1/48 Special Hobby CA-9 Wirraway A20-496/ TM, 23Sq. RAAF 1943
This is my first Special Hobby kit, and first “limited run” kit build. A bit different to doing mainstream kits but a great subject, the Wirraway (Aboriginal word for “challenge”).
I used Lifecolor paints for this as they do a couple of sets of RAAF colours. The colours on this are RAAF sky blue, RAAF earth brown and RAAF foliage green. I had some troubles airbrushing Lifecolor but after trying several methods of thinning, this is what works best – open up a new pot, pour Lifecolor thinners in near to top and that is it!
Other paints used were Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics and Gunze Mr metalizers. I used Flory dark dirt wash and sealed down with Vallejo polyurethane matte varnish.
This aircraft spent some time based near where I live now, it was based there during WW2. Here is the real thing-
And the history of it - Rec 1AD ex CAC 25/01/42. Rec 22Sqn RAAF 22/03/42. Rec 23 Sqn RAAF ex 22Sqn RAAF 16/03/42. Accident 21/04/42 when Sgt D R Austin precautionary landing near Archerfield or Brisbane NFDs, damaging wingtip and airscrew. Repaired. Ground Accident 14/07/42 at Kingaroy, when aircraft being towed into hanger was struck on Starboard wing edge. Repaired. Accident 09/09/42 when landing at Lowood, Pilot held off on landing damaging port wingtip. Crew, P/O G R Cory and Army Captain B M Lovett not injured. Repaired. Rec 3AD 20/10/42 ex 23Sqn RAAF for engine change. Rec 23 Sqn RAAF ex 3AD 28/10/42.Coded "TM" 23Sqn RAAF 04/43. Rec 10RSU ex 23Sqn RAAF 02/11/42. Rec 23Sqn RAAF ex 10 RSU 13/11/42. Rec ANA 10/05/43 ex 23Sqn RAAF for D/B Modifications. Rec 23Sqn RAAF ex ANA 17/06/ 43. Rec 13ARD ex 23 Sqn RAAF 21/07/43. Rec 7SFTS ex 23Sqn RAAF 12/10/43. Rec CFS ex 7SFTS 28/04/45.Rec CMU Tocumwal ex CFS Point Cook 15/03/46. Stored Cat C 01/10/46. Allocated 1AD for conversion to components 30/10/53. Still held Tocumwal 1957. Rec 1AD 11/12/57. SOC 17/10/57.