'Lonesome Polecat' (The Hunters and the Hunted)
Good evening all
Now I have got my 109s over the line, I can crack on with this GB kit.
Firstly though a big thanks to Ian for organising this GB. It actually allows me kill three birds with one stone. The first is that this will be my first ever Mossie, it also gives me the opportunity to add another aircraft to my 'Hunters and Hunted' collection and finally it's the first ever Tamiya wingy kit I have built!
Before I do the obligatory sprue shots I thought I'd provide some hopefully 'interesting' background information......I think i can hear the snores already though.....
As the title says this build will depict a Mk XIII Mossie, serial number HK425, specifically one with the so called 'Thimble' nose (this has caused me some problems as you'll see later!)
The plane itself flew with two squadrons; first with 96 Squadron, RAF and then 409 Squadron, RCAF. I will be depicting the plane as it appears during it's time with 409 Sqn. RCAF. It served with this Canadian unit until the end of the war, apparently being struck off charge on 21/11/1945.
I have found the following information about the plane on the mossie.org website;
Source: https://www.mossie.org/production/re...age=All&mode=1
Build Type: NF.XIII, Merlin 23 engines
Build Location: Leavesden
Contract Number: 1576/SAS/C.23(a)
Delivery Period: Between 15-9-1943 and 2-2-1944
And as for the name 'Lonesome Polecat', this was not added until it reached 409 Sqn:
"The nose art was inspired by a drunken Indian character from a very popular comic strip of the day, Finlayson having added the name to the aircraft and then asked his parents to send him a copy of the comic form Canada for copying. However, before the publication arrived, one of his groundcrew painted the skunk on the nose ahead of the titling, and is was considered to be so well done that Finlayson left it on." (Ross Finlayson)
“Mosquito Menacing the Reich” by Martin Bowman
As for 409 Squadron, it was formed at Digby, England on 17/06/1941. For the first three years it was based at several different UK bases (sources differ in a few very minor specifics), with most of the time spent in a defensive night fighter role defending the UK.
However, in the Spring of 1944 the squadron was transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, where it was apparently engaged in both offensive and defensive duties.
It was eventually moved to France after D-Day. Prior to it moving to Twente, Netherlands (four weeks after Germany's surrender) and being disbanded there on 01/07/1945, it had been based at seven different airfields during it's time in Europe, in France, Belgium and Germany. During it's time the squadron flew Boulton Paul Defiants and two types of Beaufighter, before transferring to Mosquitos in March 1944.
Sources for the above:
Rickard, J (2 August 2021), No. 409 Squadron (RCAF): Second World War, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/unit.../409_wwII.html
Anyway enough waffle.....below are some pictures of the offending plane. Sprue shots to follow shortly!!
ATB
Andrew
--------------------------------------
The best shot of the plane I have found; Twente, Holland. Taken by a regular pilot Ross Finlayson
Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War Two” by Martin Bowman
“Mosquito Menacing the Reich” by Martin Bowman
The name in close up, with two crew who flew it regularly; Flying Officers Al Webster and Ross Finlayson (location and date unknown).
Source: “Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War Two” by Martin Bowman
And finally my research material on this specific plane.....I think I need help!!
Good evening all
Now I have got my 109s over the line, I can crack on with this GB kit.
Firstly though a big thanks to Ian for organising this GB. It actually allows me kill three birds with one stone. The first is that this will be my first ever Mossie, it also gives me the opportunity to add another aircraft to my 'Hunters and Hunted' collection and finally it's the first ever Tamiya wingy kit I have built!
Before I do the obligatory sprue shots I thought I'd provide some hopefully 'interesting' background information......I think i can hear the snores already though.....
As the title says this build will depict a Mk XIII Mossie, serial number HK425, specifically one with the so called 'Thimble' nose (this has caused me some problems as you'll see later!)
The plane itself flew with two squadrons; first with 96 Squadron, RAF and then 409 Squadron, RCAF. I will be depicting the plane as it appears during it's time with 409 Sqn. RCAF. It served with this Canadian unit until the end of the war, apparently being struck off charge on 21/11/1945.
I have found the following information about the plane on the mossie.org website;
Source: https://www.mossie.org/production/re...age=All&mode=1
Build Type: NF.XIII, Merlin 23 engines
Build Location: Leavesden
Contract Number: 1576/SAS/C.23(a)
Delivery Period: Between 15-9-1943 and 2-2-1944
And as for the name 'Lonesome Polecat', this was not added until it reached 409 Sqn:
"The nose art was inspired by a drunken Indian character from a very popular comic strip of the day, Finlayson having added the name to the aircraft and then asked his parents to send him a copy of the comic form Canada for copying. However, before the publication arrived, one of his groundcrew painted the skunk on the nose ahead of the titling, and is was considered to be so well done that Finlayson left it on." (Ross Finlayson)
“Mosquito Menacing the Reich” by Martin Bowman
As for 409 Squadron, it was formed at Digby, England on 17/06/1941. For the first three years it was based at several different UK bases (sources differ in a few very minor specifics), with most of the time spent in a defensive night fighter role defending the UK.
However, in the Spring of 1944 the squadron was transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, where it was apparently engaged in both offensive and defensive duties.
It was eventually moved to France after D-Day. Prior to it moving to Twente, Netherlands (four weeks after Germany's surrender) and being disbanded there on 01/07/1945, it had been based at seven different airfields during it's time in Europe, in France, Belgium and Germany. During it's time the squadron flew Boulton Paul Defiants and two types of Beaufighter, before transferring to Mosquitos in March 1944.
Sources for the above:
Rickard, J (2 August 2021), No. 409 Squadron (RCAF): Second World War, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/unit.../409_wwII.html
Anyway enough waffle.....below are some pictures of the offending plane. Sprue shots to follow shortly!!
ATB
Andrew
--------------------------------------
The best shot of the plane I have found; Twente, Holland. Taken by a regular pilot Ross Finlayson
Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War Two” by Martin Bowman
“Mosquito Menacing the Reich” by Martin Bowman
The name in close up, with two crew who flew it regularly; Flying Officers Al Webster and Ross Finlayson (location and date unknown).
Source: “Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War Two” by Martin Bowman
And finally my research material on this specific plane.....I think I need help!!
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