Boulton Paul Defiant Mk 1D, Western Desert, 1942

[Doug K]

ok, so almost ready for decals then a LOT of weathering!

IMG_1413 by doug_alba, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

Uh, that's looking good! 

[Doug K]

Argh! over did the matt acrylic, some crazing of the paint.
Too impatient!
Upside is it's also faded the colours as if by sun bleaching..... sort of
Done tomorrow

[Doug K]

So it's done.
Boulton Paul Defiant MK1D of No6 Squadron in the Western Desert, late Summer 1942.

As I said therefore the original inspiration to use the Defiant in Desert was to keep the Axis fighters at bay while ground attack operations were underway. The same 40mm cannons as fitted to the Hurricanes were also added to the Defiants which operated initially as a flight within each Hurricane squadron. However separate from he large tank and artillery duels the Squadron supported, the Defiants became especially requested as support by the fledgling SAS Long Range Desert Groups operating behind enemy lines. In a precursor to the Spookys of the Vietnam war, the ability of an aircraft (or two) to pour accurate concentrated fire while orbiting a ground target was much sought after. And the odd 40mm shell helped matters.

Airfix Defiant while Airfix Hurricane donated the filter, cannon and decals (mainly).

IMG_1418 by doug_alba, on Flickr

IMG_1419 by doug_alba, on Flickr

IMG_1422 by doug_alba, on Flickr

IMG_1423 by doug_alba, on Flickr

IMG_1427 by doug_alba, on Flickr

IMG_1420 by doug_alba, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

Excellent!

However, excuse my ignorance but I have to ask: Was that ever an actual scheme or is it, also, part of the whif element?

[zenrat]

Excellent!

However, excuse my ignorance but I have to ask: Was that ever an actual scheme or is it, also, part of the whif element?

I wondered that and did some research (SHOCK ! HORROR!).
The "spaghetti" scheme was briefly used on Hurricanes and Fulmars.  What makes it perfect for use on whiffs is that it is not clear what colours were used.  There are no colour photos.
I do love a good can of worms...


http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/jackson2.htm

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234922498-hurricane-spaghetti-scheme-i-said-it-was-blue/&

[NARSES2]

The "spaghetti" scheme was briefly used on Hurricanes and Fulmars.  What makes it perfect for use on whiffs is that it is not clear what colours were used.  There are no colour photos.

Yup I only found out about the Fulmar's a couple of months ago.

I really do like what you've done with this and in my own little mind it's totally plausible 

[Doug K]

Excellent!

However, excuse my ignorance but I have to ask: Was that ever an actual scheme or is it, also, part of the whif element?

The standard camo is based on the Hurricane's original (I suppose I should have used the Defiant pattern) but I don't know if the Defiant ever wore it. The "spaghetti" or "sand & spinach" appeared on some Hurris, but again I doubt it was seen on Defiants. But you never know 😁

[Doug K]

The "spaghetti" scheme was briefly used on Hurricanes and Fulmars.  What makes it perfect for use on whiffs is that it is not clear what colours were used.  There are no colour photos.

Yup I only found out about the Fulmar's a couple of months ago.

I really do like what you've done with this and in my own little mind it's totally plausible 

I forgot about the Fulmars 😂 but thanks!

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That really looks the business - the scheme really suits it!

[Old Wombat]

Excellent!

However, excuse my ignorance but I have to ask: Was that ever an actual scheme or is it, also, part of the whif element?

I wondered that and did some research (SHOCK ! HORROR!).
The "spaghetti" scheme was briefly used on Hurricanes and Fulmars.  What makes it perfect for use on whiffs is that it is not clear what colours were used.  There are no colour photos.
I do love a good can of worms...


http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/jackson2.htm

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234922498-hurricane-spaghetti-scheme-i-said-it-was-blue/&

The "spaghetti" scheme was briefly used on Hurricanes and Fulmars.  What makes it perfect for use on whiffs is that it is not clear what colours were used.  There are no colour photos.

Yup I only found out about the Fulmar's a couple of months ago.

I really do like what you've done with this and in my own little mind it's totally plausible 

Excellent!

However, excuse my ignorance but I have to ask: Was that ever an actual scheme or is it, also, part of the whif element?

The standard camo is based on the Hurricane's original (I suppose I should have used the Defiant pattern) but I don't know if the Defiant ever wore it. The "spaghetti" or "sand & spinach" appeared on some Hurris, but again I doubt it was seen on Defiants. But you never know 😁

Thank you, gents!

[NARSES2]

Looking at that photo and those guys on the starboard wing has me thinking of the Italian for "one, two, three ......hup" 

At least I think they are Italian ? However given what passed for uniform in the Western Desert they could almost be any of the participants. (I've not checked the link, I'm a bit lazy I'm afraid)

[Old Wombat]

Looking at that photo and those guys on the starboard wing has me thinking of the Italian for "one, two, three ......hup" 

At least I think they are Italian ? However given what passed for uniform in the Western Desert they could almost be any of the participants. (I've not checked the link, I'm a bit lazy I'm afraid)

British: 3Sqn

[Mossie]

Nice nose job. Packing some serious firepower too.  I can just imagine it tearing through an enemy column, ripping up the heavies with the S guns then picking off any support with concentrated fire from the turret.

[NARSES2]

Looking at that photo and those guys on the starboard wing has me thinking of the Italian for "one, two, three ......hup" 

At least I think they are Italian ? However given what passed for uniform in the Western Desert they could almost be any of the participants. (I've not checked the link, I'm a bit lazy I'm afraid)

British: 3Sqn

Seriously mate ?

A couple appear to be in British uniform but a couple are certainly in Italian I would have thought, especially the guy holding the prop ? I assumed it had crashed behind enemy lines. Mind you if POW's are being used for the hard work it could have been either side.