Gloster Meteor

Now starts a brief interlude in my scale modelling project as I pause construction of new models to share some of my back catalog. The reason for this is that I'm just about to make a start on an epic Vietnam War build of helicopters and ground forces with a village diorama. Rather than 'going dark' for a few weeks while I complete this challenging build, I thought it would be a great opportunity to dust off some of my older model aircraft which I built some years back, and particularly those from the Korean War era as they would lead nicely on from my last MASH helicopter build.  

First off the runway is Britain's debut jet fighter and the only Allied jet aircraft to reach operational status during World War II. I can only recall having made 2 Gloster Meteors in my scale modelling 'career' and surprisingly both are in my back catalog. The first was the Mk.3 variant from WWII which I built as an Airfix 'Dogfight Doubles' kit together with a V-1 flying bomb. I recall at the time thinking what an unbelievable cheek this was, Airfix charging for 2 models when the second was made of no more that 5 pieces and perhaps 1/5 of the plastic of the other! The second was the post war Mk.4 which I built as part of a previous Korean War phase that I was going through! During the 'top up' research for this post, I discovered a small but fundamental error in my earlier appreciation of the RAF's Korean War heritage, something you'll discover if you read on. The upshot of this is that neither of these Meteors would have appeared in the sky over Korea in their presented schemes, however, I'm still happy having painted the contemporary Mk.4 in the colour scheme of 600 squadron Meteors which, during the Korean War, were actually based at RAF Biggin Hill, Kent; a village in which I spent many a happy time aircraft spotting during my youthful and formative years. 

Revell's Gloster Meteor Mk.4 1:72 scale

As for the Gloster Meteor, despite its radical use of jet power, for the time, it was very conventional in design and was never considered to be cutting edge in performance. Having straight wings, missing the memo that swept wings were better, it was not much faster than the fastest piston-fighters such as the P-51 Mustang and Spitfire. The jet engine was still in its infancy and far from a proven technology. The most notable jet fighter at the time was the Messerschmitt Me 262, which was well along in production, but at a price, as its engines weren’t fully developed and it could be a dangerous aircraft to fly. The British, meanwhile, wanted to ensure the Meteor was airworthy before entering service. The delays in doing so lost it the clear advantage it would have had in surpassing the Me 262 in performance and numbers.

Meteor F.3 of No. 616 (F) Sqn. RAF Manston 1944 

Given its late arrival and British desire for design secrecy, the Meteor was never destined to come up against the Me 262 in a dogfight but instead was put to work countering the V-1 flying bomb threat. Meteors of No. 616 Squadron undertook their first operational jet combat mission on 27 July 1944, when three aircraft were active over Kent and went on to record their first two V-1 kills on 4 August. By the end of the war, Meteors had accounted for the destruction of a total of 14 flying bombs. After the end of the V-1 threat, and the introduction of the ballistic V-2 rocket, the RAF was forbidden to fly the Meteor on combat missions over German-held territory for fear of an aircraft being shot down and salvaged by the Germans or the Soviets!

Meteor F.4 of No.600 (City of London) Sqn. RAF Biggin Hill 1951 

The next-generation post war Meteor F.4 went into service in 1946 with 16 RAF squadrons who were already operating Meteors. The F.4 was faster than the F.3 at sea level but the reduced wings impaired its rate of climb; the F.4 wingspan was shorter than the F.3 and had blunter wing tips copying a design also proven on the later Spitfire Mk V & FR.IXc.

When North Korea invaded South Korea on 25th June 1950, the United Nations condemned the action and UN troops were ordered into action. Whereas the Royal Navy carriers and Fleet Air Arm were heavily involved in the air fighting and ground attack sorties, the RAF had no actual fighter squadrons in Korea, RAF pilots being instead assigned to USAF squadrons. This was a very different experience for British pilots, as the American training curricula remained basically unchanged from WWII, focussing on air combat, while in Cold War Europe, British pilots were almost solely being drilled on rapid [Russian] Bomber interception. So, while my Meteors are both painted in the colours of RAF squadrons, the Meteors which fought in the Korean War were those of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). I can perhaps see a need for another Meteor for my collection!

