Douglas Skyray: HMS Eagle Operation Musketeer 1956

zenrat · October 03, 2015, 05:39:42 AM

With the failure of Westland to solve the engine cutout on launch problems that bedevilled the Wyvern the FAA instead turned to Douglas and purchased the Skyray.

Skyray001 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
In May 1956 830 Squadron went aboard H.M.S. Eagle and was the only unit to fly the Skyray in combat. Nine aircraft flew six days of sorties against Egyptian targets in the Suez Canal Zone in Oct. & Nov. 1956 as part of Operation Musketeer.

Skyray007 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Skyray005 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Skyray003 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
It's a 1/72 Tamiya built OOB with decals and 1000lb bombs from the Trumpeter Wyvern.

Skyray002 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

PR19_Kit · October 03, 2015, 05:44:51 AM

MAGNIFICENT!

That looks really good and so plausible too.

NARSES2 · October 03, 2015, 05:45:44 AM

Superb model mate

Weaver · October 03, 2015, 06:02:18 AM

Oh nice one, I like that!

In my FAA goes American story I had a Douglas-Blackburn Skyray compete for the FAA order but the Cougar won (safe option since they already had the Panther) and DB eventually got the Skyhawk order instead. It was a head-over-heart thing though because I really like the Skyray, so I'm glad to see what it might have looked like.

DogfighterZen · October 03, 2015, 06:12:18 AM

...

Man, that looks good!!

zenrat · October 03, 2015, 06:21:09 AM

Thanks folks.
I tend not to write too much to go with the more RW whiffs as unlike those existing in the world of the PDRV I would have to do research.
I love the shape of the Skyray but couldn't come up with a colour scheme for it until I realised the timescale fitted right into Suez.

Captain Canada · October 03, 2015, 06:22:36 AM

Does that ever look good. Turned out really well ! Defo an era of interest for me, not just from a FAA standpoint but from the plethora of naval types the USN had. I love the fact that you 'stole' the bombs from the aeroplane she was replacing !

Great job. Probably the nicest looking Skyray ever.

zenrat · October 03, 2015, 06:49:21 AM

Thanks Cap'n.
It's the paint job. Anything looks good in Dark Sea Green over Sky.

sandiego89 · October 03, 2015, 07:41:05 AM

Quote from: zenrat on October 03, 2015, 06:49:21 AM
Anything looks good in Dark Sea Green over Sky.

Agree- best scheme ever. Really great job on the ray! She look great.

KiwiZac · October 06, 2015, 03:22:47 PM

Oh that's gorgeous. Just gorgeous. Top work!

zenrat · October 07, 2015, 03:56:02 AM

Gracias Amigos.

I'm still pondering what it would have looked like with a torpedo hanging under there.

trickyrich · October 09, 2015, 01:57:16 PM

very nicely done, it's great to see this aircraft in something other than USN colours.

zenrat · October 10, 2015, 12:36:50 AM

Thanks TR.

NARSES2 · October 10, 2015, 05:11:25 AM

Quote from: zenrat on October 07, 2015, 03:56:02 AM
I'm still pondering what it would have looked like with a torpedo hanging under there.

Anachronistic, embarrassed ? Sheepish at the best

Captain Canada · October 10, 2015, 06:07:27 AM

Agreed about the paint scheme being one of the best out there, but it's also your perfectly crisp demarcation lines and Sues stripes. And the markings of course

As for a torpedo, now you've got me thinking of a bulged and/or rotating bomb bay. You could have a semi recessed torpedo as well. Might have to lengthen the landing gear or move the mains back a wee bit...but that bit would be over engineering.