Gully GuL-38 Currawong

[zenrat]

Gully GuL-38 Currawong

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 1 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Following the end of the Second World War, the Central Governing Committee of the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria kept a keen eye on events in Indochine, making sure they studied the lessons those involved sometimes seemed determined not to learn from.
By the mid-sixties the Strike Directorate of the Victorian Airforce had decided they needed an aircraft to fill the gap between their locally upgraded MiG 21 variant and the promised, but not yet delivered MiG 23/27 family¹.  Requirements were drawn up, PDRV design bureaus were instructed to prepare proposals and a number were authorised to produce prototypes.  The Gully (Lomax) bureau used their earlier GuL-29 Boobook reconnaissance aircraft as the basis of a single seat, single engined, low level, fair weather, strike fighter which proved to be what the air force thought they needed².

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The GuL-38 Currawong entered Victorian service in 1968, initially with the elite Republican Guard but then with all front line strike units.  Combat radius without tanks was limited but still met existing strategic requirements.  Later variants³ extended range by carrying fuel in a distinctive hunchback spine.  The full suite of locally produced, Soviet and Chinese ordnance could be carried on six⁴ hardpoints in addition to a single 23mm CUB13c rotary cannon mounted, with a 750 round ammunition drum, in the portside fuselage behind the pilot⁵.

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 12 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Currawong proved fast, reliable and popular with its pilots but ultimately it was found that the aircraft bought as stopgaps to temporarily fill the role⁶ performed it better.
Production was scaled back but not ended as the Currawong proved adaptable to a dizzying number of different roles⁷.  Indeed, it seemed to be able to do anything that was asked of it and kept trickling out of the Windy Hill plant until 1989.

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 4 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The PDRV's export drive of the '70s saw Currawongs shipped overseas to serve with a number of aligned countries including the República Socialista Mexicana, Chad and Grand Fenwick.  The Soviet Union also operated a flight in the Modyeliruyemyiy Vrag⁸ role at the 1521st Centre for Combat Employment, located in Mary, Turkmen SSR.

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 16 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Because it ended up fulfilling so many roles other than that for which it was intended the Currawong can not be said to have been replaced by any one specific type although the Vautours which did take its place soldiered on until the advent of the Su-25⁹ in the mid seventies.

¹ First delivery of MiG 23s to the PDRV took place November 1971.  MiG 27s arrived July 1973.
² Of course what they really needed was the Su 25 Grach.  They just didn't realise it yet.
³ GuL-38B through F, H & RF.  G, J & PR had extended wings with tip tanks.
⁴ Eight on G, J & PR.  Ten if no tip tanks carried.  All PR hardpoints plumbed.
⁵ Cassette mounting of the gun enabled it to be easily swapped out for additional fuel should the mission parameters require it.
⁶ Sud Aviation Vautour.
⁷ Including but not limited to strike, interceptor, reconnaissance, tactical nuclear strike, anti ship and advanced trainer.
⁸ Simulated Enemy.
⁹ Nicknamed Raven in PDRV service.

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 9 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model
Hasegawa early mould Lockheed F-104 Starfighter fuselage & vertical tail..
Hasegawa early mould Hawker Siddely Harrier wings, stabilisers & undercarriage.
Weapons from Hasegawa, ICM & Dragon.
Four shade Chronic Contour Camo scheme brush painted with Vallejo acrylics.

Gully GuL-38 Currawong  - 18 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[rickshaw]

Interesting 

[PR19_Kit]

Looking at that you think 'Oh yes, that's a ......................... No, it's a.............................. Erm, is it a?' etc. etc.

A wonderful mix and match job there Fred. 

[chrisonord]

Marvellous  Fred,  it certainly makes you look and look again  for sure. 

[Scotaidh]

LOL  That's really good! 

[DogfighterZen]

Looking at that you think 'Oh yes, that's a ......................... No, it's a.............................. Erm, is it a?' etc. etc.

A wonderful mix and match job there Fred. 

Yup, looks like a bit of everything! 

[NARSES2]

I do like that mate 

[Rheged]

Yet another one well up to your usual standards.  As others have already said....It's a....no it's a....or perhaps it could be.......wonderful Whiffery!!

[Captain Canada]

Oh so very cool ! I love the stance of that bird, as seen in that front 3/4 view. Looks so right. Great use of parts as well.

I paid a lot of money for that Hasegawa kit many years ago, and couldn't believe how wrong that canopy was ! I spent a lot of time building a kit in RCAF or CAF colours, and when I took the canopy out I was like " What ? " ruined the whole thing. Any road, great build !

[jcf]

 

[TheChronicOne]

Brilliant!!   I love it. Very good work on the paint.     Whole package is the "stuff" though, man. I love the Boobook, too. That one was before my time.....        Anyway!! I wonder what the Mexican (one) would look like. .. . .. 


EDIT:  added a missing word.    Can't computer very well today.

[The Rat]

A winner! 

[comrade harps]

A wonderfully smooth and silky kitbash 

2 Of course what they really needed was the Su 25 Grach.  They just didn't realise it yet.

[KiwiZac]

Looking at that you think 'Oh yes, that's a ......................... No, it's a.............................. Erm, is it a?' etc. etc.

That sums up my reaction perfectly, with added "Cor, that's rather neat!" Bravo Fred, what a neat machine! I love the backstory too - I'm a sucker for footnotes in whiffery,

[Tophe]

Nice mix, weird!