WWII Conversion

[Gary]

It simply looks right from every angle

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

There goes my jaw again !

Ian

[John Howling Mouse]

Heh, Heh: TWO models completed in the same month?!  Universe must be outta alignment or something.

Here is the old RCAF "Lacombe,"  named after one of my favorite Canadian pilots.

BdaB, if you have the time/inclination, I would be honored if you would provide a suitable backstory at your convenience.

Walk-Around photos:

[John Howling Mouse]

More pics.  Try to make it feel like you're here in person, on my front step and you can see it from virtually every angle:









Geez, what a mitt.  The model looked BIG until you see it in the patented Gronk ™ cam view.  And, yes, my wrist (and sometimes the elbow, too) is still not right.  I'm going to see the doctor this week as I may have tore something a couple of weeks ago.
Whenever I hold a model this way for photographing it, I nearly DROP it!

[cthulhu77]

Hmmm. I am starting to wonder if those boots have kicked JHM in the arse...this many completed projects? Yikes!

  Stunning. Stunning as always...you set the level that we all would like to reach, sir!

          greg

[Eddie M.]

I am in awe! Your work never ceases to amaze me. You, Sir, are a master at the craft. BRAVO ZULU!!!! B)  
    Eddie

[The Rat]

Another superb bit of work there Baz, you're an inspiration!

And, yes, my wrist (and sometimes the elbow, too) is still not right.  I'm going to see the doctor this week as I may have tore something a couple of weeks ago.
Whenever I hold a model this way for photographing it, I nearly DROP it!

Damn it man, GET THAT SEEN TO NOW!!! It's beginning to sound serious.

Please.    

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Another superb bit of work there Baz, you're an inspiration!

What Rat said.... goes double for me !

Ian

[BlackOps]

 Lovely  

Another very striking build.    

[Bryan H.]

WOW!!!     Great work!  It sorta reminds me of an Australian Commonwealth CA-25 Winjeel on steroids!  Maybe, in it's later career the Canadian AF can get good use out of it as a FAC?!?!  B)

Bryan

[Tophe]

Wonderful model!  and with a Mustang's tail (+wing?) to please me even further... Congratulations for this long long work, ended in full bright success!

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that's simply amazing Mr Howling Mouse! I am in awe of your incredible modelling talent and your productivity! Two models in one month! I know Anthony is glad someone like you stepped in to fill in the void he's left while moving into his new house! Your weathering makes this look every bit the real thing!

Here's the backstory:

In 1945 the war in Europe had concluded, but the conflict with Japan dragged on. The failure of the Manhattan Project meant that the war in the Pacific would continue into 1946 and possibly 1947. The Japanese used this time to increase their balloon bomb attacks upon North America and also started large-scale bombing raids launched by submarine-carried aircraft. After three such attacks caused much damage upon the Canadian province of British Columbia, it was obvious that something had to be done to beef up air defense against these fearsome new weapons. Unfortunately, all current interceptor aircraft were spoken for in the Pacific so a solution had to be found, and found fast. Fortunately, Ollie Aviation stepped in at a critical moment with a wickedly fast and maneuverable interceptor they had in development since the Deckles Incident in 1943 and the Lacombe Interceptor was born. While this amazing aircraft lacked spats, it did have a very powerful 12 cylinder Toque engine rated for high-altitude performance and rapid-fire 37 m.m. cannon mounted in the wings as well as two cowl mounted .50 machine guns. With the addition of drop tanks, it had a very long loiter time which enabled the Lacombe to finally blunt the Japanese raids over British Columbia and the U.S. Pacific N.W. The example shown here was part of the famous Red Flight which saved Vancouver, B.C. from a potentially brutal 15 plane raid launched from submarine borne bombers in June 1946. The Lacombe went on to provide support in the invasion of Honshu in late 1947 by escorting Lincoln bombers and participating in ground support missions by blasting Japanese entrenchments with their 37 m.m. wing cannons. The Lacombe also provided valuable service in the Korean conflict, helping cover the retreat of the Canadian infantry during the Battle of the Chosen Reservoir in late 1950. Lacombes can still be seen today flying on the Canadian Air Show circuit.

Brian da Basher

[retro_seventies]

*applause*

Wow - that turned out REALLY well baz! not that i expected any different, you understand, just that it looks so right!  

great backstory too Bri!

[nev]

Incredible!!!!


That looks totally and utterly plausible.  You could put that on a model display at any show and 99% of people (especially if they weren't Canadian) wouldn't know it was totally fake.

Now remind me again, what is this thing made from?

[Radish]

just, well.......fantastic!
Amazing and totally believable.
A superb model.