Second entry - a very old friend

[maltadefender]

Part 1: The kit -

Perhaps I’m pushing the boat out a little with this one, but flushed with success (by my low standards) with 'Jumbo' Gracie's Hurricane, my second BoB build will be something of a family affair in the form of Revell’s re-released ‘Classic’ 1/32 Spitfire Mk.I:

Here are some sprue shots, for those of you who are curious to see what happens to a mould after 40-odd years – the answer is nothing pretty!

I see some long nights ahead with the sandpaper and knife, but first a little history...

Edited October 5, 2010 by maltadefender

[maltadefender]

Part 2: ‘our’ Spitfire -

I say this model is a family affair because when I was five or six, my Dad built this model for me, painted as DW-K of 610 Squadron. For years I wasn’t allowed to touch it, just admire it from a safe distance, before I could finally get my mitts on the thing and tinker with the moveable rudder, ailerons, elevators and undercarriage. Sadly I tinkered with it too much and over the years Dad’s handiwork was reduced to its component pieces!

One thing I always remember is that it was painted with lighter shades than Dark Earth/Dark Green – not by much, but it was noticeable. It also had bright red exhausts. Since learning about the colours of Spitfires I asked my old man why painted it that way, assuming it was just Seventies chic, but he said that was simply how he remembered 610 Squadron Spitfires to be – the colours looked brighter.

Dad was born on the Wirral Peninsular in the ‘Thirties, and as a boy the single greatest cause of excitement came from RAF Hooton Park, the local airfield at Ellesmere Port. For 610 Squadron (County of Chester) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force this was home base, first as a bomber unit in 1936 flying Hawker Harts and Hinds, then receiving Fairey Battles in May 1939 before reforming as a fighter unit in September 1939.

RAFVR pilots were in the main well-heeled sons of prominent local gentry, landowners and – in the North-East – captains of industry. They were the kind of blokes that kids like my Dad wanted to be – flash boys who had great cars, pots of money, saucy girls and got to fly fighters into the bargain!

Initially 610 was equipped with both Spitfires and Hurricanes, although the Hurris were subsequently sent away to 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron. After a brief stint in Scotland at the start of the war, 610 came back to Hooton Park before heading south to Biggin Hill, covering the evacuation of Dunkirk. Flying from Biggin, Gravesend, Hawkinge and Croydon, 610 was in the front line until 31 August 1940, scoring 40 victories for the loss of 11 pilots – with regular reports on their achievements being reported back in Cheshire, which my Dad and his mates followed with pride.

In the 1990s I went to Ellesmere Port while working on the RAC Rally, which had a Service Area in the massive Vauxhall plant that was built on the site of RAF Hooton Park. Going in search of a cup of tea on a blustery November morning, I came across a World War 2 T1 hangar which is now home to the 610 Squadron Association, crammed with artefacts, pictures and good company. These dedicated volunteers are incredibly passionate about 610 and, if you happen to be in the area, look them up and support their cause!

[maltadefender]

Part 3: Identity Crisis!

The Revell box art shows the 610 Squadron aircraft DW-K carrying the serial number N3029.

The airframe history of N3029 shows that it was delivered to 9MU on 15.9.39 and transferred to 66 Squadron at Duxford on 28.9.39. Curiously, Sergeant M. Cameron claimed a third share in downing a Heinkel He111 in this aircraft in January 1940 – I'd love to know how a Heinkel managed to get itself within range of a Duxford-based Spit so long before Germany had made its move to the west!

The next key moment comes again with 66 Squadron, now based at Kenley, when N3029 was shot down by a Bf109 on 5.9.40 – Pilot Officer R.J. Mather force landing unhurt. Once repaired, N3029 was returned to 66 Squadron where it was shot down once again on 14.9.40 while flown by Sergeant P.H. Willcocks, who crash-landed near Gravesend and once again was unhurt.

All this is good stuff – but nowhere in its records does N3029 appear as a 610 Squadron airframe! 66 Squadron was at Duxford until May when it became the first unit to fly out of Coltishall, still within 12 Group, from where it covered the evacuation of Dunkirk. 610 Squadron was within 11 Group from May to August and 66 Squadron only joined 11 Group in early September, flying out of Kenley, when apparently N3029 was back on its strength.