The RAAF had actually attempted to procure Sabres to replace the Mustangs of their No.77 Squadron in 1951, but with the priority being given to re-equipping the USAF, deliveries to the RAAF would not be possible until 1954. The Australian government, therefore, agreed to purchase Gloster Meteors from Britain being the only viable alternative. The first missions for No.77 Squadron’s Meteors were flying offensive sweeps up the Yalu River with USAF flying 'their' Sabres, and escorting Boeing B-29 Superfortresses on bombing missions.

No. 77 Squadron RAAF Briefing  

North Korean MiG-15s, flown by Russian and Chinese pilots, appeared over Korea in 1951 and at first they held off engaging the Meteors; it was speculated at the time, and subsequently confirmed, that they had been observing the performance of the newly arrived RAAF jets. Then on 29th August 1951, eight Meteors and sixteen Sabres were engaged in a dogfight with twelve MiGs; one RAAF pilot ejected when his aircraft was shot down, and a second Meteor was badly damaged. A week later another Meteor suffered severe damage in a dogfight with MiGs. As a result of these clashes, it was clear that the Meteor was outclassed as a fighter and it was subsequently removed from its air-to-air combat role and operations in "MiG Alley" (the area between the Yalu and Chongchon Rivers on North Korea's border with Manchuria) curtailed. Being relegated mainly to escort duty and local air defence caused controversy among those who believed that proper tactics exploiting the Meteor's manoeuvrability and heavy armament would have allowed it to remain competitive as a fighter. 

Gloster Meteor Mk.4 of No.600 (City of London) Sqn. RAF Biggin Hill 1951 

A change in RAAF squadron command during December 1951 resulted in a reassessment of the Meteor's capability and it was returned to an offensive role; although this time to one more suitable to its disposition, namely ground attack. Despite the earlier challenges, the 3 years of hostilities concluded for No. 77 Squadron with them having 'removed from enemy hands': 3,700 buildings, 1,500 vehicles, 16 bridges and three MiG-15s!

In 1956, although continuing to be used for pilot training until 1962, the Meteor flew its last front line service operation, to be replaced by the newer jet aircraft types of the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin. 

 

Brand: Airfix

Title: Dogfight Doubles V1 Flying Bomb | Gloster Meteor III

Number: A50039

Scale: 1:72

Type: Multi-kit

Released: 2008 | Rebox (Changed box only)

Brand:  Revell
Title: Gloster Meteor Mk.4
Number: 04658 (Also listed as 80-4658)
Scale: 1:72
Type: Full kit
Released: 2011 | Rebox (Updated/New parts)

H-1 / AB-47 H-13 Sioux Helicopter

This week's helicopter model is the Bell H-13 Sioux, H-1 / AB-47 Light Helicopter, the military variant of the Bell 47 single-engine single-rotor light helicopter with more variant numbers and aliases than you can shake a stick at! Although first launched into service in 1946, its place in helicopter history was secured when dubbed the "Angel of Mercy" by soldiers battling against the Chinese and Communist forces during the 1950-1953 Korean war. After rekindling memories of "Hot Lips" Houlihan during my Bristol Sycamore medivac helicopter build a few weeks ago, it was one helicopter I just had to include in my scale modelling project! Those of a certain age will recall Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan as that lusty and extremely capable head nurse played by Loretta Swit in the 1972 to 1983 hit TV series MASH. Set in a US Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean war, the H-13 Sioux is the helicopter seen flying in across the screen with a wounded soldier strapped to its skis during the opening credits of all 251 episodes! 

The finished Italeri 1:72 scale H-1 / AB-47 Light Helicopter kit

The source model for my build was Italeri's 1998, 1:72 scale H-1 / AB-47 Light Helicopter kit. I would like to have been able to track down a replica model of the original MASH helicopter with medical markings and stretcher pods such as those produced in the mid 1990s by Revell and Academy. Fortunately, for my bank balance, they only made them in 1/35 scale and so I was not tempted to part with the best part of £120 that a seller in America was asking for his rare and pristine kit! The quality of this Italeri model, however, is amazing. The detail and quality of the mouldings: the engine with its exhaust manifolds and drive belt, and the number of pieces required to build the tubular tail section, was truly outstanding. 

