December 2023

For my last completed models of 2023, I have gone firmly back to my modelling roots, with 2 more Fleet Air Arm aircraft.  

The Fairey Gannet, with its twin turboprop propulsion, was sufficiently different from existing aircraft to merit a dedicated trainer version.  These were operated by the HQ Flights of most Gannet Squadrons, including this Gannet T.5 from 849 Sqn at RNAS Brawdy in 1969, built using the Trumpeter kit.

The 1950s were a period of rapid transition and growth for the Fleet Air Arm, with the Cold War ramping up and jet aircraft beginning to take over from propeller driven older types.  The Supermarine Vickers Attacker was the RN’s first jet powered carrier-borne aircraft, and although its service life was short, it pioneered the use of jets at sea.  This is the old FROG kit, with markings for an aircraft of 800 Sqn, based onboard HMS EAGLE in 1951.

So here we are in 2023, and I hope you all had a relatively happy and hopefully warm Christmas.  Last year on this website I expressed my support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.  The modelling community has very strong links with Ukraine - a quick check of my stash highlights just how many of my models were manufactured in that country.  

I can’t even begin to imagine what deprivations they have suffered over winter and how cold their Christmas must have been.  And for what - Vladimir Putins vanity?

Sadly, I expect that this year will be even worse, but I re-iterate my support for the people of Ukraine and my hope for an end to this futile war in 2023.

January 2023

Some simple and nostalgic builds over Christmas period.  The Airfix Westland Whirlwind was one of the first kits that I ever built.  I reckon the blades remained on it for about a week as a result of enthusiastic flying round my parent’s garden.  

Released again this year as a “Vintage Classic”, I bought two just before Christmas ! It is a very crude kit, first issued in 1956 (as a civilian S.55).  Neverthelesss, with some minor changes and new markings, it can be greatly improved.

My first build of this ancient kit is a HAR.3 of ARK ROYAL’s SAR Flight in 1956

Completing my collection of early Whirlwinds (with the straight tail boom), my second nostalgia build is this deep blue HAR.21 of 848 Sqn, operating as a troop carrier over the jungles of Malaya.   So far as I can tell, these Sikorsky built aircraft were in standard US Marines colours, possibly even with their US markings painted over.

February 2023

A trip to Malta at the end of last year has reignited my interest in the WW2 battles for that island.  

This month sees two aircraft that fought over  Malta at the start of the battle in June and July 1940.  Firstly  a Gloster Sea Gladiator of the Hal Far Fighter Flight that came to be known as “Faith”. This one is basedon the old Matchbox kit with some Airfix markings.

My second build is one of Faith’s adversaries, a Macchi MC.200 Saetta based in Sicily, using the modern Hobby Boss easy build kit and a set of Xtradecal markings.   

March 2023

A few helicopters this month.  The Sikorsky S-70 has been a hugely successful aircraft, serving around the world in a wide range of roles.   

This month I have built naval and land-based variants, firstly a Hasegawa SH-60B Seahawk small ship ASW helicopter of USN training squadron HSL41.   This was an easy build, with the kit showing all of Hasegawa’s normal attributes.

My second build is a UH-60A Black Hawk troop carrier of the 10th Mountain Regiment US Army, using the Italeri/Revell kit.  This was  a much more difficult build of a kit that has a few flaws.

April 2023

Back to my Malta project this month, with two more adversaries from the early part of the air campaign in 1940.

Hurricanes are synonomous with the defence of Malta.  My first build of the month represents one of the early aircraft delivered by HMS ARGUS during Operation Hurry in August 1940: a Hurricane Mk1B of 418 Flight/261 Sqn operating out of Hal Far and Takali airfields.

Facing the newly arrived Hurricanes, the Italian Air Force had reverted from their MC.200s to the trusty and very  manoeuverable Fiat CR.42 biplane.   This one represents an aircraft of 97 Sqn, 9 Gruppo, 4 Stormo, which served briefly over Malta before departing for Libya.  