Looking at it you'd have to think that Revell made a mistake. Plenty of other Spitfires wore the markings DW-K during the Battle of Britain - but the 610 Squadron Association records show, however, that airframe N3029 was assigned to them during the Battle of Britain and carried the code DW-K. The clue comes from the note that it was maintained LAC Joseph Heaps, who was a member of 610 when it was stationed at Biggin Hill from 7 July-31 August 1940.

Somehow N3029 left 66 Squadron in July and returned to it – along with former 610 Squadron pilot P.H. Willcocks – in September, after 610 was withdrawn from the front line. Quite how or why is a mystery to me – although there is one rather interesting nugget:

Both N3029 and X4067 flew with 610 Squadron in the Battle of Britain. Both carried the codes DW-K. Both were piloted by Sergeant P.H. Willcocks and both of them were refitted to Mk.V specification before being lost at sea while being transported from Birkenhead to Port Sudan in the winter of 1942-43!

Anyone with any ideas on how N3029 ended up with 610 Squadron would, however, be much appreciated to chip in...

[AnonymousDFB1]

What an intriguing story, looking forward to this one

[FZ6]

Interesting story. I have one of these kits and depite it's age I think it has fantastic surface detail and the potential to build into a lovely model.

Look forward to seeing this one.

[maltadefender]

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to building it - I've got some 1/32 metal figures and plan to do a (whisper it!) airfield scene. This will be a non-flying model!!

Meanwhile, I got to the bottom of the mystery shooting-down of a Heinkel in January 1940 - this from a Duxford-related site:

On 11 January 1940, Duxford-based squadrons were involved in their first action of the war. 66 Squadron, while on duty at Horsham St. Faith, was scrambled to catch a Heinkel He111 which had attacked a trawler. Three Spitfires intercepted it, damaging the port engine. The Heinkel was then lost in cloud and the Spitfires returned to base, but the enemy aircraft was later reported to have crashed in Denmark.

I wonder what the Luftwaffe records say about this... seems remarkable to send a lone bomber out into the North Sea to disrupt the fishermen!

[maltadefender]

I've decided that the pilot should be in a pre-war white overall, a dashing young buck from Cheshire and pre-war 610 Squadron member. The first 1/32 Spit pilot in our family had a Graham Hill moustache but this time I'm aiming for the 'Flash' Gordon look:

[maltadefender]

Part 4: Colours and markings -

Ahhh yes, as ever this is the contentious bit!

I find it quite interesting that 610 Squadron and the Hurricanes of 32 Squadron operated in tandem around the triangle of Biggin Hill, Hawkinge and Gravesend early in the Battle, and both units were previously involved in covering the retreat from Dunkirk. Both units subsequently used ‘oversized’ roundels and code letters – and following the most recent research both units are now depicted as having undersides painted in something closer to ‘Sky Blue No.1’ than any of the other hues put forward in the 'Sky Type S' debate.

My feeling is that, if the revised opinion on their colour schemes is correct, the June order to paint undersides ‘Sky’ was interpreted as Sky Blue No.1 either at Biggin or Gravesend (or both!) on 610 and 32 Squadrons, with every effort being made to make the national insignia and squadron codes as clear as possible. With this in mind – and my Dad’s recollection that ‘the colours seemed brighter’ on 610 Squadron aircraft – I’m going to build my Spit as N3029 with Dark Green/Dark Earth/Sky Blue No.1 colours.

So, with the background work done, it’s time to get building...

[maltadefender]

I'm getting quite into this one... it's a family thing after all. As it turns out there's to be a 610 Squadron meeting next month, so I think I'm going to try and get there.

Meanwhile the initial delivery of Spitfires seemed to last 610 Squadron pretty well from September 1939 to May 1940 and they were:

L1000, L1001, L1003, L1006, L1008, L1009, L1011, L1013, L1014, L1015, L1016, L1017, L1043, L1044, L1062, L1074, L1075, L1076

I'm still searching for the identity of N3029 and how she came to be a 610 aircraft in between stints with 66 Squadron, and in the meantime I've been looking up 610's losses in the Battle... which are many:

11/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sqn Ldr A.T. Smith unhurt, crash-landing after convoy patrol, airframe DW-D (L1000) repairable

12/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt S. Ireland killed, crashed after losing control in dogfight, airframe DW-Q (P9502) write-off

13/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt P.I. Watson-Parker killed after crash on patrol, airframe (R6807) write-off

18/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer P.L. Litchfield missing over Calais, airframe DW-T (P9452) lost

