A bit more Red Arrow whiffery

Devilfish · April 11, 2014, 01:39:57 AM

Same GB as TC, different aircraft.

After the end of the Great War, with Europe settling back to peace and no sign of any further conflict, thanks to a very toned down version of the real-world Versaille Treaty, in which Germany paid substantially less retribution and was allowed to keep a smaller armed forces, things in the newly formed Royal Air Force turned to more mundane matters. Peacekeeeping duties in the Empire and Air Pageants at home were order of the day. Most squadrons had their own display team with between 1 and 20 aircraft.

274 Squadron, who's badge is 8 crossed arrows, decided to come up with something special. Having gained their new Hawker Hurricanes in 1936, the immediately set to work.
8 aircraft and pilots were selected and trained, with a back-up plane and pilot. To make them stand out against the sky, the Hurricanes were painted red. After many practices, it was felt that with 8 aircraft, certain manouvers looked wrong, as their was no distinct lead aircraft, so aircraft number 9 was added.
By 1939, they had a reputation as the best aerobatic team in the RAF and quite possibly the world, later becoming adopted as the official aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force

Howard of Effingham · April 11, 2014, 02:50:48 AM

amusingly different!

and i like the slight contrast between the red fabric and metal areas too.

good idea.

darthspud · April 11, 2014, 03:04:41 AM

nice, almost believable,

NARSES2 · April 11, 2014, 07:24:48 AM

That looks good

sandiego89 · April 11, 2014, 10:44:15 AM

Quote from: Howard of Effingham on April 11, 2014, 02:50:48 AM
and i like the slight contrast between the red fabric and metal areas too.

Agreed on the fabric covering. Really clever to do the different shades that way.

McColm · April 11, 2014, 02:21:34 PM

Well done.

PR19_Kit · April 12, 2014, 12:34:42 AM

A SPIFFING idea old chap, and very well done indeed.

kitbasher · April 12, 2014, 01:38:33 AM

Gorgeous. Is that a silver or a white cheat line? Not sure from the image as shown on my PC - if it's silver then to me that's more in keeping with the era than white.

And did you know 274 also painted a Hawker Fury in a similar scheme? Get to work - now!

Captain Canada · April 12, 2014, 06:45:03 AM

That's more of a reddish-pink Arrow

Looks good tho ! Nice one. I'd rather see black prop blades and either a red or black spinner on it tho....then again, I guess it's not supposed to look menacing !

The Rat · April 12, 2014, 06:47:38 AM

That's very good! And I agree on the metal/fabric deliniation, most people wouldn't even think of that.

Devilfish · April 13, 2014, 11:59:27 PM

Quote from: Captain Canada on April 12, 2014, 06:45:03 AM
That's more of a reddish-pink Arrow

Looks good tho ! Nice one. I'd rather see black prop blades and either a red or black spinner on it tho....then again, I guess it's not supposed to look menacing !

I think that's more to do with the flash than the colour.

Decided to go with silver prop/spinner as it was more in keeping with the 1930's thinking.

Kitbasher, yes it's a sliver cheatline. As you say, it's more in keeping with the era than white.

Captain Canada · April 14, 2014, 04:50:26 AM

I hadn't even noticed the silver cheat line ! Makes the silver prop look more at home ! And I hadn't noticed the fabric/ vs metal sections either.....guess I should look harder and read the comments

Been a lot of Hurricanes on here of late eh ? Nice !