Saunders Roe Vectis Mk 1c

[chrisonord]

Designed and built by Saunders Roe in 1944, the aircraft was very nearly obsolete before it first took to the skies. The air ministry liked the aircraft though, as its performance was very similar to that of the Current version of the Meteor, but was lighter cheaper and designed from the begining to operate from grass landing strips, and rough airfields. The aircraft was armed  with either 2 or 4, 20 mm cannon, and could be fitted with a reccon pallet in the gun bay instead. Underwing rockets and a modest number of light freefall bombs could be carried too, as could drop tanks. The aircraft stayed in service until the late 1950's before retiring, only 25 were built, and most got destroyed being used as target drones. Non of them were sent overseas to fight in any conflicts , they stayed in the UK.

[SPINNERS]

I like that! What kit(s) have you used?

[chrisonord]

I like that! What kit(s) have you used?

Hi Spinners, it is an Amodel, Alexiev , can't remember its full sunday name.

[PR19_Kit]

I do like the look of that one. 

The forward mounted engines give it a unique look. 

[Dizzyfugu]

That's an odd idea, but: YES!  Looks very convincing in RAF colors!

[chrisonord]

I do like the look of that one. 

The forward mounted engines give it a unique look. 

As soon as I saw this aircraft I said thats going in RAF post war service. It kinda looks like a smaller meteor, but different enough to be its own aircraft. Have you worked out why it is called a Vectis yet?

[chrisonord]

That's an odd idea, but: YES!  Looks very convincing in RAF colors!

Cheers,
I think it looks "right" too. It was quite a decent build too especially for an Amodel kit.

[PR19_Kit]

Vectis? Sure, that's the ancient name for the Isle of Wight, where Saunders-Roe's factory was.

I was there a couple of months ago boggling my mind over the size of their HUGE hangar in East Cowes! 

[chrisonord]

Vectis? Sure, that's the ancient name for the Isle of Wight, where Saunders-Roe's factory was.

I was there a couple of months ago boggling my mind over the size of their HUGE hangar in East Cowes! 

Yes, that's the one, I got a bit creative with its name.  

[loupgarou]

Vectis? Sure, that's the ancient name for the Isle of Wight, where Saunders-Roe's factory was.

I was there a couple of months ago boggling my mind over the size of their HUGE hangar in East Cowes! 

Yes, that's the one, I got a bit creative with its name.  

I thought the name came from the auction house, maybe you had bought he kit there....

[The Rat]

Hot DANG!, that's a sweetie!

Vectis? Sure, that's the ancient name for the Isle of Wight, where Saunders-Roe's factory was.

I was there a couple of months ago boggling my mind over the size of their HUGE hangar in East Cowes! 

Wasn't that where they stored the Princess flying boat? If so, it would have to be enormous!

[PR19_Kit]

Wasn't that where they stored the Princess flying boat? If so, it would have to be enormous!

They didn't store the Princesses there, they BUILT them there! Here's the first one being rolled out, minus its engines. Note they had to tilt it nose up to get the fin out under the door!



They stored them, all three eventually, at RAF Calshot across the Solent, right at the mouth of Southampton Water, and I actually TOUCHED one of them there! I've never washed that had since of course........... 

[The Rat]

I actually TOUCHED one of them there! I've never washed that had since of course........... 

Mind if I kiss it at Telford?         

[Pellson]

Really great build, Chris!

[Captain Canada]

Very cool. Neat looking machine for sure.