20/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer G.K. Keighley baled out wounded over Lydden, airframe DW-S (N3201) write-off

25/7/40 (Hawkinge): Sqn Ldr A.T. Smith killed attempting crash-landing, airframe DW-A (R6693) write-off

25/7/40 (Hawkinge): Pilot Officer F.T. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-O (R6955) repairable

29/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer S.C. Norris unhurt, airframe DW-O (R6955) burst tyre/ground-loop on landing, repairable

8/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe DW-T (R6765) damaged in combat but repairable

8/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe (L1045) damaged in combat but repairable

11/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt J.H. Tanner shot down into sea over Calais, airframe DW-D (R6918) lost

11/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt W.J. Neville shot down into sea over Calais, airframe DW-X (R6630) lost

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer E.B.B. Smith baled out with burns over Romney, airframe DW-H crashed in flames write-off

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flying Officer F.T. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-N (R6806) damaged port wing and crash landing repairable

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot OK, airframe (R6621) repairable combat damage

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot OK, airframe DW-K (P9495) write-off after landing due to combat damage

14/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt. B.E.D. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-M (K9947) damaged by 109s repairable

14/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe DW-B (L1009) damaged by 109s repairable

16/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flt Lt W.H.C. Warner lost at sea, airframe DW-Z (R6802) lost

16/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer D. McI. Gray unhurt, airframe DW-D damaged by 109s but repairable

18/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer C.O.J. Pedge unhurt, airframe DW-F (R6694) damaged by 109s and hit bomb crater on landing, repairable

18/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flt Lt J. Ellis unhurt, airframe DW-W (R6993), hit by return fire from He-111 but repairable

22/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt D.F. Coffe unhurt, airframe DW-P (R6695) landed on fire and burnt out write-off

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt A.J. Arnfield broke ankle after baling out, airframe DW-S (R6686) crashed in flames write off

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer DE.S. Aldous unhurt, airframe DW-X (R6641) repairable combat damage from 109s

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer D. McI. Gray wounded, airframe DW-K (X4021) write-off after crash-landing

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer C. Merrick wounded, airframe DW-D write-off after crash-landing

25/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer F.T. Gardner baled out wounded, airframe DW-P (K9931) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): Pilot Officer F.K. Webster killed attempting to land burning aircraft, airframe DW-O (R6595) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot baled out unhurt, airframe (P9496) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): Sgt P.Else baled out unhurt, airframe DW-M (R6970) write-off

28/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer K. Cox killed, airframe (P9511) write-off

29/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer A.C. Barker unhurt, airframe DW-O write-off after dogfight with 109s and crash-landing at Gatwick

29/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt E. Alanton killed, airframe DW-E (R6629) write-off after dogfight with 109s

There's a list of airframes used in the Battle of Britain on the 610 Squadron Association website, which is:

K9818, K9947, K9970, K9975, L1037, L1094 (destroyed in mid-air collision 18/10/40), N3029, N3124, N3128, N3201, P9311, P9433 (later transferred to 131 Squadron), P9447 (shot down 11/11/40), P9451 (crashed 11/12/40), P9452, P9498, P9486, R6599, R6630, R6695, R6802, R6806 (transferred to 72 Squadron), R6807, R6808, R6891, R6918, R6965, R6970, R6976, R6993, X4011, X4028, X4063, X4064, X4065, X4067 (lost at sea 8/1/43), X4102, X4166, X4239, X4649 (destroyed in mid-air collision 11/12/40)

And on we go...

Edited August 21, 2010 by maltadefender

[maltadefender]

I'm getting quite into this one... it's a family thing after all. As it turns out there's to be a 610 Squadron meeting next month, so I think I'm going to try and get there.

Meanwhile the initial delivery of Spitfires seemed to last 610 Squadron pretty well from September 1939 to May 1940 and they were:

L1000, L1001, L1003, L1006, L1008, L1009, L1011, L1013, L1014, L1015, L1016, L1017, L1043, L1044, L1062, L1074, L1075, L1076

I'm still searching for the identity of N3029 and how she came to be a 610 aircraft in between stints with 66 Squadron, and in the meantime I've been looking up 610's losses in the Battle... which are many:

11/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sqn Ldr A.T. Smith unhurt, crash-landing after convoy patrol, airframe DW-D (L1000) repairable

12/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt S. Ireland killed, crashed after losing control in dogfight, airframe DW-Q (P9502) write-off

