Rohan Cadzow, Billère, Pyrénées Atlantiques, France
Using Hasegawa’s 1/32 scale P-40E Warhawk, Rohan built a Kittyhawk of the Royal Australian Air Force in the markings of a 75 Squadron aircraft, Orace, used in the Battle Of Milne Bay, New Guinea, August 1942. After he found an appropriate set of aftermarket decals — 1/32 Aussie Decals RAAF Kittyhawks Part 1, No. A29-153 — he contacted the Australian War Memorial looking for photos of the aircraft. He found much more than he expected: His e-mail was answered by a staff member who after the war worked with the pilot of the aircraft, Flight Sgt. Roy Riddel. Next, he received an e-mail from Riddel’s widow, who sent further information and pictures. Then he received a request for a second 1/32 scale Kittyhawk of the same aircraft from Riddel’s son. Rohan added an RB Productions RAF Sutton harness to the cockpit and scratchbuilt brake lines on the front undercarriage struts using solder wire and lead strip. He painted with Humbrol enamels and weathered with Vallejo black and dark brown washes sealed with Humbrol clears. He says, “I have been invited by Flight Sgt. Riddel’s son to deliver the model to him here in France. What’s the chance of me, an Australian, having an interest in this aircraft, and the pilot’s son, also Australian, living only 80 kilometers away from me in France?”