Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Short Stirling Mk.V, 46 Sqn, RAF, India 1946, 1/72nd scale.
This is another model for the 46 Squadron 100th Annual Reunion Dinner, and will be a conversion from the venerable Airfix kit, using the Magna Models conversion kit, plus a little scratch-building.
I'm hoping I can get this done relatively quickly, as I still have two more models to build, and I only have eight weeks in which to get them all done, and delivered to Gp.Cpt Dougie Barr.
Consequently, I'll be keeping added detail to a minimum, and building this as close to 'OOB' as possible, allowing for the cutting and the addition of the resin and clear parts etc.
The Stirling Mk.V was a development of the Mk.III, converted as a cargo / passenger transport, with an extended, upward hinging nose, a large cargo door in the starboard rear fuselage, and a faired extension replacing the tail turret. In the passenger role, maximum seating was for 40 passengers, although this was more usually arranged for 14 seats, and for para dropping, 20 parachutists and their equipment could be carried. It was also used in the medivac role, when 14 stretchers were fitted.
After returning from Egypt in 1945, where 46 Sqn last operated the Mosquito NF.XII (see the Twin Engine Group Build), the Squadron disbanded, and reformed as a Transport Squadron, operating the Stirling Mk.V, and used a variety of aircraft until final disbandment in 1975, the last type being the HS Andover (my only jump from an Andover, in Germany in 1973, was from a 46 Sqn aircraft, and it's very probable that Dougie was the Navigator for the drop !).
The Airfix kit was first released in 1966, and is still listed in their current catalogue. By today's standards, the kit is fairly basic, and recently eclipsed by the two Italeri kits, but overall, it's still a decent kit, and with the addition of the Magna Models resin parts, should build into an acceptable replica of the Mk.V.
PICS 1 and 2. A Stirling Mk.V in a similar finish as planned for the model, and the subject of the model itself, PK173 of 46 Sqn, shown here after a crash on take off from St. Thomas Mount, India, in November 1946.
PICS 3 and 4. The Airfix and Magna kit boxes.
PIC 5. The Magna Models conversion parts.
PIC 6. The Airfix fuselage with the Magna nose and tail conversion parts.
PICS 7 and 8. The Magna nose and tail parts.
Next post will show what's required for the conversion, along with the work to date.
This is another model for the 46 Squadron 100th Annual Reunion Dinner, and will be a conversion from the venerable Airfix kit, using the Magna Models conversion kit, plus a little scratch-building.
I'm hoping I can get this done relatively quickly, as I still have two more models to build, and I only have eight weeks in which to get them all done, and delivered to Gp.Cpt Dougie Barr.
Consequently, I'll be keeping added detail to a minimum, and building this as close to 'OOB' as possible, allowing for the cutting and the addition of the resin and clear parts etc.
The Stirling Mk.V was a development of the Mk.III, converted as a cargo / passenger transport, with an extended, upward hinging nose, a large cargo door in the starboard rear fuselage, and a faired extension replacing the tail turret. In the passenger role, maximum seating was for 40 passengers, although this was more usually arranged for 14 seats, and for para dropping, 20 parachutists and their equipment could be carried. It was also used in the medivac role, when 14 stretchers were fitted.
After returning from Egypt in 1945, where 46 Sqn last operated the Mosquito NF.XII (see the Twin Engine Group Build), the Squadron disbanded, and reformed as a Transport Squadron, operating the Stirling Mk.V, and used a variety of aircraft until final disbandment in 1975, the last type being the HS Andover (my only jump from an Andover, in Germany in 1973, was from a 46 Sqn aircraft, and it's very probable that Dougie was the Navigator for the drop !).
The Airfix kit was first released in 1966, and is still listed in their current catalogue. By today's standards, the kit is fairly basic, and recently eclipsed by the two Italeri kits, but overall, it's still a decent kit, and with the addition of the Magna Models resin parts, should build into an acceptable replica of the Mk.V.
PICS 1 and 2. A Stirling Mk.V in a similar finish as planned for the model, and the subject of the model itself, PK173 of 46 Sqn, shown here after a crash on take off from St. Thomas Mount, India, in November 1946.
PICS 3 and 4. The Airfix and Magna kit boxes.
PIC 5. The Magna Models conversion parts.
PIC 6. The Airfix fuselage with the Magna nose and tail conversion parts.
PICS 7 and 8. The Magna nose and tail parts.
Next post will show what's required for the conversion, along with the work to date.