13/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt P.I. Watson-Parker killed after crash on patrol, airframe (R6807) write-off

18/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer P.L. Litchfield missing over Calais, airframe DW-T (P9452) lost

20/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer G.K. Keighley baled out wounded over Lydden, airframe DW-S (N3201) write-off

25/7/40 (Hawkinge): Sqn Ldr A.T. Smith killed attempting crash-landing, airframe DW-A (R6693) write-off

25/7/40 (Hawkinge): Pilot Officer F.T. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-O (R6955) repairable

29/7/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer S.C. Norris unhurt, airframe DW-O (R6955) burst tyre/ground-loop on landing, repairable

8/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe DW-T (R6765) damaged in combat but repairable

8/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe (L1045) damaged in combat but repairable

11/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt J.H. Tanner shot down into sea over Calais, airframe DW-D (R6918) lost

11/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt W.J. Neville shot down into sea over Calais, airframe DW-X (R6630) lost

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer E.B.B. Smith baled out with burns over Romney, airframe DW-H crashed in flames write-off

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flying Officer F.T. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-N (R6806) damaged port wing and crash landing repairable

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot OK, airframe (R6621) repairable combat damage

12/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot OK, airframe DW-K (P9495) write-off after landing due to combat damage

14/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt. B.E.D. Gardner wounded, airframe DW-M (K9947) damaged by 109s repairable

14/8/40 (Biggin Hill): pilot not recorded but unhurt, airframe DW-B (L1009) damaged by 109s repairable

16/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flt Lt W.H.C. Warner lost at sea, airframe DW-Z (R6802) lost

16/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer D. McI. Gray unhurt, airframe DW-D damaged by 109s but repairable

18/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer C.O.J. Pedge unhurt, airframe DW-F (R6694) damaged by 109s and hit bomb crater on landing, repairable

18/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Flt Lt J. Ellis unhurt, airframe DW-W (R6993), hit by return fire from He-111 but repairable

22/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt D.F. Coffe unhurt, airframe DW-P (R6695) landed on fire and burnt out write-off

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt A.J. Arnfield broke ankle after baling out, airframe DW-S (R6686) crashed in flames write off

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer DE.S. Aldous unhurt, airframe DW-X (R6641) repairable combat damage from 109s

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer D. McI. Gray wounded, airframe DW-K (X4021) write-off after crash-landing

24/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer C. Merrick wounded, airframe DW-D write-off after crash-landing

25/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer F.T. Gardner baled out wounded, airframe DW-P (K9931) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): Pilot Officer F.K. Webster killed attempting to land burning aircraft, airframe DW-O (R6595) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): pilot baled out unhurt, airframe (P9496) write-off

26/8/40 (Hawkinge): Sgt P.Else baled out unhurt, airframe DW-M (R6970) write-off

28/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer K. Cox killed, airframe (P9511) write-off

29/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Pilot Officer A.C. Barker unhurt, airframe DW-O write-off after dogfight with 109s and crash-landing at Gatwick

29/8/40 (Biggin Hill): Sgt E. Alanton killed, airframe DW-E (R6629) write-off after dogfight with 109s

There's a list of airframes used in the Battle of Britain on the 610 Squadron Association website, which is:

K9818, K9947, K9970, K9975, L1037, L1094 (destroyed in mid-air collision 18/10/40), N3029, N3124, N3128, N3201, P9311, P9433 (later transferred to 131 Squadron), P9447 (shot down 11/11/40), P9451 (crashed 11/12/40), P9452, P9498, P9486, R6599, R6630, R6695, R6802, R6806 (transferred to 72 Squadron), R6807, R6808, R6891, R6918, R6965, R6970, R6976, R6993, X4011, X4028, X4063, X4064, X4065, X4067 (lost at sea 8/1/43), X4102, X4166, X4239, X4649 (destroyed in mid-air collision 11/12/40)

And on we go...