The H-13 Sioux Medivac helicopter arrives at MASH with a casualty

Although the smallest, it was probably one of the most technical and challenging builds of all my 22 lockdown models! Fitting the engine into the structure reminded me of when I had to drop an engine into an old mini I used to own! My only disappointment with Italeri models, and there are very few, is that they don't supply a pilot figure. I, therefore, had to improvise by amalgamating a couple of figures I had in my spares box to create the closest match to a Korean war pilot I could. The model was intended to be completed with a set of very detailed machine guns, mounted on the top of the skis, but as this did not fit with my plan for a medivac helicopter, I’ve saved them for another occasion, adding them to my spares box, and the stretcher, first seen in the Sycamore build, sits nicely in their place.

Casualty delivered to MASH, the H-13 Sioux Helicopter is cleared to take off

To complete the scale model experience, I constructed a diorama representing a small corner of a MASH base. The red dusty soil, which during the wet Korean winter turns to sticky mud which then dries and cracks in the sun, is recreated from a small lump of local Triassic rock debris. The MASH aid tent was made from a frame of old plastic sprue and a man sized tissue sprayed with a couple of coats of olive drab. The door and store hut are made from cardboard offcuts left over from my aircraft hanger and the camouflage net is a piece of plastic packaging supported on poles cut from old pieces of sprue and freezer bag wire guide ropes. Add a few US marine figures, an ambulance, jeep, trailer and a few bits and bobs and MASH 4077 is brought to life on a small table top!

H-13 Sioux Helicopter leaves MASH to extract its next casualty

On their arrival in Korea in November 1950, the first attachment of four H-13 Sioux helicopters were assigned to utility, wire laying, liaison, and reconnaissance missions. In January1951, four helicopter detachments were assigned to the 8th U.S. Army surgeon, and it was 1st Lt. Willis G. Shawn and 1st Lt. Joseph L. Bowler who are said to have flown the first Army aerial medical evacuation (Medevac) missions. The H-13 Sioux helicopter was to go on to transport 18,000 of the war's total 23,000 casualties to forward deployed Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals.

The success of the Medevac techniques pioneered by Army helicopter pilots was most dramatically revealed in the reduction in the death rate of evacuated patients before they reached medical facilities from 4.5 percent during World War II to 2.5 percent during the Korean War. Just as the British saw in Malaya, in addition to shortening the time it took for seriously wounded troops to reach treatment, the use of aerial Medevac in Korea eased the extra stress placed on the remaining ground troops who had to carry and care for the sick and wounded not airlifted off the battlefield.

H-13 Sioux Helicopter returns to base

The second momentous development in the Army's use of helicopters in Korea occurred in July 1952, when the 6th Transportation Company (Helicopter) received the H-19 Chickasaw, the service's first true cargo and troop transport helicopter. The H-19 Chickasaw was the same Westland Whirlwind helicopter so successfully used by the British during the Malaya Emergency and the subject of my last scale model build.

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The model

Make: Italeri
Model: AH-1 / AB-47 Light Helicopter
Number: 095
Scale: 1:72
Released: 1998 | Rebox (Updated/New parts)

Westland Whirlwind

My second helicopter build is Airfix’s Westland Whirlwind from 1975, or more accurately a repackaged kit from 1966. These are like hens teeth to find and when you do, they are deemed such a collectors’ item that sellers can ask potential buyers to part with £40-£50 for their unmade kits. I finally managed to locate a slightly used one from a seller in Madrid! It came in a very tatty box and a missing a set of side windows. Although P&P was as much as the model, it was still a fraction of what collectors seem to be willing to pay and I guess if they knew I was going to actually build it, they'd be horrified!

My completed Westland Whirlwind model kit

The model itself was very simple, with fewer pieces, even with the missing window glass, than expected. On the subject of glazing, the front screen was of such poor fit that, as with the Sycamore, I wished I'd had some filler to hand. The two pilots, which amusingly were formed from identical moulds, would have suffered quite a draught had the life sized helicopter been fitted with such an ill-fitting screen! To address the missing near side co-pilot windows, I fashioned a new set out of some clear acetate. This was such an improvement over those supplied, that I even cut another set for the pilot. Unfortunately the doors for the troops to access the helicopter were moulded shut, so my plan to create a diorama with soldiers deplaning into action will have to wait. While, I could have cut the door out, the thickness of the plastic would not only have lacked realism but probably also blunted my knife!

My 'lightly used' model from Madrid!

The sum of the parts of this model

Transfers well past their best before date!

