John Mollison who runs build it – only
the website www.oldguysandtheirairplanes. just in time as
com. John and I have collaborated on a John Wilkinson sadly
number of projects over recent years, John passed away just after
interviews retired pilots, he puts the interview it was completed. With the
on the website and does a colour profile of new Airfix kit on the market I really
their aircraft. I help John with the research wanted to build one to represent John
and build a model of the aircraft. When John Wilkinson’s aircraft, this was the kit I always
interviewed former RAF pilot John Wilkinson, wanted to build for this project
we really wanted to build a model of the John Wilkinson was with No.41 Squadron
aircraft, MV249. At the time the only available and in March 1945 they were based in Holland.
option was the Sword 1:72 kit. I did manage to Spitfire Mk.XIV MV249 was almost brand
SPITFIRE SPECIFICS
The camera ports have to go.
Several rounds of filling and
sanding were required to
erase the evidence of these
new when it was assigned to the Squadron

in early March and John used this aircraft
on a number of sorties from Eindhoven
and Twente before moving to Celle
in northwest Germany. This was
not far from the Bergen-Belsen
concentration camp, which
John saw after it was
liberated. On the 16th of
April, John shot down an
Fw 190 which exploded,
badly damaging MV249.
He managed to land back
safely, and the aircraft
was sent for repair but
with the end of the war it
was no longer needed so
it was struck of charge on
the 19th of May.
Having picked up one
of the new Airfix kits, the
next issue was how to back
date this to an early Mk.XIV?
I had had the opportunity to
email John Wilkinson during the
original project and he was able to
give me a lot of details over the course
of the original build. Most Mk.XIVs were built
as FR.XIVs, that is with the reconnaissance
capability built in, in the form of the camera
ports. This is how the Airfix kit is. John’s aircraft
had full span wings, not clipped ones, and
did not have the fuel tank behind the pilot.
Fortunately, the kit comes with full span
wings so that was not an issue. Markings were
Cockpit detail is very good and repays careful painting. A

light green dry brush and dark wash help to bring out the
details in the cockpit
straightforward, the kit has the correct roundels fitted the cockpit and fuselage to test this and
already so I just needed the Sky squadron code found that it all seemed to fit fine and once
letters and Xtradecals provide a sheet with late everything was glued I found that the saddle
war style code letters in 24 and 36 inch sizes, still fitted just fine. The kit has raised detail for
just what I needed. Time to get building! the engine cowling fasteners, I was not keen on
For once, I didn’t start with the cockpit but these, so they were all removed and replaced
the fuselage sides. I had to remove all trace of with engraved detail. This was done with
the camera windows, to do this the kit windows a beading tool, carefully pressed into the
were first glued into the fuselage halves. Next I plastic. The fit of the fuselage halves was
filled over the windows completely and sanded good, and I filled and sanded the seams,
back to ensure the fuselage shape was kept re-engraving any lost detail as I went
correct. This took three rounds of filling and along. The wings were dealt with next;
sanding back before the windows were these have to have the undercarriage
erased completely. The fuselage had bays assembled into them first and
to then be re-engraved. On the port then they were airbrushed with Alclad II
side, the window was fitted to the radio ALC-101 Aluminium. I found the fit of the wings
compartment opening so the panel to the fuselage to be not so good, the starboard
lines were correct and just needed wing root was ok but on the port side there was
tidying up. On the starboard side this a bit of a gap. This had to be filled in and then
was not the case and I consulted photos to the lost detail re-engraved. The fuel filler aft of
check how the panel lines appeared. Work the cockpit was also filled and sanded back.
then moved on to the cockpit. Airfix supply a The bulged cam covers in the engine cowling
very nice cockpit out of the box but I added needed a bit of attention too, these were
a bit of extra detail in the form of copper Some copper wire and a Yahu instrument panel blended into the fuselage with some Deluxe
piping made from fine copper wire and a Yahu help to improve the cockpit detail as does an Materials Perfect Plastic Putty. I wasn’t too keen
Eduard seat harness. Note that the holed in the
instrument panel. The seat was improved with bulkheads have been drilled out on the kit cannon barrels so I sourced a pair of
the addition of an Eduard Steel seat harness.
Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green was used for the
basic interior colour, dry brushed with a lighter
shade then given a thin black wash.
ON THE 16TH OF APRIL, WILKINSON SHOT DOWN AN FW 190,
I had noticed comments online suggesting WHICH EXPLODED, BADLY DAMAGING MV249, ALTHOUGH HE
that fixing the saddle ahead of the cockpit
seemed to be a problem so I carefully dry
MANAGED TO LAND BACK SAFELY
The fit of the fuselage halves is very good and little work
was required to eliminate the seams. Here the camera ports
have been painted to test the effectiveness of the filler
SPITFIRE SPECIFICS
The port wing root needed filling as the fit was not too good, some detail Eduard cannon barrels were a simple improvement to the kit parts. Note
was lost and had to be re-engraved. The filled in fuel filler opening can also the filler applied around the cam covers to help blend them in
be seen aft of the cockpit
Construction almost complete – the prop has

been test fitted, this would not be glued in place The wing radiators are a good fit as is the carburettor intake however a little
until the end of the build filling and sanding was required along the centre seams as can be seen here
Ready for paint –

all masked and the
canopy framing
painted interior
green
At the tail, the missing rudder actuator was

replaced with a length of brass rod. An unsightly
ejector pin marking had to be erased from inside
the tail wheel undercarriage bay too
Eduard ones from the spares box, these fitted The prop was painted with Tamiya XF-69 NATO
well and looked much better. Black while the hub and backing plate were
The tail surfaces were attached without painted with Mr. Hobby H-12 Flat Black. These 3600 grit Micromesh to remove any defects.
issue as were the ailerons. No actuator was were then glued together into a complete The panel lines were then pre-shaded with
provided for the rudder so one was fashioned assembly that could be fixed in place at the black. The underside was painted first using Mr
form a small length of brass rod. Under the end of the build process. I next prepared the Hobby H335 Medium Sea Grey. Once dry this
wings, the large radiators were assembled. undercarriage parts. The block tread tyres was masked and the upper surface camouflage
The radiator faces were painted with Alclad II were chosen, photos of other early Mk.XIVs was applied using first Tamiya XF-82 Ocean
Aluminium ALC-101 then given a black wash, suggested that these were in use at the time. Grey and then Mr Hobby H73 Dark Green, these
the interior of the radiator assembly was Before painting could begin, the cockpit were applied freehand to give a soft edge
painted with Mr. Hobby H335 Medium Sea and canopy were first masked as were the between the colours as seen on the real aircraft.
Grey. The completed radiator assembly was undercarriage bays and radiators. The first I left the model overnight before assessing the
then glued in place. The carburettor intake was stage was to apply a primer, and for this I used camouflage and I wasn’t too happy with the
then assembled and attached, this needed a my usual Mr. Hobby Mr. Surfacer 1000, applied pattern on the starboard wing, so this received
little filling and sanding to tidy up the seam. from an aerosol tin. This was cut back with some corrective work. I then masked the wing
A pre-shade was applied to the

panel lines using black before
the camouflage colours were
A coat of Mr. Surfacer was airbrushed on
applied as a primer before
painting the camouflage.
After painting and masking the

underside, the upper camouflage
colours were applied freehand
Painting complete – a coat of gloss was

airbrushed on ready for the decals to
be applied
Wing walkways and leading-

edge identifications strips were
masked and painted
A dark wash was

applied over the entire
model to bring out the
engraved detail
The decals were a

straightforward job,
applied over two
evenings
An Artool mask was used to help

fade the paint, several colours
were used to tone down and
apply dirt to the paint
SPITFIRE SPECIFICS
Oil paints were used to create the typical staining seen under the fuselage
of Spitfires.
walkway markings and used for both. After a further coat of gloss, a
airbrushed these wash was applied using Flory Models Dark Dirt.
back. This was Next the exhaust stains were applied using
followed by the different shades of grey, mixed in the airbrush
wing leading edge cup. This aircraft was almost new when John
yellow identification Wilkinson was flying it and he used it for just a
markings. These were few short weeks. With that in mind, weathering
carefully masked along needed to be restrained. These aircraft were
the length of the wing in a lot of use, during the early part of the year
leading edge, outboard of so did get dirty but being almost new, showed
the canon barrel up to the wing little signs of wear and tear. An Artool mask
tip navigation light. The area was painted white was used with a number of different shades
first followed by several coats of yellow. A coat of green, grey and brown to tone down the
of Microscale Gloss was then applied to prepare paintwork and create some staining. Some
the model for the decals. light chipping was applied using grey Humbrol
The mix of Airfix and Xtradecals were enamels around the wing root. Oils were used
applied easily with Microscale setting solutions to create stains on the underside. Finally, Mig
Productions Pigments were used to create dirt
effects on the wheels and around the wing
root. The final finish was applied using MRP
Super Clear Semimatt MRP-126 and then a

light coat of Microscale Flat. The whip aerial
on the fuselage was made using a length of
Nylon thread and the wingtip navigation
lights were cut to shape then filled with
Microscale Kristal Klear, once dry
these were painted with
Tamiya clear colours. The
square style exhausts were
used on MV249 and these
were first painted with Alclad
II Aluminium ALC-101 then
given a light coat of Jet
Exhaust ALC-113. The
completed exhausts
were then fixed in place.
The last job was to remove the
canopy masking and attach the
pilot’s door and canopy in the
open position. This was a very
enjoyable build, the Airfix kit
is excellent and I’m just sorry
that John Wilkinson never
got to see his old Spitfire
built from this kit. MA
OUT
BUILDING THE
NOW
Spitfire
!
Model Aircraft ‘Extra Special’ #6 MODEL
AIRCRAFT
The Supermarine Spitfire

EXTRA
No.6
he iconic Supermarine Spitfire, the most strategically important
T British single-seat fighter of World War II. The Spitfire, renowned

for winning victory laurels in the Battle of Britain along with the
Hawker Hurricane, served in every theatre of the War and was produced
in more variants than any other British aircraft. The Spitfire was designed
by Reginald Mitchell of Supermarine Ltd., in response to a 1934 Air Ministry
specification calling for a high-performance fighter with an armament of
eight wing-mounted 0.303-inch machine guns. The airplane was a direct
descendant of a series of floatplanes designed by Mitchell to compete for
the coveted Schneider Trophy in the 1920s. One of these racers, the S.6,
set a world speed record of 357 miles per hour in 1929. Designed around
a 1,000-horsepower, 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce PV-12 engine
(later dubbed the Merlin), the Spitfire first flew in March 1935. It had superb
performance and flight characteristics, and deliveries to operational
Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons commenced in the summer of 1938. A
more radical design than the Hurricane, the Spitfire had a stressed-skin
aluminum structure and a graceful elliptical wing with a thin airfoil that,
in combination with the Merlin’s efficient two-stage supercharger, gave it
exceptional performance at high altitudes. The version of the Spitfire that
fought in the Battle of Britain was powered by a Merlin engine. Faster than
its formidable German opponent the Bf 109 at altitudes above 15,000 feet
and just as manoeuvrable, Spitfires were sent by preference to engage
German fighters while the slower Hurricanes went for the bombers. More
Hurricanes than Spitfires served in the Battle of Britain, and they were
credited with more ‘kills,’ but it can be argued that the Spitfire’s superior
high-altitude performance provided the margin of victory. Meanwhile,
Supermarine was developing more-capable versions of the Spitfire driven BUILDING THE
by progressively more-powerful Merlin’s. The eight 0.303-inch machine
Spitfire
guns gave way to four 0.8-inch automatic cannons, and by war’s end the
Spitfire had been produced in more than 20 fighter versions alone,
powered by Merlin’s of up to 1,760 horsepower. Though outperformed
by the German Fw 190 on that aircraft’s introduction in 1941, the MAE6
Spitfire restored parity the following year and eventually regained
the advantage. It remained a first-line air-to-air fighter throughout
Spitfire Compiled by Andy Evans
the war. Spitfires were used in the defence of Malta, in North

Africa and Italy, and, fitted with tail hooks and strengthened tail
sections, as Seafires from Royal Navy aircraft carriers from June
£17.99
+P&P rendered it all but immune from interception, and the
1942. Spitfires helped to provide air superiority over the Sicily, Italy, fuel tanks that replaced wing-mounted machine guns and
and Normandy beachheads and served in the Far East from the spring ammunition bays gave it sufficient range to probe western
of 1943. Fighter-bomber versions could carry a 250 or 500lb bomb Germany from British bases. n late 1943 Spitfires powered by Rolls-
beneath the fuselage and a 250-pound bomb under each win One of the Royce Griffon engines developing as much as 2,050 horsepower began
Spitfire’s most important contributions to Allied victory was as a photo- entering service. Capable of top speeds of 440 miles per hour and ceilings
reconnaissance aircraft from early 1941. Superior high-altitude performance of 40,000 feet, these were used to shoot down V-1 ‘buzz bombs.’ During
World War II, Spitfires were exported in small numbers to Portugal, Turkey,
and the Soviet Union, and they were flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces in
Europe. When production ceased in 1947, 20,334 Spitfires of all versions had
been produced, 2,053 of them Griffon-powered versions. Fighter versions
of the Spitfire were withdrawn from RAF service during the early 1950s,
while photo-reconnaissance Spitfires continued in service until 1954. In
Model Aircraft ‘Extra Special’
#6, the biggest book of this
series some 22`Spitfire build
projects will be included,
in a ‘how-to’ format, and
continue this fantastic series
modelling guides from MA
Publications, the new name
MA PUBLICATIONS LTD in scale modelling.
PO Box 1592 | Bedford | MK40 9FD | UK

T: +44 (0) 1234 331431 E: [email protected]
www.modelaircraftmag.com
14 COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER COMBAT ZONE
F IG H T ING COLO U R S
WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
h Supermarine COMBAT Z
ONE
ritis
S
The B
O U R
COL
NG
H T I
F IG
Attacker
T
he Attacker is a British single-seat
naval jet fighter designed and
produced by the aircraft manufacturer
Supermarine for the Royal Navy’s
Fleet Air Arm, and the type has the
distinction of being the first jet fighter to enter
operational service with the FAA. Performing its
maiden flight on 27 July 1946, the flight-testing to equip the RAF while another aircraft, the eighteen De Havilland Vampire Mk. 20s for the
phase of development was protracted due to Gloster E.1/44, that was also powered by the purpose of gaining experience with jet aircraft.
several issues, including handling difficulties. same Rolls-Royce Nene engine, completed After evaluating both the Jet Spiteful and the
The first Attackers were introduced to FAA development. On 30 August 1944, an order for E.1/44, the RAF decided to reject both designs
service during August 1951. Common to the three prototypes was placed with Supermarine, since neither aircraft offered any perceptible
majority of other first-generation jet fighters, the and it was stipulated that the second and third performance advantage over contemporary
Attacker had a relatively short service life before prototypes were both to be navalised. On 7 July fighters such as the Gloster Meteor and the
being replaced, this was due to increasingly 1945, a follow-on order for a further twenty-four de Havilland Vampire, which were the RAF’s
advanced aircraft harnessing the jet engine pre-production aircraft, six for the RAF and the first two operational jet aircraft. Following the
being rapidly developed during the 1950s and remaining eighteen for the Fleet Air Arm was design’s rejection by the RAF, Supermarine
1960s. Despite its retirement by the FAA during also placed. decided to approach the Admiralty with an
1954, only three years following its introduction, Handling problems with the Supermarine offer of developing a navalised version of the
the Attacker would be adopted by the newly Spiteful prototype delayed progress on the project. On 27 July 1946, the maiden flight of
formed Pakistan Air Force, who would continue jet-powered version, leading to the pre- the type was performed by prototype Type 392
to operate the type possibly as late as 1964. As production order being stopped, although serial number TS409, a land-based version, by
originally intended, the Attacker programme work on the three prototypes continued. Due to test pilot Jeffrey Quill. The Air Ministry issued
was supposed to provide an interim jet fighter the delay, the FAA instead procured a batch of Specification E.1/45 to cover production aircraft;
meeting its various requirements necessitated a
range of extensive modifications to be made to
the design, including a revised fin and tail plane
arrangement, as well as an increased internal
fuel capacity. Accordingly, a large external
ventral fuel tank was adopted, along with an
extended dorsal fin and folding wing tips. Flight
testing was largely conducted at Supermarine’s
newly created experimental establishment at
the former RAF Chilbolton. The Attacker had
MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 COMBAT ZONE
15