Looking at 66 Squadron losses in the same period to the end of August, they're far fewer... perhaps some Spits got seconded:

10/7/40 (Coltishall): Pilot Officer C.A. Cooke unhurt, airframe N3042 damaged by return fire from Do17

11/7/40 (Coltishall): Sqn Ldr R.H.A. Leigh unhurt, airframe R3182 damaged by return fire from Do17

24/7/40 (Coltishall): Sgt A.D. Smith unhurt, airframe N3041 lost at sea

29/7/40 (Coltishall): Pilot Officer L.W. Collingbridge injured baling out, airframe N3042 lost at sea damaged by return fire from He-111

19/8/40 (Coltishall): Pilot Officer J.A.P. Studd died of exposure in Channel, airframe N3182 lost at sea

24/8/40 (Coltishall): Pilot Officer R.W. Oxspring OK, airframe X4052 force-landed, repairable

30/8/40 (Coltishall): Pilot Officer J.H.T. Pichering OK, airframe R6715 lost at sea

[Opadag]

I know this may be a little "off topic" but can you tell me where I can find the type of detail that you did, is it by going to Kew or is there a web site that has the list of losses?

MTIA

[maltadefender]

The pilot's now about as good as I can get him. A bit doll-like but he'll do for me I think...

As for the 610 Squadron research, it appears that when the Blenheims were being hacked out of the sky over Sedan and the Meuse when the Germans made their lightning strike into France, Belgium and Holland, one of the few to make it back to Britain became 610's first 'kill' on May 15 1940 when they mistook it for a Ju88... fortunately the crew survived. Meanwhile Tom Neil, who was born in Bootle, remembered his failed attempt to join 610's sister squadron, 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron:

"I tried to join 611 Auxiliary Squadron, the West Lancashire Squadron, while I was living in Manchester, about 35 miles away from their airfield. I went for my interview and they were frightfully toffee-nosed. They turned me down because I lived too far away and didn't have a car."

[maltadefender]

As luck would have it, I was passing by Biggin Hill last week. Here are the gate guardians at the Chapel...

[AnonymousDFB1]

Nice work on the pilot

[maltadefender]

Thanks Mish, I'm adding zips and things (and hopefully not gilding the lily), meanwhile a little more of the history...

From April 1940 until the Germans unleashed ‘Fall Gelb’, the invasion of France, Belgium and the Netherlands on May 10, 610 Squadron was based at RAF Prestwick, Scotland. It was immediately pulled south to Biggin Hill on May 10, joining the incumbent 32 Squadron, whose Hurricanes were heavily engaged in patrols off the Belgian coast.

The squadron notched up its first recorded ‘kill’ on May 21, when it hit what was believed to have been a Junkers 88 some five miles north of Boulogne. In fact it was a Blenheim, one of two lost by 18 Squadron that day. L9185 was lost at sea but her crew – Pilot Officer V. Rees, Sergeant N.V. Pusey and LAC K.E. Murray were rescued from the sea and returned to their unit.

As the situation in France worsened, 32 and 610 Squadrons were transferred out of Biggin in readiness to defend the troops at Dunkirk, with 32 Squadron transferring to RAF Wittering on 26 May and 610 moved to Gravesend where it was immediately put to work. Its first action from Gravesend came the same day, encountering a Heinkel He111 with 40 escorting Bf110s. The squadron claimed three 110s and the Heinkel but lost two of its aircraft:

L1016 – Flying Officer Albert Rupert John Medcalf missing (age 26)

N3284 – Sergeant William Thomas Medway killed (age unknown)

The squadron’s next major encounter came two days later – and it was a disaster. Encountering a strong force of Bf109s over Dunkirk, four aircraft were lost with their pilots. These were:

Unknown – Squadron Leader Alexander Lumsden ‘Bonzo’ Franks, killed (age 32)

L1000 – Flying Officer Gerald Malcolm Theodore Kerr, missing (age 30)

N3289 – Flying Officer John Kerr Wilson, missing (age 32)

L1062 – Sergeant Peter Douglas Jenkins, missing (age 20)

The last day of May brought 610 Squadron back over Dunkirk, and again they took a mauling at the hands of the Bf109s. Another two aircraft were lost, one pilot killed and the other rescued from the sea by one of the ‘little ships’ as they fought desperately to pull British and French troops off the beaches.

N3274 – Flying Officer Graham Tim Lambert Chambers, missing (age unknown)

Unknown – Flying Officer G. Keighley, wounded

By the time that the evacuation of Dunkirk was completed, it was clear that 610 Squadron had been changed forever. Almost half of the original squadron members were killed, missing or wounded – although they did put in a healthy number of claims in return.

A new C.O. was brought in to replace ‘Bonzo’ Franks, this being Squadron Leader Andrew Thomas ‘Big Bill’ Smith, together with replacement pilots including some drawn from 25, 41, 66 and 72 Squadrons. New aircraft would also have been desperately needed and by my reckoning it must have been at this point that N3029 was added to 610 Squadron from 66 Squadron – perhaps with one of the pilots who were transferred there, namely Sergeant W.J. Corbin or Sergeant C.R. Parsons.

