Junkers Ju-52

Heller’s Junkers Ju-52/3M in its “Where Eagle’s Dare” or as Heller would have it, Blindflugschule 3’s 1941 camouflage. 

Interestingly, Blindflugschule means ‘Blind Flying School’ which, as far as I can make out, is where Luftwaffe night fighter pilots learned their craft. So, whether they actually used the Ju-52 to train in or it was just the ‘bus’ to transport them to and from the school, I’ve not yet managed to find out.

Anyway, this Heller kit has been a challenging one but, I hope you’ll concur, I managed to get the better of it in the end. 

The base white was airbrushed using AMMO by Mig Jimenez primer and the green was hand painted with Hataka’s WW2 Luftwaffe range. 

Heller would not rate as one of my favourite kit providers but when you want to build an unusual model, like that other interesting kit producer AZ, they rarely disappoint

Spitfire TR.8

In July last year, I picked up a couple of AZ Spitfires at the North Somerset Scale Model Show. I quickly learned, after building the first, that AZ models are an acquired taste, so at least I knew what I was letting myself in for when I picked this rare Spitfire TR.8/9 out of my stash last week.

Rather than go for the 3 options in the box, I decided to finish this kit in the colours of IAC-163, one of 6 two seater Spitfires flown by the Irish Air Corps in the 1950s. 

Interestingly, when this Spitfire was ‘demobbed’ in 1968, it went on to appear in the film “The Battle of Britain”. Then after a spell in the US, it returned to the UK in 2019 to join three other 2 seater IAC Spitfires at ‘Fly a Spitfire’ based at Biggin Hill. 

I love a model’s backstory probably as much as building them

SAS Jeep

This Tamiya SAS Jeep has been so much fun. For a 50 year old 1970s kit it builds beautifully. How Tamiya produce such quality from an old mould just amazes me.

Built out of the box with a few scratch built straps for bags, bottles, boxes and glasses, I think it looks just great. Hope you do too.

SAS Landrover ’Pink Panther’

This is one of those frequently built and posted kits but having had it in my stash for years the time was right for me to finally make a start on it, and its WW2 Jeep predecessor. 

This is my take on Tamiya’s SAS Landrover ’Pink Panther’ as used in such overseas locations as Oman. I like to think it would have even been seen in action with my recent build of the SOAF Strikemaster! 

This example I’ve created has seen a lot of use and by the look of the driver is heading into yet more action!

Jet Provost - Strikemaster

 A fascinating book, a great Airfix kit and another enjoyable Hunting Jet Provost build. 

I find Roland White’s books brilliant in sharing stories of historical military action which are simply jaw dropping. Storm Front is an extraordinary tale of a secret war during the early 1970s involving RAF pilots and the SAS fighting in support of the Sultan of Oman against an enemy with weapons and training from China and the Soviet Union. 

I’ve finished this Jet Provost as one of the RAF flown Strikemasters in the colours of the SOAF. I had intended it to carry a set of rockets, but Airfix have supplied such short undercarriage  legs that no ordinance can be hung beneath its wings.  I did however leave stubs giving the impression that rockets and bombs could have been carried.