This update brings to life another of the older articles, from around 2005-2006 and tells the story of No.25 Squadron RNZAF in Bougainville in mid 1944...
Col. James Beckwith’s 15th FG P-51D-25 Mustang “Squirt” at Iwo Jima, March-May 1944
Early on the morning of 7 April the 15th and 21st Groups were poised ready for the signal to start engines. The briefings of the day before and that morning had everyone eager to get the operation underway...
“WALFISCH” THE WHALE Luftfahrzeug-Gellschaft m.b.H. (LFG) Roland C.IIa
This one is one of my favourite paint jobs. I don't have a lot of interest in WW1 subjects, I took this one on simply to see if I could get a decent result in painting it.
F/O Les Clisby’s Hawker Hurricane Mk.I of No.1 Squadron RAF, France May 1940
I present my first previously unpublished Feature Article. The subject is F/O Les Clisby and his Hawker Hurricane Mk.1. This remarkable Australian fighter pilot was noted for his aggression, both in the air and on the ground... "Remarkably, Clisby landed nearby, drew his service sidearm and chased the German crewmen across the field as they tried to escape! He captured one in a rugby tackle..." I hope you enjoy the article.
Flt. Sgt. George “Grumpy” Unwin’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk IA
While Tamiya's new tool Spitfire gets all the attention, here's one of the old tool version... "In late May, 1940 the BEF was forced from continental Europe by the Germans at Dunkirk. The now famous retreat was covered in part by Spitfires of No.19 Squadron. Flight Sergeant George Unwin was already an experienced Spitfire pilot by this stage of the war..."
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team “Red Arrows” Folland Gnat T.1
Ray Hanna served as Red Leader for three consecutive years until 1968 and was recalled to supersede Squadron Leader Timothy Nelson for the 1969 display season, a record four seasons as Leader, which still stands.
Flying Officer Ted Kosh’s Hawker Tempest V of No.3 Squadron, RAF July 1944
While it wasn't a very glamorous job, taking on the V1’s pounding southern England almost every day was still very dangerous. Tipping could damage...