several deficiencies, one of which was using the
Spiteful tail-wheel undercarriage rather than a
nose-wheel undercarriage, a configuration that
resulted in the Attacker being considerably more
difficult to land on an aircraft carrier.
On 17 June 1947, the first navalised prototype,
Type 398 TS413, conducted its first flight, flown
by test pilot Mike Lithgow, occurring four years
after the Meteor had performed its first flight.
On 5 May 1950, the first production variant of
the aircraft, designated Attacker F.1, performed
its first flight, one year later, deliveries of the
type commenced. While originally designed
to a wartime requirement for the RAF, it was
not introduced until the early 1950s, and was
ultimately developed for use aboard aircraft
carriers. For a jet aircraft, the Attacker’s design
was unusual, with a tail-dragger undercarriage
with twin tailwheels, as well as an unswept wing.
The flight controls were relatively conventional,
based on those of the Spiteful. The forward
position of the cockpit was well-received and
provided an exceptionally good view for the pilot.
The Attacker had a relatively strong structure,
making extensive use of heavy-gauge materials,
principally aluminium alloy, which were used
with stressed-skin construction and supported
by twenty-four closely spaced stringers and
formers. The nose had an unusual lobster-
claw structure, comprising thick laminated attempt to achieve the laminar flow predicted mm Hispano Mk. V cannon, at the time, this was
aluminium-alloy sheet at the top and bottom, from wind tunnel tests. Flight attributed the viewed as the standard armament for a frontline
with no stiffening members and it gave armour laminar-flow wing to enabling the Attacker to RAF fighter. These cannon were fired using
protection to the pilot and carried pressurisation exceed the maximum speed of the Spiteful electronically-operated Maxifiux-Star units. The
loads. The tip of the nose was detachable to by more than 100 mph. However, other inboard cannon had a maximum capacity of 167
accommodate a gun camera or ballast; between reports claim that the Attacker’s wing was rounds of ammunition each, while the outboard
this and the cockpit was an avionics bay. Aft of aerodynamically inferior to the original elliptical cannon had up to 145 rounds each. External
the cockpit was the semi-monocoque fuel tank, wing of the Spitfire, possessing unfavourable stores included two 1,000 lb bombs or four 300
followed by the engine bay. The fuselage was characteristics such as a lower critical Mach lb rockets
continuously curved with no straight lines. It was number. The Attacker was powered by a single During August 1951, the Attacker entered
shaped to have some of the wing’s laminar flow Rolls-Royce Nene Mk. 101 turbojet engine; at operational service with the FAA, the first
characteristics and its lines were interrupted only the time, the Nene was the most powerful jet squadron to receive production aircraft was
by the faired cockpit canopy and the engine engine in the world. The engine was supported No.800 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS
air intakes on either side of the cockpit. The by a heavy box-section rear spar frame, which Ford. Following the introduction of the Attacker
intakes diverted the front fuselage boundary was braced fore and aft to the main spar. As the F.1, two further variants of the aircraft were
layer to prevent it entering the engine, tests with jet-pipe was relatively long, a manually operated developed and produced for the FAA. The
the diverters faired over gave reduced engine variable exhaust outlet was used during engine Attacker FB.1 was a fighter-bomber which
performance including thrust. starting to prevent jet-pipe resonances and differed little from the original F.1 model, except
The design of the wing was largely excessive turbine temperatures. The exterior that it was expected to operate as a ground
unchanged from the Spiteful, save for being skin surrounding the intake had several louvres attack aircraft. The third, and last, variant was the
slightly enlarged to match the bigger Attacker. to regulate pressures during starting and they Attacker FB.2, which was powered by a more
It used split flaps along the trailing edge, as well automatically closed to seal the engine bay capable model of the Nene engine that was
as slotted ailerons and electrically operated after starting. The engine bay incorporated accompanied by various modifications to its
trim tabs. With a single main spar and one a pilot-operated fire extinguisher system. structure. On this model, Supermarine Attacker
auxiliary spar, the wing was bolted directly Although an automatic fuel transfer system was was furnished with a total of eight underwing
onto stub spar booms as there was no centre not originally incorporated, experience with hard points, which could carry a pair of 1,000lb
section. The exterior skins were flush-riveted the initial prototypes led to its incorporation. In bombs or a maximum of eight unguided rockets.
and manufactured with considerable care in an terms of armament, the Attacker F.1 had four 20 Across the three variants to be adopted by the
FAA, a total of 146 production Attackers would
be delivered to the service. It had a relatively
brief career with the FAA, none of its variants
seeing any action during the type’s service life
with the FAA and being taken out of front-line
service during 1954. For several further years, the
Attacker remained in service with squadrons of
the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), the
type being finally taken out of reserve service
during early 1957. During the early 1950s, the
newly formed Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF
- later Pakistan Air Force) sought to acquire jet
fighters. A combination of a lack of funds and
political pressure that was exerted by British
suppliers persuaded the service to acquire a
variant of the Attacker, known as the Type 538,
which was essentially a ‘de-navalised’ variant of
the aircraft used by the FAA.
Only a single unit was ever equipped with
these aircraft, No.11 ‘Arrows’ Squadron and it
received its first Attackers during 1953.
17

Navy
Attacker
Lee Powell builds the 1:48 Trumpeter F.B2
Supermarine Attacker FB.2
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
T
he 1:48 Trumpeter kit was first engraved detail and no flash. The cockpit is
released in 2012 in the F.1 Version, this very simplistic with a seat that uses etched Scale: 1:48
was followed in 2014 by this version parts for the seat belts. (There are also two Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
the FB.2. It is a very basic but nicely nose antenna parts on the small etched frame) Kit Number: 42810
detailed kit comprising of three grey along with a control stick and a control panel
sprues, a clear sprue a small etched fret and that uses a decal to replicate the instruments.
a sheet of decals. The approximately ninety Trumpeter offers the opportunity to build The front air intakes are shown nearly closed
parts are provided with some very nice fine the model with the wings folded, and I chose but that is not that big an issue, because once
to go with this option and to do this I had to cut the inner baffles have been installed, it will be
the wing ends off with a fine saw. I have to say nearly impossible to see through them and see
THERE ARE TWO MARKINGS the fit of the wing detail parts is excellent! As there is nothing there! The fuselage and wings
PROVIDED, I CHOSE TO GO far as the control surfaces are concerned, the
flaps are poseable but not any of the ailerons
are all nicely detailed and fit quality is great with
minimal filler required, the model also has an
WITH WZ283 FROM NO.1831 or elevators without optional large underfuselage fuel tank. The
NAVAL AIR SQUADRON cutting, shaping and
sanding them.
main undercarriage is so these were shadow effect along

made up of seven parts filled and sanded panel lines. After drying
(Including the wheel) for before another coat overnight, I then masked off
each side and is very fiddly but of Primer. Panel lines were the upper surface and this time,
is nice and strong once assembled, airbrushed with some Hataka three light coats were sprayed on the lower half,
the tail undercarriage has two wheels, one Orange line Night Black paint before again leaving a very subtle shadow effect along
on either side of the main strut, which makes it the main painting began. For this build, I the panel lines. When this had dried overnight, I
look very strange on a jet aircraft having a ‘tail- decided to try something different to see how proceeded to detail paint the rest of the aircraft
dragger’ undercarriage. good a finish I could get with Humbrol Spray painting the jet exhaust, undercarriage bays,
After the quick, straightforward build came Rattle Cans. I used Humbrol 27 Matt Sea Grey undercarriage, wheels and the Wingtip lights
painting, first of all I masked off the cockpit area for the upper surfaces and Humbrol 90 Matt
as I had painted this before assembly and gave Beige Green for the lower surfaces. First off,
the model a coat of Tamiya Grey Fine Surface the bottom areas were masked off and then
Primer. When this had dried it showed a couple two thin coats were sprayed on to the upper
of areas that needed some minimal filling, surface. This covered fine and left a very subtle
19

as well as the pitot tube on the tip of the wing.
Next up was a coat of Tamiya TS-13 Clear, this
gave a nice glossy sheen in preparation for
the decals. There are two markings provided,
I chose to go with WZ283 from No.1831 Naval
Air Squadron. Now with the kit being so good, majority of what I had, and then I used a soft 3B
I expected the few decals to be a nice quick pencil to lightly go along some panel lines, and
straightforward affair, but no! All twenty-six softly smudged this in with a cotton bud until I
decals were cracking and falling to pieces. The had the effect that I was looking for. When this
decals all settled well with Micro Sol and Micro had dried overnight I gave it a couple of coats
Set and when they had dried the kit received of Tamiya TS-80 Flat Clear which really brought
another coat of Tamiya TS-13 Clear. the kit to life, all that was left was to use some
Ammo by MIG Deep Grey Panel Line wash Citadel Nuln Oil Shade, applied lightly over
was used to accent panel lines but as the detail the undercarriage and the wing folds to make
was so fine and the spray can paint a bit thicker it stand out a bit and then some gloss varnish
than airbrushed paint, not a lot of it stayed in over the wing tip lights and after gluing the
the panel lines, even when canopy on, the build was complete.
lightly wiped off. I was This is a great kit of a rarely seen aircraft or
happy enough with the model kit, the Engineering of it is great with
enough detail to keep most modellers happy
though beware of the decals! Hopefully I
just had a rogue sheet. Now if only someone
could produce an Injection moulded 1:48
Supermarine Scimitar! MA
20 MA RESEARCH DEPARTMENT WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Model Aircraft Research Department

by Malcolm V Lowe
All images are credit - Boulton Paul, JB via Malcolm V Lowe
and The Malcolm V Lowe Collection
Defiant to the Last

The Boulton Paul Defiant was the RAF’s only single-engined front-line two-seat turret-
equipped fighter of World War Two. It had a chequered career as both a day fighter and
a nocturnal warplane, as Malcolm V Lowe explains
T
he Boulton Paul Defiant received Britain’s aircraft industry for a two-seater fighter, that became a central feature of its response to
much fanfare at the time of its armed with a gun turret, for just this purpose. Specification F.9/35. Initially designated P.82 by
creation in the second half of the the company and eventually named Defiant,
1930s. At that time Britain was faced Specialist Company the Boulton Paul design was a potential winner
with the growing need to defend One manufacturer in particular was well- from the start because it incorporated all of
itself in the future against formations of enemy placed to answer this requirement. The original the company’s know-how in turret design and
bombers, the prevailing thinking being that Norwich-based Boulton & Paul company (the technology.
incoming enemy bombers would fight their aviation-related department of which became Allocated the British military serial number
way unescorted to their targets. Therefore, Boulton Paul Aircraft in 1934) was a world-leader K8310, the initial P.82 aircraft made its first flight
defending fighters would simply need to shoot in gun turret design and manufacture. The on 11 August 1937, piloted by company test pilot
down the bombers using a heavy offensive company was fully aware of turret developments Cecil Feather. It was not fitted with a turret at
armament, without the need to defend that were taking place during that era in France that time and looked sleek and purposeful. The
themselves against enemy fighters which would and used some of the French technology armament chosen for the Defiant was a Boulton
not be present to look after the bombers. With in its own gun-equipped turret design and Paul ‘A’-series turret, based on a French de
hindsight this thinking was fatally flawed, but manufacture. The company’s development Boysson design, mounting four 0.303in (7.7mm)
Air Ministry Specification F.9/35 of 1935 asked work also led to the four-gun turret design Browning machine guns. But there was no fixed
DEFIANT TO THE LAST

A well-known ‘publicity’ image of a standard distinguished itself in the air battles over the
production Defiant Mk.I, possibly N1573, showing Dunkirk beaches during the evacuation of British
the typical 1940-era day fighter configuration of
the ‘bomber interceptor’ turret-armed Defiants. and French forces. Nonetheless, several Defiants
(Photo: Boulton Paul) had been shot down by German fighters, and
the type’s vulnerability was becoming obvious. A
second Defiant Mk.I unit, 141 Squadron, became
operational in the early summer of 1940.
The Battle of Britain began on 10 July 1940.
During July and August the Defiant force fought
bravely but suffered considerable losses to the
Luftwaffe’s nimble, well-armed Messerschmitt
Bf 109E. Initially the Germans had been caught
out by the Defiant’s unusual armament
configuration, but it soon became obvious how
to defeat the unconventional fighter, which
was vulnerable to frontal attack. Eventually the
Defiant was withdrawn in late August/early
September from daytime fighter operations, just
when the Battle of Britain was reaching its peak.
The less than successful daylight aerial combat
experiences of the Defiant did not stop the type
Looking more like a sleek racing machine rather than a frontline warplane,
With aerials mounted on its starboard wing leading edge and elsewhere on the very first Defiant was K8310, and was originally designated by Boulton
the airframe, the radar-equipped Defiant Mk.II represented the state-of- Paul as the P.82. It was initially built ‘clean’ without the fuselage turret fitted,
the-art in night-fighter technology during the period 1941 into 1942. although it had been installed by the time of this image. (Photo: Boulton Paul)
(Photo: Boulton Paul)
forward-firing armament within the Defiant effect being a ‘bomber interceptor’. It was from eventually becoming a useful fighter, but in
itself – which was to prove a costly deficiency. already becoming obvious even in early 1940, a far different role. Both 264 and 141 Squadrons,
Retractable fuselage fairings ahead of and just however, that Defiants were going to have to and later several other units including the
behind the turret gave the turret an excellent face formidable German fighter opposition – for Polish-manned 307 Squadron, commenced
traverse and field of fire. The first prototype which the lack of fixed, forward-firing armament using their Defiants for potentially less hazardous
was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin I engine of was going to be a huge disadvantage. night patrols. Success was achieved with several
1,030hp. The squadron became operational during German bombers intercepted in the dark by
A second, supplemental prototype (K8620) March 1940, and was involved from the outset 141 Squadron during September 1940 as the
flew in May 1939, but long before this, during when the Germans attacked France and the Low Germans increasingly switched to nocturnal
April 1937, an initial batch of Defiant Mk.I had Countries in May 1940. Early encounters with operations. At first the Defiants were very austere
been ordered. The first production aircraft, Luftwaffe aircraft were encouraging, several night-fighters, with no radar and relying on the
L6950, flew in July 1939. Dimensionally, with a being shot down by the Defiants, and the unit pilots’ skills to operate in the dark.
wing span of 39ft 4in (11.99m) the Defiant Mk.I
was just smaller than a Hurricane and larger
than a Spitfire, but was longer than both of
these with a length of 35ft 4in (10.77m). Power
for the production aircraft was provided by the
improved Merlin III engine, of similar rating to
the Mk.I.
Early Problems
The initial RAF frontline recipient of the Defiant
was 264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, which
received its first aircraft in December 1939. The
unit moved to RAF Martlesham Heath to operate
the Defiant, but several varied malfunctions
were found with the new aircraft, while special
tactics had to be worked out to decide the most
effective use of the heavy gun turret. An attack
from below into the target aircraft’s ‘blind spot’ Photographed in flight during daylight, this nocturnal Defiant Mk.II night-fighter, AA436 coded DZ-V,
was the most obvious approach, the Defiant in was flown by 151 Squadron. (Photo: JB via Malcolm V Lowe)
Employed as a development machine for the target-towing conversion of the Defiant layout, DR863 carried a ‘P’ marking on its fuselage to denote its
prototype status. Target-towing became an important second-line role for the Defiant later in World War Two. (Photo: Boulton Paul)
Believed to have been taken at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey during early August

