Looking good!
I started exploring the RAF 2 squadron crew in the interest of immersion into the context and use of AG633 in 1942. Want to show a pilot and officer figure reviewing a map or photo prior to a mission. This tangent helps me dig into more unit history. Also provides a figure for a scale reference for the model.
I found an eBay vendor 3Djson. Robert Johnson in the UK provides excellent figures.
3Djson
Picked the âWWII RAF Lancaster Bomb Load - 10 Figure Setâ based on the CAD images as it has a variety of kit for the pilots. This is how the raw 3D parts come out of a well packaged box.
Sorry my cell phone camera does not do justice as these are very clean and detailed.
Looking for something like this relaxed posture taken from a âdieselpunk-legends RAF uniformâ internet photo I had in mind.
Ended up with this effort for a pilot after Tamiya rattle can primer, Vallejo acrylics, and a hairy stick. Sorry again for the poor camera work.
Wish I could find the appropriate pilotâs name to assign to the plane?
UPDATED- Type: North American Mustang Mk I
Owner/operator: 2(AC) Sqn RAF
Registration: AG633
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Location: field adjacent to RAF Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England - United Kingdom
Phase: Landing
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Sawbridgeworth
Destination airport: RAF Sawbridgeworth
Narrative:
Aircraft was one of the wingmen in a three-ship formation that had difficulty recovering to base due to bad weather and under low cloud, on eventual approach an overshoot was initiated and aircraft made a wheels-up landing in adjacent field. Lack of radio communications had also negated safe recovery of formation to airfield.
P/O Philip Whittenham LEAH (pilot) uninjured
Sources: Where the Lysanders Were âŚâ (the story of Sawbridgeworthâs airfields) Paul A Doyle, ISBN 09525 624 05, pub 1995 by Forward Airfield research Publishing.
If Iâm not mistaken Stuart, the RAF Historical Society has a registry of WWII pilots/aircraft, the closer you can get to a specific unit, period, location the better your chances of finding what youâre looking for, unfortunately Iâm at work now and donât have a link to the site with me, good luck in your pursuit if you choose to investigate further.
Cajun
Thank you Terry! I am not familiar with the RAF Historical Society registry you mentioned. I am most excited to learn more. I can narrow this pilotâs name down to serving July 1942 at Sawbridgeworth Hertfordshire, England. RAF Mustang AG633 flew photo reconnaissance for 2 Squadron that summer.
Finding the stories and the history is the fun part.
Try this as a start point perhaps . . .
The RAF Historical Society . . . or
Royal Air Force squadrons - The National Archives
Cajun
Yes. Good stuff! I just sent in my donation and signed up for the RAF HS journal. Digging thru the search functions now. They even provide some of the log books. Great resources here. Thank you.
Well must be on the right path. The website shows the photo in storage as " North American Mustang Mk. I (AG633 XV-E) of 2 Squadron, in flight Sawbridgeworth, 24 July 1942 PC98/173/5939/1"
Who is this pilot I ask?
Outstanding! I hope this helps
Cajun
Wish the PRU guys of 2 Squadron got the same press coverage that No. 414 Squadronâs Hollis Harry âHollyâ Hills received with his FW190 kill at Dieppe 19 of August 1942. His bio is extensive.
Not finding that same bio available so far for 2 squadron AG633 pilot. Still digging as the RAF Museum archive has a research process to copy documents (once identified). The journey continues
Moving on with the build, I took a try at a new air brush for some tonal variation. The controls and handling required of the air brush are new to me. I felt it was a safe learning experience as the base color will fill in most of the mess. Pressing on from here.
Good painting start
Underside looks great. How did you get that faded/mottled effect?
Thank you. To be honest the faded/mottled effect comes from a pre shade of flat black Vallejo using my own very poor airbrush control method on the cured white primer. Then another rattle can squirt of white primer on the worst of the black graffiti undercoat. The base gray airbrush light top coat helps. The learning continues with experience right?
Dumped a bunch of Allison engine Mustang photos here if interested from the Oshkosh show 2024 Walk around of Allison Powered Mustang at EAA Oshkosh July 2024 - #35 by amoz02t
Very useful information in these National Archives as you have suggested. Names are coming through. The No. 2 Squadron stories include "AIR 81/14173
Description:
Pilot Officer G L Gosnell: died of wounds; Pilot Officer P J Willett: injured; Mustang AG403 and Mustang AG488, 2 Squadron, aircraft involved in mid air collision at Sawbridgeworth Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 9 May 1942
Date: 1942 Jan 1 - 1942 Dec 31
Type:
North American P-51 Mustang Mk I
Owner/operator: 2(AC) Sqn RAF
Registration: AG633
MSN:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Location: field adjacent to RAF Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England - United Kingdom
Phase: Landing
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Sawbridgeworth
Destination airport: RAF Sawbridgeworth
Narrative:
Aircraft was one of the wingmen in a three-ship formation that had difficulty recovering to base due to bad weather and under low cloud, on eventual approach an overshoot was initiated and aircraft made a wheels-up landing in adjacent field. Lack of radio communications had also negated safe recovery of formation to airfield.
P/O Philip Whittenham LEAH (pilot) uninjured
Sources: