Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Yep! It's all about the cartoons with me here this weekend! Since i'm pulling a weekend duty here, i really have nothing better to do all day than surf the web and watch cartoons.

Hey, i'd just had a thought concerning the SBD for this build, and i'm surprised i didn't think of it before. For the few Dauntlesses that were sent to the FAA during WW2, does anyone know if they changed the markings on them? I believe it was part of the Lend Lease program when they got the SBDs, but i can't find any evidence of remarking. Thoughts? Opinions?

I'm having doubts as to whether or not using the OOB prewar markings would fit into the GB rules or not...

darson wrote:

April '07 to May '08 is the current time scale and as for aircraft it’s any scale, time period, any kit, with or without aftermarket bits. There should only be two rules: 1. It has to be a Fleet Air Arm aircraft (Props, Jets or Helo's) 2. You have to have fun!

Not a problem, Dave. Here is the quote from the first post where Darren posts the rules. Naval Aircraft, yes. They gotta be in the Fleet Air Arm (or associated). Everything else is permitted.

   Now my particular build is the old Monogram SBD Dauntless in 1/48. According to the research, the British Fleet Air Arm recieved a small number of SBDs during WW2 (that i believe to be under the lend lease program). I guess i just didn't take the markings or decals into consideration before, and wondering what would be accurate

Roger, On my SBD 1/48 Has. it gives me the option of US or New Zeland markings.  I would thing that the SBDs for the FAA would have the British Fleet Air Arm markings.  Darren would know for sure.

Roy

wyoroy wrote:

Roger, On my SBD 1/48 Has. it gives me the option of US or New Zeland markings.  I would thing that the SBDs for the FAA would have the British Fleet Air Arm markings.  Darren would know for sure. Roy

Well that's what i was thinking too, Roy. But looking online, i can't see one single picture of the British markings at all, so that's where i'm confused.

Come to think of it, i couldn't even find one in New Zealand markings either. I know none of my reference books at home has any, and i got zilch on the web

OK fella's.......just to make it clear the rules are on page 1 of this thread:

1. You must build a Fleet Air Arm aircraft. Thats any aircraft that has worn the colours of the Royal Navy. 

2. You must have fun.

Long ago we were asked "How strict are you about rule 1?" The answer simply is- We're not strict at all! If its a naval airframe and you are having fun building it-then you're  in.

There are some "stuffy" individuals who do not like the fact that we chat so much and complain that we don't actually build anything.......to them I say get your arse over to page one and check out just how many builds have been completed already. and we have a bloody good laugh too! We are a tight group here-and it shows.

Now thats over with, normal service shall resume........... MORE RUM!!

Gentlemen a toast...........to my friends. The members of the  FAA GB!

CHEERS!

Roger, check this out:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/sbd.htm

 Roy

Here's a kit done in the FAA markings:

http://www.trainsandplanes.co.uk/dauntless-db-mk-b11b934-royal-navy-fleet-air-arm-pi-342.html?invis=6

Roy

From the reading it look as if they never saw operation.

Roy

wyoroy wrote:

Roger, check this out: http://www.warbirdalley.com/sbd.htm  Roy

Yep, i'd seen that. And i know that technically it was SBD-5s that were sent to the FAA. But the Monogram kit just labeled it as SBD without specifying -1,-2,-3,-4 or -5. Kinda wondered about that. But all pictures i'd seen were with American Markings, so i wondered about that.

wyoroy wrote:

Here's a kit done in the FAA markings: http://www.trainsandplanes.co.uk/dauntless-db-mk-b11b934-royal-navy-fleet-air-arm-pi-342.html?invis=6 Roy

Wow! Well, whaddya know. Wonder why i never ran across that picture. It surprises me to know that they were never operational though. I woulda figured the FAA would have used everything at their disposal after some of the heavy losses during the Battle of Britain

TANGO 1 wrote:

OK fella's.......just to make it clear the rules are on page 1 of this thread: 1. You must build a Fleet Air Arm aircraft. Thats any aircraft that has worn the colours of the Royal Navy.  2. You must have fun.   Long ago we were asked "How strict are you about rule 1?" The answer simply is- We're not strict at all! If its a naval airframe and you are having fun building it-then you're  in. There are some "stuffy" individuals who do not like the fact that we chat so much and complain that we don't actually build anything.......to them I say get your arse over to page one and check out just how many builds have been completed already. and we have a bloody good laugh too! We are a tight group here-and it shows. Now thats over with, normal service shall resume........... MORE RUM!! Gentlemen a toast...........to my friends. The members of the  FAA GB! CHEERS!

Of course it's always good to know that rule #1 is flexible (if it comes down to it...)

Are their really people that complain about the FAA GB? I thought our antics would be encouraged!

Now i know what my noisey neighbors kinda feel like...

wyoroy wrote:

Roger, On my SBD 1/48 Has. it gives me the option of US or New Zeland markings.  I would thing that the SBDs for the FAA would have the British Fleet Air Arm markings.  Darren would know for sure. Roy

During WWII, Britain,Canada, Australia and New Zealand were the main body of the FAA. Each country had their own air arm, but they all came under the umbrella of the RN FAA in the spirit of co-operation during the war.

