Aeronavale Westland Vouivre, Operation Musketeer, October 1956

[AeroplaneDriver]

It seems my USAF CF-100 is on hold for a week or so waiting on some parts.  So time to jump into my second (hopefully) entry...

Following the inflight breakup of the XFU-7 Corsair prototype  in late 1952 and the ensuing program delays the French Aeronavale reevaluated the F4U-7 program and began looking for a replacement.  A number of aircraft were evaluated, but the Westland Wyvern which was entering service with the Royal Navy in 1953 was seen as the best option for a platform that was expected to be replaced by more advanced jet aircraft but the end of the decade. 

The Aeronavale ordered 58 Wyverns in July 1953, with first deliveries taking place in early 1955.  In French service the Wyvern was known as the Vouivre, ironically the French word for a serpentine winged dragon with a stinging tail from which the word Wyvern was derived. 

Aeronavale Vouivres  deployed alongside Royal Navy Wyverns in October 1956 as part of Operation Musketeer, the joint UK/French/Israeli operation to seize control of the Suez Canal. 

Hopefully pics to come tomorrow.  Kit is the lovely (in my opinion) Trumpeter 1/48 Wyvern, but will be in a unique Aeronavale Flottille 14F scheme.

[NARSES2]

Looking forward to this, always liked the Wyvern 

[Wardukw]

Counter rotating propellers   
Yes please very much 

[The Rat]

YES! 

[AeroplaneDriver]

Styrene cutting has commenced.

[Wardukw]

It has begun !!! 

[AeroplaneDriver]

After a week or so of no model time I made decent progress today.  Off work all next week so hoping to get her done, but a few projects around the house may interfere.  Fingers crossed.

[Wardukw]

So it's begun again? 
It's annoying when the RW gets in the way .

[PR19_Kit]

Makes you realise just how BIG the Wyvern's fine is. 

[Old Wombat]

Makes you realise just how BIG the Wyvern's fin is. 

Not to mention the Wyvern itself!

[AeroplaneDriver]

Havent touched this one in a while because I was focusing on finishing my CF-100, but here is a quick update on my second entry.

Nothing major, but the canopy is all masked up and it's ready for priming.  Horizontal stabilizers are temporarily tacked on for priming as painting the vertical stab and rudder they way I'm planning will be easier with them removed. 

[Wardukw]

Gas turbine goodness 😍

[Old Wombat]

 

[AeroplaneDriver]

Busy week ahead at work so likely last progress on this until next weekend.  Getting the first color on. I wanted a totally fictional scheme but close to some RW schemes. I did some digging in the paints and found a combo I like and I think will look good in French markings, so the Aeronavale Vouivre will wear Grey-Blue RAL5008 over USAF Light Gray.

Slow process masking and painting the Suez stripes, but I think it'll be worth it over using decals. Thinking about making the three sections of the spinner in French flag colors to match the rudder, which will be painted to match the Corsair this Whif replaced.

This is my third Trumpy Wyvern and I think this one will be the first with folded wings.

[NARSES2]

Spinner would look good in blue/white/red