tc`s 74 Sqn `upgrade to 1/48` Project

[tc2324]

Moving on to my next 74 project...., the Iron Fist Tiger.



The Gauntlet stands out in 74 Sqn`s history as the very first aircraft to have the black/yellow dicing applied which S/L Brookes designed and then had trouble convincing the Air Ministry to accept it as they considered it `dangerously unconventional`.

Here`s the instructions....,





...... a bit of night time reading with a few piccies to look at.

The kit itself is a mix of white metal, resin and plastic....,





Now for some reason I have a tri-plane Gauntlet. Haven`t read through the destruction's yet, if you can call them that, so it might be that the earlier Gauntlet might of had a slightly different wing shape? They look the same to me though so it`s probably just a mistake.

The one obvious thing that Aeroclub seem to got wrong about the decal sheet is the inclusion of the long black/yellow dicing along the top wing which you can see in one of the pictures above. Looks rather pretty, but here is no evidence to support it and that 74 copied other RAF Sqn`s at the time.

Here`s K5337 and you can see the top of the wing is plain silver as any zig-zag dicing would have shown up.



Here`s another `posed` picture of the boss Squadron Leader `Brookie` Brookes briefing the Sqn pilots. We know it`s posed as he later said that he would never brief the aircrew on the tail of an aircraft.
Standing directly behind him is a certain Sailor Malan in his early days with the Tigers.



More soon.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

'Tri-plane Gauntlet'

That's a 'WHIF' if ever I heard one

Keep us informed

Cheers

Patrick

[PaulN]

Good lucK with this one

Paul

[tc2324]

Well, with the kiddies now on their summer break, trying to get to the plastic and resin and white metal has been a challenge and quite slow, let alone surfing the various forums I frequent.

Of course I`m looking forward to spending a bit of quality time with the kids, but the modeler inside of me is quite looking forward to the 2nd week in September as well.

So what`s been done?

Well I`ve done as much of the cockpit as I`m going to do and pre painted the prop, wheels and some of the tail.



Did I use all the white metal parts for the cockpit interior?

Well..., no.

Cockpits are not really my `thing` and I try to do a reasonable representation so that nothing looks really out of place.

But the other factor involved is quite simply how much of the interior would you see......?

.... not much.



So why add to the growing spread of grey hair with bits no one will see when the bits everyone will see are going to cause a bit of stress in them selves.

More soon.... ish!

[steve149c]

Nice job TC - couldn't agree more in cockpits - loads of work and not really seen!

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Coming along nicely

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers guys.

As with all limited run kits, it`s taking some time to put together, but here`s where I`m at with it right now.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC



Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Thanks Patrick.

Slow but steady progress......





.... I assembled the engine components and then gave them a coat of black gloss. Once dry I found that if I handled the engine a few times the black wore away and gave it a slight metallic look. From what I can tell by pictures of 74`s Gauntlet`s, the engines appear black`ish so hopefully it`s a good representation.

[PaulN]

TC

Engine looks good

What silver do you use for the overall finish

Keep going

Cheers

Paul

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

As Paul says, great engine job

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Thanks guys.

Paul, I used Humbrol rattle can silver for the main painting and using Revell silver tin enamel for any touch ups.

This way also adds to the overall effect of a well used Gauntlet making it look a little `patchy`.

Now starting to actually look like a Gauntlet.

[PaulN]

TC

Works OK

Coming along in leaps and bounds now

Paul

[tc2324]

As you know, I was searching for easier ways to complete the rigging.

So if rigging is putting you off bi-plane building, read on.

In the past, like Ken in his thread previously, I used EZ Line.

This was all well and good but I personally went through a lot of the stuff due to my impatience, failure to bond the stuff correctly and general :bang: which was all down to me of course.

I needed something easier.

Step forward Albion Alloys Round Nickel Silver Rod 0.2mm.



Now this stuff is rigid but still retains a level of flexibility.

All you do is cut a section off, (always remembering to cut off a bit more than you actually need), and trim it to fit.

With a pair of tweezers, take hold of the middle of the cut section and dip each end in super glue.

Then fit in place.



I little bit more stress free I think.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

We (I) are not worthy

Keep it up, buddy

Very best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

A quick update on the rigging.....



Taking it slow with a couple of bits done each day mainly when the sprogs allow me to do it.

[tc2324]

I`m in the process of building a MiG-3 for a GB on another forum and as soon as that is over, I`m starting on this......,



First a bit of background.

Now for all you who think the 74 Sqn schemes are pretty much standard, when it came to the Demon, it was anything but.

Back in 1935, Mussolini threatened to occupy Abyssinia and in response to this the British set up what was known as `The Demon Flight`. A number of aircraft, airman and pilot`s were pooled from various squadron`s and sent on their way to Malta in secrecy. Their mission quite simply was to defend Malta from any Italian aggression.

Once there, the aircraft were unloaded by the 16th September and within 48 hours 8 aircraft were declared operational. On the 14th November the Air Ministry informed the Demon Flight that they were to be known hence fourth as No 74 Sqn. The Tigers were back.

Camouflaging the aircraft had began back in October using locally available dopes and the design was an experimental one which had evolved from the days of WWI and had the full backing from RAE at Farnborough who were looking at various schemes to `decrease visibility of aircraft from above`.

The deployment at Malta had given them a perfect excuse to test the effect these schemes could produce.

Earlier this year at the 74 Sqn reunion dinner this very subject was of great interest as Dr Micheal Crow was a guest of honour. (His father was 74`s CO in Malta flying the Demon`s). He had brought his father`s private cine film of that time with unique footage of the Demon`s. (At some point this film will be able to be viewed on the 74 website).

Bob Cossey and I studied the footage and came to the conclusion that at least 4 colours were used. This is the only decent profile I could find.



Now I`ve learnt not to trust profiles too much as this is someones representation of their research and sometimes they can get it wrong. With the latter aircraft 74 used, I have access to aircrew and ground crew who were there if I need something confirmed. However with the Demon flights, this isn`t the case. But judging by the following picture, I quite happy that this profile is reasonable correct.



You can just make out the 4 colours used.

As for if the camo scheme was effective.......,



....., ok, it`s in black and white but I`d say it pretty much was. Also note the various positions of the roundels on the upper wings to add more disorientation to the effect. Probably designed along similar lines to the painted on cockpit`s on the underneath of jets today.

Anyway, so that`s what I`m going with and as for the kit itself...,





.... plastic, metal and etch.

Should be fun.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

That scheme is certainly 'in your face'

Keep us posted

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Been gaining some more info on the camo issue the last day or so as the profile in the previous post may be inconsistent with written files. But more on that later.

As for the build, well while the written instructions are ok and easy to follow, I`m going to build this in my own way so that it will be easier to paint when the time comes.

Got the frame work in....,



.... and as is usual for me I added a few bits and bobs like the trim wheels but didn`t go overboard as you won`t see any of it.



And finally put the top on.....,



Had a couple of issues, one being the fuselage halfs being warped which then had a knock on effect when trying to add the top section. But overall not so bad and this is the worst bit over.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Nice progress there

'Added a 'few' bits and bobs'

Since when could you add just a few

Cheers

Patrick