Tommy's Swordfish ***FINISHED***

[Tommy]

Ok, It looks like no one chose to do one from Oran "Operation Catapult", so I am in with one from that - 818 NAS FAA - Aircraft "5G" L7678.

I have kits from Matchbox, FROG, and Airfix. I chose one from among those.

Tommy

[Tommy]

I decided to go with an Airfix kit that I have. Below is a shot of the particular release of the kit and its parts.



The particular aircraft I am modeling will be one from 818 Squadron that was involved in "Operation Catapult" which was the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir on July 3, 1940 (as it happens, the anniversary of this action is tomorrow). The attack was a pretty controversial incident and I won't get into it here. You can read about it more on the internet as there is an Wikipedia article covering it.

The only info I have for an aircraft that was involved in Catapult was a Wings Palette profile of an 818 Squadron aircraft "5G" serial number L7678. I'll have to scrounge all the decals for the model from the pile shown below. This Swordfish probably look similar to others in the build that are from the second half of the year 1940.



Tommy

[Tommy]

Hi Bruce,

Yes, I have started - cleaned up the fuselage and some of the interior parts yesterday. I'll post some photos later today.

Tommy

[Tommy]

Here is the latest progress...

The parts in the photo are ready to be painted or primed except for the engine/cowling/exhaust which needs to be sanded around the area where the exhaust attaches to the cowling.



Tommy

[Martin R]

Go Tommy!!!

[Tommy]

Thanks to Jeff and Bruce, I have incorporated two enhancements to my model:



They include the engine detailing with brass wire that I learned from Jeff's build and the hole drilled in the side of the fuselage where the machine gun will be installed that I picked up from Bruce's build. I still need to scratch build the machine gun itself.

Tommy

[Martin R]

Tommy,

Good to see the pictures. Picking up tips from others is one of the great things about Group Builds like this one. I really enjoy the SKGBs; if you're a slow builder like me, there's always somebody at a more advanced stage of progress to look to for inspiration and ideas!

regards,

Martin

[Tommy]

Tommy,

Good to see the pictures. Picking up tips from others is one of the great things about Group Builds like this one. I really enjoy the SKGBs; if you're a slow builder like me, there's always somebody at a more advanced stage of progress to look to for inspiration and ideas!

regards,

Martin

Thank you Martin!

Well, later in the day the machine gun was fabricated and installed in the front fuselage area. I think the barrel is a little oversized but this is OK since it allowed me to drill it out.



Then I had a "Crocodile Dundee" moment (where he says "Now that's a knife!") looked at the sorry little part that you get for the rear machine gun in the Airfix kit...and decided to scratch a replacement ("Now that's a machine gun!").



The new rear machine gun is patterned (inspired?) from the Airfix Avro Anson machine gun.
It is made from Contrail Rod Stock, Evergreen Styrene and Brass wire. Like the nose gun the barrel is drilled out. I think my gun is oversize, but I actually want it that way so it really stands out.





Tommy

[Martin R]

Tommy,

That's great! I can't wait to see the '50 cal' Vickers gun mounted! Some careful painting, and it will really add an attractive detail to your build.

regards,

Martin

[jssel]

Excellent work on the gun. Big difference.

[Tommy]

Thanks guys!

Not much work done today except that I refined the rear machine gun a little and hopefully the photos are clearer this time.









Tommy

[Tommy]

Been away for a while, but I am back and here's where I am at on the Swordfish:





The model is ready for some more primer on the joints and filler areas. I decided to use the kit torpedo instead of making a magnetic mine from scratch. There just isn't time for it now, and anyways torpedos were used in "Catapult" at various times. I'll be ready to start the painting tomorrow.

In the lower photo you can see where the FROG Swordfish arrestor hook slot has been melded into the Airfix Swordfish.

Tommy

[Tommy]

Yes, life does get in the way of things. I have to shake a leg on mine, too. You're not far from finishing now, though.

Best of luck to you Brews!

I got these little guys all painted...



Tommy

[Dirkpitt289]

Looking good Tommy, a little bit of a wash on the crew and they'll look fantastic

[Tommy]

Looking good Tommy, a little bit of a wash on the crew and they'll look fantastic

Thanks Dirk, I'll give that a try.

Here is the Swordfish today. I have been painting various parts and applied the "Extra Dark Sea Gray" to the aircraft. I used Tamiya XF-18 which is close enough for my eyes. The little crew members have a coat of clear applied so that I can do a wash on them later per Dirk's suggestion. Will do masking tomorrow morning and apply the "Dark Slate Gray".



Tommy