Couple of my latest builds

[NARSES2]

First up is an early Spitfire Mk I No 17 of 3/11/2 Ae based at Nivelles in March 1940. In the real world 3/11/2 had CR 42's but in mine they got Spitfires in 1939.

It's the relatively new Airfix Spitfire Mk I boxing which includes the early two bladed propeller and early flat canopy. I've always like these early Spitfires as there's something quite dainty about them.

Anyway kit went together well although it does need a tad removing from the front of the canopy in order to get it to fit. Other then that a nice simple build. Standard RAF camouflage but with silver undersides. Paints used mainly Xtracrylic with Games Workshop for the "silver" and odds and sods for the others.

Markings are from the Kits at War sheet K7/10 which has lots of Belgian AF aircraft from the late 30's to early 50's. I had trouble with getting the upper wing roundels to settle but the rest went on fine.

[NARSES2]

Second one is a USN Bell FL-1 Airabonita of the Atlantic fleet based at Hamilton in Bermuda during 1942. The Airabonita was developed for the USN by Bell in parallel to the P-39 which was being developed for the USAAC. The USN were rather uncertain about the used of a nose wheel undercarriage configuration however so Bell reverted to a more tradition tail dragger design, this also alleviated the need for an extra long arrestor hook. Unfortunately for Bell the USN could never get around to the idea of using in-line engines on it's carrier based fighters and the contract was terminated after 150 aircraft had been delivered. Those that were issued served in the Atlantic sector mainly on shore bases and spent their time on mainly fruitless patrols looking for German reconnaissance aircraft. Although a couple of Aircraft reputedly fired their guns in anger at Fw Condors there is no written record of these actions in official files. Some 50 or so Airacudas were transferred to the RN and some saw service on smaller escort carriers of the RN and RCN. They had a little more luck here and accounted for a couple of German aircraft in Northern waters and aided in the sinking of at least one U Boat.

The kit is the RS Models injected plastic one (they do/did a resin one) and is a cracker   Went together as well as most mainstream kits. As it's a model of the prototype I added a spinner and 20mm cannon from an Academy P-39 and two 0.5" wing mounted machine guns working on the assumption this would be fine for the aircrafts mainly patrol duties.

Paints used are mainly Xtracrylic, Halfords aerosol and then my usual suspects for the bits and pieces. Markings are from the kit. You get 2 USN aircraft - this one, one in the two blues over white scheme and 1 FAA example. The profiles used on the box are by "our own" Panther G .I had to replace the stars and bars as the red outline was a tad orange but otherwise they performed well.

I've always liked the USN's Atlantic scheme but surprisingly this is the first I've built. There will be more  

[Army of One]

Two cracking builds there Chris.....I love the FL-1 Airabonita.....

[Old Wombat]

Nice pair of planes, Chris!

Especially like the Spit.



Guy

[The Rat]

Great ideas and execution! That Airobonita is really an eye-catcher, it looks so natural with a tailwheel. Helped, no doubt, by the fact that the real P-39 looked so unnatural with a nosewheel! 

[PACOPEPE]

Hi Chris. I like your models. I´m interested in the markings you´ve put in your belgian spitfire ("paper bird"). Do you know what manufacturer makes this decal on 1/72?.

I´ve thought to make a whiffie version of the belgian Renard R-40.


Cheers
Fran

[NARSES2]

Hi Chris. I like your models. I´m interested in the markings you´ve put in your belgian spitfire ("paper bird"). Do you know what manufacturer makes this decal on 1/72?.

Fran it's Kits at War sheet K7/10 unfortunately they ceased production a while ago. I have 2 White "Paper Birds". If they are of use to you I can post them ?

[rickshaw]

I like the Airabonita, Chris!

[PACOPEPE]

Hi Chris. I like your models. I´m interested in the markings you´ve put in your belgian spitfire ("paper bird"). Do you know what manufacturer makes this decal on 1/72?.

Fran it's Kits at War sheet K7/10 unfortunately they ceased production a while ago. I have 2 White "Paper Birds". If they are of use to you I can post them ?

On 1/72?; of course. Thanks.
Fran

[NARSES2]

Fran it's Kits at War sheet K7/10 unfortunately they ceased production a while ago. I have 2 White "Paper Birds". If they are of use to you I can post them ?

On 1/72?; of course. Thanks.
Fran
[/quote]

Yes 1/72. PM me your address and I'll put them in the post

[Glenn Gilbertson]

A good looking pair!

[Mossie]

Always liked the early Spit Mk.1, the two blade prop and flat canopy give quite a different look.  The Airabonita looks great, atlantic colours are favourites of mine too.  I had to do a doubletake, I first thought you'd just stuck an Aircobra in Navy uniform.

[NARSES2]

Always liked the early Spit Mk.1, the two blade prop and flat canopy give quite a different look.  The Airabonita looks great, atlantic colours are favourites of mine too. 

Ditto to both Mossie. As I said I just find it weird that this is the first example of a USN aircraft in the Atlantic scheme that I've built 

[tc2324]

You know what Narces, you actually made me look up the Airabonita as the description and short history was so well written. When that happens, you know you have just viewed a great whif. 

The Spit`s also a cracker and looks good in those colours. It`s just a shame that if Belgian AF Spit`s had been around in May 1940, most would have been knocked out on the ground.

[Spey_Phantom]

very nice builds, i especially like the Belgian Spitfire Mk.I 

i was planning on Building one myself, but with 2/I/2Aé markings, same as the orriginal Hurricane Mk1, only difference i was planning to paint the rudder in the Belgian colors.