No. 74 Squadron RAF, the "Tiger Squadron"..

[Lucky13]

Having bought Airfix 1/48 F1/F2/F3 EE Lightning, I've decided to build it as a bird from RAF's No. 74 Squadron RAF, also known as the "Tiger Squadron" because of its tiger head, its nickname is btw "Trinidad".
After having read up as small bit on this squadron and swapped some yiddi yadda with Terry, I've decided to "adopt" the squadron. Having done that and already having the Lightning, I may, when time money etc. permit, also add their Gloster Meteor F. Mk. 8, Hawker Hunter F. 6, McDonnel Phantom F-4J(UK) to the stable, after all......I am a fighter boy!

Now, just to find the right decals for these....

 

[rochie]

great idea Jan, might look into something like that myself

 

[Airframes]

Jolly good show old chap! Did you know, that 74 Squadron were the original 'Tiger' Squadron, and it was by their invitation. or suggestion, that the annual 'Tiger Meet' began?
It looks like I might be joining you, when time, and cash, permit. As you know, I was going to do a ruck of 43 Squadron machines, but I've changed plans, and it'll now be 56 Squadron, from 1918 to 2008. This Squadron had a close relationship with 74, sharing the same bases on various occasions.
Given that I can (eventually) get all the neccessary 1/48th scale kits, I'll represent each decade, with 9 aircraft types. There are more of course, most of which are available, but space, and of course expense, prevents the whole lot being attempted.
It would be rather nice if we could get both collections together on the one table - a big table I would think old fruit!
I'll see what other decals I can track down, other than the ones I've already shown you from my spares box thingy.

 

[Lucky13]

Model Alliance Decals have quite the selection chaps....8)

The Aviation Workshop » Premier Decals
The Aviation Workshop » Premier Plus Decals

 

[Airframes]

Not bad old boy, not bad at all.

 

[109ROAMING]

Cool looking birds Jan -definately would look cool lined up together!

proberly do the same as Karl -That Hunter and Phantom are really screaming my name

 

[Lucky13]

Might throw in a Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II, Hawker Demon (if I can find one), a Spitfire and a Hurricane....

 

[Lucky13]

Some rather nice Lightnings by you know who....8)

 

[Airframes]

Some rather nice work by our friend Clave there. I think we need a trip to Duxford old boy, so that you can get some shots of their Lightning in 74 Squadron's colours.

 

[Lucky13]

I need to bring a suitcase big enough to put it in.....when leaving.

 

[109ROAMING]

That top lightning by Clave is very cool - Nice work mate

 

[Airframes]

That's the 74 Sqn scheme that Jan wants to do, and the same as the Duxford bird.

 

[Lucky13]

Indeed it is old bean and M...just need to a pic of her.

 

[Airframes]

I've got a couple of angled view pics of her in a magazine Jan, but a trip there is definitely on the cards. Hopefully, Karl and I will be paying a visit on our way to see Seesul in August.
I reckon we should start a Special Interest Group thread when we are ready to go with our 'Squadron builds'. I've found a couple of my required kits at low prices - the Airfix Tornado F3 at half price, and a Monogram Typhoon (good enough for this, as I'm on a budget) at about £7. Might chuck in a Meteor F3, if I can establish the colour scheme was overall 'Aluminium' paint at that period. So, there should be a total of 10 types, if I can find a Lightning...oh, and enough cash!
It would be nice to do the whole lot from 1918 to 1998, but some types aren't kitted, and the expense would be rather high!

 

[Lucky13]

I reckon we should start a Special Interest Group thread when we are ready to go with our 'Squadron builds'.

Like a RAF SIG and with "subforum" for different Squadrons? Need to find Classic Airframe's 1/48 Meteor F.8 to do the late version that I want!

 

[Airframes]

Hmm. Haven't seen it around for a while, I've been keeping my eyes open for you. I'd prefer the F8 too, or at least the F4, so might leave out a Meteor. It would be much easier to do this in 1/72nd scale, as virtually all of the types are available, and, of course, a LOT cheaper. But that 'tiny tot' scale is not for me, especially if detail is to be added. I'll have to try to find some decals too, Hannant's site is a little difficult, unless you know exactly what you want, and the manufacturer.

 

[Lucky13]

True indeed buddy! The Aviation Workshop » Welcome to the Aviation Workshop have plenty of good stuff...8)

 

[Airframes]

Thanks old boy, I shall keep that on file.

 

[109ROAMING]

It would be much easier to do this in 1/72nd scale, as virtually all of the types are available, and, of course, a LOT cheaper

Ahh the joys of 1/72 scale

Though I certainly see why people build 1/48 and so on

 

[Airframes]

Think I've sussed most of my decal needs. I can down-scale the 1/32nd Hunter decals, and print them off my PC, and draw and print the Bulldog and Gladiator the same way. If I can get the Lightning, that's got 'em anyway, and I've got the Phantom set. If I go for a Meteor, I can do the plain silver with black code letters, and of course the Hurricane and Typhoon were the normal 'US - !' codes. Having second thoughts on the Tornado - saw a Group Build on some forum somewhere, and the Airfix kit is attrocious! The full price is £25, so no way! Might be able to get it for half price, but I don't know if even that's worth the effort. Might be better to try to convert the Italeri IDS version.
BTW, in case you didn't get my text message, have a look at the Italeri web site. The Hawk looks very nice, with PE cockpit bits and - wait for it - one of the decal options is the all black 74 Squadron scheme, with the Tiger's head covering the fin! Looks beautiful. It's £25, but the kit looks the biz!