The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

P-63C, GC1/III 'Normandie-Niemen' Tan Son Nhut Airfield, Vietnam, 1950

In 1948, the 'NN' were able to discard the wreckage they had been flying and finally use first-hand aircraft, being issued with D.H. Mosquito VIs and P-63Cs. The Mossies didn't last long (didn't really suit hot climates) but in 1949 the Kingcobras moved out to Indochina where they were used in a ground attack role against the Viet Minh. Unfortunately the US embargo on spares to Indochina cut their career short, but they seem to have been liked by their pilots. They also sported the 'Normandie' shield for the first time, prominently on the car door.









The kit was the Toko offering from the late 90s, and to be honest it's a bit 'garage-y' while remaining the best Kingcobra on the market in gentleman's scale. That being said, it was good to give the modelling skills a bit of a run out for a change, and there weren't any insurmountable problems with the kit, just a huge amount of filler.
This is build three of the Normandie-Nieman project - number 4 is a RoG P-47 Thunderbolt, coming up after the Scandinavian GB.

Cool! The Cobras were a great looking bunch. I didn't know the French used them in Indochina.

That's a really smart looking build of a very cool aircraft, I like that a lot - Nice work!

That turned out rather well. Top build.

Interesting set of markings on this aircraft. The model looks very good considering the kit was not one of the best.

This turned out very nicely, Spaceowl and it looks good in those N-N markings. In my book there is little or nothing that can't be made right with a good dollop of filler

That's a quality looking build!

Nice work, a really under represented aircraft in kit form. Did the Pinball boxing many years ago and as I recall it was fairly challenging

One of my fave aircraft done very well. Well tidy mun.

You have built what must be the King of all King Cobras!

An absolute head-turner! Take it to any show and be prepared for plaudits!

The Great Auk