Armstrong Whitworth Auckland

NARSES2 · June 19, 2016, 06:58:42 AM

Armstrong Whitworth A.W.52 Auckland

Originally designed to explore laminar wing technology for future bomber projects the A.W. 52 first flew in November 1947. The test flights soon revealed that it could prove to be quite a useful backup for the Canberra bomber then in development just in case the latter failed to live up to its obvious potential.

Thus the A.W.52 Auckland was born as a medium range, tactical bomber (nuclear capable). Originally flown in an all white scheme that made them look very much like baby Vulcans to the untrained eye they were soon switched to a more tactical camouflage when it was realized they would have to fly low to survive. They retained the white anti flash underside however.

In the end only 3 squadrons and an A.C.U. were equipped with the Auckland but it did see considerable service and flew the flag all over the world. Indeed it became a bit of a head turner and there were many requests to appear at air shows and displays from all over the world.

This then is an aircraft from 16 Squadron at the end of its career and as can be seen there is very little airframe to actually put any markings on ! As such the Auckland's tended to carry the bare minimum of tactical and identification markings necessary and thus in some small way enabled to R.A.F. to appear to be larger than it actually was. No one really knew how many squadrons there were and no one was telling.

The kit is the A&V Resin kit and comes in 3 major chunks providing the entire center section (fuselage ?) and the two outer wings. They go together quite easily with some makeshift spars and form a nice solid structure. The undercarriage is white metal and is, I think, wrong. If you look at pictures of the real thing it stood very high and didn't have any "drop" towards the rear whilst on the ground. The model stands very low and would be a tail dragger even if you could get any nose weight in it. The paints are my usual mix of Xtracrylic, Humbrol and Lifecolor and the transfers, what there are, are from the spares box.

I'm not happy at all with this model and indeed will at some stage take it back to the basic wing/fin structure and replace the undercarriage and detail parts plus fix the canopy problems I caused myself. However it helped get me through a stage when I had some other things on my mind and for that I'm grateful.

The real aircraft was not very successful at all but did keep flying with the R.A.E. at Farnborough until 1954.

rickshaw · June 19, 2016, 07:11:36 AM

That's a nice looking model you have there, Chris!

DogfighterZen · June 19, 2016, 07:31:21 AM

Sure is an interesting design and with that camo, it looks very good! Nice work!

PR19_Kit · June 19, 2016, 08:31:41 AM

I DO like that Chris, a very impressive machine as modelled in Service use.

I saw the real thing at Farnborough, and I've always thought it was in the 50s, but it seems it was 1948 so I was only six then! It seemed very impressive to me, but then everything would have been impressive to a six year old.

Will you have it with you at the Coventry Show? It'd make a nice match with my Northrop Northampton.

dwomby · June 19, 2016, 09:22:36 AM

I like that - looks impressive in 'in service camo'.

David

NARSES2 · June 20, 2016, 06:38:08 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on June 19, 2016, 08:31:41 AM

Will you have it with you at the Coventry Show? It'd make a nice match with my Northrop Northampton.

Afraid not mate. Not sure I'll be there. I have to survive a Radish "do" the night before and then I will be travelling up North with Steve to see family. So we might drop off on the way so to speak

sandiego89 · June 20, 2016, 06:54:12 AM

I like it!

Request a belly photo if you get a chance, thank you.

-Dave

KiwiZac · June 20, 2016, 06:29:01 PM

Very, very cool! Nice choice of name, too.

Tophe · June 20, 2016, 07:30:22 PM

Congratulations for what you made from this resin kit!

Captain Canada · June 20, 2016, 07:42:47 PM

Nice work Chris I really like the look of this one. Always a fan of that camo

I like the wings shape and the cockpit layout as well. This one will be a real head-turner in scale form as well !

zenrat · June 20, 2016, 09:31:11 PM

Can a tail-less flying wing be a tail-sitter?

Looks good to me.

PR19_Kit · June 20, 2016, 11:53:21 PM

Quote from: NARSES2 on June 20, 2016, 06:38:08 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on June 19, 2016, 08:31:41 AM

Will you have it with you at the Coventry Show? It'd make a nice match with my Northrop Northampton.

Afraid not mate. Not sure I'll be there. I have to survive a Radish "do" the night before and then I will be travelling up North with Steve to see family. So we might drop off on the way so to speak

Say no more, we'll try and whisper to you if you do get there.

Thorvic · June 21, 2016, 01:55:00 AM

Looks rather good that Chris

kitnut617 · June 21, 2016, 02:33:30 AM

Got to agree with everyone Chris --- very nice.

I started one before we did our house move (some years ago now), and it got packed away and I haven't seen it since. I'll have to dig it out again and see where I got with it.

NARSES2 · June 21, 2016, 06:33:47 AM

Cheers gents.

Quote from: KiwiZac on June 20, 2016, 06:29:01 PM
Very, very cool! Nice choice of name, too.

I've always assumed the Canberra was named after the Australian Capital so I thought "can't leave the Kiwi's out of this"

Suppose I'll have to build a "whatever Ottawa" now ?

I will go to the bottom of the class as I've been reminded (and now remembered) Auckland isn't the capital Apologies but as my excuse Wellington was already used (although I've know idea which Wellington the bomber was named after) and I live on Auckland Rise