TallEng's Modelling musing

[NARSES2]

Mustn't forget WAAF Trewlove of course 

[TallEng]

No modeling this week or next as I'm working.
For me night shift and modeling don't work (and I'm 500km away from my workbench anyway.) So inspired by a package I received from Hannants shortly before i left for work, I thought that I'd tell you a story,
so if you'd like to pull up a Lantern and swing a sandbag I'll start....
A long time ago I was a newly trained Junior Technician (Airframes) and my first posting was not to one of the RAF's premier fighter squadrons (as hoped for) but to the Northumbrian University Air Squadron based at RAF Leeming, who flew S.A. Bulldogs. Attached to them was 11AEF, flying two Chipmunks. Much to my amusement Both of them were a couple of years older than me. Now as you all probably know Airfix have recently released a 1/48th scale Chipmunk, and Xtradecal have released several decal sheets for it, one of which contains markings for WK517 of 11AEF.
Shortly after I arrived at NUAS/11AEF WK517 went away for a Major? Service and repaint, coming back minus her/his? 11AEF squadron markings, so I asked the boss if he'd like the 11AEF markings painted on again. He said yes so I set too, the results of which you can see here https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X48222?result-token=mZEJ2 
Whilst researching for all things related to Chipmunk, because obviously I'm going to be making a model of WK517 in the near future, I stumbled upon an image of WP964, probably better known as the Spitmunk because of her Army Air Corps brown/green camouflage (and I believe the only camouflaged Chipmunk)
Now, I expect your wondering what an RAF type like me would be doing with an AAC Chipmunk?
Well, one of the highlights of my (Short) RAF career was to go on detachment with a number of Chipmunks to the Inter services gliding competition, which in 1985 or 1986 was held somewhere in France (its a long time ago now so I can't remember exactly were, but I do Remember driving a Sherpa through Paris including the madness that is the Arc de Triumph ) anyway WP964 was one of the Chipmunks involved, so me and Tom decided it would be a jolly good wheeze if we could design a Squadron/detachment badge, which after receiving permission from the Boss, we proceeded to paint on the Chipmunks placed in our tender care, the results of which you can see here: https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1623807 it was as I recall painted on both sides of the nose using humbrol paints and a metal ruler for the marking out. I'm pretty sure we managed one other, but as that was in the Red/white and grey scheme the badge was only painted in white. Unfortunately i cant remember the registration, but i do know it was the Boss's Aircraft and we painted "Le Chef" in black by the canopy. (How i wish Id taken pictures...)

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

You obviously had a decent boss ? Great story 

[TallEng]

So that's  me done with work for two weeks, so with a bit of luck I can progress the "Daka DAK" for the gunships GB.
On the stash front I've recently acquired an Airfix SeaFury in 1/48th, which will fit nicely with the eduard Tempests and Typhoon.
Bought at a nice price an Airfix Shackleton MR.2, so that can join the other one and the two new mold Revell Shacks.
found a 1/72 Revell Pirate ship, also for a good price. Which I've wanted for a long time but always found to be a bit pricey, its also quite big at 55cm by 47cm and has 896 parts ! (Then there's the where do i put it when (if) I build it)
And managed some additions to the Library;
The Dakota in RAF and RCAF service by Arthur Pearcy. (First published in 1970!)
Teach for the Sky: British Training Aircraft since 1945. looking forward to perusing this, could give me some ideas
Colour conundrum compilation No.1 by Paul Lucas.
Warpaint No.123 The DHC-1 Chipmunk (bit underwhelmed by this one, not sure why)
Great Western Railway Gas Turbines, A myth exposed by Kevin Robertson
And Lastly, Roger Lindsay's Cold War Shield- RAF Fighter Squadrons 1950-1960 Volume 1, its pricey by quite a bit, but the little bit I've browsed... It's got pictures of all or if not most of the Meteor's whose Tails were featured as little tantalizing black and white drawings in Ian Huntley's Fighting colours a copy of which I've had for over 40 years now, so its nice to see the proof as it were . Loads of other stuff to look at as well. There's also Volumes 2 and 3 to think about....

Regards
Keith

[PR19_Kit]

Great Western Railway Gas Turbines, A myth exposed by Kevin Robertson

Which myth was that then? I've not heard of that book before.

[TallEng]

Great Western Railway Gas Turbines, A myth exposed by Kevin Robertson

Which myth was that then? I've not heard of that book before.

