Eye in the Sky GB

Been making some progress on the F-6B, but no pics yet. 

I’ve actually been doing a little scratch building, including the trim wheel, armor plate, and making some improvements to the camera. I plan on adding the radio control box and some wires before all is said and done. 

I love the Accurate Miniatures early Mustang kits, but they do have some idiosyncrasies, like the cockpit floor needing shimmed, and the radio decks having tricky alignment. 

I’m also having a tough time finding anything on the planes and the units that flew them, so if anyone has any tips, let me know!

Some work done here on the interior. I had to frequently go online to clarify what goes where as the instructions are a bit vague, the arrow points in a general direction of a part, sort of "it goes about there, figure it out"  . Putting the fuselage together will be a challenge as the two halfs are slightly deformed so some fun times are ahead.

RadMax, do you know anything about the unit for your F-6B (like theater or if it was USAAF or RAF)? My book doesn't have an index (what's up with that?) and there's a lot of info to sort through, although it only covers the war in Europe and nothing really about the Pacific. I don't mind looking it up, I just don't want to overwhelm you with info lol

Bob, what is the book called? May be interesting to read it.

silentbob33

RadMax, do you know anything about the unit for your F-6B (like theater or if it was USAAF or RAF)? My book doesn't have an index (what's up with that?) and there's a lot of info to sort through, although it only covers the war in Europe and nothing really about the Pacific. I don't mind looking it up, I just don't want to overwhelm you with info lol

 

Bob, I believe I’m looking at a plane from the 9th AF, 67th TRG, 107th TRS. The decal sheet says 111th TRS, but it appears that squadron in Italy and wouldn’t have invasion stripes. Although it seems like a lot of the F-6Bs have the code AX... could that be a marker for the plane?

See, there’s a lot I just don’t know. I would appreciate it very much if you could help me make sense of this... Thanks for checking!

RadMax8

 

 

silentbob33

RadMax, do you know anything about the unit for your F-6B (like theater or if it was USAAF or RAF)? My book doesn't have an index (what's up with that?) and there's a lot of info to sort through, although it only covers the war in Europe and nothing really about the Pacific. I don't mind looking it up, I just don't want to overwhelm you with info lol

 

 

 

 

Bob, I believe I’m looking at a plane from the 9th AF, 67th TRG, 107th TRS. The decal sheet says 111th TRS, but it appears that squadron in Italy and wouldn’t have invasion stripes. Although it seems like a lot of the F-6Bs have the code AX... could that be a marker for the plane?

See, there’s a lot I just don’t know. I would appreciate it very much if you could help me make sense of this... Thanks for checking!

 

Thanks, that helps me narrow down the information I have.  You're correct that the 111th TRS was stationed in Italy and part of the 3rd Photo Recon Group, though it did fly support missions for Operation Dragoon in southern France but it would be highly unlikely they would have invasion stripes.  Their squadron code was "CO." 

The 9th AF, 67th PRG, 107th TRS did have squadron code "AX" and participated in Operations Overlord and Cobra, scouting V-1 Bomb launch locations, and the invasion into Germany.  So they would have had invasion stripes at the same time as other Allied aircraft.  Hope that helps.  If you have the other letter of the plane or the tail number I might be able to find out more about the specific aircraft.

Calling my Dinah III done!

John

Thanks,

  Didn't want to over do it.  This LS kit wasn't to bad for a old kit.  only scratch build interior stuff, bulkheads, IP's tables, seat belts, wiring, had to completly redo the rear window in the floor where the camera would be, the seat was too far forward.

Kinda like the first picture.

John

Well done, John.  That is a super nice Dinah. The weathering and chipping is just right, I think you nailed the look. Awesome! 

BK

Nicely finished John. Not a subject i am familiar with, nice to see somthing diferent.

Everything is in place, at least I hope things are where they should be...

It went together better then I thought. Some filling and trimming will be needed.

Looks very good falcon. Love the easy chipping, just the right ammount

John, you did a nice job on the Dinah! What a sleek plane, very easy on the eyes!

castelnuovo, seems like you’ve got everything under control, even though there’s some challenges with the instructions!

Bob, thanks for checking! I do have codes for you, AX B (43-6046) is an option (one that I’ve done before as it’s the kit decals) and AX L (43-6185). Really all I’m looking for is more info on the plane and pilot and any photos if possible. I appreciate your efforts!

I've been looking around off and on all day, but my work internet is a little limited and some sites are blocked, but I've only been able to find models and color profiles of AX B. I've seen on a few profiles that the pilot is listed as Major or Lt Colonel Russ Berg, who eventually rose to rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force, retiring in 1970. The tailcode search didn't really turn up much for me that we didn't already know.

Is there any more information on the other plane, like a name for it or anything.  The tailcode search for 43-6185 shows that it was part of a training unit for the 10th AF and crashed in India after running out of fuel.  There are some other tailcodes that are very close to 43-6185 that were assigned to 107th TRS, so maybe there is a mistake with the decals.

Hi Bob, 

That matches everything I’ve found, too. I’ll check the sheet to see if there’s any more info, I know that the pilot is listed by last name only. 

You’d think finding info that’s 75 years old would be a bit easier

Okay, with two builds off the bench I'm going to jump in with two RF-4C's in Euro 1 camo.  Decals are Two Bobs No Gun Shoguns.

silentbob33

I know right? I did find a picture of Joe Lewis sitting in the cockpit of a 107th TRS Mustang, but only the "AX" is visible so I have no idea what plane it is.

 

Ok, so the plane I’m looking to build is AX L flown by Capt. Patton, Sgt. Johnson was the crew chief. Based off the info you and I both found, 43-6185 is probably incorrect for the serial. Here’s some data I pulled from a site with info on some of these planes:

I’m thinking about building the kit option for AX B more and more... don’t like the looks of AX L on the sheet.

It would still be nice to find a photo of the plane AX B, just to take a look at weathering and see the pilot, especially since he had a long career in the Air Force...

Bob thanks again for checking your references!

Yeah, I was going to start with a Marine Rf-4B but have been wanting to build these RF-4Cs for a while.  I figured why not.

Here's a link to the Joe Louis pic.  I couldn't figure out how to pull it out of the eBook.  It would be cool to find an actual pic of the plane though.  There's a book that I found called "Flying in World War II" by Eldon Williams who flew with the 107th TRS during the war.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate a copy in any form.  I bet it would have some good pictures in it from the author.

Ed, any reason to build is a good reason right? 

Nice photo, Bob. Thanks for sharing!

Ed, looking forward to seeing work start on your birds.

Ready for the cammouflage paint. The colour is a bit darker then I was hoping for but will do

The engine is a dry fir for now. It can be left open and visible. Since I went into trouble of making and painting it, may as well leave it open.