A large amount of work was needed to convert the Defiant into a target- 1940, this image includes an important Defiant Mk.I. In the foreground,
towing aircraft, as illustrated by this example with modified lower rear L7005/PS-X was at one time flown by Sergeants Edward Thorn (pilot)
fuselage, lack of turret and fuselage-mounted propeller for the on-board and Fred Barker (air gunner), the most successful Defiant crew with
winch mechanism. (Photo: Boulton Paul) approximately a dozen claims including one at night.
(Photo: Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
Radar Controversy radar-equipped Defiants were slow to reach night-fighter Defiants, some of these operating
Production of the Defiant Mk.I eventually operational units. In practical terms the aircraft’s Mk.I alongside Mk.II airframes. Some sources
ended with over 700 manufactured, but pilot used the radar equipment, with a cathode claim that Defiants fitted with radar were
Boulton Paul was always seeking to improve ray tube display mounted in the cockpit. This designated Mk.IA.
the type. A change of power plant to the Merlin distracted the pilot from flying the aircraft and Night-fighter Defiants were later replaced
XX of 1,260hp (940kW), plus other alterations spoilt his immediate night vision. Other items by the more powerful twin-engined and
including a modified fuel system and slightly related to the radar were located elsewhere in radar-equipped Bristol Beaufighter and de
enlarged vertical tail surfaces resulted in the and around the airframe. Havilland Mosquito. These enjoyed the obvious
Defiant Mk.II. This was arguably the best of However, thus kitted-out the radar-equipped advantages not only of greater armament
the breed, and at once the new type became Defiant night-fighter was one of the most (including hard-hitting 20mm cannon),
important for the night-fighter role that the advanced types in front-line service anywhere but each also had a second crew member
Defiant was making its own from late 1940 in the world at that time, a significant role that dedicated to operating the on-board radar to
onwards. it played until eventually replaced from 1942 the best of its capabilities, thus freeing up the
Developments in airborne radar equipment onwards. Ultimately at least 13 squadrons flew pilot to fly the aircraft.
allowed the Defiant to be fitted with Airborne
Interception (AI) radar, for which prominent
aerials were attached to various parts of the
type’s airframe. Initially, it appears that the AI
Mk.IV radar was fitted in a small number of
examples, including limited operational use.
However, in recent times this point has caused
considerable controversy, with at least one
historian who has access to Boulton Paul files
pointing out that no Defiant flew with AI Mk.IV
radar installed.
What is certain is that the later, AI Mk.VI radar
was definitely fitted to a number of Defiants,
particularly the Defiant Mk.II. Boulton Paul Parked in front of a camouflaged hangar (possibly Boulton Paul’s flight sheds), this early Defiant Mk.I,
was already working on a radar installation serial number L7012, was from the first production batch. It is seen awaiting delivery apparently
without guns in its turret. (Photo: Boulton Paul)
during the latter half of 1940, although the
MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020
Technican Data
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I
Crew: 2
Wing Span: 39ft 4in (11.99m)
Length: 35ft 4in (10.77m)
Height: 11ft 4in (3.45m)
Empty Weight: 6,078lb (2,757kg)
Loaded Weight: 8,318lb (3,773kg)
Maximum speed: 302½ mph (487km/h) at 16,500ft (5,029m)
Service Ceiling: 28,100ft (8,565)
Range: 465 miles (748km)
Engine: One Rolls-Royce Merlin III of 1,030hp (768kW) at 16,250ft (4,953m)
Armament: Four 0.303in Browning machine guns in power-operated fuselage turret
Remaining Active wide with many different gunnery schools, 05691 Gift Set - Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary, 1:72
The withdrawal of Defiants from front-line duties specialised gunnery training flights and anti-
did not end the type’s usefulness to the RAF, and aircraft co-operation units. Two target-towing
the type embarked on a new career in various Defiants were employed on ‘reverse Lend-Lease’
second-line and special roles. in Britain by the USAAF.
The many Defiants that were increasingly In addition, the Defiant became for a short
redundant from front-line activities resulted in time an important air-sea rescue (ASR) aircraft.
a number being converted for target-towing. The type largely replaced Westland Lysanders in
Well over one hundred new-build aircraft this role during 1942. An air-droppable dinghy
were additionally finished to target-towing could be carried on underwing racks originally
03851 Hawker Tempest V, 1:32
standard. Others intended as fighters were intended to carry small bombs, and eventually
made into target-towers on the production five RAF squadrons flew a mix of Defiant Mk.I
line (some sources stating 140 examples). The and Mk.II aircraft.
TT.Mk.I roughly equated to the Defiant Mk.II, A little-known but important role
while the TT.Mk.III was related to the original played by the Defiant was as an electronic
Mk.I. Conversion work to make the Defiant into countermeasures (ECM) aircraft. A unique RAF
a target-towing aircraft included the removal unit, 515 Squadron, was established at RAF
of the heavy turret and its replacement with Northolt in October 1942 to operate specially-
a transparent covered fairing. The lower rear configured Defiants; using ‘Moonshine’ and
fuselage was modified to carry a drogue or later the much better ‘Mandrel’ radar jammers 03853 Tornado GR.4 “Farewell”, 1:48
sleeve target, and a fuselage-mounted propeller to protect RAF night bombers, these special
was installed to provide power for the on- Defiants taking on electronically Germany’s
board winch mechanism. The Defiant proved Freya and Würzburg radars. They were among
successful in this role and literally served world- the first ECM aircraft ever deployed in combat.
03854 Bristol Beaufighter IF Nightfighter, 1:48
03860 F-16 MLU 31 Sqn Kleine-Brogel, 1:72
Available from all good model

stockists and online from
How many groundcrew were needed to work on a Defiant? This posed propaganda photograph
suggests at least six, more than necessary for a fully-functioning machine. Belonging to 125 Squadron hobbycraft.co.uk/brand/revell
(‘VA’ codes), the official caption claims that this Defiant night-fighter was at RAF Fairwood Common
(nowadays Swansea Airport), Wales, in January 1942. (Photo: JB via Malcolm V Lowe)
An air gunner wearing the unique GQ Parasuit

climbs into the turret of his Defiant Mk.I of 264
Squadron in August 1940. When the Defiant
The initial RAF unit to equip with the Defiant Mk.I was 264 Squadron. Coded ‘PS’, its Defiants were eventually left frontline service, many Defiant
fully involved in the major air battles over Dunkirk and later during the initial stages of the Battle of gunners were transferred to Bomber Command.
Britain. (Photo: Malcolm V Lowe Collection) (Photo: JB via Malcolm V Lowe)
Eventually their role was taken over within Martin-Baker company on early ejection seat Over 1,000 Defiant’s of all versions were
515 Squadron by the larger and more suitable trials: in May 1945, Martin-Baker used Defiant built by Boulton Paul at Wolverhampton
twin-engined Bristol Beaufighter. The last known DR944 to test its first ejection seat with a (Pendeford). The exact total is open to some
‘Mandrel’ sorties flown by ECM Defiants were dummy launch. debate, mainly because of the change of mark
made on the night of 17 July 1943. A further ‘domestic’ user of the Defiant was for some aircraft on the production line, and
A far less dramatic war was fought by the Britain’s Royal Navy. The aircraft involved were the subsequent conversion of others. Historian
Defiants that were used by the RAF simply as used as shore-based trainers, and at least 16 Fleet Alec Brew, who had access to Boulton Paul
standard or specialised trainers, quite in addition Air Arm squadrons eventually flew Defiants as a company archives, has stated a total of 1,062 (2
to the aircraft specifically used for target-towing. part of their equipment for training and general prototypes, 713 Mk.I, 207 Mk.II, 140 TT.I) with
One example was employed by the famous fleet requirements purposes. production ending in 1943. MA
‘Coimbatore II’ was a Defiant Mk.I night-fighter, N1801/PS-Y of 264 Squadron. Although the 0.303in Browning machine guns, as fitted in the Defiant’s
fuselage turret and in other RAF fighters was not as hard-hitting as had been hoped, some Defiant crews scored notable successes. (Photo: Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
We Buy
Collections!
We purchase military collections/collectibles,
aviation collections/collectibles, books,
diecast models, airplanes, memorabilia etc.
Nationwide House Calls Made • cash4yourbooks.net

Call Greg at 805.907.1773
26 ALBATROS D.III WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Kees Kleijwegt
builds the
1:48 Eduard
Albatros D.III
Dutch
Albatros
D
uring the Great War, the Dutch In many cases the aircraft only had minor
government chose to remain damage and were added to the fast-growing
neutral. As a result of this, by inventory of the ‘Luchtvaartafdeeling’ (literally
international law, it was not allowed Aerospace Department) of the Dutch Army, the
for countries taking part in the War forerunner of the current Royal Netherlands
to cross the Dutch border with personnel or Air Force. In 1917, German pilot
material. Instead of taking prisoners, all troops Franz Becker of Jasta 20 landed
and vehicles crossing the Dutch border were to in Breskens with his Albatros
be ‘interned’ until the end of the War. Between D.III after he became lost in the clouds.
1914 and 1918 quite a lot of British, French The aircraft was undamaged and as such was
and German aircraft made a crash landings added to the ‘Luchtvaartafdeeling’. His aircraft
in the Netherlands, or sometimes the pilot is the subject of this build.
just got lost and landed in the ‘wrong’ place. As usual, construction started with the
DUTCH ALBATROS
Working on
Albatros D.III the interior
Scale: 1:48
Kit Number:
The fuselage of the

Albatros D series were
constructed of plywood and in most
cases were not painted, only varnished
THE ROUNDEL FOR THE ‘LUCHTVAARTAFDEELING’ WAS JUST

AN ORANGE CIRCLE, SO CIRCULAR MASKS WERE CUT FROM
BROAD TAMIYA TAPE AND PAINTED USING MRP ORANGE
cockpit. The Eduard kit parts include some

etched pieces resulting in a very detailed
cockpit. I used an aftermarket padded seat
cushion from RES-IM and seatbelts from HGW
to enhance the cockpit just that little bit more. The kit parts
The wooden parts were replicated using both are too small in
diameter and in
my airbrush and oil paints, but more on that width, so to correct
later. Before closing the fuselage, the small but this, RES-IM wheels
detailed Mercedes engine was constructed were used
and painted using Alclad Jet Exhaust. This
resulted in a dark but still metallic sheen. For
some reason, Eduard didn’t include the fuel
tank, but since this is quite visible in the engine
compartment, a resin fuel tank from RES-IM was
painted brass and glued into place. As usual, I
picked out the details with Vallejo shades.
I painted the fuselage before adding the
wings. The fuselage of the Albatros D series
were constructed of plywood and in most cases direction of the grain on some panels for
were not painted, only varnished, so I had a variation. For the filter, I used Abteilung
long think about how to replicate the wood 502 oils. After priming the wings in Alclad
grain on the fuselage. After considering decals Grey Primer, I placed pieces of 0.4mm
or replicating the wood grain with oil paints, Aizu tape along the raised
I came across paint masks with wood grain. lines of the ribs.
These etched masks, produced by Zoukei Mura, Over the lines
are actually scaled-down versions of the wood of tape, Tamiya
grain masks by RB models and are available XF-83 Rubber
with two types. To enhance the effect and to be Black was sprayed on as a pre-shade. Over the
able to use a filter as a way to adjust the colour pre-shaded wings the camouflage colours were
of the end result, I chose to add an oil filter airbrushed on and here I used Gunze Aqueous
anyway. I spent quite some time searching for paints, with the light blue and red brown mixed
the combination of colour for the woodgrain from different shades. The same procedure was just an orange circle, so circular masks
and a filter, resulting in the yellowish colour of was used on the rudder and elevator, which were cut from broad Tamiya tape and painted
plywood I was looking for. The woodgrain was I painted in a linen colour based on the few using MRP Orange. The shading along the
airbrushed on a pre-shaded base coat and on reference pictures of this aircraft. wing ribs was repeated within the orange
individual masked panels. I also changed the The roundel for the ‘Luchtvaartafdeeling’ roundels, this time serving as a post-shade.
DUTCH ALBATROS
Some parts on World War I German aircraft,
mainly the metal ones, were painted in a grey
green shade. As this shade closely resembles
the later RLM02, the cowling, struts and spinner
were painted in Gunze H70. I chipped the metal
parts with Vallejo Neutral Grey and a small and this building order resulted in the correct used Uschi van der Rosten Rigging Wire and
piece of sponge. The last thing to do before dihedral for the lower wings. One thing Eduard small pieces of tube from Bob’s Buckles. As a
assembly was the construction and fitting of got quite wrong in this kit is the size of the finishing touch, a hand made wooden Axial
two Master Model Spandau 08/15 machine wheels. The kit parts are too small in diameter propellor from LF models was fitted. All in all,
guns. These turned brass replacements were and in width, so to correct this, RES-IM wheels this was a bit of an experiment for me regarding
really small, but the detail was just amazing. were used. The bungee around the axle was replicating the wood grain, but all in all a very
All holes needed for the rigging were drilled replicated using sewing thread, which was enjoyable build and certainly not the last
in the relevant parts at this point. Next up was stiffened using a mix of white glue and water. Eduard World War I kit I will build. MA
assembly of the wings, and for this I used a Next up was the rigging, and for the eyelets
jig, having first added the cabane struts to the and buckles I used Gaspatch metal parts, which
fuselage. Next, I glued the top wing on, making are thin but surprisingly strong. For the wire I
sure this was perfectly level. When the bonds
were dry, I glued the outer wing struts to the
top wing, and these were now ‘hanging’ from
the top wing. Finally I glued the lower wings
to the outer wing struts and to the fuselage,
www.modelaircraftmag.com Secure online ordering
Order hotline +44 (0)1234 331431
Magazine Subscriptions
Scale Military Modeller Scale Aviation Modeller Model Aircraft

Please indicate the length of subscription required and for which magazine
you wish to subscribe by ticking the appropriate box
UK WORLD
3 MONTHS £12 £20
6 MONTHS £24 £40
12 MONTHS £45 £80
18 MONTHS £65 £115
24 MONTHS £85 £150
BINDER £10.99+P&P
Available to all readers, strong, robust ‘Cordex’ Scale Military Modeller
binders to hold 12 issues of Scale Aviation
Scale Aviation Modeller
Modeller (in green) or Model Aircraft (black) or
Scale Military Modeller (Blue). Model Aircraft
RRP based on UK prices.
UNDER NEW
OWNERSHIP! ALL THE LATEST
NEWS & REVIEWS
Order Form
DELIVERY and PAYMENT
Mr/Mrs/Ms Initials Surname
FIRST LOOKS
Address
• Dora Wings 1/32 Dewoitine D.500
• Mark 1 Models 1/144 HS/BAe 748
• Special Hobby 1/72 Heinkel He 162A Spatz
• ICM 1/48 Cessna O-2 Skymaster
QUICKBUILD
BRING ON THE NOISE
Magic Scale Modelling
Great Wall Hobby’s upgrades Tamiya’s
vintage Corsair
1/48 F-15C
EURO ALSO INSIDE!

DUTCH THUNDER
FIGHTER
- ITALERI’S 1/48 F-84F
TIGER MEET VIPER
- TAMIYA’S 1/48 F-16CJ
Postcode/Zip Country
AUGUST 2020
Vol 26 Issue 8 £4.95
Printed in UK
UNCLE SAM’S SPITFIRE SUKHOI AT SEA

Eduard’s 1/48 Mk.VIII Trumpeter’s 1/48 Su-33D
Subscription Reference Daytime Telephone Number
A I enclose a £ Sterling cheque made payable to ‘MA Publications Ltd’
cl
usiv
B Please charge my Visa Mastercard American Express Maestro (Switch/Solo)
ex
3
es
how
id
to
gu
Valid From Expiry Date Maestro (Switch)/Solo Iss No
Card Number
Security Code Last 3 digits (4 for Amex) of the Security Number on reverse of card
AUGUST 2020
Vol 50 Iss 593 £4.95
Printed in UK
Signed Today’s Date
Charlie Duke
F-86D
Swordfish
Fishbed
MiG-21MF
Spitfire
Specifics
MV249 Please sign above to confirm that you wish to place we hold on you at any time free of charge. We will
this order using the payment method that you contact you via email/post upon renewal and/
have provided details of. All payment details are or expiry of your subscription. To opt out of this
destroyed at the point your order is confirmed, communication, please tick here.
however we will keep a record of your order details
Combat Zone
Supermarine Attacker
(name, address, telephone number, order history We will contact you from time to time via email/
EDUARD
1:48 Scale
D.III Dutch etc.) to facilitate your subscription/order. post regarding offers that we feel may be of interest
Vol 19 Iss 08 £4.95
Albatros to you. To opt out of this communication, please

AUGUST 2020
Printed in UK
RCH - DEFIANT TO THE LAS

RESEA T
MA
Model Aircraft Manual ‘Expanded’
The Northrop F-5E Tiger II History
Step by Step Build
We will keep these details securely until you tick here.
Colour Profiles
Scale Plans
request deletion. You can request all information
Payable by • Cheque • Credit/Debit Card • via PayPal to [email protected]

When paying by credit/debit card, please ensure you include your Security Number as payment
cannot be taken without it. Please quote your Sub Ref No if known.
Please allow 28 days for delivery.
Send to:
MA Publications Ltd, PO Box 1592, Bedford. MK40 9FD. UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1234 331431 email: [email protected]
OUT NOW!
Bookstore Prices exclude postage and packing
N
INT IO
PR DIT
IDF ARMOUR – FIGHTING VEHICLES OF THE ISRAELI ARMY
Modellers Datafile • 34
RE ED E
IT
LIM
THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
THE DOUGLAS A-1
HORNET
A C O MPR E H E N SIV E GUIDE SKYRAIDER
F/A-18A/B/C/D A C O M P R E H EN S IVE G U ID E
and International Versions by Andy Evans
by Andy Evans with Andy Renshaw
MA Publications
M DF M DF
34 33
HORNET SKYRAIDER
IDF Armour Modelling MDF 36 The Lockheed MDF 35 The Grumman MDF 34 The McDonnell MDF 33 The Douglas
£14.99 F-104 Starfighter £24.99 F-14 Tomcat £24.99 Douglas Hornet £24.99 A-4 Skyraider £24.99
MODEL
OUT NOW! MODEL MODEL MODEL
AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA
THE VOUGHT F-8 No.6 No.5 No.4 No.3
CRUSADER A C O MP R E H E N SI V E GUI DE
by Andy Evans
BUILDING THE BUILDING THE

M DF
32
F-8 CRUSADER Spitfire
Compiled by Andy Evans
Harrier
P-51 MustangCompiled by Andy Evans
F-4 Phantom
MDF 32 The Vought MAE 06 Building the MAE 05 Building the MAE 04 Building the MAE 03 Building the
F-8 Crusader £24.99 Spitfire £17.99 Harrier £14.99 P-51 Mustang £14.99 F-4 Phantom £14.99
MODEL MODEL
AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT
EXTRA EXTRA
No.2 No.1
THE FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC
A-10 ‘WARTHOG’ By Andy Evans
Messerschmitt Bf 109 Compiled by Andy Evans