To be honest with you Kit I'm not sure myself... maybe its just an attention grabbing strap line?
My interest in both was awakened by the release by Rails of Sheffield of 18000 in OO gauge (Currently awaiting a Chip before being run in on my "Layout") and the pending release of 18100 also by RoS
I've only skimmed the book so far and it seems a fairly detailed look at both 18000 and 18100 and how they fared in (experimental?) service.
So for me it fills a gap in my early BR knowledge on an Interesting subject, that didn't quite make the grade.
Kevin Robertson seems to specialise in projects that didn't quite make it as he's also covered Bulleids 'Leader' snappily titled "The Leader project, Fiasco or Triumph".
Seems to be a theme in the titles there... 

Regards
Keith

[PR19_Kit]

I hope your forthcoming chip has sound Keith, nothing quite like a gas turbine whistle-whine-roar from a turbine locomotive as it starts up. 

Not that I'm biased of course.... 

I think I have that Leader book, and what a fascinating device that was!

[TallEng]

It's a bit disappointing to note that i haven't blogged since December 2021!!! 
Still that's probably much the same for my modeling out put- sparodic to none at all.
However this week we've started a "Firestreak" Hunter which if i finish painting etc might well make the LHC GB.
More on that if i manage...
Ive also started to convert an Airfix Lightning to an F.3 using an old Main track (I think) belly tank probably meant for use with ye old Hasagawa Lightning F.6?
Might even slip in another Airfix Lightning, but keep it a simple markings change "IF" i can find those squadron markings that I "Know" I have.
Bought an interesting book on the DH91 Albatross called "Beauty of the skies" by Rob J.M. Muller and Graham M. Simons,
everything about the Albatross that you could possibly want to know, including... versions studied with twin Dagger engines or Merlins, various customers who expressed an interest etc.
Another book recently acquired  "Cold war shield"  RAF Fighter Squadrons 1950-1960 Volume 1 by Roger Lindsey, yes its in arm and a leg territory, but if your interest lies in that direction, definitely worth thinking about...

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

We all take breaks from time to time Keith, now't wrong with that. Good to see you back and building 

[Pellson]

Great seeing you back again! 

[TallEng]

Oh well that with the modeling of Airplanes has kind of slipped a bit...
Instead one's eye was caught by an interestingly priced Rapido ATP-E in 00 gauge @PR19kit
One was then faced with the difficult choice of sound or an extra coach.
I'm afraid whiffing won, and the extra coach was bought. So far I'm thinking of it as a replacement for the
Blue (later blue/grey) Pullman train. After all the silver/BR Blue scheme of the original APT-E isn't that far away
From the later Blue/Grey Pullman scheme. And im pretty sure there will be transfers/decals available to assist me in
My delusions 

Regards
Keith

[Steel Penguin]

that sounds interesting, and rail is rather underrepresented here aboughts,  so looking forward to it. 

[PR19_Kit]

Instead one's eye was caught by an interestingly priced Rapido ATP-E in 00 gauge @PR19kit
One was then faced with the difficult choice of sound or an extra coach.
I'm afraid whiffing won, and the extra coach was bought. So far I'm thinking of it as a replacement for the
Blue (later blue/grey) Pullman train. After all the silver/BR Blue scheme of the original APT-E isn't that far away
From the later Blue/Grey Pullman scheme. And im pretty sure there will be transfers/decals available to assist me in
My delusions 

Oooooooh, sounds excellent. 

I bought a couple of extra coaches when I got my original E-Train (which I didn't pay for...) and I'm going to do one of them as an RTC Lab Coach with the wonderful Red-Blue colour scheme.

If you want to know how to take it apart for repainting I can give you a few pointers. 

[TallEng]

Another long gap in the Modeling... 
Still never mind, did some work (pays for stash additions)    and went on holiday to Wales.
Got back home and checked for arrival of stash additions from the Special Hobby sale.
1 Meteor T7 1/2 (makes 3 now I think) and a Gloster F.5/35 (resin kit by Planet).
Carried on with the Firestreak Hunter, and added a F.6 and a T.7 to the build program.
The Firestreak Hunter, and the F.6 won't make the LCH GB, because I'm using up my stocks of Xtra colour which
Sometimes ages to dry, which is annoying.

Apropos FireStreak Hunter, I was wondering why the Firestreaks were mounted on the inner pylons?
Was it a weight thing?

Regards
Keith

[PR19_Kit]

Apropos FireStreak Hunter, I was wondering why the Firestreaks were mounted on the inner pylons?
Was it a weight thing?

I imagine so, as they could only carry the big tanks on the inner pylons and the outer pylons were limited to the smaller tanks.