SEAC Invader

[NARSES2]

In the autumn of 1945 42 Squadron swapped their much loved Douglas Boston Mk V's for the same companies much more sophisticated Invader Mk I. After a few months working up on the new type the squadron returned to front line operations in the spring of 1946 just prior to the major Anglo/French push into Indo China.

This particular aircraft, S for Sugar, was flown by the Squadron's C.O. Wing Commander William Simpson MC, DSO who had been with the Far East A.F. since the dark days of 1941 and was well known in RAF circles for having a mind of his own. One way in which this expressed it'self was in the way the squadron used Sky, rather than white, individual aircraft codes. Like most SEAC squadrons 42 did not carry squadron codes and Simpson thought white codes stood out far too much and made it far easier for Japanese AAA to lock onto a target, by this stage of the war Japanese aerial opposition was negligible. One particular point of note with this aircraft is the 2 "kill" markings carried under the upper turret. There is some dispute over these but a careful study of the Squadron's log book reveals that they scored no kills whilst flying the Invader and that these were scored by the gunner in question whilst manning the turret of Simpson's Boston. Simpson had the markings prominently displayed so that any squadron newcomers would look at them and say "ah, so these new-fangled remote turrets do work then ?", as there was some initial disquiet about this feature in particular. As it turned out Simpson was not overly enamored by the Invader and would have preferred to stay with the Boston as he regarded it as a much easier aircraft to maintain in the sometimes harsh conditions of the theatre.

The kit is the Italeri boxing and you only have to read my blog on this site to realise I struggled with it. It's not a bad kit it just isn't a good one, especially given the fact that it is not that old. I was told at a recent show that this is because the plastic used by Italeri is rather soft and that the kit needs tube cement and a lot of patience. I can vouch for the latter, that's for sure. As I said it's not a bad kit by any means but will I build the Revell boxing of the solid nosed version in the stash ? I doubt it. The transfers are all from my spares box and some of them are well over 40 years old and behaved magnificently. Paints are my usual mixture of Xtracrylic, Lifecolor and Humbrol with a few others thrown in to the mix.

As a historical note 42 Squadron did indeed serve in SEAC flying Beauforts, Blenheims, Hurricanes and Thunderbolts. I've simply kept them on twins. As for the A/B 26 ? I've read various opinions on this aircraft and they vary. One US Far East commander definitely preferred the Havoc over the Invader and also as a matter of interest insisted his aircraft were camouflaged as well. Just wish I could remember which book I read it in !

[Captain Canada]

Nice one Chris ! Lovely little read, and the aeroplane looks great in those colours. The kill markings are a nice touch !

[PR19_Kit]

A new slant on an A-26 for sure. It looks great in that scheme Chris, and the backstory works really well too.  

[Librarian]

Well worth the wait. She does look the business in SEAC colours....although I'm firmly in the Boston/Havoc gang .

[b29r]

Very nice build of the Invader, and a great backstory.  Sorry to hear that the build gave you some trouble, but we are modelers, right?    She looks good in that color scheme, well done.  I'm not familiar with this kit, are the underwing gun pods included?

Best regards,
Kem

[McColm]

Well done

[comrade harps]

Nice work.   

I'm whiffing-up a Spitfire that would fit nicely with your back-story, so may I include your 42 Sdn Invaders into it, please?

[DogfighterZen]

I agree, very build and story, and the scheme looks great too!  

[KiwiZac]

That scheme really does suit the Invader. Great job!

[Dizzyfugu]

...the aeroplane looks great in those colours.

Second that. Unusual, but suits the Invader well, and it's even not an unlikely combo.  

Could use a P-51H escort fighter in SEAC markings? 

[Weaver]

That looks great - well done.

[zenrat]

Well worth the struggle i'd say.
Good job.

[NARSES2]

I'm not familiar with this kit, are the underwing gun pods included?

Best regards,
Kem

Yes they are. It comes with French AF and USAF Korea markings

Nice work.   

I'm whiffing-up a Spitfire that would fit nicely with your back-story, so may I include your 42 Sdn Invaders into it, please?

Certainly sir 

Thank you gents comments are appreciated

[nighthunter]

...the aeroplane looks great in those colours.

Second that. Unusual, but suits the Invader well, and it's even not an unlikely combo. 

Could use a P-51H escort fighter in SEAC markings? 

You do mean a Mustang Mk.V right? Looking similar to this:

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Great Chris, seem to recall a conversation around this project from many years back. Glad to see that you got iy built, friend.

Ian.