1/72 T.E.A. 2 for the RAF 100 from a Revell SE-5

[Brian da Basher]

The breathless runner stumbled into the concealed radio position and yelled to the radio operator "Bleedin' Huns are murderin' us! Cap'n says to call for T.E.A!" The radio operator calmly tapped out a message on his morse code key. "T.E.A. will be arriving on target within minutes, lad. Tell the Cap'n to get everyone down. It's gonna be a bloody great show!"

The T.E.A. these "Old Contemptables" mentioned was the latest weapon in the R.A.F.'s arsenal, an aircraft uniquely configured to attack and dislodge even the most stubborn enemy from their trenches. The R.A.F. had begun attacking German trenches with aircraft early in the war, and by the winter of 1918, this had become a fine art of war in the air. A year before, many firms had submitted designs for a dedicated attack aircraft, and the Sopwith and Royal Aircraft Factory's designs seemed to show the most promise. Unfortunately, the Sopwith Salamander was undone by engine troubles and other gremlins. The Royal Aircraft Factory's design, the Tactical Expiremental Attack aircraft, or T.E.A., was right on target. The T.E.A. was a strengthened and upgraded version of their successful fighter, the S.E.-5, but was up-engined with the new Woosley Whisper engine of compact size and incredible power. The T.E.A. was armed with a drum-fed Lewis gun on the upper wing, a .303 Vickers gun and a rapid-fire "short" 20 m.m. Coventry Ordnance Works (or C.O.W.) gun on the engine decking. The T.E.A. was also able to carry 350 lbs of bombs, 4 25 lb. Cooper bombs under each wing and an additional 150 lb. bomb on the centerline between the struts of the unique split-axle, spatted landing gear. The prototype T.E.A. 1 was a success, but minor changes were made in the design, and the production version was known as the T.E.A. 2. "T.E.A. for two!" was an oft-heard cry of B.E.F. infantry while attempting to break the German trench lines during the implementation of Plan 1919 in the spring of that year. T.E.A.2s would waste no time in smashing enemy resistance and strafing any survivors. Once free of its bombs, the T.E.A. 2 was a capable dog-fighter and a T.E.A. 2 flown by Flt. Cmdr. Creedwell of 82 Sqdrn. was credited with shooting down the commander of Jagdgeschwader-1, Hermann Goering, shortly before the war ended in August, 1919.

While gaining fame for this exploit and others, the T.E.A. 2 was forgotten after the war ended, and the sole surviving example A29-113 can be seen today at the Brooklands Museum of Flight near the cafeteria, which is known for serving a reasonably-priced afternoon tea.

Brian da Basher

[kitnut617]

Sweet T.E A.  Brian!   



Love the backstory 

[Brian da Basher]

Not too long ago, Narses put out the call for submissions for the R.A.F. 100 display at S.M.W. this year. I was pleased when Narses told me they were making plans to accept "long-distance" submissions from SIG members world-wide. He also said the display was thin on W.W. I and pre- W.W. II subjects. Since this is my main area of interest, I volunteered to help "fill in" the gaps.

The basis for this project is the lovely and inexpensive 1/72 RoG S.E. 5. It's a beautiful little kit and goes together with few problems, especially if you've built it before. I made a few modifications. I repaced the S.E. 5 grille with one from a S.P.A.D. XIII and modified the interplane struts into an 'N' shape because this cuts down on the rigging. I also figured a dedicated attack biplane would benefit from stronger struts. I added a windscreen from my spares box and a prop left over from a Gladiator and modified the landing gear by scratch-building spats and making the struts a split-axle variety. I was able to scratch the 20 m.m. C.O.W. gun from odd bits. The under-wing Cooper bombs come from Sopwith Camels and the centerline bomb is from the spares box. Here's a couple of shots that show off the bombs.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The entire model is brush-painted by hand with acrylics and this is where the real fun begins. Towards the end of W.W. I, the R.A.F. trialed a seemlingly endless variety of camoflage schemes, so practically anything goes as long as you use nice contrasting colors surrounded by a dark border. For the uppers, I used Model Masters Gulf War Tan and Dark Earth as well as a custom mix of Sap Green, which was outlined with Testor's Olive Drab. The undersides were done with Tamiya R.A.F. Sky which was as close to "Gray-Green" as I could find. The struts were done in Testor's Dark Tan and the cowl, bombs and prop spinner in Testor's Olive Drab. The prop was painted with Testor's Dark Tan, Model Masters Rust and Tamiya Buff. The grille was painted with craft-store Gunmetal with a dry-brush of Metallic Silver. The exhausts and guns were done with the Gunmetal and I dry-brushed the Rust color on the ends of the exhausts. The model was rigged with .008 wire (thank you, Mr Howling Mouse!) and Gator Glue and a somewhat steady hand. Here are some pics that highlight the rigging.

Brian da Basher

[pyro-manic]

Lovely.   I must try something like this one day.

[Eddie M.]

I must say that this has to be my favorite of yours to date. That is just too slick!
   Eddie

[The Rat]

Another beauty Brian! And those intimidating spats, I'm... I'm swooning, must - lie - down.

[Brian da Basher]

I'm really chuffed you guys enjoyed a spot of T.E.A. Unfortunately, you're on your own when it comes to the biscuits or ham sarnies.

Here's a couple of shots I forgot to post.

Brian da Basher

P.S. To give you an idea of the scale, the top pic is pretty close to actual size.

[Sisko]

I like it!!!

I have to agree this is one of your best to date!

[Ed S]

Looks good.  How do you find time to keep coming up with all these models?  I can't seem to get more than one a month (if I'm doing good).

Ed

[John Howling Mouse]

Holy snarking bajambolongokees!!!
Is that ever freakin' GREAT, Brian!     
You just keep getting better and it's so great to see such clear pics of your artwork. 

Does this mean you'll actually be mailing this beauty over the pond?   

[BlackOps]

Brian, I like this one a lot! Is that prop really wood? If not it's a very convincing paintjob!  This one's a real beauty.

[Mike Wren]

  love it! 

[ysi_maniac]

Absolutely wonderful. I love particularly the concept and the paintjob.


Thinking in Spad with Brisfit engine ...

[lancer]

Oh yeah!! That is so cool it hurts....Gotta be your best one yet Brian. Bloody well done..