Crimea_River
Marshal
Username: Crimea River
First name: Andy
Category: Judge – Non-competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model Type: Beaufighter Mk VI
Aftermarket addons: Decals by Aviaeology
This build will depict long serving Beaufighter TF X LZ451 of 404 Squadron RCAF. The following profile and caption are copied from an article by Terry Higgins of Aviaeology Decals from this article at Vintage Wings of Canada.
Beaufighter TF.X LZ451 as EE•M of 404 Squadron as flown by S/L Christison DFC, and others, circa late October 1944. Earlier, this aircraft became the mount of former squadron commander W/C Ken Gatward DSO, DFC and Bar. He flew it often through the summer of 1944 before leaving the squadron in late August. The aircraft remained to soldier on into late February. The unofficial Buffalo emblem was most probably applied in late May or early June and the command pennant a little later, possibly July. The French tricolour is believed to have been added after Gatward, flying LZ451, landed in France on 7 August 1944, claiming a first for Coastal Command. Some say that it may also commemorate his "show the flag" flight over occupied Paris in 1942 when he was with another Beaufighter squadron, but that seems a stretch. The "The Ancient Mariner" inscription may have been applied shortly after Gatward posted out, in recognition of either the aircraft itself (the 2nd or 3rd oldest on 404 strength at the time) or its two-tour veteran former pilot. Interestingly, the command pennant remained into 1945 although the new commander never flew this aircraft.Artwork by the author (available in model decal form at www.aviaeology.com)
The history of 404 Squadron RCAF and, in particular its role in D-Day and with the Banff and Dallachy Strike Wings, is an interesting one and I will try to place some anecdotes throughout my build updates.
First name: Andy
Category: Judge – Non-competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model Type: Beaufighter Mk VI
Aftermarket addons: Decals by Aviaeology
This build will depict long serving Beaufighter TF X LZ451 of 404 Squadron RCAF. The following profile and caption are copied from an article by Terry Higgins of Aviaeology Decals from this article at Vintage Wings of Canada.
Beaufighter TF.X LZ451 as EE•M of 404 Squadron as flown by S/L Christison DFC, and others, circa late October 1944. Earlier, this aircraft became the mount of former squadron commander W/C Ken Gatward DSO, DFC and Bar. He flew it often through the summer of 1944 before leaving the squadron in late August. The aircraft remained to soldier on into late February. The unofficial Buffalo emblem was most probably applied in late May or early June and the command pennant a little later, possibly July. The French tricolour is believed to have been added after Gatward, flying LZ451, landed in France on 7 August 1944, claiming a first for Coastal Command. Some say that it may also commemorate his "show the flag" flight over occupied Paris in 1942 when he was with another Beaufighter squadron, but that seems a stretch. The "The Ancient Mariner" inscription may have been applied shortly after Gatward posted out, in recognition of either the aircraft itself (the 2nd or 3rd oldest on 404 strength at the time) or its two-tour veteran former pilot. Interestingly, the command pennant remained into 1945 although the new commander never flew this aircraft.Artwork by the author (available in model decal form at www.aviaeology.com)
The history of 404 Squadron RCAF and, in particular its role in D-Day and with the Banff and Dallachy Strike Wings, is an interesting one and I will try to place some anecdotes throughout my build updates.
