Cuban Missile Crisis; the Jamaican Response, part 3

The Rat · June 27, 2019, 04:15:53 PM

In addition to using the EE Canberra as a bomber, and the Douglas F4D as an interceptor, Jamaica beefed up it's capabilities with an attack aircraft, procuring the Sea Hawk from Great Britain. These were not modified from their naval role, nor was the marking scheme; grey over white.

The British style vertical stabiliser was retained, but it was decided to follow the example of the German Bundesmarine and utilise the EKCO search radar pod as fitted to their Mk. 101, giving them a bad weather capability should it be needed during hurricane season. The other hard points were taken up with a 90 gallon drop tank and two 500lb bombs.

#3 squadron operated the aircraft in three 'flights', with two based at the airport in Montego Bay, and a third at the former USAAF base at Vernam Field, on the south coast. Each flight was marked as per the colours of the Jamaican flag, as Green Flight, Yellow Flight, and Black Flight, with each sporting a coloured fuselage band as an identifier.

Yes, the markings look like crap. I need lots of practise at making decals, and for some reason the paint did not work right, when they've been fine with other models I've recently built. I guess this particular one was cursed for some reason or other. But I'm not about to start over, just use it as a learning experience. It's the old old old Airfix kit, a nostalgia build more than anything. Hard to notice through the canopy, but the pilot is dark-skinned, no white-washing by this kid.

kerick · June 27, 2019, 08:31:30 PM

Nice work on a real old school kit.
I've got one of these half done I need to finish

zenrat · June 28, 2019, 05:14:21 AM

PR19_Kit · June 28, 2019, 06:30:00 AM

Very smart, the Jamaican markings work really well on that scheme too.

b29r · June 28, 2019, 07:59:26 AM

Nice one, Ratty! I like that a lot, great idea.

Best,
Kem

The Rat · June 28, 2019, 12:36:18 PM

Thank you, gentlemen. It's an in-flight model because an inner gear door was missing, and not easy to replicate. The only scratch built piece was the radar pod. I had a piece in the spares bin that was about the right size and shape, but the nose was too pointed. Another search found a stubby pod that had about the right snubbiness, so a couple of cuts, some puttying and swearing, and it was done.

PR19_Kit · June 28, 2019, 02:30:03 PM

Nothing like a bit of snubiness when you need it................

sandiego89 · June 28, 2019, 02:46:35 PM

Well done, the radar pod is a great touch!

The Rat · June 28, 2019, 08:04:52 PM

Quote from: sandiego89 on June 28, 2019, 02:46:35 PM
Well done, the radar pod is a great touch!

Thanks. I just figured that the clean lines of the Sea Hawk combined with a simple colour scheme, and wheels up, would make any little bit of difference welcome. The asymmetric appearance of the load is subtle, but enough. Two drop tanks and two bombs would be rather plain.

Weaver · June 29, 2019, 09:05:01 PM

Nice one!

Would have made a nice 'Carribean pair' with my Belizian Seahawk, if the varnish hadn't screwed that one up...

TheChronicOne · July 01, 2019, 11:48:14 AM

Sweeeeet! Love seeing Jamaica!

Captain Canada · July 02, 2019, 05:48:35 PM

Nice one. I like the demarcation by the tail and the orange band really sets it off !

The Rat · July 02, 2019, 07:03:39 PM

Quote from: Captain Canada on July 02, 2019, 05:48:35 PM
Nice one. I like the demarcation by the tail and the orange band really sets it off !

Thanks. As usual, it looks like crap up close. But I'm simply glad to be getting stuff done finally.