Today, these forces-what remains of them, are seperate entities which stiill co-operate today. In short, no one would be wrong to call a Commonwealth naval aircraft part of the Fleet Air Arm.

Hope this helps.

Aye Cap'n! Back to the rum!

cheers!

Aye Cap'n Whatsyername,

So be prepared for a 'lend lease' P-35 in appropriate colours.....and a back-up I just bought that better fits the theme.

Ya bast***'s ya!

Kitless Nam 

Right fella's I'm back to work today, see you in a few days.

oh......and stay out of trouble!

well.........at least try to.

Now that sounds like fun, Frank! I'm looking forward to seeing that! I had kinda been kicking around the idea of adding one to my stash one day (even if i don't get to it for a couple of years. Kinda interesting how two warped minds will think alike, huh?)

   Actually, what kinda got me to thinking of it some was th book i'm reading now. I'm in the middle of Flyboys by James Bradley. I know it's been out for awhile, but with the FAA GB going on, it seemed appropriate. But a decent book, and the author is talking an awful lot of the Avenger. So it did spark some interest.

   I remember my Dad doing the Monogram kit so long ago, and it looked great! I did think it was interesting on how wide the fuselage was. It just looked to me like one of those planes that wouldn't even fit on the carrier deck at all, i thought

Daywalker wrote:

Well gang, I embarked on my next project today- a 1/48 AM TBF-1 Avenger.  Not quite sure yet what markings it'll be in, but I'll get to that when the time comes.  I'll be sure to post pics as I go!

Frank, Did some reading up on the kit.  There is a ton of info on the build at the AM website you will want to check out if you have not already done so.  Folks have stated that it is one of the best kits around for detail and what not.  I look forward to seeing that one started. 

Roy

Roger, Roy-

Thanks fellas!  I am really looking forward to working on this one. 

Roger- I have the book "Flyboys" on hold at the library as we speak!  Can't wait to get started on it, I'm sure it will help keep me motivated through the project.

Roy- I have that page bookmarked!  The online build they have featured there is one of the reasons I decided to do this one.

The AM kit I am working on is one of the "early" AM kits with the "sketches" instead of the more detailed drawings in the later kits.  Luckily, I also have one of their later ones on hand as well to refer to.  A REALLY nice feature of these kits (especially one with this many windows!) is the factory inclusion of canopy masks.  That's really gonna save me a lot of time.

Guys,

I know Darren's not around for a couple of days but as this is the most popular thread on FSM I wanted to put a couple of ideas to the group.  I usually run a couple of group builds a year but this year with the Spitfire & FAA builds going there wasn't much point.

Anyway for 2008 I was planing on two GBs and wanted to see if there was enough interest from you guys, the first would be my almost annual Battle of Britain GB and the second was going to be MiG Alley - The Korean Air War.  I was planning on one starting around Feb-Mar and the other around June.

I'd really appreciate feedback on whether you guys think these would be goers.

Cheers

Both sound real good.  The last BoB GB's were great fun & the Korean Conflict is an interesting topic with lots of aircraft to choose from.  I think I have a Mig 15 somewhere in the stash.  Depends on what all is going on, but I'm definitely interested in both.

Regards,  Rick

darson wrote:

Guys, I know Darren's not around for a couple of days but as this is the most popular thread on FSM I wanted to put a couple of ideas to the group.  I usually run a couple of group builds a year but this year with the Spitfire & FAA builds going there wasn't much point. Anyway for 2008 I was planing on two GBs and wanted to see if there was enough interest from you guys, the first would be my almost annual Battle of Britain GB and the second was going to be MiG Alley - The Korean Air War.  I was planning on one starting around Feb-Mar and the other around June. I'd really appreciate feedback on whether you guys think these would be goers. Cheers

Actually i would be interested in either subject, myself! But i think all things considering, i'm pretty maxed out on GBs at the moment, and i'm under the impresion that i'm not going to even be close to making the deadline an some of them. Which ever one you'll be starting in the spring, i'm guessing i'll not be available for. But i'm hoping that the one with june start time would be pretty feasible though. But i'll have to get back to you at a later date when the time gets closer though

Daywalker wrote:

Roger- I have the book "Flyboys" on hold at the library as we speak!  Can't wait to get started on it, I'm sure it will help keep me motivated through the project.

It's a pretty good book, i think! It delves a little too much in turn of the century Japan at the beginning, i think. But at least it gives you a better picture of the Japanese culture at the time. For it being a rather thick book, i have to admit it's a pretty quick read thus far though! I'd recommend it to a friend

Darren (Darson)-

I hope it's OK I typed it like that!

As for your GB ideas, I am definately game for the BoB '08.  I am starting a BoB Hurricane in March (I think) for gzt's Hurricane GB, so as long as it's OK to do cross-overs I am definately up for it!

I think I will have to pass on the MiG Alley Gb though, as I have a couple of other ones beginning next year as well.

But, I am definately down for the Bob '08!

Darren, another BoB would be awesome but I am ovecommitted to GB for 2008 as it is.  That and the fact that I still haven't finished my Fiat Br 20 for the last BoB Gb you did!   If things go well with the other Gb's and real life doesn't get too crazy I might jump in late with a quick build or two.