Focke Wulf Fw 190
M DF
9
SCALED DOWN
MAE 02 Building the MAE 01 Building the MDFSD 11 The Grumman MDFSD 10 Eurofighter MDFSD 09 The Fairchild
Messerschmitt Bf 109 Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-6 Intruder £14.99 Typhoon £14.99 Republic A-10 ‘Warthog’
£14.99 £14.99 £14.99

MODEL AIRCRAFT MANUAL

Model Aircraft Manual
History Colour Profiles Scale Plans Step by Step Build Walk Around
36 MODEL AIRCRAFT MANUAL WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
AGGRESSOR - TRAIN TO FIGHT

T
he Northrop F-5 is a family is also a capable ground-attack platform. including air-to-air radar. Primarily used by
of supersonic light fighter aircraft The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s, American allies, it remains in US service to
initially designed as a privately and during the Cold War, over 800 were support training exercises. It has served in
funded project in the late 1950s produced for US allies. Though at the time, a wide array of roles, being able to perform
by Northrop Corporation. There are the United States Air Force (USAF) did both air and ground attack duties, and the
two main models, the original F-5A and F-5B not have a need for a light fighter, it did type was used in the Vietnam War. F-5N/F
Freedom Fighter and the extensively procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 variants remain in service with the United
updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II. The design Talon trainer aircraft, which was based on States Navy and United States Marine
team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic Northrop’s N-156 fighter design. In 1970, After Corps as adversary trainers. The F-5 was also
fighter around two compact and high- winning the International Fighter Aircraft developed into a dedicated reconnaissance
thrust General Electric J85 engines, Competition, a program aimed at providing version, the RF-5 Tigereye, and the Northrop
focusing on performance and a low cost effective low-cost fighters to American allies, F-20 Tigershark, an advanced variant to
of maintenance. Smaller and simpler than Northrop introduced the second-generation succeed the F-5E was ultimately cancelled
contemporaries such as the McDonnell F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included when export customers did not emerge.
Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity, The F-5 development effort was formally
procure and operate, making it a popular greater wing area and improved leading-edge started in the mid-1950s for a low-cost,
export aircraft. Though primarily designed extensions for better turn rates, optional low-maintenance fighter. The company
for a day air superiority role, the aircraft air-to-air refuelling, and improved avionics designation for the first design as the

N-156, intended partly to meet a US Navy
requirement for a jet fighter to operate from
its escort carriers, which were too small to
operate the Navy’s existing jet fighters. That
requirement disappeared when the Navy
decided to withdraw the escort carriers,
however, Northrop continued development of
the N-156, both as a two-seat advanced trainer,
designated as N-156T, and a single-seat fighter,
designated as N-156F. In 1970, Northrop
won the International Fighter Aircraft (IFA)
competition to replace the F-5A, with better
air-to-air performance against aircraft like the
Soviet MiG-21. The resultant aircraft, initially
known as F-5A-21, subsequently became
the F-5E. It had more powerful General
Electric J85-21 engines and a lengthened and
enlarged fuselage, accommodating more fuel.
Its wings were fitted with enlarged leading-
edge extensions, giving an increased wing
area and improved manoeuvrability. The
aircraft’s avionics were more sophisticated,
crucially including a radar (initially the Emerson
Electric AN/APQ-153) (the F-5A and B had
no radar). It retained the gun armament of
two M39 cannons, one on either side of the
nose of the F-5A. Various specific avionics
fits could be accommodated at a customer’s
request, including an inertial navigation
system, TACAN and ECM equipment. The first
F-5E flew on 11 August 1972, and a two-seat
combat-capable trainer, the F-5F first flew
on 25 September 1974, with a new nose, that
was three feet longer, which, unlike the F-5B
,which did not carry a gun, allowed it to retain
a single M39 cannon, albeit with a reduced
ammunition capacity. The two-seater was
equipped with the Emerson AN/APQ-157

radar, which is a derivative of the AN/APQ-153
radar, with dual control and display systems
to accommodate the two-men crew. On 6
April 1973, the 425th TFS at Williams Air Force
Base, Arizona, received the first F-5E. The F-5E
eventually received the official name ‘Tiger
II’ and 792 F-5Es, 146 F-5Fs and twelve RF-5Es
were eventually built by Northrop. More were
built under license overseas by Switzerland,
South Korea, Taiwan. And the F-5E went
on to serve with a number of international
operators.
The F-5 was also adopted as an opposing
forces (OPFOR) ‘aggressor’ for dissimilar training
role because of its small size and performance
similarities to the Soviet MiG-21. In realistic
trials at Nellis AFB in 1977, the F-14 reportedly
scored slightly better than a 2:1 kill ratio against
the simpler F-5, while the F-15 scored slightly
less. There is some contradiction of these
reports, another source reports that ‘for the
first three weeks of the test, the F-14s and F-15s
were hopelessly outclassed and demoralised,
but after adapting to qualities of the F-5 and
implementing rule changes to artificially favour
long range radar-guided missiles, the F-14s
did slightly better than breaking even with the
F-5s in non-1 v 1 engagements and the F-15s
got to almost 2:1. The F-5E served with the US
Air Force from 1975 until 1990 with the 64th
Aggressor Squadron and 65th Aggressor
Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada,
and with the 527th Aggressor Squadron
at RAF Alconbury in the UK and the 26th
Aggressor Squadron at Clark Air Force Base in
45 at NAS Key West, VF-126 at NAS Miramar,

and VFA-127 at NAS Lemoore have also
operated the F-5 along with other aircraft types
in support of Dissimilar Air Combat Training
(DACT). The U.S. Navy F-5 fleet continues to
be modernised with thirty-six low-hour F-5E/
Fs purchased from Switzerland in 2006. These
were updated as F-5N/Fs with new avionics
and other improved systems. Currently, the
only US Navy and US Marine Corps units flying
the F-5 are VFC-13 at NAS Fallon, Nevada, VFC-
111 at NAS Key West, Florida, and VMFT-
401 at MCAS Yuma. Currently, VFC-111 operates
the Philippines. The US Marines purchased Topgun relocated to become part of the Naval eighteen Northrop F-5N/F Tiger IIs. Seventeen
used F-5s from the Air Force in 1989 to replace Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, of these are single-seater F-5Ns and the last is a
their F-21s, and they served with VMFT- Nevada, the command divested itself of the F-5, twin-seater F-5F ‘FrankenTiger’, the product of
401 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. The choosing to rely on VC-13 (redesignated VFC- grafting the older front-half fuselage of an F-5F
Navy used the F-5E extensively at the Topgun 13 and which already used F-5s) to employ their into the back-half fuselage of a newer low-
Naval Fighter Weapons School when it was F-5s as adversary aircraft. Former adversary hours F-5E acquired from the Swiss Air Force. A
located at NAS Miramar, California. When squadrons such as VF-43 at NAS Oceana, VF- total of three ‘FrankenTigers’ were built.

74-1556, F-5 Tiger II,-527th AGRS, RAF Alconbury UK
74-01557, F-5E, 57th FWW, 64th FWS, Nellis AFB, NV
01542, 42, F-5, USAF, 527th Aggressor Squadron, 1977
761526, 11, F-5, VMFT-401 ‘’SNIPERS’’, MARINES, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ
F-5 Tiger II 1:72 Scale

43

AUGUST 2020
MODEL AIRCRAFT
761548, 101, F-5E, VFC-111 ‘’Sundowners’’ Naval Air Station Key-West, Florida
761550, 121, F-5, VFC-111 ‘’Sundowners’’ Naval Air Station Key West, Florida
761578, 13, F-5, VFC-13 ‘’Saints’’, NAS Fallon, Nevada
7615236, 02, F-5, VFC-13 ‘’Saints’’, NAVYNAS Fallon, Nevada


Two Seat Bandit
Andy Renshaw builds the 1:48 AFV Club F-5F Tiger
F-5F Tiger II
A
dversary aircraft are always a
favourite amongst modellers, and Manufacturer: AFV Club
with the availability of great A-4 and Scale: 1:48
F-5 kits, the only thing needed is Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
decals. Luckily, we have seen a huge Kit Number: AR48106
influx of great aftermarket decals, with Furball Furball Aero Design #48-056 Top Gun Tigers & Talons
Aero Design providing a sheet in several scales
covering the USN Adversary F-5’s for a good
span of time. One scheme in particular caught
my eye, on an F-5F BuNo 160965, with its tan,
brown, and green scheme. It may look familiar
to those who have F-5 kits, as it’s the same
scheme in the old Monogram F-5F kit. I had I added some
built that kit in my youth, with a not so stellar additional detailing
to the cockpit
job at painting, and it eventually ended up in
the bin as better builds graced my shelves.
However, I never did get another F-5F built. So,
with the decals in hand, and the fantastic AFV
Club kit at the ready, this was a great time to
remedy that!
The AFV Club kit needs no long introduction
as it has been out for some time. There are
some minor improvements you can make to
the stock kit, while keeping the aftermarket to of rod and wire was added
a minimum. First, using the cockpit. I added to the rear bulkheads adjacent
coiled wire for the cords on the cockpit lamps to each seat location to busy this up
along the starboard wall. Some other bits a bit. Then using reference images, I also
built some of the missing linkage for the rear
canopy actuator. This is the same on the single
THE ‘RED 47’ IS PLACED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON EACH seat F-5E, while the forward canopy has a
much simpler mechanism. A few lengths of
SIDE AND IS NOT SYMMETRICAL brass wire, some plastic rod, and a few plastic
boxes were added for a much more detailed
I began applying the

camouflage with
the tan and brown
shades…..
The kit builds up

very easily
…followed by
the green
The decals came from a Furball sheet
I just added some light

weathering
Close up on the cockpit


model was primed and pre-shaded green. Speaking of Furball, the decals
using a dark grey enamel. Three colours went on flawlessly, and yes, the ‘Red 47’
are needed for this F-5F, these being FS34079 is placed at different locations on each side and
Dark Green, FS30400 tan, and FS30140 brown. is not symmetrical.
I started with the Tan using a Model Master Weathering started after an acrylic clear
shade but adding a few drops of orange. I had coat and consisted of various enamel panel
looked at colour photographs, plus my FS color line washes and some minor staining. These
fan deck and it appeared to need a little more aircraft are well maintained and tend to get
warmth than what was provided out of the repainted frequently. You will not see the heavy
bottle. Once dry I used Silly Putty and tape to fading, staining, nor chipping as you may see
mask off the pattern, spraying the brown, then on a combat zone aircraft. There will be some
the green, using Hataka Orange Line lacquers. specific stains from the engine and mechanical
Note here that there is one discrepancy on areas, mostly on the underside aft fuselage.
The natural metal areas were treated with Uschi the Furball instructions. On the lower fuselage With the weathering done a final flat clear coat
van der Rosten polishing powder below the cockpit, the colour surrounding the was applied. Then the natural metal area was
nose landing gear bay and immediately aft of masked off, and Alclad metallics were applied,
result. The seats were replaced with items it should be swapped. The FS30400 Tan followed by an application of some Uschi
from Quickboost, which only require careful should surround the bay, not the van der Rosten polishing powder.
painting to bring out the details. Attaching the canopy and wheels
The rest of the fuselage was wrapped up the build. Now to
assembled per the instructions, choose the next F-5 off of that
with extra attention needed fantastic decal sheet! Many
around the intakes and lower thanks to Furball Aero Design for
fuselage. Once these areas supplying the decal sample! MA
were smoothed out, panel
lines were replaced by
scribing. Once the cockpit
and canopy was masked
off using a combination of
tape, foam, and silly putty, the
F-5E Walk
Around
Note the perforations in the splitter plate
Nose wheel and leg Looking up inside the wheel bay Note the dedicated intake cover
Starboard side of the fuselage Port side nose detail
Stencils and area around the canopy Navigation light on the starboard intake

Note the contrasting colours on the ‘Marines’ legend
Rear fuselage showing access panels and stenciling
Vertical tail of and F-5N and ‘Soviet-Star’
Panels on the vertical tail of an F-5E Rear fuselage detail
Close up on the engine housing

Leading edge slat
low-set tailplane
The airbrake from below The airbrake for the rear aspect
The rear underside showing arrestor hook
Looking up into the main wheel bay

Pre-Order
Bookstore Prices exclude postage and packing
THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS THE DASSAULT

Coming F-15 EAGLE Coming
Soon A CO M P REH EN S IVE GUIDE
by Andy Evans
Soon MIRAGE F1 By Andy Evans
MDF 37 The MDFSD 12

McDonnell The Dassault
Douglas Mirage F1
F-15 Eagle £17.99
£24.99
M DF
12
M DF SCALED DOWN
37
F-15 EAGLE
MODEL
WORLD WAR II GERMAN ARMOUR MODELLING
AIRCRAFT
EXTRA
No.7
Coming Coming
Soon Soon
MAE 07 World War II
Building German
the P-47 Armour
Thunderbolt Modelling
£14.99 Fighting
Vehicles in
Colour &
Scale
£14.99
BUILDING THE
P-47 Thunderbolt
MA Publications

52 MIG-21MF WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Swordfish
Fishbed
David Rainer builds the 1:72 Eduard
MiG-21MF Weekend Edition
E
duard has a wide range of MiG-21 Primer. Once the cockpit was finished it was colours in several thin layers, that way I can
models, and when they released this closed up (either temporary with some putty control how much of the pre-shading remains
1:72 Polish kit I had to build it, as crazy or permanently with some glue). After that I visible. In this case, I applied four layers of
and unique camouflage schemes applied an overall coat of Ammo by MIG One paint. Once the main colour was dry, I painted
really appeal to me! Shot Black Primer, followed by some mottling in the smaller areas such as the nose cone and
The kit has some outstanding detail and a and pre-shading. I like to spray the camouflage exhaust nozzle.
great fit, and only a few areas required sanding
and filling. The detail in the cockpit is raised
and really nice, so I decided to completely hand
paint it. The chrome intake ring was painted
with Molotow Liquid Chrome after I applied
some black Ammo by MIG One Shot Black
MiG-21MF
Scale: 1:72
Kit Number: 7451
SWORDFISH FISHBED
CRAZY AND UNIQUE CAMOUFLAGE SCHEMES
REALLY APPEAL TO ME!
The detail in the

cockpit is raised and
really nice
To begin, I applied
an overall coat of
Ammo by MIG One
Shot Black Primer
Masking canopies in
1:72 takes patience!
54 MIG-21MF WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
I applied a mottled
pre-shade on the
upper…..
…and lower surfaces
I originally wanted to use the kit

decals for the ‘Swordfish’ that runs along
the fuselage sides, but due to the complex
fuselage shape and the raised rivets on the
bottom, I didn’t think the decals would work
and I decided to mask and paint the ‘Swordfish’
instead. For masking complex shapes
or round parts, I cut Tamiya masking
tape into super thin strips. Then with
the help of the instruction manual, I
I added the main began to mask the ‘Swordfish’ and started
colours….. painting. Here, I used highly diluted Hataka
paint with a 0.2mm nozzle on my airbrush,
I started with the darkest colour and ended
with the lightest. Since the red numbers on
the fuselage were part of the fish decal, I had
to paint them too. In order to do this, I had to
make some custom masks using Tamiya tape
using the decal as a template and a new blade
in my hobby knife.
SWORDFISH FISHBED
After the painting stage, I applied a
few coats of `Johnson’s ‘Pledge’ to get a
gloss surface for the remaining decals and …in thin layers
stencils. These all settled well with very well so as to control the
amount of pre-shading
without any silvering. I then applied a coat of showing through…
Vallejo Matt varnish in preparation for some
weathering. I decided to keep this light, using
only an Ammo by MIG Blue Dirt Panel Line …until I was happy
Wash and a few streaks here and there, as the with the look
star of the show are the markings, not the
weathering. Finally, I applied a couple of
coats of Vallejo Satin and attached all of
the smaller parts like pitot tubes, wheels,
weapons and landing gear doors. MA I decided to mask and paint the
Swordfish markings
56 F-104G STARFIGHTER WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Drab Danish
STAR
Marcin Torbinski adds a
unique worn camouflage
scheme to the Kinetic
F-144G Starfighter
E
very modeller has his own key for
choosing the models that will be on
his workbench. It’s sometimes the
matter of the shape, the beauty or the
history of a machine as in the case
of Supermarine Spitfire, Grumman F-14
Tomcat or Sukhoi Su27. Other times,
it is the matter of memories, one’s
personal experiences of their
childhood when say a MiG-21,
F-4 Phantom or Hawker
Harrier, symbols of the
Cold War flew over their
heads. In my approach
however, I decided to focus on the technical,
artistic aspect. In every build I like to try a new
approach, from the gluing to the final touches,
a constant perfecting and adding different of
modelling techniques with a continued search
for interesting paint and visual effects that will
catch the eyes.
So, here I focussed on the Royal Danish Air
Force. My wish was to create a collection of
three of its aircraft - the SAAB 35 Draken,
the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and the
North American F-100. These aircraft
all shared one common feature, a
matt green finish, which the RDAF
used as their camouflage. The
DRAB DANISH STAR

