Vanguard for Imphal

[NARSES2]

This is the first WIF I've finished in a while (been working on real stuff).

Vultee P48 Vanguard "Joe Soap II" of 155 Sqd somewhere near Imphal in 1943.

Supposing instead of relegating the P48's they received to second line duties in Canada the RAF had pressed some of them into service ? Well in my world they did and 2 Squadrons in India were equiped with them, instead of the Mohawks they actually got. These aircraft served until late 1943 when they were replaced by Spitfires.

The model is the AZ one, which is quite nice and goes together well. They also don't overdo the etch and resin which I find can be a pain in some of these kits. The markings/colour scheme are from a AML Mohawk kit which includes a couple of 155 Sqd options. I am assuming the yellow wing tips are identity markings used before the white stripes were standardised in late 1944. Likewise the blue/white roundels.


Chris


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[Army of One]

Great looking build there Chris.....love the paint work....

[deathjester]

Very, very nice work Chris!  Have I started a fashion for these markings??!!

[Eddie M.]

Very exceptional work. I like the color combination a lot!  

[rickshaw]

Good one.  Like that a lot.   

[NARSES2]

Very, very nice work Chris!  Have I started a fashion for these markings??!!

It's interesting. I for one forgot that the classic SEAC markings (White stripes & small SEAC roundels) didn't really become standard until late 1944. Prior to that numerous ID markings were tried out including these yellow wing tips. On some aircraft the yellow covered a far larger area on the underside of the wing then it did on the top surface. Prior to late 44 it almost appears as if there was a lot of lattitude as to ID markings especially among squadrons issued with radial engined aircraft.

[Mike Wren]

lovely job Chris

[sideshowbob9]

Great model! 

[Brian da Basher]

Most well done, Narses! Your take on SEA camo is superb!!!

Brian da Basher

[NARSES2]

Most well done, Narses! Your take on SEA camo is superb!!!

Can't claim credit for that Brian. It's the real world scheme worn by 155 Sqds Mohawks in late 43

[GTX]

 

[kitbasher]

Top banana, mate.  Not a subject you see that often, especially as a whif.

[Pablo1965]

Your variant is really plausible if the Vanguard been used in the Pacific theatre, this is one of my favourite planes. Your version is very nice.

[Hman]

Nice, very nice.  The coaster give me an idea, use them as display bases.  Large enough for a fighter sized plane, but won't overwell the whole appreacen of the model, just a thought?

[NARSES2]

The coaster give me an idea, use them as display bases.  Large enough for a fighter sized plane, but won't overwell the whole appreacen of the model, just a thought?

Yup, been using them for a while. Portable and nice and cheap in "Poundland" - 4 or 5 for a £1  Cover them in railway "flock" if you want and "Bob's your uncle"