'Rhubarbs' ***Scheduled for 1st June***

[Chris]

70 years ago this year RAF fighter command having won the battle of Britain began considering ways to use interceptors offensivily against occupied Europe.

The Ideas used included one of the more interesting championed by ace RRS Tuck to use fighters on offensive sweeps when ceiling was very low to allow fighters to fly in virtually unobserved, shoot up a section of the coast and inland any targets that presented themselves and to fly off before interceptors could intervene.

These attacks became a mainstay of the RAF's offensive day light operations, but were costly as several aces (including tuck) were lost carrying them out.

My GB proposal is any daylight fighter or fighter bomber used by the RAF between 41-43 could be included, but they must have british based cammo and units used in such operations.

Most spitfires from mk II through IX as well as Hurricanes and more exotic fighters (like whirlwinds) could be used.

anybody interested?

[IrishAir]

Yes I would up for this, might do the airfix re-release of the 1/72 Spitfire Vb.

Cheers,
Paul

[bluesteel]

This would make an interesting GB, worth watching, sadly I can't join in, it would violate my stash reduction rules! deffo worth watching though,
Is it worth pointing out that when you wrote Robert Stanford Tuck was lost to a Rhubarb he was forced to land after his aircraft was hit by ground fire after which he spent the rest of the war as a POW and not lost in it's euphemistic sense, he lead a very interesting life, worth looking up, great man


. . . dcg (who's now thinking about building Bob Stanford Tuck's Hurricane!! Bah!! so much for stash redution good intentions!!)

I'll second that about Bob Stanford Tuck, a very interesting fellow indeed. I read his autobiography when I was young, well worth a read 'Fly for your life' I think it was titled. When I was an Air Cadet in the 1970's I was lucky enough to meet him and Adolph Galland (they were good friends post-war) on a visit to the RAF Museum Hendon.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Interesting, lots in the stash ...
Depends on the time-frame as I'm a bit stacked up ....

[Chris]

Time frame i guess depends on getting the required number which i believe is 10.

Since this is a new idea, i suppose June or July would be a nice target date to start, but it could be later if if it means more folks joining in.

I'm new to organizing such a thing, so I'll go with the vets on how to do it, time frames and what have you, the only thing i think is important is that it be fun!

[carlos]

I'm game - got a coupla Spits and a Hurricane stashed

[jssel]

Participants have been lowered to six now. I would be up for this is the timing is right. I fancy an Eagle Squadron Spit somewhere over Calais.

[Chris]

If its only six, we seem to have enough to go.

When is a good time for everyone interested?

For me anytime works, I build rather quickly when motivated to do so.

Let's start throwing out some start times guys, I'd like to go June or July, but I can wait if you guys want too!

[jssel]

June or July works for me. August OK also if that could work. Just draw up the guidelines and let AndrewR know. He can post it up on the calender.

[Chris]

OK, I'll do that tonight, thanks.

[AndrewR]

Okay chaps, Rhubarb GB is on, for the month of June. If you want ot start earlier, just agree on a date amongst yourselves and let me know.

cheers

Andrew

Sad to say, I can't stand Rhubarb. Too many school dinners with rhubarb crumble!

[Chris]

The start will be the GLORIOUS first of june!

[AndrewR]

Muttermuttermutternothinggloriousaboutrhubarbmuttermuttermutter

[Softscience]

Well dang, here's a topic I have absolutely nothing in the stash for. Besides spits and hurricanes, what else might be good?

[Chris]

Let's see, off the top of my head all of these types can be built:

Spitfires from Mk2 through at least Mk IX
Hurricanes from mk2 to mk IV
Westland whirlwinds
Mosquitos (in the fighter bomber varients)
Hawker typhoons
P-40E through Ns (in RAF service)
Bell P-39 Airacobras (in RAF service)
P-51A through C Mustang (in RAF service)
Martlets
P-38 In RAF service
Fairy Fulmers
P-47 Thunderbolts (Razor backs in RAF service)
A20 Bostons (Night fighter varient only)
Blenheims (again in NF role)
Beaufighters (in NF role)

essentially any fighter used by fighter command from early 1941 through january 1944 could be used.