quality of the paint used such as SEA Camouflage Green, Bulkhead Grey
until 1979, was so poor that to create a shade similar to the Danish faded
it faded after few months. It green. Browsing through the photographs
became extremely flat and rough of Starfighters on the Internet you may
and together with the underpainting feel tempted to divide the shades into two
it created a mosaic of the most amazing groups. The first one, for aircraft numbered
shades. As much as the painting was a R-850 to R-600, the oldest machines, of which F-104G Starfighter
pain to the mechanics of the Danish Airforce, discolorations were light green or in some Manufacturer: Kinetic
it remains a delightful canvas to practice shots, even grey. In some cases, the greyed Scale: 1:48
your modelling skills. Since my approach paint on the tail had a yellowish hue to increase Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
focuses on painting, a straight-from-the-box in temperature in that area. The second group, Kit Number: 48083
model with no additions turned out to be a on the other hand, are the aircraft below R-600.
perfect candidate. So, I chose the 1:48 F-104G
Starfighter from Kinetic, as the quality of sprues
is just so good. The kit also includes a radar as
well as a detailed electronics bay.
So, my first step was black basing. With the
use of a Uschi van der Rosten’ Trinity Splatter
Airbrush Stencil, I created differentiating
patterns on the surfaces. My next step was
finding the right shade of paint, which was
supposed to be a faded colour. This was quite
hard, especially that I had to think ahead about
the following steps and bear in mind that the
shades will get darker. In my work, I use Hataka
colours and blended several different shades
58 F-104G STARFIGHTER WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
They mainly have a discoloration with a lighter

brownish hue.
The hardest stage was getting the colour
onto the aircraft in a realistic manner, and this
involved some very precise applications to according to their marketing name, colour
match the characteristic patterns, which ran filters, allow to control the contrast between
not only along the panel lines, but frequently the fading and the underpainting. This gives a
across, sometimes in a chaotic manner. fantastic 3D effect of a flat surface. Funny as it
Obviously, I worked very closely with reference may sound, even standing next to a real aircraft
photographs. This stage is quite long and you get the impression that on every panel
painstaking as here I was trying to blend there is a whole range of different colour and
the contrast between the fading and the light effects. In this case, I used Burnt Umber,
underpainting. One thing is certain, this is the Raw Umber and Terre Verte Antique, and only
stage in which you get to know the capabilities then did the model become close, colour-wise
of your airbrush and your skills in working with to my references.
it! You need to control the amount of paint that The final step which highlighted and
gets onto the model as well as its density very finished the camouflage used Faber-Castell
carefully. The next step involved a technique artists pens. I must confess, that this discovery
borrowed from modelling armoured vehicles. was a great help when I wanted to highlight
I noticed that very diluted oil paints or actually, a discolouration, blemish or some add some
small dots. These work well in highlighting
the lines, on flat overcoat oiled surface or
wet spots and panels. To me, the creative
progression itself was an enjoyable process,
and I thoroughly enjoyed recreating the
uniquely weathered Danish camouflage, and
I am looking forward to trying it out again on
another build. MA
DRAB DANISH STAR

THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT USED UNTIL
1979, WAS SO POOR THAT IT FADED AFTER
FEW MONTHS
60 HAWKER HUNTER F.6 WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Valley Hunter
James Bamford
builds the 1:48
Airfix Hawker
Hunter F.6
alongside contractual military operations to act

as the enemy. Most recently, one turned up to
RIAT 2019 in a stunning tri-tone grey splinter
T
he Hawker Hunter is without a doubt camouflage - one that must be modelled soon
one of the most iconic British aircraft with this cracking Airfix kit!
to grace the skies. Designed in the Airfix announced in late 2018 that they
late 1940’s and first production would be releasing a brand new tooled 1:48
through the 1950’s, the Hawker scale Hawker Hunter in the 2019 catalogue
Hunter entered RAF service in 1954. Production and this was met with great delight as the Hawker Hunter F.6
started with the F.1, leading to the most closest and best tooling in the scale to this Manufacturer: Airfix
prominent versions being the F.6 and FGR.9. point was the Academy offering. The Academy Scale: 1:48
Over the years, eighteen primary versions were kit was good in many ways, however, from Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded
developed and used by the RAF and RN, and my experience and many others, the cockpit Kit Number: A09185
a huge forty-four versions were converted or seemed way too small - closer to something
made for the export market. The RAF were just like 1:60, and so a resin bang seat was needed
one of twenty-two operators of the type. Other at a minimum to fill the cockpit, ideally a resin Eduard’s superb seat belts designed for this
notable users being Belgium, The Netherlands, cockpit would be the best course of action newly tooled Hunter. These sat beautifully
India, Switzerland and Sweden. Other nations though. The Airfix Hunter boasted some on Airfix’s three-part seat of which, as I stated
such as Chile, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Rhodesia fantastic out of box detail. The ejector seat had above, has the option of a detail-less seat to
also flew the type. The Hunter was retired from two options for pre-moulded belts or without allow the addition of a pilot or aftermarket
UK military service in 1999 when the Empire if you were to add photo-etch to them, which I seat belts. I made use of this and added the
Test Pilots School retired theirs, however, the did. You were also provided different tail units seat belts in with superglue once the main
Hunter would live on elsewhere in the world to have the brake shute housing or not which colours of black and the olive-green seat were
until 2014 when the Lebanese Air Force finally opens up the ability to model a huge amount dry. The two-part cockpit tub and instrument
retired theirs from active military service. of options. Crisp details are found all over the panel was then glued and also painted black.
The Hunter can still be enjoyed even now model and carry onto the canopy parts which I had no need to add any other etch into the
with many civilian companies flying the type. are also nice and clear with no distortion. cockpit as the instrument panel decal was very
Hawker Hunter Aviation (HHA) also operate The kit started off in the usual style with nice and conformed perfectly to the supplied
a few within a fleet of ten ex-Swiss Mk.58s cockpit and seat first. To quickly note, the only kit part. It is sharp and clear and stands out in
which provides Aggressor role aircraft to work addition I made to this kit was the addition of the enclosed cockpit. Other small details were
VALLEY HUNTER
fuselage and fit a small amount of filler, but this
into two locating could have been easily rectified
holes on the outside if the sides of the cockpit tub
of the fuselage. This had been sanded down for a
gave a great representation less tight fit.
of the curved intakes of the The tail pipe was my next
real Hunter, unlike some kits that port of call and because of
allow the intakes to simply disappear the scheme I was to be modelling this
into the wings. These fit in with no problem. aircraft on, it required the use of the tail without
At this point it is important to note that before the parachute housing. I imagine that the
mating the fuselage halves, the kit requires chute-housing tail is in there for a later release
also picked out in respective colours. Once at least twenty grams of weight in or around of the kit with different options or maybe an
dry, the cockpit assembly was glued into one the nose, forward of the main landing gear in FGR.9 version? That would be nice! Anyway,
fuselage half and building of the intakes could order for it not to be a tail sitter. Of course, the this was fitted around the three-part exhaust
commence. An engine face piece sat halfway further back you put the weight, the more you’ll pipe and glued to the underside of the tail with
down the fuselage halves, not only to give need. I ended up putting around thirty grams no problems whatsoever. Another piece of
detail deep in the intakes but also to add extra in. About 10g went into the nose cone itself wonderful engineering on this kit is the wing
structural support to the fuselage. This was and the rest sat behind the cockpit tub. Once assembly. Unlike other kits, in both 1:72 and
painted silver however, once closed up, would the weights were glued in place with copious 1:48, where they have two separate wing sets
not be seen. The intakes were in two-pieces for amounts of superglue and Blu-Tac, it was time with two pieces being top and bottom, Airfix
each side. Once mated, these curved from the to mate the fuselage halves. The fit was very have very cleverly provided one wing, which
engine face piece out of a gap in the side of the nice, if a little tight. This did lead to the need of perfectly slits into the gap on the top of the
fuselage halves with no problem. This also
has most of the spine on the top wing piece
THE SCHEME I HAD CHOSEN WAS FOR A MACHINE which marries up with the beginning of the
FROM NO.4. FIGHTER TRAINING SCHOOL BASED AT tail with an almost seamless transition. This
RAF VALLEY IN 1974
62 HAWKER HUNTER F.6 WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
given to you in the kit alongside a fixed position was able to give the whole model a few coats of
canopy. This was masked with Tamiya masking a Humbrol 33 Matte Black base coat. This would
tape and a sharp knife once a cocktail stick had allow me to cover the whole model in white
been run around the inside edge to follow mottling to accentuate panel lines and various
the contour of the canopy framing. The panels in a lighter tone when the colours would
front piece was glued into place whilst go on top. The scheme I had chosen to go with
the rest of the cockpit was masked was from the Xtradecal set #X48192 as this had
up. I would usually leave the a lovely white, red and grey scheme of No.4.
canopy on as well not only to Fighter Training School based at RAF Valley in
mask the cockpit but also 1974. I have been to RAF Valley myself whilst
to aid in painting the on holidays in recent years and have always
canopy, however, enjoyed watching the more recent Hawk T.2s
it didn’t sit very doing circuits and touch and goes. My plan is to
well, probably build a few of the trainers that have flown from
because it’s RAF Valley in the past and so with a Hawk T.1
narrower to sit and Gnat in the stash awaiting build, I thought
properly over the I’d start with the type that is currently the gate
rear of the fuselage in guardian in the same scheme. The first thing
top wing piece also has the wheel well detail its open position. This to do was paint the white across the fuselage
in the top of it along with the fittings for the meant it was to be left off separately and I had and up the tail. This allowed me to mask the
three-part wheel well side walls. Once in place, to mask over the exposed cockpit with tape wing roots off to then paint the grey tops and
the bottom wings could be glued in place, and the wet tissue technique. bottoms of the wings with a nice crisp line
again, without any problems! At this point, Once everything was masked and in place, I with no problems. To finish, I masked the red
it was a matter of glueing all the extra bits in sections off with long pieces of Tamiya masking
place. The elevators and rudder were glued in tape and sprayed the red on. All the paints I
position, along with the flaps in a straight set used on this build are Hataka’s superb Orange
position, even though they are poseable. The Line Lacquer paints. I specifically used Traffic
massive airbrake was attached underneath White, BS Signal Red and Light Aircraft Grey, all
along with the gun ejector ports. The last thinned roughly 60:40, thinner to paint. Once
thing to do before painting was masking of dry and unmasked, there were a few touch
the canopy. As I wanted to show off the ups needed from where some paint had bled
internal cockpit detail, especially all underneath the masking, but it was only very
the etch harnesses, I opted
for the open canopy
option which is
VALLEY HUNTER
minor bleeds that were easily touched up. This bonus! The wing fuel tanks were also attached
was then followed up with a few light coats of at this point. The canopy was finally able to be
Alclad II Aqua Gloss to give a lovely level and unmasked to bring some light back into the
gloss finish ready for the decals and wash. The cockpit. The bang seat was placed inside the
Xtradecal decals went down perfectly fine with cockpit and the open canopy fit into position
no problems as they are perfectly in register without glue as the fit was perfect. This means
and thin enough to not break but conform to for travelling to shows I won’t have to risk it
the panel lines with no problems. With the help getting damaged as I can put it in a tub to travel
of Micro Set and Sol and another few coats of safely, and also model the canopy in a variety of
the Aqua Gloss, the decals were all set in place different positions. So, with a few final touches,
and ready to receive a wash. I used Flory Models the fabulous Hunter was complete.
Washes for this stage, covering the whole
model in a mixture of black and a grimy grey
colour to get a nice contrast that isn’t too dark
but enough to stand out a little. This was left to
dry for about half an hour and then I was able to
remove it all with a dry piece of kitchen roll and
then cotton buds for the slightly harder places
to reach. I really enjoyed
From this point on, there wasn’t a massive this build and I’m
amount of stuff to do to finish the build off. glad I did as I have
I sealed everything in with a few light coats three more in the stash
of Ammo by MIG Lucky Varnish Matte which with various schemes to
brought everything together and unified the look forward to building! The fit
model. Following this, I attached the last pieces and detail is crisp and excellent with no major
of the build. This included the landing gear hiccups anywhere to mention. I do recommend
which has a very nice way of fitting together. the addition of the etch belts but if you are
The way Airfix designed it means that the happy with painting the raised details option
landing gear is very strong and stable. The main then that option is there for you and can be
legs themselves are quite thick as well so that made to work with no problems! MA
it can hold the weight of the model, which is a
• New tool plastic kit

•
•
6 markings options
Photoetched parts FM-2
Wildcat™
• Canopy and wheels masks
64 MIRAGE F1C WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
‘Orange’
Interceptor
Ashley Dunn builds
the 1:48 Italeri
Mirage F1C in the
colours of EC 1/5
from Orange in 1978
T
his is a re-boxed version of the highlight featuring no less than nine different
venerable Esci kit which was first options – six of which are in the French Non-
issued in 1978. The kit, by todays’ Specular Blue the other French option being in
standards is a little basic in areas but desert colours. There’s a Spanish three colour The instructions would have you add the
must have been fairly cutting edge camouflage scheme with another in Greek front undercarriage to the underside of the
in its day. It comes on four sprues in a light and finally a Royal Jordanian Air Force scheme. cockpit tub in the next stage, but a quick
grey plastic which is relatively soft and features The build began with the cockpit area, which test fit revealed this could be left off till the
recessed panel lines through-out, two different is a little basic but acceptable given the age of end and would ease painting later and limit
types of ejection seats and a nice selection of the kit. There are no raised or recessed details any potential damage. Next up were the air
weapons. Lastly, a clear sprue for the canopy on the instrument panel or side consoles intakes with the shock cones. These are two-
and glazed elements. The decal sheet is a real instead decals are supplied which are a little piece for each side and fit is almost perfect
on the heavy side as far as detail goes. The with the fuselage sides. Only a quick swipe
kit seat when built, painted and weathered
looks acceptable. I did add some seat belts by
the way of painted masking tape strips. The Adding a
cockpit tub is made up of three pieces – the Gloss Black
base coat
main tub and two bulkheads, one for the front
which includes the instrument panel and
rudder pedals and the rear for the area behind
the ejection seat. Everything was then sprayed
Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black and left to dry. It
was then just a case of adding some shades of
Khaki Green to the seat cushions. I added
the decals for the side consoles and
Mirage F1C instrument panels but added some
Manufacturer: Italeri colour in the way of switches
Scale: 1:48 painted on in red and
Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded yellow to add some
Kit Number: 2790 interest.
The upper areas were
with a sanding stick is required to get a flush primed with Vallejo
Light Grey Primer
finish. The cockpit can then be sandwiched in
between the fuselage halves and closed up.
The fit is really good on the topside but slightly
off on the underside, and this required some
Mr Surfacer 500 and some re-scribing of panel
lines but nothing too serious. The instructions
have you remove some pre-moulded aerials
on the upper surface which I believe are part of
the Mirage F1CT. Next up were the wings and
rear horizontal stabilisers. Each wing has an
upper and lower element, not quite in halves I then added some
though. The lower section fits ‘within’ the upper pre-shading
wing but along panel lines so as to eliminate
any sanding. The fit was exemplary. These are
offered into slots on each side of the fuselage
which are very positive and provide just a nice
level of resistance for fixing and gluing. The
seam line between the wing and fuselage was
hardly noticeable. The rear horizontal stabilisers
are one-piece each with a good solid tab for
fixing into the fuselage.
Next, it was time to add the exhaust section, For the upper surfaces, I used Gunze
but I left it off to ease painting and masking. Up Intermediate Blue H56 mixed with
Greyish-Blue H337 with a drop or
next was the nose cone and the requirement for two of white
adding 20g weight to this area. I added some
Blu-Tac and fishing weights followed by some
Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity to fill any gaps.
The fit of the nose cone was slightly off, being
slightly wider in diameter than the fuselage
end and required some decent sanding to get
The decals settled well

