Vic Balshaw
Major General
Username: Vic Balshaw
First name: Vic
Category: Judge – Non competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Airfix – SEPECAT Jaguar GR3a
Model Type: Royal Air Force 41 Squadron aircraft XZ103 "FP" based at RAF Colteshall in April 2006 "End of an Era" scheme.
Extras: NOT OTB. On this occasion I have decided to ramp up the kit building a bit. Yes, again folks we have a smorgasbord of extras to delight the inner frustrations. Eduard PE, Paragon and Pauls resin bits and some lovely Model Alliance decals all washed down with a nice reference book from Warplanes Classic.
This is my main enter into GB 13 which depending on time and how well this kit comes together, may also be accompanied with another more classic aircraft of the jet era. We will see.
I know I'm stepping outside the WWII framework with this one but it is one of my numerous favourites which I just happen to have on the shelf for a rainy day. Well it's been pi$$ing down with rain for the late day or so. The kit is typical of the Airfix of a decade or more ago, lots of flesh to be trimmed, mould ejection to be filled
I had the good fortune to be working out or Warton Aerodrome with the then British Aircraft Corporation in the mid 1970s when they were feverishly building this lovely little beast. Later in life when working in Oman for the Royal Omani Air Force in Thumrait we had a squadron of these fellows operating alongside the older but true and trusted Hawker Hunters.
My choice of 41 Squadron is also somewhat nostalgic as this was one of the first squadrons I had association with during my RAF career. At that time they were flying the Gloster Javelin F.W. 8s, they were also the poorer squadron of the base as there co-squadrons, 56 and 111 had just been kitted out with the magnificent English Electric Lightning' F 1a's. It is interesting to note that my chosen livery was recording the end of the squadrons involvement with the Jaguar, it was also the 90th anniversary of the squadron and coinciding with the retirement of the Jaguar, the squadron took on yet another role of Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation flying the Harrier. This move saved the squadron from a planned disbandment. Today the squadron is 41(R) TES (test and Evaluation Squadron) operating out of RAF Coningsby.
First name: Vic
Category: Judge – Non competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Airfix – SEPECAT Jaguar GR3a
Model Type: Royal Air Force 41 Squadron aircraft XZ103 "FP" based at RAF Colteshall in April 2006 "End of an Era" scheme.
Extras: NOT OTB. On this occasion I have decided to ramp up the kit building a bit. Yes, again folks we have a smorgasbord of extras to delight the inner frustrations. Eduard PE, Paragon and Pauls resin bits and some lovely Model Alliance decals all washed down with a nice reference book from Warplanes Classic.
This is my main enter into GB 13 which depending on time and how well this kit comes together, may also be accompanied with another more classic aircraft of the jet era. We will see.
I know I'm stepping outside the WWII framework with this one but it is one of my numerous favourites which I just happen to have on the shelf for a rainy day. Well it's been pi$$ing down with rain for the late day or so. The kit is typical of the Airfix of a decade or more ago, lots of flesh to be trimmed, mould ejection to be filled
I had the good fortune to be working out or Warton Aerodrome with the then British Aircraft Corporation in the mid 1970s when they were feverishly building this lovely little beast. Later in life when working in Oman for the Royal Omani Air Force in Thumrait we had a squadron of these fellows operating alongside the older but true and trusted Hawker Hunters.
My choice of 41 Squadron is also somewhat nostalgic as this was one of the first squadrons I had association with during my RAF career. At that time they were flying the Gloster Javelin F.W. 8s, they were also the poorer squadron of the base as there co-squadrons, 56 and 111 had just been kitted out with the magnificent English Electric Lightning' F 1a's. It is interesting to note that my chosen livery was recording the end of the squadrons involvement with the Jaguar, it was also the 90th anniversary of the squadron and coinciding with the retirement of the Jaguar, the squadron took on yet another role of Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation flying the Harrier. This move saved the squadron from a planned disbandment. Today the squadron is 41(R) TES (test and Evaluation Squadron) operating out of RAF Coningsby.
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