Donivanp
Captain
1/48 Fairely Swordfish L4M from 815 Tarano raid - Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Username: Donivanp
First name: Don
Category: Intermediate
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model Type: Fairely Swordfish
Aftermarket addons: Tamiya Fairely Swordfish PE set and decals as needed
The Taranto raid has captivated my attention for many years, so the opportunity to depict the obsolete string-bag in a model is something i just could not pass up. I've been waiting for this build for sometime. The HMS Illustrious was to bee the only carrier to be used in this momentous raid, as the HMS Eagle was not up to the task, but her Swordfish did take part flying from the Illustrious. There were two strikes to be flown. the First strike consisted of ten torpedo bearing Swordfish from 815 sq and two from the eagle. Six would carry torpedoes and two 250 lb bombs and flares with the remainder carrying 250 lb bombs. Lt Ian Swayne and observer Sub Lt (A) J Buscall of 815 Sq flying L4M got lost and tot he party early, had tow wait for 15 minutes for the rest of the party to show up and then successfully torpedo the battleship Littorio in the port quarter.
As finding decals for the Taranto raid is near impossible, I shall do my best to represent the aircraft in question piecemealing my markings. 815 Sq had their planes painted with a temporary black belly and under wing. 813 from the Eagle did not. The black paint covered the serarl number and only the 4M was noted on the vertical stab in white. Although I have put the photo together using a Mk 11 I have the Mk I coming in but as the two kits and almost identical I shall start with the Mk II and finish with any differences from the Mk I. The markings in the illustration do nit seem to be correct as the black was applied over the normal light grey under-surface and around the insignia.
Username: Donivanp
First name: Don
Category: Intermediate
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model Type: Fairely Swordfish
Aftermarket addons: Tamiya Fairely Swordfish PE set and decals as needed
The Taranto raid has captivated my attention for many years, so the opportunity to depict the obsolete string-bag in a model is something i just could not pass up. I've been waiting for this build for sometime. The HMS Illustrious was to bee the only carrier to be used in this momentous raid, as the HMS Eagle was not up to the task, but her Swordfish did take part flying from the Illustrious. There were two strikes to be flown. the First strike consisted of ten torpedo bearing Swordfish from 815 sq and two from the eagle. Six would carry torpedoes and two 250 lb bombs and flares with the remainder carrying 250 lb bombs. Lt Ian Swayne and observer Sub Lt (A) J Buscall of 815 Sq flying L4M got lost and tot he party early, had tow wait for 15 minutes for the rest of the party to show up and then successfully torpedo the battleship Littorio in the port quarter.
As finding decals for the Taranto raid is near impossible, I shall do my best to represent the aircraft in question piecemealing my markings. 815 Sq had their planes painted with a temporary black belly and under wing. 813 from the Eagle did not. The black paint covered the serarl number and only the 4M was noted on the vertical stab in white. Although I have put the photo together using a Mk 11 I have the Mk I coming in but as the two kits and almost identical I shall start with the Mk II and finish with any differences from the Mk I. The markings in the illustration do nit seem to be correct as the black was applied over the normal light grey under-surface and around the insignia.
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Should be a stunner Don 