with Micro Sol and Set
Vallejo Metal Color

Aluminium was used
on the undersides
everything flush. pylons already in place and just needed the the main body. These required sanding down
The plastic pitot tube trimming, the seams sanding, and they were somewhat as they were too thick, and I couldn’t
was glued into place, but it ready for painting. The two pairs of Mantra 550s get them to fit at right angles to the missile
looked fragile, so I added one of required assembling and this is where I found a body. The fins were massively overscale, so
those plastic tubes you get on paintbrushes slightly unusual form of construction. The R550 I ended up trimming and shaping them to
to protect the bristles and tapped it down bodies are one-piece with one half of the fins something more realistic. The R530’s were
to add some protection. Lastly, there were included and moulded in place. The second similar except the bodies were in two halves.
some vents, ducts and aerials to add to the set of fins are also one piece but slot ‘through’ But again, having to sand the fins to get them
underside and the main airframe was pretty to fit just felt a bit of a long-winded exercise
much complete. I then moved to the ordnance. compared to say just adding individual fins
I chose to fully load the Mirage out and use all where required. I got there in the end though.
the hardpoints available. This consisted of a
belly fuel tank, two Mantra R550 Magic
air to air missiles (wing tips),
two Mantra R530 air
to air missiles (inner
wing pylons), ESD
Barax electronic
countermeasures pod (outer pylon
port wing) and a Mantra Phimat chaff
dispenser (outer pylon starboard wing).
The latter two are moulded with the
The belly tank was a five-piece affair consisting
of two halves, a rear section with fins and a
ventral fin fitted to each side. A bit of filling and I chose to fully
sanding was required for the rear section and load the Mirage
out and use all
particular care was required to ensure a smooth the hardpoints
finish as the tank was to be painted in metal available
which is notorious for showing flaws off. Various
grades of sanding sticks were used to achieve
this. The glazed parts were carefully removed
from the sprues with both the canopy and
front windscreen and were dipped in Johnson’s
‘Future’ prior to drying and masking. The front
frame was then glued into place with the main
canopy being lightly tacked in place with some
Blu-Tac. The last items prior to painting
were the undercarriage legs and these
just required some cleaning up
and they were ready to go.
Onto the priming and
for this I used two
only five minutes of drying time as stated on
the bottle, but I prefer to leave them overnight
just to be safe. The exhaust received three
different shades (Aluminium, Steel and Burnt
Iron) with each masked up prior to the next.
With the metallics completed it was time to
mask up the underside of the fuselage. I then
primed the upper areas with Vallejo Light Grey
types, both from Vallejo. Primer thinned 50:50 with their own brand
The first was Gloss Black for thinner and once complete, I continued with
the metallic areas. This was thinned some pre-shading. Tamiya XF-63 was used for
slightly with their own brand thinner and this as I thought black would be too stark under
sprayed through a 0.3mm nozzle at around the blue/grey colour. I then went over the panel
15psi. Initially, I sprayed a light mist type coat lines and then mottled the airframe to provide
to key into the plastic and provide something some contrast under the main final colour.
for the main coat to bite into. This was followed For the upper surfaces, I used Gunze Aqueous
up by more of a medium type wet coat which, Intermediate Blue H56 mixed with Greyish-Blue
as it dries provides a nice glossy finish for the H337 in a 2:1 ratio with a drop or two of white.
metallics to go onto. This was left for forty- A test spray revealed this to look very close to
eight hours to dry thoroughly the real colour in my various reference images.
before using Vallejo Metal I thinned this with Mr Color Thinner in a ratio
Color Aluminium. Nice of 60:40 in favour of thinner and sprayed this
light coats slowly built up through a 0.2mm nozzle at around 15psi. I
the colour for a good slowly built this colour up just enough to allow
realistic result. These the pre-shading to show through and provide
can be masked after some subtle tonal variations. It was at this
before wiping away any excess decal solution

with a damp piece of kitchen roll prior to
adding another coat of Aqua Gloss to seal them
in. Once this was dry, I added a coat of Windsor
& Newton Galleria Matte varnish. I sprayed this
thinned with Tamiya X-20A and it provided a
lovely even flat coat.
My usual weathering preference is oil paints
thinned with odourless thinners in various
degrees. First, I used a mix of
Lamp Black, Paynes Grey and
Burnt Umber. I used this to add
to panel lines, recesses and raised areas. I let
the mixture for around twenty minutes or so
stage I managed to snap the pitot tube off by before removing any excess with a cotton bud.
knocking against the spray booth. Luckily, I had After this, I thinned the mixture a bit more and
a Master Models replacement. It did require used it as a filter. I added this to localised areas
some fettling and a little putty, but it worked where wear and tear would occur to provide a
well. After the repair work and re-spraying any more used and abused look. I carried this out a
touch-ups I allowed the model to thoroughly couple of times until I was happy with the effect
dry overnight. The next day I gave the model and then sealed it in with another mist coat
a light sanding down with 2500 grit wet and of Matte. It was then just a case of adding the
dry sandpaper to remove any slight blemishes, undercarriage legs, doors and the external re-
dust etc. This was followed by a medium coat of fuelling probe to the nose. Finally, the ordnance
Alclad Aqua Gloss in preparation for decaling. was added to the pylons and then to the wings
The scheme I chose was aircraft 207, EC 1/5 from and the model was complete. Overall, this was
Orange circa 1978. The decals are printed in a fun kit to build, and an excellent result can
Italy by Cartograph and are very high quality, be achieved with minimum effort. Add to that
and they only required a small amount of Micro the amount of decal options, not only within
Set to soften and conform into the recesses and the kit box, but also aftermarket and this gives
panel lines. I let them dry and adhere overnight the opportunity to find a scheme that will suit
most. MA
We are pleased to
announce that following
government guidance
our shop is open again
to our customers.
The Aviation Bookshop - at the service of all aviation enthusiasts since the 1940s
NEW! NEW!
HARPIA
Srebrna krila
BOOKS *ONLY BOOKS SHOWN HERE. EXCLUDES NEW RELEASES.
£5 EACH*
IRIAF 2010
U službi i zaštiti Hrvatske
IRIAF 2010 LATIN AMERICAN FIGHTERS LATIN AMERICAN MIRAGES
LATIN฀AMERICAN฀MIRAGES฀฀•฀฀Mirage฀III/5/F.1/2000฀in฀Service฀with฀South฀American฀Air฀Arms฀฀•
Silver Wings A History of Fighter Jets in Service with Latin American Air Arms Mirage III / 5 / F.1/ 2000 in Service with South American Air Arms
Serving & Proctecting Croatia
The Modern Iranian Air Force

By Iñigo Guevara y Moyano Santiago Rivas and Juan Carlos Cicalesi
The
Modern
Iranian
Air
Force
Tom Cooper, Babak Taghvaee and Liam F. Devlin
Katsuhiko TOKUNAGA
Heinz BERGER
£94.99 £74.99
Beyond the Horizon IRAQI AIR POWER REBORN
irAQi Air POWEr rEBOrn • Arnaud Delalande

AFRICAN MiGs AFRICAN MiGs
NEW! NEW! Volume 1 | Angola to Ivory Coast
MiGs and Sukhois in Service in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tom Cooper and Peter Weinert, with Fabian Hinz and Mark Lepko ฀฀•฀฀Volume฀2฀|฀Madagascar฀to฀Zimbabwe฀฀•
Volume 2 | Madagascar to Zimbabwe
MiGs and Sukhois in Service in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tom Cooper and Peter Weinert, with Fabian Hinz and Mark Lepko
The History of AEW&C Aircraft
Ian Shaw with Sérgio Santana

The Iraqi air arms since 2004
Arnaud Delalande
‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬

‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬ ‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬ ‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬
‫ﺩﻣــﺸﻖ‬ ‫ﺩﻣــﺸﻖ‬
FALL OF THE FLYING DRAGON ARAB MiGs ARAB MiGs
ARAB฀MiGs฀฀|฀฀Volume฀3฀•
‫ﺩﻣــﺸﻖ‬
South Vietnamese Air Force 1973–75

ARAB MiGs ‫ﺳــﻮﺭﻳﺎ‬
Volume 2
‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬
‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬ ‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ‬
‫ﺳــﻮﺭﻳﺎ‬
Volume 3
‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬
Volume 1 ‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬
Mikoyan i Gurevich MiG-15 and MiG-17 in Service with Supersonic Fighters, 1958 –1967 ‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬ The June 1967 War
Albert Grandolini Air Forces of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco and Syria
Tom Cooper and David Nicolle Tom Cooper and David Nicolle, with Lon Nordeen and Patricia Salti
By Tom Cooper & David Nicolle ‫ﻐـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻀــﻔﺔ ﺍﻟ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻀــﻔﺔ ﺍﻟ ﻐـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬
‫ﺗﻞ ﺃﺑﻴـﺐ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻀــﻔﺔ ﺍﻟ ﻐـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺃﺑﻴـﺐ ﺃﺑﻴـﺐ‬
‫ﺗﻞ ﺗﻞ‬ ‫ﻐـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻀــﻔﺔ ﺍﻟ‬ ‫ﺗﻞ ﺃﺑﻴـﺐ‬
‫ﻋــﻤﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻋــﻤﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻋــﻤﺎﻥ‬
‫ﻋــﻤﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬
‫ﻗـﻄﺎﻉ ﻏـﺰﺓ‬
‫ﺑﻮﺭﺳــﻌﻴﺪ‬
‫ﻗـﻄﺎﻉ ﻏـﺰﺓ‬ ‫ﻗـﻄﺎﻉ ﻏـﺰﺓ‬

‫ﺍﻟـﻌﺮﻳـﺶ‬
‫ﺑﻮﺭﺳــﻌﻴﺪ‬ ‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫ﺑﻮﺭﺳــﻌﻴﺪ‬
‫ﺍﻟـﻌﺮﻳـﺶ‬ ‫ﺍﻟـﻌﺮﻳـﺶ‬
‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬ ‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬
‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬
‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬
‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬ ‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬
‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬ ‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬
‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬ ‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬ ‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬
‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬ ‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬
‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬
‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬

‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬
‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎن‬

‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬ ‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬ ‫ﺑــﯿﺮوت‬
‫ﺩﻣــﺸﻖ‬ ‫ﺩﻣــﺸﻖ‬ ‫دﻣــﺸﻖ‬
ARAB MiGs ARAB MiGs ARAB MiGs

ARAB฀MiGs฀฀|฀฀Volume฀4฀•
£74.99 £114.99 ‫ﺑــﻴﺮﻭﺕ‬

‫ﻟﺒــﻨﺎﻥ‬
Volume 4
‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬ Volume 5 ‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬
Volume 6
‫ﺳــﻮرﯾﺎ‬
‫هﻀــﺒﺔ اﻟﺠﻮﻻن‬
NEW! NEW! ‫ﺗﻞ ﺃﺑﻴـﺐ‬

‫ﻩﻀــﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺠﻮﻻﻥ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻀــﻔﺔ ﺍﻟ ﻐـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬
‫ﻋــﻤﺎﻥ‬
Attrition War, 1967–1973
Tom Cooper and David Nicolle, with Lon Nordeen, Patricia Salti and Martin Smisek
October 1973 War: Part 1
Tom Cooper and David Nicolle, with Holger Müller, Lon Nordeen and Martin Smisek
October 1973 War: Part 2
Tom Cooper and David Nicolle, with Albert Grandolini, Lon Nordeen and Martin Smisek
‫ﺗﻞ أﺑﯿـﺐ‬
‫اﻟﻀــﻔﺔ اﻟ ﻐـﺮﺑﯿﺔ‬
‫ﻋــﻤﺎن‬
‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻘــﺪﺱ‬ ‫اﻟﻘــﺪس‬
‫ﻗـﻄﺎﻉ ﻏـﺰﺓ‬ ‫ﻗـﻄﺎﻉ ﻏـﺰﺓ‬ ‫ﻗـﻄﺎع ﻏـﺰة‬
‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫ﺑﻮﺭﺳــﻌﻴﺪ‬ ‫ﺑﻮﺭﺳــﻌﻴﺪ‬ ‫ﺑﻮرﺳــﻌﯿﺪ‬
‫ﺍﻟـﻌﺮﻳـﺶ‬ ‫ﺍﻟـﻌﺮﻳـﺶ‬ ‫اﻟـﻌﺮﯾـﺶ‬

‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬ ‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫ﺇﺳـﺮﺍﺋﻴﻞ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﺭﺩ ﻥ‬ ‫إﺳـﺮاﺋﯿﻞ‬ ‫اﻷرد ن‬
‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬
‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬
‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬ ‫ﺳــﻴﻨﺎء‬ ‫ﺳــﯿﻨﺎء‬

‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬ ‫ﺍﻟـﻘﺎﻩـﺮﺓ‬ ‫اﻟـﻘﺎهـﺮة‬
‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬ ‫ﺍﻟــﺴﻮﻳﺲ‬ ‫اﻟــﺴﻮﯾﺲ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬
‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﺟﻤﻬﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴـﺔ‬ ‫ﺟﻤﮭﻮرﯾﺔ ﻣـﺼﺮ اﻟﻌـﺮﺑﯿـﺔ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﺍﻟﻌـﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ اﻟﻌـﺮﺑﯿﺔ‬

‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﺴــﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺴــﻌﻮدﯾﺔ‬
• Quality Aviation
Book Collections
• Aircraft Technical /
Flight Manuals
Having a clear out? Run out of space? • Airline & Company Publicity Material
We’re always interested to hear from • Black & White and Colour Photo Collections
anyone who is considering selling
• Metal Models & Unbuilt Plastic Kits
£94.99 £7.99 their aviation related collection.
The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Payment Methods UK Postage & Packing NEW! Secondhand Booklist
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1BS, ENGLAND Cheques made payable to Postage to all UK addresses £5.00 Please contact us for our latest
The Aviation Bookshop secondhand booklist.
Overseas Delivery Charges
01892 539284 (international: +44 18 92 53 92 84) or you can pay via using Postal charges are made at cost price Follow us
[email protected]
SECONDHAND BOOKLIST
to The Aviation Bookshop.
All books listed are in good condition
complete with dust jackets and no damage
to the book itself. The books are listed on a
first come first serve basis, but in some cases
we may have a second copy available.
The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road,
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1BS, ENGLAND
01892 539284 (international: +44 18 92 53 92 84)
[email protected]
www.aviation-bookshop.com
Payment Methods
Cheques made payable to
The Aviation Bookshop
or you can pay via using
[email protected]
All major credit cards accepted
UK Postage & Packing
Postage will be charged at cost and all orders over
£50.00 will be sent post free to all UK addresses
Overseas Delivery Charges

Postal charges are made at cost price
to The Aviation Bookshop.
We are unable to detail exact postal charges as
orders are treated individually and the applicable
charge is calculated accordingly.
on twitter
[email protected] All major credit cards accepted We are unable to detail exact 1
CATALOGUE NUMBER 14 –AUTUMN/WINTER 2019
AEROMODELLING
Reference Title
AEROMODELLER ANNUAL
Subtitle
The Aviation Bookshop - at the service of all aviation enthusiasts since the 1940s
Author
LAIDLAW-JACKSON
Format
HARDBACK
Subject
AEROMODELLING
Publisher
THE MODEL AERONAUTICAL PRESS LTD

Published
1949
Pages
160
Condition
FAIR
£ Price
15.00
for events,
news and
2 DIECAST TOY AIRCRAFT AN INTERNATIONAL GUIDE RICHARDSON HARDBACK AEROMODELLING NEW CAVENDISH BOOKS 1997 320 MINT 20.00
postal charges as orders are treated

3 FROG MODEL AIRCRAFT 1932-1976 THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE FLYING AIRCRAFT & THE PLASTIC KITS LINES/ HELLSTRÖM HARDBACK AEROMODELLING NEW CAVENDISH BOOKS 1989 271 VERY GOOD 45.00
4 MODELLING SCALE AIRCRAFT OSPREY MODELLING NO. 41 GREEN SOFTBACK AEROMODELLING OSPREY 2008 80 VERY GOOD 5.00
5 MODELLING THE F/A-18 HORNET OSPREY MODELLING NO. 16 COUGHLIN SOFTBACK AEROMODELLING OSPREY 2005 80 MINT 10.00
6 MODELLING THE HARRIER I AND II OSPREY MODELLING NO. 1 ASHLEY SOFTBACK AEROMODELLING OSPREY 2003 80 MINT 10.00
7 THE AERO MODELLER: VOLUME 01 N/K HARDBACK AEROMODELLING N/K 1941 700 FAIR 45.00
special offers
individually and the applicable charge

www.aviation-bookshop.com
13 THE HISTORY OF MODEL AIRCRAFT BOWDEN SOFTBACK AEROMODELLING THE HARBOROUGH PUBLISHING CO. 1946 80 FAIR 20.00
14 THE MODEL AEROPLANE MANUAL SPAREY/ RIPPON HARDBACK AEROMODELLING PERCIVAL MARSHALL & CO. N/K 236 GOOD 10.00
15 THE MODEL AIRCRAFT HANDBOOK WINTER HARDBACK AEROMODELLING GEORGE G. HARRAP & CO. 1946 232 FAIR 10.00
KOOKABURRA TECHNICAL
16 THE MODELLER’S LUFTWAFFE PAINTING GUIDE WITH COLOR CHART A SUPPLEMENT TO LUFTWAFFE CAMOUFLAGE & MARKINGS VOLS 1, 2 & 3 SMITH/ PENTLAND/ LUTZ HARDBACK AEROMODELLING 1979 88 GOOD 35.00
is calculated accordingly.
PUBLICATIONS PTY LTD
@ Avbookshop
Please quote OPEN when responding to this advert. Information published here may be subject to change.
70 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE FR MK.XIV WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Dawid Branski ‘Takes a Break’ with the 1:48 Airfix