Ignoring the painting instructions on the box, I went for a colour scheme of RAF 155 Squadron used in Malaya during the mid 1950s, and specifically the one illustrated on the cover of David Taylor's book, The First Helicopter Boys. I had to make use of my personal supply of spare transfers, not only because the ones supplied were well past their best before date but also because 1970s decal printing was obviously going through a bad patch. So, the RAF roundels came from a Javelin aircraft, the letter L from an American navy jet and the serial numbers were those not used in last week's Sycamore build! As the picture on the book’s dust jacket was the only colour photo of that colour scheme that I could find, I naturally assumed the stripes on the tail were white, I also ignored a picture of another model makers' efforts where they had oddly, or so I thought, had gone for yellow. On further a study of the book's photo, you may notice that the roundel lacks any red and blue. Also, within the book there is a back and white version, which I’m now thinking may be its original form, and can only assume that colour on the dust jacket version was added to the photo post development using one of those editing apps! Anyway, I prefer the white stripes ... it's just a shame I could not find the letter "M" in my spares box!

The inspiration for the colour scheme

Here's a bit of background on the Whirlwind and its operations in Malaya and Borneo. 

In 1950, Westland Aircraft purchased the rights to manufacture Sikorsky's S-55 helicopter, however, conversions to meet British standards meant that their Whirlwind did not fly until August 1953. The Royal Navy were the first to receive delivery when 10 Mk1s entered service to perform a search and rescue role. Two more versions, the Mk2 for RAF and the Mk3 with an upgraded engine, were released before 24 specially configured Far East Mk4s were delivered to RAF squadrons in Malaya.

My Westland Whirlwind of 155 Squadron, Malaya

The use of the Whirlwind in Malaya was to dramatically change the outcome of the Emergency. They were used for a multitude of purposes: in the search phase; in moving ‘stops’ once the Communist Terrorists (CTs) had been encountered; dropping the SAS - newly reformed in 1953 - deep into the jungle and then bringing out dead or captured CTs and documents urgently required by Special Branch; carrying supplies to build and equip the new villages established to win hearts and minds amongst the indigenous population; and evacuating sick and wounded members of ground patrols. While the noise of an approaching helicopter undoubtedly warned the CTs, the psychological effect on men who had been hiding in the jungle for five or six years, constantly being hunted and harried, was a weapon that lowered moral appreciably. In an offensive role, unlike the Americans in Vietnam a few years later, the helicopters were not used to strafe villages or populated areas, but to lift troops into the jungle either to positions from which the could attack likely Communist bases or to occupy 'stops' in ambush. 

Also available in red! A picture from the later Borneo conflict

Westland Whirlwinds on a mission 

One very important lesson learned in Malaya was that the firepower of Government forces needs handling with skill and care, a lesson often ignored in subsequent campaigns. A thought provoking comment I read again recently in E.D. Smith's Counter-Insurgency Operations: 1 Malaya & Borneo, a book I've had in my library since it was first published in 1985, states: "Guerrilla forces are seldom destroyed by large concentrations of fire; gunships and body counts do not win counter-insurgency campaigns because bombs and shells showered down with impunity may destroy several villages and kill dozens of terrorists but in the long term the explosives will terrorise and alienate many more members of the civilian population." 

While it is difficult, and may be unhelpful, to compare the two conflicts, the choice of air power used by Americans in Vietnam differed considerably with that of the British in Malaya. It does make one ponder: had the advice General Gerald Templer, the architect of Britain’s military strategy in Malaya, shared with the American leaders very early on in their Vietnam engagement been taken, how different may the outcome of that conflict have been? 

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The model

Make: Airfix

Model: Whirlwind

Scale: 1:72

Item Code: 02056-9
Released: 1975 | Rebox (Changed box only)

Bristol Sycamore HR.14

I was asked when I first started this scale model building project whether I'd ever constructed any helicopters. To my memory, there can only have been one or two, and one would have been James Bond's gyrocopter! ... Does that count? For some reason they have never captured my imagination as much as aeroplanes, that is until now, as my 20th model of lockdown begins with not just one, but a flight of whirly-bird creations and has kindled a new fascination with this most versatile of aircraft.

"Hot Lips" Houlihan delivers aid to a casualty

My first helicopter build is also one of Britain's, the Bristol Sycamore HR.14, the first practical British helicopter to enter production.  It took me quite a while to locate this kit, owing to the fact that, just as with my de Havilland Hornet, no one has produced it for a very long time. I finally purchased a 1991, Glencoe Models kit from a private seller for rather more than was really sensible. Glencoe Models, who I've not come across before, was created by Nick Argento in 1987, with the aim to reissue many classic model kits from earlier years and were the last company to release the Sycamore.

