Contrail Fairey Gordon

Bluesteel · May 06, 2006, 11:04:34 AM

Made a start today. But not much to see, just pencil marked, scored and snapped out the main parts (see below). I then sanded them down to the pencil lines, and as far as the plastic would take it on the trailing edges. I now have to do some cockpit detailing and find out if they were Gordon I's or II's at Habbaniya - makes a difference to which fin and rudder to use.

Bluesteel

Andrew Gorman · May 06, 2006, 12:51:48 PM

After a quick google search, the RAF says at least a Fairey Gordon I was destroyed there-
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/acloss.html
I've got the parts of my Supermarine popped out, but not sanded yet.
Andrew

Bluesteel · May 06, 2006, 02:43:33 PM

QuoteAfter a quick google search, the RAF says at least a Fairey Gordon I was destroyed there-
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/acloss.html
I've got the parts of my Supermarine popped out, but not sanded yet.
Andrew

Thanks Andrew. It looks like I'll be reasonably safe with a Gordon I by the looks of it.

My next problem is were they UK style trainer painted (as the one in the photo), or were they desert camouflaged, as I know the RAF liaison Gordon's were painted in the area at the period?

I've just joined the RAF Habbaniya association, so I'm hoping someone there might be able to confirm.

Anyway, I've done a little interior priming, scratch built a rear cockpit bulkhead and control column. Cut out the lower fuselage slots for the lower mainplanes and Milliputted the front and rear ends to give a bit of rigidity. Finally added four locating lugs when I come to cement the two fuselage halves together. Oh, and I cemented the upper and lower mainplanes together as well as the tailplane:

Bluesteel

The Rat · May 06, 2006, 07:27:17 PM

QuoteI've just joined the RAF Habbaniya association, ...

?! I didn't know there was one! Might have to check in on them, my Dad was at Habbaniya with a Sunderland in 1945. The night before they were due to ship out, eventual destination Hong Kong, they got the word that Japan had surrendered.

The bar got drained!

Bluesteel · May 07, 2006, 04:40:44 AM

Quote
QuoteI've just joined the RAF Habbaniya association, ...
?! I didn't know there was one! Might have to check in on them, my Dad was at Habbaniya with a Sunderland in 1945. The night before they were due to ship out, eventual destination Hong Kong, they got the word that Japan had surrendered.

The bar got drained!

Here's the RAF Habbaniya Association Web site:

http://www.habbaniya.org

Bluesteel

The Rat · May 07, 2006, 07:41:24 AM

QuoteHere's the RAF Habbaniya Association Web site:

Thanks Bluesteel, I'll let him have a dekko at that next time he's over!

Bluesteel · May 07, 2006, 01:33:06 PM

Test fitted the lower planes and added more detail to the cockpit. Just need rudder pedals. Not sure what the observer had in the rear, some sort of box/table for Nav perhaps? Then after a final touch-up paint the fuselage is complete.

Bluesteel

Bluesteel · June 10, 2006, 03:35:37 AM

Slow. but steady Gordon progress....

Bluesteel

K5054NZ · June 10, 2006, 09:15:26 PM

Fantastic stuff Mr Missile!

What scheme was it you were doing again? However you do it, she's looking to be a very fine biplane. Great work thus far though, and good to see some progress! I;m glad the "mad GB" isn't a dead one.

Bluesteel · June 18, 2006, 12:26:10 PM

QuoteFantastic stuff Mr Missile!

What scheme was it you were doing again? However you do it, she's looking to be a very fine biplane. Great work thus far though, and good to see some progress! I;m glad the "mad GB" isn't a dead one.

At the moment 'standard' RAF bomber trainer/comms scheme. But I have seen some communications flight Gordons in desert camouflage scheme. But I believe the Gordons at Habbaniya were there for training purposes, so more likely to be in training schemes.

Here's the latest progress:

Bluesteel