Airframes
Benevolens Magister
This will be the third build for the 46 Squadron 100th Anniversary Re-union, with one more to follow, for a total of five models to be presented to the Squadron Association.
Although finally disbanded in 1975, when the Squadron was then equipped with the H.S. Andover transport, 46 Sqn (and 46 Sqn Association) are the only Squadron in the Royal Air Force to hold an annual re-union dinner, every year, without fail, since 1917.
Formed in April 1916, the Squadron was originally a fighter squadron, and had been equipped with such types as the Be2, Nieuport, Sopwith Camel, Hurricane, Beaufighter, and Mosquito, before re-forming as a Transport squadron, operating the Stirling and Dakota, from February 1945 until February 1950, when they again disbanded. Re-formed as a Night Fighter Squadron, with the Meteor NF.12 and NF.14, in 1954, the Squadron operated these aircraft until March 1956, when they became the first squadron to use the Javelin FAW 1, followed by the FAW 2 and FAW 6, until June 1961, when they again disbanded.
December 1966 saw the Squadron re-form yet again, back in the transport role, flying the H.S. Andover tactical transport until 1975, when the Squadron disbanded for the final time.
The Meteor NF.12 model will be built, with a fairly simple conversion, using the Classic Airframes kit of the NF.11/NF.13 and, apart from the conversion process, shown below, this will be an 'OOB' build, in order to save time, as the deadline for delivery is fast approaching.
In theory, the nose should be extended by around 9 mm in order to produce an accurate rendition of the NF.12 from this kit - at least, according to the published dimensional data, which, I've found, varies depending on source !
However, having measured the kit parts, and studied numerous photos, plans and cutaway drawings, as well as checking the dimensions of the alternative parts in the 'Xtrakit' 1/72nd scale kit (ex- Matchbox) for the NF.12/NF.14 version, it appears that the nose section in the Classic Airframes kit is closer in length to that of the NF.12, although it does have the smaller blister beneath the radome, not found on the NF.12.
Consequently, the parts will be used as provided, after first removing the aforementioned blister, and unless the finished model is measured and checked against accurate dimensional data, any discrepancy in overall length shouldn't be noticed !
The other part of the 'conversion' requires the addition of small fillets above and below the fin 'bullet' fairing, which will be added using plastic card and 'Milliput'.
The pics below show the areas which need to be altered, along with a profile of how the finished model will look (source - the Internet), and I hope to make a start on this build just as soon as I finish the Stirling which, all being well, should be later this week.
Although finally disbanded in 1975, when the Squadron was then equipped with the H.S. Andover transport, 46 Sqn (and 46 Sqn Association) are the only Squadron in the Royal Air Force to hold an annual re-union dinner, every year, without fail, since 1917.
Formed in April 1916, the Squadron was originally a fighter squadron, and had been equipped with such types as the Be2, Nieuport, Sopwith Camel, Hurricane, Beaufighter, and Mosquito, before re-forming as a Transport squadron, operating the Stirling and Dakota, from February 1945 until February 1950, when they again disbanded. Re-formed as a Night Fighter Squadron, with the Meteor NF.12 and NF.14, in 1954, the Squadron operated these aircraft until March 1956, when they became the first squadron to use the Javelin FAW 1, followed by the FAW 2 and FAW 6, until June 1961, when they again disbanded.
December 1966 saw the Squadron re-form yet again, back in the transport role, flying the H.S. Andover tactical transport until 1975, when the Squadron disbanded for the final time.
The Meteor NF.12 model will be built, with a fairly simple conversion, using the Classic Airframes kit of the NF.11/NF.13 and, apart from the conversion process, shown below, this will be an 'OOB' build, in order to save time, as the deadline for delivery is fast approaching.
In theory, the nose should be extended by around 9 mm in order to produce an accurate rendition of the NF.12 from this kit - at least, according to the published dimensional data, which, I've found, varies depending on source !
However, having measured the kit parts, and studied numerous photos, plans and cutaway drawings, as well as checking the dimensions of the alternative parts in the 'Xtrakit' 1/72nd scale kit (ex- Matchbox) for the NF.12/NF.14 version, it appears that the nose section in the Classic Airframes kit is closer in length to that of the NF.12, although it does have the smaller blister beneath the radome, not found on the NF.12.
Consequently, the parts will be used as provided, after first removing the aforementioned blister, and unless the finished model is measured and checked against accurate dimensional data, any discrepancy in overall length shouldn't be noticed !
The other part of the 'conversion' requires the addition of small fillets above and below the fin 'bullet' fairing, which will be added using plastic card and 'Milliput'.
The pics below show the areas which need to be altered, along with a profile of how the finished model will look (source - the Internet), and I hope to make a start on this build just as soon as I finish the Stirling which, all being well, should be later this week.
