Fleet Air Arm Group Build

John, EXCELLENT work on the Beau'!!!!! Looking forward to more pics for sure!!!!

Bill thats a very nice story!!! Thanks for sharing that with us! I have a few muscle cars and armor kits if I need the change for awhile. Sometimes you have to step back and take a breath of fresh air.

Gentlemen,

it is my sad duty to report that English actor and WWII verteran Richard Todd O.B.E. has passed away today. 

Richard Todd was a much loved actor most famous for his leading roles in films such as The Dambusters and The Longest Day. It was quite ironic that Richard was cast in The Longest Day because he was a young British soldier on the 4th June 1944. He was one of the first Paratroopers on French soil and served in the Parachute Regiment with distinction.

Here he  is returning to Pegasus Bridge in 2004.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8395871.stm

And here as a young Paratooper and then in later years re-visiting Pegasus Bridge, Normandy.

Here he is in the role so many of us loved to see him in, as Wing Commander Guy Gibson in The Dambusters.

Richard was every inch an Officer and a Gentlemen and will be missed by so many who loved his films.

In light of recent events and so many of you expresssing an interest in Lancaster Bombers, I would like to propose that our theme for next years GB be The Lancaster.

A very kind friend gave me a beatiful kit to build last year and right now I cannot think of a better theme for next years build. What do you think lads? Up for it?

EDIT: I want to keep the spirit of our GB going so I won't change our name, this bit of the web is our hobby room, our little club. If any of you want to keep the naval builds going thats fine too. This GB is about having fun, I will never let anyone here lose sight of that.

John,

lovely work on the Beau, I like what I see there! Thanks for the pics.

Bondo,

great story! I know what you mean about bench fatigue.........have a crack at something different it may help. Right now I have some sci-fi builds on the bench and I am really enjoying them. Hope you enjoy whatever you decide on building.

Lancaster, count me in CAG. Will do the Revell 1/72 Lancaster.

Cheers...

TANGO 1 wrote:

A very kind friend gave me a beatiful kit to build last year and right now I cannot think of a better theme for next years build. What do you think lads? Up for it?

Roger that CAG, I also received a Lancaster from a good friend.  I have been waiting for a Gb in which to build it!

One thing- If this in fact a go, please allow the rest of the crew a head's start before Aaron gets going.  He built his most recent Tamiya Lancaster in under 24 hours!

One last thing...

May I do the GB badge for the Lanc?  I have a special idea in mind.

Daywalker wrote:

One last thing... May I do the GB badge for the Lanc?  I have a special idea in mind.

Frank, I don't think we would have it any other way mate.

Yay, A Lanc build!!  1/48 Tamiya with resin cowls.

Worked on the engines and landing gear today.  Have to look up some photos of Hercules engines, I know there are no pushrods, and I know the spark plugs were together on the center top of each cylinder, but how did the ignition leads run?  

Bill, did any of the Beaufighters your father was around have R-1830's?  I'm thinking some did, have to find that book.  I would like to build one marked as one he flew in, any ideas there.  Do we have to do a midnight requisition at the BIL's house?

 I really like the idea of the Landcaster but think maybe the entire British Bomber Command would be a cool option to last a whole year. Frank I know 4 props will take a good while but including aircraft like the Hampton, Short Sterling, Wellington really would be cool I think. After seeing Cpt Bondo's  Coastal command beauty it really made me want to see more of the British war winning bombers!  Just a thought as this may also include some that would otherwise have to aquire a Landcaster. A very cool subject?  Those fellows had backbone!

jeaton01 wrote:

Bill, did any of the Beaufighters your father was around have R-1830's?  I'm thinking some did, have to find that book.  I would like to build one marked as one he flew in, any ideas there.  Do we have to do a midnight requisition at the BIL's house?

Here's a picture that shows the whole system from intake up to exhaust; not shown. Reads from firewall forward.

I'll scab up what I've got. His Squadron had the usual 16. I do not know how many Beaufighters were in the USAAF but I doubt there were too many, maybe less than 100. It had the little dolphin nose radar that the Tamiya kit comes with. He liked it as I said because the crew could move around. In the P-61 they were all pretty locked-in fighter style. This became a real disaster one day when ... a story for another day.

RIP, Richard Todd.  A fine man.

A wonderful idea re a BC build or a specific Lanc build as a tribute to RT.  If we go for the Lanc build, I may have to investigate a French Naval Lanc to blend the naval and Avro theme (even though they were used post-war so depending on the rules of course).  Scary thought building a Lanc when I haven't even started building again.

IIRC, these Beaufighters were the only ones in the USAAF.  All were second-hand from the RAF apparently.

Whatever direction comes down from the island is fine with me. I'd be all in with an A.V. Roe Company build. That old Frog Shackleton... I'd like a Lancastrian too.

Our good friend Jeremiahs built a very nice Argie Lincoln recently. If we can do post-war thumpers, I'm in. Badge?

bondoman wrote:

This became a real disaster one day when ... a story for another day.

Good greif man... don't leave us hanging like that!!!   

The Halifax and Lanc's have a specal place for me as that is what my Uncle spent his time in during the war.  I've had the Halifax in my Collection for 20+ years now.  I'm glad I'll finally have the excuse to build the Lanc to go with it.  He never got to fly any operations in his Lanc as they were in the process of converting when the war in Europe ended.  He came home in his Lancaster and was to be sent to the Pacific but thankfully that never came to be.

hey Gents,

I will be gone the rest of this month till after New Years due to my fathers passing. He passed away in his sleep from conditions caused by his cancer. I am rushing to get tickets home. Unfortonatly all my modeling supplies and kits will be left here in Japan and I will not be able to resume until early January.

My 1/48 Hellcat was coming along... was primered & had just about finished the preshade. I hope to have this finished before we're to far into the new group build.

Kanichiwa & Arigato-Jason

Jason, go take care of family matters first!!!! we will all still be here to greet you upon your return!!!! Vaya con dios amigo!!!!

Bondo what unit was ur FIL in???

and here's a pic of a profile for a frenchy Lanc!

I am going (try) to step up my building to try and get in on this lot of builds!!!!!!

Jason,

I know I speak for all of us here when I say we are so very sorry to hear of your Fathers passing.

Please accept our most humble and respectful wishes. God bless you and your family.

We are here if you need us.

Gents,

it seems that most of us are happy with Lancs, but for those who want to have a little more scope I am happy to call the theme Bomber Command. 

But this still be the home of Naval Aviation, so anyone who wishes to contribute with a Navy bird will be most welcome and be given an extra key to the rum locker!

So...we will be the Fleet Air Wing GB on detatchment to RAF Bomber Command.

Rules:

1. Enjoy yourself!

2. Any model aircraft in FAA or Bomber Command markings.

3. Build as few or as many as you like. Wait for it McNeal!!

4. Start 1st March 2010. Finish 01.03.11

5. Rivet counters not welcome.

That is all.

Frank! where's the badge mate?

My condolences to you and your family, Jason.

Thanks, Simpilot, my first thought was the blue scheme the French flew with but I think I prefer the white.  Might stick to something twin-engined.

Jason- I am very sorry for your loss.  Please know that we will all keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers, and will be here if you need anything.

bondo- Great minds think alike!  That photo is EXACTLY the one I had saved to use here.

Richie,

I know what you mean, the crew assembled here are the very best.

Frank,

great work on the GB badge, I love it!