TallEng's Modelling musing

[PR19_Kit]

Space? If you can thread your way past the towering and toppling piles to get to the bathroom and kitchen, even the bed if you insist, then you're ahead of the game... 

That's SO much my situation at home too! 

[TallEng]

So No modelling since February?
That's a bit disappointing. Still real life job etc...
Anyhow, a very recent addition to the stash was Revell's New Mould Shackleton MR.3, It was always intended to be a real world build, but whilst researching Shackletons in all they're myriad marks and forms, I discovered 13 serials (in the XG's) for MR.3's that wern't built. That started some thinking
What if the RAF perceived a need for a 2nd AEW Sqn.? say for use in Vietnam to act as AEW/Fighter control/Comms for the Hunters/Javelins/Canberra aircraft used by the RAF (assuming that Britain did enter/get involved in Vietnam) alternatively maybe they where required for the forward mounting bases around the world?
Well we've established a need for a 2nd AEW Sqn, but where to get the Aircraft? Can't buy new ones too expensive. Step in the Shackleton or to be more precise those 13 (unbuilt in real life) airframes, Maybe they where built, say for South Africa? perhaps there was then an arms embargo on said nation. Et voila we have some "spare" Shackleton...
now would it be the AEW.3 or AEW.4? What colour scheme? (perhaps the original South African delivery scheme) assuming an arms embargo was in place.
food for thought?

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

Certainly food for thought

[The Wooksta!]

You'll need a longer nosegear as there isn't the clearance for the radome underneath an MR3. I did an AEW from a salvage frog one some years back and ended up using a Vulcan one. It put me off the Shackleton MR3 for life.

The MR3 also had fewer airframe hours left on the clock, due to the higher weight and the use of the Vipers. I suspect any extra airframes may have had similar issues.

Canada and New Zealand were apparently interested in the Shattipuss at one point, so there's some alternatives. RAAF to replace their Lincoln's isn't a bad idea either.

[TallEng]

You'll need a longer nosegear as there isn't the clearance for the radome underneath an MR3. I did an AEW from a salvage frog one some years back and ended up using a Vulcan one. It put me off the Shackleton MR3 for life.

The MR3 also had fewer airframe hours left on the clock, due to the higher weight and the use of the Vipers. I suspect any extra airframes may have had similar issues.

Canada and New Zealand were apparently interested in the Shattipuss at one point, so there's some alternatives. RAAF to replace their Lincoln's isn't a bad idea either.

The U/C Clearance is/was a worry that I had: thanks for the heads up. I do however have the Radome from the High Planes TBM-3W Avenger conversion kit,(bought on a whim and because it was on sale at the time) which appears to be 'somewhat' shallower in depth, maybe cutting the bottom half of the Shackleton's AEW radome off and splicing the Avengers radome in will provide enough clearance, as I recall both are AN/APS-20 radar, although obviously of different marks and capabilities. me thinks I will have to test fit as I go along.
I know the MR.3 had airframe/fatigue life issues, hence introducing the unbuilt/built for SA but embargoed airframes.
And as you say, if I can't build it as an AEW for the RAF without too much bother there's always other options.

Regards
Keith

[The Wooksta!]

The Shackleton radomes were taken straight off the AEW Gannets, one of the museum examples still has some Sky paint on it, and they themselves were taken straight off the AEW Skyraiders.

There may not be enough radar sets for the second squadron either, given that they were cobbled together from old airframes and radar cannibalised from the Gannets.

[TallEng]

OK, lots of Interesting information there:
according to Wikipedia the RN had 50 Skyraider AEW AD-4W,
as replacements, 44 Gannet AEW.3 were built,
After the Gannets retirement 12 Shackleton were converted to the AEW role, so with a bit of Wiffology thrown in
There should/could have been enough sets left to be cobbled together for a 2nd AEW Sqn?

Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

"The years roll by. But a hundred years to a steadfast heart are but a day."

Awakening the blog from the dead once again....
been having thoughts about the Recce and Surveillance GB.
Did think about doing a Spitfire PR.19 for the Norwegians, I know they had Spitfire PR.IX, and wanted a jet replacement, but couldn't
find the funding I believe. (I'm sure I found something on the internet about them. but can't find it now )
another Idea was a PR version of the Spitfire Mk.22 (PR.23?) which I might still look into... (I'm sure the MK.23 was suggested for what became the Spiteful)
How ever at the moment I've started a 1/48th Mustang F6.D/F6.K which I accidentally bought...

Regards
Keith

[The Wooksta!]

The mk 23 was a pressurized version of the mk 22 with the longer span tips on the 20 series wing seen on the early prototypes of the F.21, according to the Morgan/Shacklady book Spitfire: The History, and would have been called the Valiant.  Spiteful is a completely separate development.

I did have a cunning plan to swap the wing from the CMR F.21 "Victor" with that of the Legato resin Spitfire F.22, the masters for the latter being cobbled together from various sources, the fuselage being a reworked Fujimi one complete with the blower intake for the mk 19...

I definitely did a PR19 wearing Norwegian roundels some years back.

[TallEng]

The mk 23 was a pressurized version of the mk 22 with the longer span tips on the 20 series wing seen on the early prototypes of the F.21, according to the Morgan/Shacklady book Spitfire: The History, and would have been called the Valiant.  Spiteful is a completely separate development.