Kit-Kat-Spit
T
his kit had a very unusual addition
– a Kit-Kat snack bar contained on a
sprue! It’s even mentioned as ‘step
38’ in the instructions and marked as
‘take a break and treat yourself with
a chocolate bar’ - nice move Airfix! I began
with assembling the cockpit, and immediately
replaced the seat with a resin one from Quick-
Boost. I also added a few extra little details Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV
onto cockpit side walls using few small pieces Manufacturer: Airfix
cut from some very thin polystyrene sheet Scale: 1:48
and 0.2mm copper wire. I sprayed the cockpit Kit Type: Plastic injection moulded with chocolate
with Hataka HTK-C026 Interior Grey Green, Kit Number: A05135
and other sections were treated with some
AK Interactive Xtreme Metal Aluminium. I
then brush painted the other details, and then carefully applied using toothpick. For sanding, surfaces I wanted to
added some Flory Models Dark Dirt Wash to I used some Tamiya 400 and 2000 grit sanding add just a couple of small chips with brush or
weather the interior. sponges. I then primed the model with Mr sponge after painting. So, the lower surfaces
After joining two halves of the fuselage Surfacer 1500 Black, and then gave some careful were then painted with Hataka C034 Medium
together and fixing the wings, I noticed a consideration about how the model would look Sea Grey. On the upper surfaces where the
few gaps here and there. So, these were filled when finished, and how much weathering to traffic would be higher, certain spots where the
with some Vallejo Putty, and some CA glue, add. At this stage I decided that on the lower pilot and ground crew would be walking, I find
KIT-KAT-SPIT
I added some wiring in the cockpit….
THE CHOCOLATE BAR IS MENTIONED

AS ‘STEP 38’!
…and then did some detail painting

72 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE FR MK.XIV WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
I then primed the model with

Mr Surfacer 1500 Black…..
…and the added selected spots of AK

Interactive Xtreme Aluminium
it better to use the hairspray technique for more better to sand down the paint
expansive chipping. So, I sprayed on some AK a little first, using 2000 or 3000 grit
Interactive Xtreme Aluminium where I wanted sanding paper or sanding sponges. With
the chips to appear, and also along some of the chipping complete I coated the entire
the panel lines and on the wing roots near the model with Hataka XP09 Gloss, and once dry
fuselage. Next, I decanted some hairspray into I began to apply the decals. For better decal
my airbrush and sprayed this over all of the adhesion I used Micro Sol and Set and gave the
Aluminium spots. Hairspray dries pretty quickly, decals a full twelve hours to set. I then applied
so after just a few minutes I was ready to add another Gloss coat. I started weathering by
the main camouflage colours. Here I used applying some Flory Models Dark Dirt Wash,
Hataka C032 Ocean Grey and C016 Dark Green and later I did some oil dot filtering using some
from their Royal Air Force Paint Set. grey oil paint all over the model, and then a
In order to activate a hairspray when using muddy brown wash on the wings where pilot
lacquer-based paints, you will need to use and crew would have been walking. Exhaust
harder brushes and plenty of water, and it’s smoke stains were created by airbrushing on
KIT-KAT-SPIT
some highly diluted black and then some white oil paint
was blended in using AK Interactive Enamel Thinner. I
finished the model by sealing everything in with a coat of
Hataka XP07 Matt clear and then I fixed the canopy with
Revell Contacta clear glue. This was a lovely build, with a
tasty snack to boot! Thanks to Airfix for providing me with
the build sample. MA
The undersides were
painted with Hataka C034
Medium Sea Grey….
….and the upper surfaces

with Hataka C032 Ocean Grey
and C016 Dark Green
74 F-86D SABRE DOG WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM
Mission Models Masterclass
Mac Patterson builds

the 1:48 Revell F-86D in
the colours of Apollo 16
astronaut Charlie Duke
‘We’re breathing
again…’
F-86D Sabre Dog
Manufacturer: Revell/Monogram
Scale: 1:48
Kit Number: 48176
B
eing a member of the exclusive Duke’s only space flight, but he does have the Dogs and later, F-102 Delta Daggers ready to
‘Moonwalkers Club’ would seem to privilege of being the youngest man to walk scramble at a moment’s notice. This project
be enough recognition for anyone, on the Moon. He and mission Commander had the falsest of false starts, as I had elected
but for Charlie Duke as ‘Capcom’ John Young would spend just under three days to build a Delta Dagger from Duke’s squadron,
of the Apollo 11 landing, with his conducting experiments on the lunar surface, having the old Monogram/Revell 1:48 boxing to
distinctive southern drawl, responding to leaving photographs of his family in the soft hand I began to build the kit. Although an older
Armstrong’s ‘The Eagle has landed…” message, lunar dust. production, with raised panel lines and some
will be forever etched in people’s memories. As with all of the Apollo Astronauts, Duke slightly clunky detail, the kit went together well
Famously capturing the tension of the had a fascinating military flying career, after - right up to the point where I couldn’t find the
moment, Duke allowed his test pilot cool to slip graduation he joined the Air Force and would nose cone, and without this part, I was unable
for just a second as he replied; ‘Roger Twank… select frontline service with the 526th Fighter to complete the build- a lot of harsh language
Tranquilty, we copy you on the ground…’ that Interceptor Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, was used! An alternative was required,
slip of the tongue revealing the very human, during the height of the Cold War. On constant fortunately a slightly forgotten Revell boxing of
true nature of the man. Apollo 16 was to be alert the squadron would have F-86D Sabre the F-86D resurfaced from my stash, the Sabre
MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM 75

Aircraft of the Astronauts #6
The cockpit is
surprisingly well
detailed
Charles Moss
Duke Jr
• Lunar Module Pilot Apollo 16
• Cap Com Apollo 11
also used MDC Cold War era dial face decals to

replicate the instrumentation. The ejection seat
Dog appeared to have been on strength with is refined being made up of a number of parts,
the squadron during Duke’s early service in once painted I used Eduard pre-printed etched
West Germany, so fitted the bill. seat belts for added realism. The completed
This must have been one of Monogram/ cockpit section is then glued in place, sitting
Revell’s finest offerings, as the silvery/grey on the top of the engine intake trunking, this
plastic has delicate, well defined recessed entire subset in then attached to the interior
panels, the cockpit and ejection seats look of the fuselage via locating tabs. Including
especially nice, and the decal sheet was glossy sufficient ballast in the nose to ensure the Dog
and well printed. Building straight-from-the-
box, the cockpit has lovely console detail with
fine switches and dials, these pop out really
well with some patiently applied paint, similarly
the instrument panel has recessed dial faces. I
76 F-86D SABRE DOG WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM
MISSION MODELS ACRYLICS PRODUCE A LOVELY

SMOOTH FINISH, REQUIRING JUST A LITTLE
THINNING OUT OF THE BOTTLE
This must have been

one of Monogram/ ….using Mission
Revell’s finest Models Insignia
offerings I elected to use
White and Red MMM 003 Faded
Aluminium to
replicate the natural
metal finish
wouldn’t be sitting on its tail, the two

fuselage halves were brought together,
this process reinforced what a quality range of acrylics produce a lovely smooth
I primed the Sabre production Revell have here, leaving finish, requiring just a little thinning out of
with Mission virtually no need to fill the join. The wings the bottle. Leaving the paintwork to dry for a
Models Grey
Primer MMS 003 also fitted to the fuselage exceptionally well, couple of days, I masked a few selected panels
and a nice touch here were the separate slats and gave them a light coat of MMM 07 Dark
which I left off to paint once the main fuselage Aluminium, these slightly darkened areas of
had been completed. the overall Aluminium finish give a modulated,
After priming the surfaces with dimensional effect to the airframe. The
Mission Models Grey Primer characteristic radome ’snout’ of the F-86D was
MMS 003, I decided to create airbrushed flat black, and the anti-glare panel
the red and white sunburst forward of the windscreen was given a coat of
tail markings via airbrushing Dark Green at the same time.
rather than decalling. The tail was The challenge with a lot of these ‘Aircraft
given a base coat of Mission Models of the Astronauts’ builds is finding images of
I decided to MMP 104 Insignia White, and once specific planes they flew, research revealed a
create the red and completely dry the markings were fair amount of useful images of F-86D’s from
white sunburst
tail markings via masked and give a couple of light coats Duke’s squadron, but non that positively
airbrushing rather of MMP 101 Insignia Red from the same linked him to a specific aircraft, therefore the
than decalling….. manufacturer, when the tape was removed aircraft number and markings needed to be
the sharp, crisp ‘sunburst’ was revealed. I an educated guess. The kit supplied
elected to use MMM 003 Faded Aluminium decal sheet is very well printed
to replicate the natural metal finish on and this supplied the bulk of the
the Dog, as the Mission Models markings including the national
MODEL AIRCRAFT AUGUST 2020 WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM 77

Aircraft of the Astronauts #6
The kit supplied

decal sheet is very
well printed and this
supplied the bulk of
the markings
insignia, USAF lettering and the very

comprehensive selection of airframe
stencils, the squadron emblem was
sourced from an old sheet from my stash.
The decals were sealed with Mission Models
Clear Coat, the lovely recessed detail being
picked out with dilute Lamp Black oil paint,
which ran into the panel lines and rivets, and
then any excess was removed with a
damp cotton bud. The Revell
F-86D is a real highlight in
the company’s portfolio
being beautifully detailed
and straightforward to build,
along with a lovely decal sheet
with a variety of aircraft options, it’s
a real treat of a kit to build.
During last year’s fiftieth
anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon
landings, it was a treat to see the involvement
of Charlie Duke and fascinating to hear his
memories of that day and his involvement
in his own lunar adventures. I’ve had the
Research revealed
a number of
useful images
of F-86D’s from
Duke’s squadron
great fortune to meet several of the astronauts

involved in the Apollo programme, including
a memorable chat with Charlie Duke himself.
He struck me as a genuinely nice man who had
achieved incredible and historical things but
seemed to be happiest ’shooting the breeze’ in
that relaxed southern drawl of his! MA
78 CHECK YOUR REFERENCES WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
CHECK YOUR
REFERENCES
Models Aircraft’s Monthly Look at New Books
Secret Wings of Swedish Bomber

World War II Colours 1924-
Publisher: Lance Cole
Author: Norman Franks 1958
ISBN: 9781526782021 Publisher: MMP Books
Format: Softback Author: Mikael Forslund
Price: £14.99 ISBN: 9788365958372
Grumman F-14 Tomcat Format: Softback
Kagero Kit Built 1

Publisher: Kagero
Authors: Robert Skalbania and
Adrian Wolnicki
with relevant information. It is
refreshing to see that the authors
have made use of products from
a variety of manufacturers, using
T here are many myths
and legends surrounding
the advanced German
aeronautical technology of the
Second World War. There are also
Price: £TBC
A n illustrated study of
Swedish bomber aircraft
deployed before and
IBN: 9788366148567 what they consider to be the best facts and proven events. Yet within during World War II and in the
Format: Softback on the market. The finish on these these stories and behind these facts early 1950s. The camouflage
Price: £18.00 models is superb, especially the lie conspiracy theories, mistaken and markings on the aircraft
weathering on the first aircraft. assumptions and denials that seem (which were sourced from many
T his is a ‘how to’ book, which

illustrates the modelling
techniques used to produce
two different models of the F-14
Tomcat made from the 1:48
At the back of the book are seven
pages with ten colour profiles,
and the back cover has a beautiful
rendition of a pair of Tomcats
on patrol. As with many Kagero
to contradict the evidence. So, what
really happened? How far ahead
were the German scientists? And,
of even greater interest, why and
how? There have been other books
different foreign countries) are
described in unparalleled detail
by the well-known author Mikael
Forslund. They are then shown
in many previously unpublished
Tamiya kit and the 1:72 Fine Molds publications, there is a bonus of about advanced German wartime photographs and in exclusive
kit. The former is a carrier-based a decal sheet containing both aeronautics, yet few authors have colour profiles created for this
aircraft, the latter, trainer in 1:48 and 1:72 markings. The first fully examined the detail of the book by the artist Karolina Holda,
desert camouflage. In each case in a new series from Kagero, this designs and their relevance to the Marek Radomski and others.
we are given an introduction ideal for those wishing to build a fighter and bomber legends of www.mmpbooks.biz
into the research and sourcing model of the subject aircraft, not the 1950s and 1960s, let alone the
of the kit, and the approach necessarily those illustrated, as current crop of military and civil
taken. In addition to large format the details are applicable to other all-wing or blended-wing aircraft.
photos of the completed models, aircraft. This book charts the story from
the process of construction Paul Middleton its origins, through current-day
and painting is illustrated with www.casematepublishing.co.uk innovations and beyond, into the
detail photographs annotated all-wing future of tomorrow.
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
CHECK YOUR REFERENCES

Hawker Siddeley
Ikarus IK-2 Fairey Swordfish (BAe)/McDonnell- Coastal
Publisher: Kagero
Authors: Aleksander M Ognjevic Mk.I, II, III, IV Douglas/Boeing Command’s Air
and Branislav J Mirkov
ISBN: 9788366148628
and Floatplane Harrier War Against the
Publisher: Kagero
Format: Softback
Price: £22.00
Publisher: Kagero
Author: Anirudh Rao Author: Salvador Mafe Huertas German U-Boat
IBN: 9788366148871 IBN: 9788366148833 Publisher: Pen and Sword
T his book is a history of Format: Softback Format: Softback Author: Norman Franks
pre-war Yugoslav aircraft Price: £13.00 Price: £15.00 ISBN: 9781783831838
production, in particular the Format: Softback
W W
Ikarus IK-2, which was designed by ith production starting ith a brief introduction Price: £14.99
two Yugoslav engineers who had in 1935, the Fairey on the development of
been trained in France. The first
third of the book is a very detailed
history of the aircraft development
in Yugoslavia and describes the
trials for the IK-2 as it progressed to
Swordfish became
the main torpedo bomber and
reconnaissance plane for the
Fleet Air Arm, flying both from
aircraft carriers and the floatplane
the British Harrier, and the
subsequent building under licence
in the US, the subject aircraft within
this book centres on the US built
aircraft in service with the Spanish
T his book summarises the
story of how RAF Coastal
Command overcame the
German U-boat danger during
the Second World War and how
production, and finally into service version catapulted from capital Navy. With the first aircraft, officially the escalation of the U-boat war
and combat. Most pages have ships. Starting with a short text titled ‘Matadors’, (but not a regularly promoted the development of
period photographs or illustrations, on the aircraft in both English used name), arriving in 1976. Both anti-submarine warfare, leading
and also images from manuals. and Polish, the following pages single seat and two-seat trainers to victory over this menace in
There is a technical description of have 1:72 multi-view drawings were bought and operated from the Atlantic. At the start of the
the various sub-assemblies, again of the Gloster Gladiator Mk.I, the Spanish Navy’s aircraft capable war, RAF Coastal Command had
with images, data on the armament Mk.II, Sea Gladiator, Mk.II Meteo, ships, the Dedalo (decommissioned virtually no real chance of either
and translations of Yugoslav military Mk.I Tropical, J-8 Finnish export in 1989) and the Principe de Asturias finding or sinking Germany’s
terminology. Other charts list the model, and Mk.I and II with skis. (decommissioned in 2013) and submarines, but within a short
airframe serials of individual aircraft The drawings are then repeated in Juan Carlos I. Details of the second period of time, new methods of
and their history, comparison of the larger 1:48, including fuselage generation aircraft are given, along detecting and delivering deadly
aircraft and geographical locations. sections, ideal for scratch-building with a list of airframe numbers and ordnance with which to sink this
This second section consists or checking kits. The centre individual histories, but the major underwater threat were dreamt
of twenty-five sheets of scale four pages contain four colour plus of this book is the excellent up and implemented. It took the
drawings in both 1:48 and 1:72, profiles, with an additional two colour photographic coverage. Both men of Coastal Command long
with details, fuselage and wing on the back cover. In common in-flight and parked up aircraft are hours patrolling over an often
sections, covering prototypes with the Kagero range, there is seen in great detail, along with the hostile sea, in all types of weather,
and production models. The third also two large pull-out sheets pilots often named. Four colour but their diligence, perseverance
section consists of some 116 pages with the drawings in 1:32, making profiles of three Spanish and one and dedication won through,
of computer-generated 3D views it an ideal one-stop publication. Thai aircraft complete the book. saving countless lives of both
of the IK-2 seen from all angles. The Another excellent booklet from Despite being a rather niche subject, merchant and navy seamen out
Kagero bonus is two large pull-out Kagero ideal for both the model- this is an excellent book which will in the cold wastes of the Atlantic
sheets with 1:32 drawings, sections maker and aviation enthusiast. prove invaluable to both model- and contributing much to the final
and details. This is an excellent Paul Middleton makers and aircraft enthusiasts. victory over Nazi Germany. This
collection of material on a quite www.casematepublishing.co.uk Numerous kits in a variety of new addition to the Images of War
obscure aircraft, (only twelve were scales are available of the Harrier series serves as a tribute to these
built). For those interested, it is a in different versions. This book is a men, recording their exploits in
‘must have’ whether a model-maker must for those wishing to make an words and images.
or just interested in aviation history. accurate model of a Spanish version. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Paul Middleton Paul Middleton
www.casematepublishing.co.uk www.casematepublishing.co.uk
80 CHECK YOUR REFERENCES WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
Fairchild
Desert Air Force Republic A-10
1942-1945 Thunderbolt II
Publisher: Bryn Evans
Author: Norman Franks Publisher: Peter C Smith
ISBN: 9781526781949 Author: Norman Franks
Format: Softback ISBN: 9781526759269
Price: £14.99 Format: Hardback
Price: £30.00
C ompared to the RAF’s

