Wellesley's Over the North Sea

[NARSES2]

Well here's my second recently completed build.

With the publication of the Inskip report of July 1937 the Royal Navy started on the path of regaining control of its air arm which had been controlled by the RAF since 1st April 1918 and known as the Fleet Air Arm (although still under RAF control) since 1923.

Although the Admiralty didn't take formal control until 24 May 1939 their Lordships at the Admiralty soon started to try and exert some control on operations. Strangely one of the first things they wanted to do was to provide some long range land based recognisance to give advanced warning of any strike at its main base of Scapa Flo in the Orkney Islands. For this they required something that had long range and endurance, speed and operational height were not a requirement but a crew of 2/3 was thought necessary for what would be long duration patrols over the North and Norwegian Seas.

Their options were limited and finally they settled on an aircraft that met their requirements and,with the RAF in the process of rearming, was readily available. The aircraft in question was the Vickers Wellesley, intended for long range bombing missions it had seen and was to see successful service mainly in far flung reaches of the Empire. As the RN only had an initial requirement for 5/6 aircraft at the most the decision was taken to "borrow" some RAF examples. The RAF were acquiescent to this request as they currently had 12 Squadron re-equipping with the Wellington and thus that unit's Wellesley's were surplus to requirements. The aircraft operated under a form of dual control. Still formally part of 12 Squadron they were repainted in what was to become standard FAA camouflage until 1940 of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Slate Grey over Sky Grey. Pilots were provided by the RAF whilst the observer or occasionally two were provided by the RN. This sometimes meant that the old WWI problem of the rear seater having a higher rank then the pilot sometimes reared its head although this was usually settled quite amicably. Most observers didn't want to upset their pilot !

Thus here we have a Vickers Wellesley of the Long Range Reconnaissance flight based at Hatson in the Orkneys just prior to the Munich crisis of 1939. The LRR Flight was merged into 700 Squadron FAA in 1940 and continued to operate the Wellesley's until mid 1943, more aircraft being provided as it was withdrawn from RAF service and it was well liked by its crews. This particular aircraft had been B Flights commander's aircraft and still wears B Flight colours and 12 Squadrons badge. This was latter replaced by 700 Squadrons badge in 1940.

The model is the Matchbox one which went together very well and is painted with a mixture of Xtracrylic and White Ensign paints. Transfers are mainly from the kit with the rest from the spares box. Altogether an enjoyable project even if I did have a problem with the varnish.

[PR19_Kit]

I like that one Chris, and then backstory is so believable that I'll be checking my 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' in just a minute to see how true it is. 

[Captain Canada]

For sure an interesting read.....always a nice touch ! I see you're liking that shade of blue eh ? I always do the same thing ! Find a colour I like and it seems to get used quite a bit !

Lovely model. Looks awesome in those colours....one of my all-time favourite schemes !

[Weaver]

I like that one Chris, and then backstory is so believable that I'll be checking my 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' in just a minute to see how true it is. 

Seconded on both counts - it makes so much sense you have to wonder why they didn't do it. (Maybe nervousness about a single-engined aircraft operating far out to sea?)

[PR19_Kit]

I like that one Chris, and then backstory is so believable that I'll be checking my 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' in just a minute to see how true it is. 

Seconded on both counts - it makes so much sense you have to wonder why they didn't do it. (Maybe nervousness about a single-engined aircraft operating far out to sea?)

The FAA didn't have any twin engine aircraft at the time and they ALL operated far out to sea. Mind you those ones had a carrier handy and I think a Welleslely was FAR too big to operate from one of them. 

Perhaps the RAF wanted them all for potential ops in the Middle East, as actually happened of course?

[Dizzyfugu]

YESSSS!  More Wellesleys to the world! Nice build, the Coastal Command suits the big bird SO well... 

The blue trim looks a bit odd, but it also adds a nice, individual touch. Lovely.

[kitnut617]

It makes you wonder why it never was used as a 'fleet shadower'

[Army of One]

Like that Chris.......a plane I've never had an interest in.......but, with all the activity......

[Mossie]

Certainly unusual in that scheme Chris, beliveable too.  Like the way the blue bits offset the camouflage colours, nice little model!

[NARSES2]

For sure an interesting read.....always a nice touch ! I see you're liking that shade of blue eh ? I always do the same thing ! Find a colour I like and it seems to get used quite a bit !

Yup, green has been used a couple of times over the last couple of days. I find the Citadel basic colours very good although the names are a bit  The green is "Snot Green" 

As for the blue it's because she's an ex 12 Sqd flight commanders aircraft and it is pre-war 

[kitbasher]

What a difference a paint scheme makes, Chris!  A pleasant, lively change from the Wellesley's usual Dk Earth/Dk Green/Night, well done too.

Odd we don't see many real world Wellesleys in the desert camouflage worn by a number of aircraft in 1939/1940.

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Great story and a beautiful model. Believable!

[The Rat]

Another show-stopper Chris, beautiful! 

[NARSES2]

Odd we don't see many real world Wellesleys in the desert camouflage worn by a number of aircraft in 1939/1940.

I'd thought of a desert scheme for one of mine, didn't realise they'd actually been seen in that scheme. You learn something new everyday....hopefully 

[kitbasher]

Odd we don't see many real world Wellesleys in the desert camouflage worn by a number of aircraft in 1939/1940.

I'd thought of a desert scheme for one of mine, didn't realise they'd actually been seen in that scheme. You learn something new everyday....hopefully 

Indeed.  Check out Warpaint 86.