May 2023

At the end of April I had the delight of attending  the annual “Star Wars Celebration”, held this year at the Excel centre in London.  

A perfect excuse to build another Star Wars model, this time a TIE Fighter, using the marvellous Bandai / Revell kit !

June 2023

The outrageous Russian invasion of Ukraine continues and so I add another Ukrainian aircraft to my model collection.   

This is the Hobbyboss Mil Mi-254V Crocodile  / Hind-E of the 16th Separate Army Aviation Brigade in Eastern Ukraine.  Decals come from Ukrainian company, Foxbot.

July 2023

My Malta Air Campaign project has been bubbling away in the background and this month sees an important Italian Bomber  that saw action over Malta in 1941 and 1942.   

This is the Supermodel CANT Z.1007 Bis Alcione  of 60 Sqn, 33 Gruppo, based out of Trapani-Milo in north east Sicily in June 1941.

August 2023

This year’s RIAT airshow at RAF Fairford seemed to be dominated by the F-35A, with quite a few F-35Bs in attendance as well.  So it is with my modelling builds for this month.

First up is an F-35A of  331 Sqv Royal Norwegian Air Force, based at Orland in northern Norway.  This aircraft carries the stealth drogue parachute pod used to assist with landings on icy runways.

Second is (another!) F-35B, this time using the new Airfix kit and wearing the markings of 617 Sqn “The Dambusters” during the 2021 Carrier Strike Group deployment of the carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to the Far East.  

August 2023

This year’s RIAT airshow at RAF Fairford seemed to be dominated by the F-35A, with quite a few F-35Bs in attendance as well.  So it is with my modelling builds for this month.

First up is an F-35A of  331 Sqv Royal Norwegian Air Force, based at Orland in northern Norway.  This aircraft carries the stealth drogue parachute pod used to assist with landings on icy runways.

Second is (another!) F-35B, this time using the new Airfix kit and wearing the markings of 617 Sqn “The Dambusters” during the 2021 Carrier Strike Group deployment of the carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to the Far East.  

September 2023

This month I have built two more “Malta WW2” subjects, both fighter aircraft.  

First up is a Reggiane Re2000 Falco of 377a Sqn,  based out of Palermo in Northern Sicily.  The Falcos were quite unusual, having been rejected by the Italian Air Force just before the war.  Nevertheless, a single experimental squadron operated them with some success against Malta and as escorts for supply ships heading to Libya.

Second is one of the aircraft that the Re2000 would have met in the air above Malta, a Sptifre Vb of  249 Sqn RAF, from Qrendi airfield.   This aircraft and its pilot Sqn Ldr Johnny Lynch, were credited with the 1000th victory over Malta in 1943.  

October 2023

Not strictly Malta this month, but still WW2 in the North Africa/Mediterranean Theatre.  Both of my builds use classic Airfix kits from the 1960s,  albeit with more modern decals.

The first is a Lockheed Hudson of 206 Sqn RAF, based out of Bircham Newton and with detachments to Gibraltar .  The Hudson was a remarkably successful adaptation of a passenger aircraft into a maritime strike and anti-submarine bomber.

Second is a Fiesler Storch of the Luftwaffe Wüstennotstaffel, providing rescue cover, special ops insertion and VIP transport to Rommel’s army in North Africa during 1942.

November 2023

This month I have returned to what is probably my favourite modelling subject, Cold War Royal Navy aircraft,  with one new build and a refurbishment of an older model.

The first is a Fairey Gannet AEW.3 of A Flight, 849 Sqn from HMS HERMES (naturally) in the late 1960s.  This is the Sword kit released in 2015 (and about to be re-released).    It’s not the easiest kit to build and has some shortfalls, but looks the part when complete!

Whilst  looking out my older Gannet AEW.3 kit  for comparison, I came across a build that I completed in 1991.  It’s the older Airfix Buccaneer S.2 kit, in markings of  800 Sqn in HMS EAGLE.  Its decals had deteriorated badly over the past 32 years, so time for a repaint and spruce up!