Fighter and Bomber
Commands, the Desert
Air Force (DAF) is far less well
known, yet its achievements
T he A-10 Close Support aircraft
has become a legend over
its long front-line life. Known
as the Warthog due to its unusual
Ho Chi Minh Trail 1964-73
were spectacular. DAF led the appearance, this little aircraft has Publisher: Osprey
way in North Africa and Italy in built up an awesome reputation in Author: Peter E Davies swiftly executed by Pathet Lao
pioneering new tactics in close the specialised ground-attack role, ISBN: 9781472842534 forces, and reconnaissance pilots
Army-Air Force co-operation on where her accuracy and deadliness Format: Softback routinely risked their lives in solo,
the battlefield, DAF and Allied are widely recognised as the best Price: £14.99 low-level mission over hostile
air forces gave Allied armies in of their kind. Hard lessons from territory. Further south, the Steel
North Africa and Italy a decisive
cutting edge. While the Axis
forces used the many rivers and
mountains of Tunisia and Italy
to slow the Allies advance, DAF
the Second World War, that were
reinforced by the bitter experience
of the Vietnam War two decades
later, showed that it was both
impracticable and highly non-cost
T he ‘Trails War’ formed a
major part of the so-
called ‘secret war’ in
South East Asia, yet for complex
political reasons, including
Tiger campaign was less covert.
‘Arc Light ‘B-52 strikes were flown
frequently, and the fearsome
AC-130 was introduced to cut the
trails. At the same time, many
was there to provide that extra efficient to use supersonic fighter the involvement of the CIA, thousands of North Vietnamese
mobile firepower the artillery jets in the close air support mission. it received far less coverage troops and civilians repeatedly
from the sky. They were the first A requirement was therefore drawn than campaigns like ‘Rolling made the long, arduous journey
multi-national air force, and the up for an aeroplane capable of Thunder’ and ‘Linebacker’. along the trail in trucks or, more
first to introduce air controllers in carrying a heavy and varied load Nevertheless, the campaign often, pushing French bicycles
the front lines of the battlefield. of ordnance, which had good had a profound effect on the laden with ammunition and rice.
With first-hand accounts by endurance and unprecedented outcome of the war and on its Under constant threat of air attack
veteran airmen form Britain, manoeuvrability, and which could perception in the USA. In the and enduring heavy losses, they
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, survive heavy ground fire – thus north, the ‘Barrel Roll’ campaign devised extremely ingenious
South Africa and the USA, this the A-10 was born. But, by the time was often operated by daring means of survival. The campaign
book reveals the decisive victories it came into service her role had pilots flying obsolete aircraft, as in to cut the trails endured for the
with which DAF won the war over changed to that of a tank-buster the early years, US forces were still entire Vietnam War but nothing
North Africa, the Mediterranean in the defence of Western Europe flying antiquated piston-engined more than partial success could
and Italy in 1942-45. in the face of the overwhelming T-28 and A-26A aircraft. The ever be achieved by the USA.
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk numbers of Soviet battle armour. campaign gave rise to countless This illustrated title explores
With her straight wing, twin tails heroic deeds by pilots like the the fascinating history of this
and turbine engines mounted high Raven forward air controllers, campaign, analysing the forces
on her rear fuselage, this single- operating from primitive airstrips involved and explaining why the
seat aircraft certainly presented a in close contact with fierce enemy USA could never truly conquer the
unique appearance. But all these forces. USAF rescue services Ho Chi Minh trail.
features served a vital role, as carried out extremely hazardous www.ospreypublishing.com
the author explains in this highly missions to recover aircrew who
detailed study. would otherwise have been
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Shop & Web Guide Promote your company here and appear this magazine every month.
Contact Mark Willey on +44 (0)1234 331431 [email protected]
y
y

UP TO 20% OFF ALL KITS ONLINE
AND MAIL ORDER
Incorporating 1,000’s of deleted and new kits.
303 The Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 8DT Tel/Fax: (020) 8298 7177
ONLY OPEN ON TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS 9.30-5.30
1/350
Kit
PLASTIC & METAL KIT RETAILERS www.kitkrazy.com Email: [email protected]
HOBBY & PASTIME MATERIALS NEW MAIL ORDER LISTS – SEND 70p SAE
www.oldmodelkits.com
www.halifaxmodellersworld.co.uk
Shop Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 10.30-17.30, Fri 10.30-17.00,
Sat 9.30-17.00, Sun 10.30-16.30, Closed Wednesday
If you are HALIFAX MODELLERS WORLD

25 Horton Street, Halifax. HX1 1QE
YORKSHIRE 01422 349157
looking at City Cycle Centre

this...
We have a large selection of Plastic Kits from Airfix, Revell, Tamiya,
Italeri, AFV Club, Academy and more. Also Paint and Sprays from
Humbrol, Tamiya, Revell, Vallejo and Games Workshop
then it’s
CITY CYCLE CENTRE 7 Market Street, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4PB
[email protected] www.citycyclecentre.com
CAMBRIDGESHIRE 01353 663131
working! WANTED PLASTIC KITS

AVIATION • MILITARY • AUTOMOTIVE • SHIPS ETC
Promote your company here and be
All makes past and present, large collections no problem.
seen in three of our quality titles – Scale
Fast friendly service, also looking for die-cast models, vintage and contemporary.
Aviation Modeller International, Model
Aircraft and Scale Military Modeller Please call Paul on 07824154510 or 01425 511480
International – with a combined
circulation of 126,000!
Scale Aircraft
To be seen in our next issue,
contact Mark Willey on mark@ Conversions
modelaircraftmag.com
or Call 01234 331431
Hobby Bunker, Inc.

33 Exchange Street
Malden, Massachusetts
781-321-8855
781-321-8866 (fax)
MA PUBLICATIONS LTD Your one stop toy soldier,
games & hobby shop
[email protected]
Open 7 Days a Week www.hobbybunker.com
Specializing in white metal

MATADOR MODELS landing gear
and Airfield Accessories ranges
9873 CR 2469 Royse City,
EXTENSIVE 1/76TH ARMOUR
At least 5-10% discount off Texas 75189
AND WHEELED VEHICLE KITS
manufacturer’s prices +1 (214) 477-7163
AND CONVERSION RANGES,
Fast and friendly service
Easy to navigate webshop
FROM WWI TO THE 2000’S www.scaleaircraftconversions.com
and Airfield Accessories 1/48th. 1/72nd.
Large range of over 3500 models,
figures, tools and accessories from 1/76th. 1/144th scale ranges of British
Revell, Airfix, Italeri, Tamiya and many more, and German airfield vehicles and
ready for immediate despatch equipment including ambulances,
Based in the Midlands since 2001 with refuellers, tractors, G.S. and
worldwide shipping available specialist vehicles, figure sets etc.
Web: www.models2u.co.uk B W MODELS RANGE OF

52 Holdings Road, Sheffield S2 2RE
Email: [email protected] MILITARY TRANSFERS South Yorkshire England
Phone: 01543 433999 www.matadormodels.co.uk Tel: [0114] 2761587 www.blackbirdmodels.co.uk
82 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 08 WWW.MODELAIRCRAFTMAG.COM
In The Next Issue

For the September Issue of Model Aircraft, here’s just a
little of what we have planned!
Little Buckaroo Top Gun Tiger
Jarek Rydzynski builds the 1:32 Trumpeter Barry Koervers builds the 1:48 AFV Club
P-38J Lightning ‘Sundowners’ F-5E
Playing a Blinder Frogfoot in the Congo

Snorre Sandviken goes large with the 1:72 Snorre Sandviken tackles the 1:48 Smer Su-25K
Revell Tu-22B
The Need for Speed
Bf 109G-10 Defence of the Reich Dawid Branski brings Maverick and Goose’s
Jay Blakemore returns to his favoured Defence F-14 to our pages with his build of the 1:48
of the Reich period when he builds a late-War Tamiya Tomcat
Eduard Bf109G-10 Mtt Regensburg ProfiPACK
Plus, much, much more!
Model Aircraft Manual – A-26 Invader
with colour profiles, background details, scale
plans and a full build of a 1:48 A-26K Counter
Invader from Ian Gaskell
Contributions and photographic material are welcome, but must be accompanied by Neither the Group Editor nor any of the contributors are at MA Publications Ltd on a
adequate postage to cover return. MA Publications Ltd accept no responsibility for loss daily basis and the Group Editor asks for all enquirers to appreciate this fact and be
or damage to materials supplied. patient. Please understand that the staff at MA Publications Ltd do not have access to
the information you require and therefore cannot answer your questions on the phone.
© MA PUBLICATIONS LTD 2020 Please enclose a stamped SAE with all enquiries, if you anticipate a reply. Thank you.
Articles, photographs and drawings published in Model Aircraft Monthly are protected
by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without prior authority of SAMPLES FOR REVIEW
the publishers. Opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers are not necessarily Model Aircraft Monthly is always happy to review new books within its pages. Any
Produced Under Licence by MA Publications Ltd those of the editor or publisher. MA Publications Ltd reserves the right to suspend or item which you feel is appropriate will be given due consideration for inclusion in
PO Box 1592, Bedford. MK40 9FD refuse any advertisement without giving reasons. Whilst every care is taken to avoid the title. Any company, trade representative, importer, distributor or shop which
UK: +44 (0)1234 331431 mistakes MA Publications Ltd cannot be liable in any way for any errors or omissions. wishes to have books reviewed within Model Aircraft Monthly should send them
[email protected] Nor can the publisher accept responsibility for the bona fides of advertisers. directly to the editorial address and clearly mark them for the attention of the Group
PUBLISHER MA Publications Editor. Confirmation of receipt of the samples will be supplied if requested. For all
ISSN: 2046-5386 international companies etc the above applies, but please ensure that the package
MANAGING EDITOR Andy Evans
PO Box 1592, Bedford, MK40 9FD MA Publications Ltd is a member of is clearly marked for customs as a ‘sample, free of charge’ to reduce the risk of
Email: [email protected] unnecessary delays. Thank you.
ASSISTANT EDITOR Jezz Coleman The paper used in this magazine is made from timber sourced from sustainable managed
ASSOCIATE EDITOR (UK & EUROPE) Tim Upson-Smith forests; COMPANY/SUPPLIERS ADDRESS DETAILS & GENERAL ENQUIRIES
ASSOCIATE EDITOR (USA) Andy Renshaw the pulp is ECF (elemental chlorine free); the manufacturing mill is accredited with Please note that the Group Editor and staff at MA Publications Ltd cannot help with
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Alan Kelley ISO14001 and EMAS for their environmental controls. general enquires about contact details for companies, importers or model shops whose
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Mario Serelle products may be mentioned in Model Aircraft Monthly if the address information is
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Vitor Costa SUBSCRIPTIONS not included with the review etc. Please check the advertisements in this journal for
Cheques/Money Orders in Sterling only made payable to MA Publications Ltd and sent all suitable UK sources and only contact the firm directly if it is noted that there is ‘No
The above editorial email is ONLY to be used for editorial submissions. It is NOT for to the address above. Credit card payment accepted by phone. UK stockist’. We are sorry, but we cannot help with details of companies which do not
subscription payments or queries, back issues or Modellers Datafile orders. Please send Subscription Hotline +44 (0)1234 331431 advertise in this magazine. Also note that neither the Group Editor nor contributors will
all of these to [email protected] undertake specific or general research for enquirers. Thank you.
MA PUBLICATIONS LTD EMAIL [email protected] AMERICAN SUBSCRIPTIONS
Use this address for back issue orders, subscriptions or subscription enquiries or book Wise Owl is no longer selling subscriptions on behalf of MA Publications Ltd. Current COPYRIGHT WARNING
orders. Note that we cannot undertake research into specific or general aviation queries Wise Owl customers can renew their subscriptions at the current rates directly with MA Due to the growing misuse and breach of copyright apparent on the web, MA Publications
and that there may be some delays in responses from the contributors, as they are not Publications Ltd: Subscription hotline +44 (0)1234 331431 – we are happy to call you Ltd hereby gives notice that no-one is permitted to reproduce in any way, (in original form
based at the editorial address. back to take your order! or ‘modified’), anything published in this, or previous editions of this magazine. All design,
Email ordering and customer support: [email protected] layout and studio photography is the copyright of MA Publications Ltd. All profiles, scale
CONTRIBUTORS Lee Powell; Alan Price; David Rainer; Kees Kleijwegt; Dawid Branski; Website secure online ordering: www.modelaircraftmag.com plans and supporting photographs are the copyright of the individual authors. None of
James Bamford; Jezz Coleman; Ashley Dunn; Andy Renshaw; Mac Patterson; Malcolm V Lowe these may be used without prior written agreement from both the author/artist and MA
Model Aircraft, Volume 19, Issue 08, August 2020 Publications Ltd. Infringement is a breach of international law, so if you see items posted
ADVERTISING SALES Mark Willey (ISSN: 2044-737X) published monthly by MA Publications Ltd, 2221 Niagara Falls on the web from this magazine other than on the official MA Publications Ltd website
Email: mark@modelaircraftmag Tel: +44 (0)1234 331431 Blvd, Niagara Falls NY 14304-5709. Periodical postage pending Niagara Falls NY. U.S. (modelaircraftmag.com) please advise the publisher immediately.
PRE-PRESS PRODUCTION MA Publications Limited Postmaster. Send address corrections to
PRINT PRODUCTION Printed and Bound in the UK Model Aircraft Monthly, PO Box 265 Williamsville, N.Y 14231 © MA PUBLICATIONS LTD 2020
DISTRIBUTION Warners Group Publications Plc All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH Telephone: 01778 391000 QUESTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS (including posting to a website) in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION BY Disticor If you have a question or query you wish to raise with any of the contributors to this including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system,
695 Westney Rd South, Suite 14, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 6M9 Tel: + 1 (905) 619 6565 magazine, they should be made IN WRITING to the MA Publications Ltd address. without prior permission in writing from the publishers.
TM
TM

Model Aircraft - August 2020 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Model Aircraft - August 2020 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Model Aircraft - August 2020 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Swordfish Spitfire

WATER BASED ACRYLIC, ODORLESS, NON-TOXIC

DEFIANT TO THE LAST

new when it was assigned to the Squadron

Defiant to the Last

56 Drab Danish Star 60 Valley Hunter 64 ‘Orange’ Interceptor

35 Model Aircraft Manual

Two Seat Bandit

MODEL AIRCRAFT – F-5 TIGER II

Model Aircraft Manual REALLY APPEAL TO ME!

The Northrop F-5 Tiger II Fishbed

Two Seat Bandit

26 Dutch Albatros 35 Model Aircraft Manual – 52 Swordfish Fishbed

MISSION MODELS MASTERCLASS

CHECK YOUR REFERENCES

70 Kit-Kat-Spit 74 Mission Models Masterclass – 78 Check Your References

ANT TO THE LAST

new when it was assigned to the Squadron

Cockpit detail is very good and repays careful painting. A

Construction almost complete – the prop has

Ready for paint –

At the tail, the missing rudder actuator was

A pre-shade was applied to the

After painting and masking the

Painting complete – a coat of gloss was

Wing walkways and leading-

A dark wash was

The decals were a

An Artool mask was used to help

Super Clear Semimatt MRP-126 and then a

The Supermarine Spitfire

T British single-seat fighter of World War II. The Spitfire, renowned

the war. Spitfires were used in the defence of Malta, in North

PO Box 1592 | Bedford | MK40 9FD | UK

COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER

COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER

main undercarriage is so these were shadow effect along

COMBAT ZONE – ATTACKER

Model Aircraft Research Department

Defiant to the Last

DEFIANT TO THE LAST

Believed to have been taken at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey during early August

03854 Bristol Beaufighter IF Nightfighter, 1:48

03860 F-16 MLU 31 Sqn Kleine-Brogel, 1:72

Available from all good model

An air gunner wearing the unique GQ Parasuit

Nationwide House Calls Made • cash4yourbooks.net

The fuselage of the

THE ROUNDEL FOR THE ‘LUCHTVAARTAFDEELING’ WAS JUST

cockpit. The Eduard kit parts include some

Scale Military Modeller Scale Aviation Modeller Model Aircraft

RRP based on UK prices.

EURO ALSO INSIDE!

UNCLE SAM’S SPITFIRE SUKHOI AT SEA

Subscription Reference Daytime Telephone Number

A I enclose a £ Sterling cheque made payable to ‘MA Publications Ltd’

Valid From Expiry Date Maestro (Switch)/Solo Iss No

Signed Today’s Date

Albatros to you. To opt out of this communication, please