Next on the bench was the Airfix T-34 as part of the Feb Blitzbau. My dissatisfaction with the rubber-band tracks led me to create 3D printed replacements plus a barrel and the auxiliary fuel tanks. The model was finished as a Cuban T-34 used during the ‘Bay of Pigs’ attempted invasion.
The PR7 build never reached completion and so the next build was the DHC Beaver. Once again, the model was built as a Cuban aircraft from the era of the revolution so the aircraft was operated by FAEC before capture. Home-brew transfers.
I have been wanting to build a ‘turret’ Hawker Demon for some time and 3D printing allowed me to create, finally, the turret and operating mechanism; this was added to a modified AMG Demon and joined my 29(F) Sqn collection.
Something light-hearted hit the workbench a ‘cartoon’ Lancaster. I decided to finish it as ‘ADMIRAL PRUNE II’ the second of Guy Gibsons aircraft whilst he was OC 106 Sqn at RAF Metheringham. The transfers for the aircraft nose art and specific serial and ID markings were home-brew.
Throughout the period I have been mucking about with 3D design and part of it included improvements for the Airfix Scammell. So my next build involved creating a sample of the kit/printed parts
[/urlContinuing with the Scammell theme, I received the files enabling me to print a Scammell TRMU-20 tractor and TRCU-20 trailer (the Airfix kit represents a TRMU/TRCU-30). I then assembled the resin kit but without painting it.
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Time for a change once more. There is only one photo I have found of a Hurricane in 29(F) Sqn markings - the aircraft was damaged on landing and ended up in an aircraft repair facility, where the photo was taken. My model was built for the Hurricane GB and used the Alley Cat ‘tin wing’ conversion set.
An IS2 hit the work bench, representing yet another Soviet tank type delivered to Cuba and which participated in the ‘Bay of Pigs’ attempted invasion.
Some more Scammell work was undertaken involving a second TRMU/TRCU-20, but this time painted for my collection.
I then built another ‘Airfix’ enhanced TRMU-30 and coupled it to an early style 3D printed TRCU-30. This build replaced my original build of ‘MOLLY’.
I have been searching for the conversion parts to create an early Trojan from the Heller kit. I finally sourced some and was able to create an ‘A’ model using the conversion and some 3D printed parts. Another aircraft of the Cuban Air Force, it wears the very unusual ‘initial markings’ of the rebel Air Force (FAC).
And now that unholy disaster - the Airfix Blenheim GB. I started my build a little behind others and was able to learn from their experiences (not that it helped over much!). I did need a Blenheim to add to the 29(F) Sqn collection (I actually need 3 in total! - how depressing). This is my attempt at a pre-war Mk1F:
With Telford looming on the horizon I wanted to finish my Hucks’ Starter, which has been on the go for some considerable time! The final components were put together and, although I’ve yet to find suitable crew figures, the model went to Telford.
Finally, as the GBL for the ‘Swinging 60’s’ GB, I build a pair of MiG-23 models.
The first MiG-23 received by Cuba was the ‘BN model (similar in looks to the MiG-27).
Following on, the Cuban received a couple of different variants of the ‘fighter’ MiG-23 MFs and the lighter, superior ML. I used parts to modify the KP MF to an ML as the appearance is different.
I admit this last pair were completed in the first couple of days of January, but only due to my domestic circumstances - I hope you will allow me this ‘flex’.