The instructions were sparse but the kit went together relatively cleanly, and the decals provided worked surprisingly well. It did, however, come with a pre-cut hole in its underside for a stand. This must have been a feature of the original moulding that Glencoe acquired, although they themselves chose not to provide the stand! Had I a tube of filler to hand, I would have sealed it up, but as it's hidden beneath and I have no plans to hang it from my ceiling, I left it alone. I also attempted my first ever blended airbrush camouflage which I think turned out OK. 

From my Dad's Photo Album!

The camouflage scheme applied was that used on the Sycamores when first supplied to the RAF during the Malayan Emergency. The above black and white photo of a Sycamore, snapped by my Dad while serving in Malaya with the army was no help with this, but it was behind the passion to secure and build the model. I have read many a publication from the time, stating that finding a sufficient clearing in the jungle to land even a helicopter was close to impossible, so specially built platforms had to be erected over obstacles, and landing strips had to be cleared in forested areas by machete. I, therefore, decided to build a Malayan diorama with a precipitous landing platform over a typical mosquito infested lake to showcase my model. Also, as the primary purpose of the Sycamore was to airlift wounded soldiers from the combat zone, I added a larger than life, MASH inspired "Hot Lips" Houlihan to the scene. If you look closely you'll see her providing plasma to the casualty laid out on the stretcher prior to be evacuated by the helicopter!

Back at base delivering the casualty to the ambulance

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My helicopter's backstory ...

Although Leonardo de Vinci had dabbled with the basics of rotary flight in the eighteenth century, the lack of any practical propulsion put a stop to it becoming a reality. That was until the Russians, led by the likes of Igor Sikorsky, finally cracked the problem in the late 1930s. Although Sikorsky later moved to America, Russia has interestingly always been ahead in helicopter technology.

Meanwhile, in Britain, the Royal Navy were well ahead of the RAF in recognising the possible use of the helicopter and even placed an order with Sikorsky for 240 of their R-4Bs, or Hoverfly MK1, during the Second World War, but with the end of hostilities this was cancelled. The RAF then took delivery of a small number of Hoverflys for trials and one was even used to deliver urgent mail to the Queen at Balmoral! With the acute post war shortages they were returned to the US in 1950 when parts became too scarce to keep the Hoverflys in the air. 

Bristol Sycamore  "... taking a casualty to hospital"

It was the challenging terrain found in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency which brought to the fore the necessity for a more versatile aircraft. The Chiefs of Staff were first informed in early March 1949 that operations were being hampered by the length of time it was taking to evacuate casualties. With two thirds of the country consisting of dense, mountainous jungle, almost to the beaches, there were too few accessible landing strips, resulting in missions having to be frustratingly curtailed in the event of a casualty. The helicopter not only had the ability to land in tight spaces, its presence also brought a major boost to the moral of soldiers, who knew they would have a quick way out of the jungle should anything untoward happen to them.

Artist impression of the Sycamore evacuating a casualty

The first RAF helicopters to arrive were Dragonfly, one of which was used to undertake their first Casualty Evacuation Flight on 14th June 1950, some weeks ahead of the first American sortie in Korea using their H-13 Sioux helicopters. The Sycamore entered service in 1953 and in just 3 years had replaced the Hoverfly as the RAF's primary casualty evacuation helicopter. The Sycamore was a much improved design with side by side seating for the crew and space for 2 stretchers in the rear.

In October 1964, RAF Squadron were re-equipped with Whirlwinds, resulting in the withdrawal of the Sycamore from front-line service.

Finally, you couldn't make this up, but similar to my last model, the Hornet, Biggles again enters the scene! In two derivative Biggles action comics, the Sycamore makes an appearance ... first, in the Pyrenean Manhunt, an international gang of diamond thieves kept a Sycamore helicopter which they intended to use as their getaway vehicle and then in the Rescue Mission, a Sycamore comes to pick up Biggles and Ginger after they've rescued General Sir Robert Hordern.

Biggles in the Rescue Mission

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The model

Make: Glencoe Model

Model: Bristol Sycamore HR.14
Scale:1/65 Marketed as 1/72
Item Code: 04001
Year of Release: 1992