I did have a cunning plan to swap the wing from the CMR F.21 "Victor" with that of the Legato resin Spitfire F.22, the masters for the latter being cobbled together from various sources, the fuselage being a reworked Fujimi one complete with the blower intake for the mk 19...

I definitely did a PR19 wearing Norwegian roundels some years back.

Sadly I don't yet have the "Spitfire Bible" in my Library, But yesterday I rectified that by buying a 2nd hand example for a not too exorbitant (I hope) €52,
which should reach me in the next 10 days. It said its condition was "Sehr Gut" I guess I'll find out next time I'm home...
Hopefully lots of intersting stuff in it.
So until then Spitfire production is on Hold.

No modelling, unfortunately as we "Had" to go to IKEA to get some stuff for Mrs Talleng's new Home Office, however I managed to pick up set of small storage drawers which may or may not help in restoring order to the Chaos that is the modelling Den.
Judging by Mrs Talleng's raised eyebrows at my thought that I could bring order where Chaos reigns... possibly not

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

however I managed to pick up set of small storage drawers which may or may not help in restoring order to the Chaos that is the modelling Den.
Judging by Mrs Talleng's raised eyebrows at my thought that I could bring order where Chaos reigns... possibly not

Regards
Keith

I miss Ikea (we used to have one in Croydon) really useful for things like those storage drawers etc. You could always find a few guys just browsing in there, that was the problem, loads of browsing not enough buying.  The store wasn't large enough really

[Nick]

however I managed to pick up set of small storage drawers which may or may not help in restoring order to the Chaos that is the modelling Den.
Judging by Mrs Talleng's raised eyebrows at my thought that I could bring order where Chaos reigns... possibly not

Regards
Keith

I miss Ikea (we used to have one in Croydon) really useful for things like those storage drawers etc. You could always find a few guys just browsing in there, that was the problem, loads of browsing not enough buying.  The store wasn't large enough really

Isn't it still on Purley Way? I'm sure a girl I know said she went there last month.

[NARSES2]

however I managed to pick up set of small storage drawers which may or may not help in restoring order to the Chaos that is the modelling Den.
Judging by Mrs Talleng's raised eyebrows at my thought that I could bring order where Chaos reigns... possibly not

Regards
Keith

I miss Ikea (we used to have one in Croydon) really useful for things like those storage drawers etc. You could always find a few guys just browsing in there, that was the problem, loads of browsing not enough buying.  The store wasn't large enough really

Isn't it still on Purley Way? I'm sure a girl I know said she went there last month.

Yup, which is great if you drive, but not if you don't. There used to be one in the Whitgift Centre which was ideal for DIY stuff etc.

[TallEng]

So after only a months absence some modelling has occurred
I've started the Eduard F-6D Mustang in 1/48th in the general direction of a PR bird for the RAF, so possibly appearing in the GB of that name, or not...
I can't quite work out what the RAF would be wanting with a PR Mustang, apart from VLR operations to do with Tiger Force in the Pacific. So whilst construction continues all be it slowly as I don't have a back story for it (call it a reason for being) although I do have a colour scheme in mind and most of the Markings sorted,
make of that what you will 
On another note I've received my copy of "Spitfire the History" by Morgan and Shacklady, sometimes referred to as 'The Bible' by some 
I've been dipping in and out of it as its not a read it all at once book. (i can't find a Mk.20 Spitfire though?)
and on that note I've started an Airfix Spitfire 22/24 with regard to making a reconnaissance version. I've added Eduard Spitfire HF wing tips to extend the span (up to 40' over 36' I think) I've also removed the little bumps on the wing that the wooksta says are for a SeaFire and of course shaved off the the cannon blisters.
The trouble is to me the best looking Spitfires are the ones with the 'High' back fuselage, especially the Griffon engined ones.
So I'm thinking of combining the Airfix PR.XIX fuselage and the Airfix F.22/24 wings Which I've done before to get an FR.21, so i know that works.
Now I'm sure the @Wooksta will be along shortly to tell me there's a better way of producing what is basically a Spitfire 21 with extended wings, but I'm working with what I've got. (I think Special Hobby and AZ did/do one?) The price I paid for both the Airfix kits is way under what a Special Hobby F.21 would cost me, and I've still got a couple of each in the stash.
The other Mod I'm thinking of is adding the Mk.22/24 'Spiteful' type fin and tailplanes to the PR.XIX fuselage, a rough and ready comparison check of both fuselages held together seems to show they pretty much match for width etc.

So to sum up: Airfix PR.XIX Fuselage with Airfix F.22/24 Fin and tailplane, Airfix F.22/24 wings with Eduard 'HF' wing tip extensions, and maybe use the Freightdog Spitfire 24 Conversion Kit for the Larger 11'10" Jablo prop, replacement wheels and revised undercarriage doors. now all I need is a Mark number, which brings me neatly to the Spitfire PR.XX I think...

Regards
Keith

[TallEng]

What! more stuff done 
Indeed I've managed to find a bit of Mojo it seems 
The Spitfire has its own thread on the Recce & Surveillance GB: https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?board=202.0
And I've done a bit more to the Eduard Foto Mustang, a Kit with many, many pieces....

Mustang F.6D by , on Flickr

I now know a user and a fairly nebulous reason why, I just need to check what sort of comouflage might have been worn.
If this carries on it might also get its own build thread....

TTFN
more modelling calls
Regards
Keith