The Battle of Dunkirk was over and now the Battle of the Channel was underway. Although many squadrons suffered heavy losses attempting to protect the convoys moving between British ports in June-July 1940, 610 was not one of them. While still extremely busy flying out of Gravesend, Hawkinge and Biggin Hill only two casualties were recorded, these being Sergeant Ronald William Haines, who crashed on take-off on June 29 and the mysterious Pilot Officer Arthur Lionel Boultbee Raven, shot down off Dover on 8 July in L1075 – mysterious because he appears and disappears from various ‘official’ sources to the point where one hardly knows whether he existed at all!

So much for the preliminaries, on to the Battle of Britain, if we're talking in terms of the official 'start date' of July 10... and some more building and painting!

[maltadefender]

Having failed with my 1/48 and 1/72 'Skyorama' for Jumbo Gracie's Hurricane after giving up on the frankly awful Revell 1/72 Messerschmitt, I've decided to make a diorama for this one. Again I'll use different scales.

In this case the 1/32 Spitfire DW-K will go near Tamiya's 1/48 DW-O on a picture frame in which I'm going to mount a section of grass mat from my slot car track. Also from the slot car track will come a set of 1/32 metal RAF pilot figures, a dispersal hut, a gramophone, chairs and of course a dog (it was supposed to have been Goodwood but never got that far!) I've also bought a Matchbox 'Models of Yesteryear' Riley MPH to tart up and put in place as the kind of transport befitting a young RAuxAF officer.

Hopefully the effect will end up something like these lovely shots of 610 at Hawkinge in July 1940:

Sprue shots of the Tami Spit follow...

[maltadefender]

Would you believe it, there's been some modelling going on with this build???

Well... painting and decorating anyway.

The Models of Yesteryear Riley MPH arrived, it's one I've got mint and boxed somewhere in Dad's loft...

With little time to dedicate to it I'm afraid I just waded in there, pulling the tyres off and getting busy with the Halfords primer...

Most 1:1 Riley MPHs appear to have been painted black (either the whole car or the lower half of the coachwork) with black wheels. Given that my Dad's got an all-black MG TD with red seats and this build is all his fault, I'm transferring the colours to my Riley, courtesy of a Humbrol rattlecan. As quickly as possible!

[maltadefender]

Riley's now painted - she can have her tyres back in the morning.

I only just remembered to add the whitewash to the extremities for the blackout!

[AnonymousDFB1]

Err, where are the wings? and can you prove that a car with that registration was on a BoB airfield in the time frame of the GB?

Only kidding

[maltadefender]

Err, where are the wings? and can you prove that a car with that registration was on a BoB airfield in the time frame of the GB?

Only kidding

Ha ha... don't tempt me!

With only 25 of these Rileys made, it would probably be easier to prove than the identity of my chuffing Spit!

All finished now. I 'weathered' the blackout paint a bit as it was looking a bit too much like it was supposed to be there!

[Davec_24]

"It's only a model"...

Looking good, by the way. Shame about the Messerschmitt letting you down, but I bet you will be able to put the experience in using different scales to represent perspective to good use here.

[AnonymousDFB1]

Glad you added the white blackout edging, ads to the authenticity

[maltadefender]

Glad you added the white blackout edging, ads to the authenticity

On the 'wings' no less!

[maltadefender]

Right then, first of two Spits for this build.

While we continue to dig into the identity of N3029, here's Tamiya's 1/48 Spit in OTB form as DW-O, pilot Sgt. 'Bam' Bamberger...

I can't actually believe that there's anyone on this forum without first-hand experience of those particular sprues!

[maltadefender]

Almost could have entered this one for the Blitzbuild she's coming together so nicely. I can see now what all the fuss is about - it's a wonderful kit for someone with my modest abilities, I just hope all the little flaws I can see in my work get rectified.

The belts were made from tape... I'm getting experimental! IFF wires should be fun but thanks to Mish for the counsel on that.

Weathering is quite heavy but L1043 was an 'old original' Spit to 610, delivered in September 1940, and after a no-doubt cosseted early existence she was in the thick of things over Dunkirk and the Channel convoys before the 'Battle' officially started without any respite from May onwards.