THE EMPIRES TWILIGHT

[sotoolslinger]

As usual ,outstanding work DM

[thedarkmaster]

well after the break to make kits for work I will get one here today or tomorrow and it's back to Anti Flash White with this one   

[thedarkmaster]

Dehaviland  Vengance B3/II, RCAF Goose Bay, Labrador 1969

The original Issuing of Specification B.35/46 on the 7th January 1947 led to the V Bombers but the air staff and the Ministry was worried that the entire specification was too advanced for the Uk air industry and the next day issued B.35/47 which called for a Piston engined or turbopropped aircraft to furfill much of the same requirment, seen as a fall back position should the proposed V-bombers fail to deliver their promised performance and range etc.

At the time deHaviland did not have the team to enter the original submission but it did have the team and the expertise to enter the second specification, which by March was already on the drawing board and by December the design was accepted as a tender to the specification, with two flying protypes orderd in june of 1948 a couple of months before the detailed design was completed.

The first prototype took to the air on the 3rd September 1951 almost a full year ahead of the Vulcan, it was followed over a month later with a full production order of the B1 version of the recently named Vengance making it the 4th V bomber for the RAF.

The first production B1's where delivered to the RAF ( 344 OCU ) from 2nd February 1955 with the first Squadron (84 sqd ) forming in January 1956 and decleared operatinal later that year. Though the aircraft missed the initial Suez operation it was however deployed to Cyprus and used in anger against targets in Egypy during the continuation war of 56/57.

With the sucsess of the V bombers it was felt that the need for the vengance in the pure bomber role was slipping and that the aircraft could fit into the vital gap that was becoming apparant in the UKs detterant, the role of countermeasures and strike penertration role. The B3/ii version of the aircraft was produced and deployed in the later 1960's as the second of the specialised aircraft to enter squadron service. Carrying the highly powerful Orange lizzard jamming system, multiple chaff dispensers, Green Panda ECM recievers and transmitters, and the hardpoints underwing for the specialised anti defence versions of the Blue Steel missile.

Deployed wherever the New Commonwealths Bomber force was faced with a possible defence in depth, the bases at Goose bay, Cyprus, Singapore became almost permament in their nature with planes there almost 24/7 365 a year.

Originally thought to be obsoleate very quickly after entering service the Vengance soldiered on as one after another the V Bombers slowly fell by the wayside, new roles came for the vengance, electronic countermeasures was joined by Elint roles and long range over water recce and even anti piracy patrols. The last of the V bombers was swtill in service when the 91 disaster happened, flying and fighting in the conflict the aircraft covered herself with honours, like aircraft WZ5677 which shadowed the US Pacific fleet at long range without any hope of of returning to base, she was able to call in New commonwealth and French forces to finish of the US pirates after their clash with Red Chinease forces.

Still in service to this day over 50 years since she has entered service, and it seems the RAF has no plans to replace her in her roles in the forseeable future.
























































Back to Anti Flash White         


A/C 151

[Pablo1965]

A brilliant idea... tha cannard surfaces are the next step in his career. It's a pitty the old Lady don't fly now.
I speak over the Concord, of course... I arrive to late

[tanktastic43]

Wow! 
That looks 'the Business'. Well done. 

tt43.

[Taiidantomcat]

Ok a few things:

First, yay for the return of anti flash white!! I love your white models!  Second Great squadron choice the black and yellow look great, and its a very nice accent. Thirdly, Is this the TACOMO version of the Bear? The Tu-142MR Bear J I believe is its designation so I assume its the trumpeter kit but at what scale?

Overall its a pure stunner!! 

[thedarkmaster]

thanks for that lads.

I assume its the trumpeter kit but at what scale?

it is the trumpetor kit mate, it's in 1/144  got it and another last Friday in the sale at work, 2 for less than 70% of the usual price for one 

[beowulf]

hehehe...that works very nicely indeed

dont know how you work in such a small scale .....my pudgy fingers have enough trouble with 1/72 

[sideshowbob9]

The Vengeance looks amazing!

[Mossie]

Gotta love a Bear!

[ChernayaAkula]

The Vengeance looks amazing!

No kiddin'! Great job indeed!

[Pablo1965]

I have the 1/72 Trumpeter Bear and is incredible...sorry but I will not make a whatiff with it. By other hand Your model is superior, superb.
I think I let my bear in my tool cabinet by now. 

[NARSES2]

Gotta love a Bear!

Agreed 

[thedarkmaster]

Gruman F8f2 Bearcat, Heyl HaAvir, Operation Kadesh 1956

Aquired for the Israeli Air Force in 1949 in a deal that included Boeing B-17s, Bristol Beaufighters, de Havilland Mosquitoes and P-51D Mustangs, the Bearcats helped to swing the balance of power away from the arab forces and towards Israel, a balance of power not lost until the end of the 91 disaster.

The Bearcats played an important part in Operation Kadesh, Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis. At the launch of the operation, on October 29, Israeli P-51D Mustangs severed telephone lines in the Sinai, some using their propellor blades, while 16 IAF DC-3s escorted by fighters dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tu with support for this operation coming from the two squadrons of Bearcats operating from Ramon airbase. Flying low and making bombing runs and straffing attacks they where instramental in the turning back of superior Egyption ground forces on the 2nd day.


This was the swansong for the bearcat however and with 18 months of the start of operation Kadesh every one had been replaced by Hawker hunters, with only two examples known to have been saved at the Israeli Air force museum but alas it can be confirmed that after the end of the (1 disaster they were destroyed by arab ocupation forces and nothing of value or use was found when the area was eventually liberated.










































A/c 152

[Taiidantomcat]

Nice!