Which kit for a "RAF Westhampnett/Tangmere" warbird? ?
Discussion
Having moved to a little village with a fairly punchy BoB history, I suppose I really should apply my Warhammer gained skills (those few that exist!) to building a nice kit or two of a plane that would have flown from the area...
I'm no historic aviation buff, but would like to make something broadly accurate!
So, anyone able to give me a hand on what to make?
Ideally, I'd like something of a reasonable size - perhaps 1/32?
Also something that's a pretty modern kit (in terms of engineering), and has a goodly amount of detail to enjoy.
Have a full hobby room setup - airbrush, reasonable plastic and resin modelling skills, happy (and keen) to play with some photoetch...
Budget? Perhaps £100 for something worthwhile?
First thought was a Tamiya kit (remember them being superb quality when I built a few MotoGP bikes/race cars several years ago - but they don't seem to do anything that would have actually flown from those airfields?
I'm no historic aviation buff, but would like to make something broadly accurate!
So, anyone able to give me a hand on what to make?
Ideally, I'd like something of a reasonable size - perhaps 1/32?
Also something that's a pretty modern kit (in terms of engineering), and has a goodly amount of detail to enjoy.
Have a full hobby room setup - airbrush, reasonable plastic and resin modelling skills, happy (and keen) to play with some photoetch...
Budget? Perhaps £100 for something worthwhile?
First thought was a Tamiya kit (remember them being superb quality when I built a few MotoGP bikes/race cars several years ago - but they don't seem to do anything that would have actually flown from those airfields?
If you can give a list of planes, it will probably be easy to suggest kits.
Even if your particular plane is not available there is a vast array of aftermarket decals for nearly every plane flown.
Tamiya 1/32 are one of the best kits you can get though. But there are alot of new excellent manufacturers.
Even if your particular plane is not available there is a vast array of aftermarket decals for nearly every plane flown.
Tamiya 1/32 are one of the best kits you can get though. But there are alot of new excellent manufacturers.
From what I can find through Google (as mentioned, no aviation buff at all, so any errors entirely on me through ignorance!):
602 Squadron flew Mk1 Spitfires there.
Douglas Bader then commanded Tangmere Wing of Fighter Command later in the war.
Seems they started out with mkIIa and mkIIb. Then shifting to mkV and mkVa (cannon and gun variants?).
SoE operated Lysanders (seemingly modified for STOL?).
Then Meteors post War from what I can find...
602 Squadron flew Mk1 Spitfires there.
Douglas Bader then commanded Tangmere Wing of Fighter Command later in the war.
Seems they started out with mkIIa and mkIIb. Then shifting to mkV and mkVa (cannon and gun variants?).
SoE operated Lysanders (seemingly modified for STOL?).
Then Meteors post War from what I can find...
Also seems that Hurricanes were flown there too - Nos 43 and 601 Squadrons were there at least in August 1940.
Blenheims of the Fighter Interception Unit were there too - some being destroyed in what seems to have been a pretty chunky bombing raid targeting Tangmere.
https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/articles/tangme...
https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/articles/dougla...
Blenheims of the Fighter Interception Unit were there too - some being destroyed in what seems to have been a pretty chunky bombing raid targeting Tangmere.
https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/articles/tangme...
https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/articles/dougla...
Revell do a new tool 1/32 Spitfire IIA which isnt meant to be too bad. Unfortunately, the Tamiya ones are the later variants and would be considered the best.
Best place to check on what has been made is on Scalemates. Search for the plane you want and then drill down through all the different makers. It will tell you when a kit was made, reboxed etc so you can guage how good it is.
Your other option is to go to 1/48 where you have a few more options.
Best place to check on what has been made is on Scalemates. Search for the plane you want and then drill down through all the different makers. It will tell you when a kit was made, reboxed etc so you can guage how good it is.
Your other option is to go to 1/48 where you have a few more options.
lufbramatt said:
The new ICM Gloster Gladiator in 1/32 looks very nice indeed and comes with decals for a 72 squadron aircraft, which appear to have been based at Tangmere.
Awesome! Looks like a great plane to build... Also think I've decided on the Tamiya 1/48 MkI Spitfire (hopefully with the ground crew). Looks like one of the people modelled could be done as Douglas Bader.
Any 'super detail' kits available for that Tamiya kit, or is it pretty well detailed already? If it's going to be on the ground, I'd quite like to have the engine cowling open...
Sway said:
Awesome! Looks like a great plane to build...
Also think I've decided on the Tamiya 1/48 MkI Spitfire (hopefully with the ground crew). Looks like one of the people modelled could be done as Douglas Bader.
Any 'super detail' kits available for that Tamiya kit, or is it pretty well detailed already? If it's going to be on the ground, I'd quite like to have the engine cowling open...
Recently built the new tool Tamiya 1/48 Mk1 - superb kit, build thread here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Also think I've decided on the Tamiya 1/48 MkI Spitfire (hopefully with the ground crew). Looks like one of the people modelled could be done as Douglas Bader.
Any 'super detail' kits available for that Tamiya kit, or is it pretty well detailed already? If it's going to be on the ground, I'd quite like to have the engine cowling open...
the only after-market bits i added were some hollowed out resin exhausts. No engine included, and the design of the kit would make it difficult to add one.
I added a couple of figures from ICM https://www.scalemates.com/kits/icm-48081-raf-pilo... and left the pilot out of the cockpit as tamiya moulded him sat with his hands on his lap rather than holding the stick.
If you are nearby, why not pop in to the Tangmere museum and see if they can put you in touch with the modellers who built the models on display?
Some discussion on the best 1/32 BOB Spitfire kits here: Best 1/32 BOB Spitfire
Montex do a decal set for the Fly 1/32 Hurricane Mk1. This represents the aircraft flown by Sqn Ldr Michael Robinson from Tangmere in Sept 1940.
BOB Tangmere Hurricane Decal Set
Fly Hurricane Mk1
Some discussion on the best 1/32 BOB Spitfire kits here: Best 1/32 BOB Spitfire
Montex do a decal set for the Fly 1/32 Hurricane Mk1. This represents the aircraft flown by Sqn Ldr Michael Robinson from Tangmere in Sept 1940.
BOB Tangmere Hurricane Decal Set
Fly Hurricane Mk1
Edited by GliderRider on Thursday 20th February 00:21
GliderRider said:
Montex do a decal set for the Fly 1/32 Hurricane Mk1. This represents the aircraft flown by Sqn Ldr Michael Robinson from Tangmere in Sept 1940.
BOB Tangmere Hurricane Decal Set
Montex are paint masks, not decals.BOB Tangmere Hurricane Decal Set
A multitude of types flew from Tangmere and Westhampnett including some unusual ones which may provide a change from Spitfire/Hurricane (although not sure what kits there are).
Turbinlite Boston Havoc.
Westland Whirlwind (there is some great newsreel footage of these on YT supposedly filmed at Tangmere).
Hawker Typhoon were certainly based at Westhampnett as they were involved as escorts on the raid on Ameins prision in 1944.
If you fancied something bigger there is a loose connection with the HP Halifax given that the aircraft carrying the agents for Op. Anthropoid left from Tangmere and last year a memorial was placed to commemorate the crew and those on the ground killed when a Halifax crashed just behind the control tower (I guess where Hanger drive now is) I think in 1943.
Fairly sure I have seen reference to P-47's being based ther, although around D-day many squadrons and types would have been there and at the Merston, Appledram, Funtington and Bognor satalites.
If your local to Tangers there is plenty find out about and a few more extant parts of the airfield left than is immediately obvious.
Turbinlite Boston Havoc.
Westland Whirlwind (there is some great newsreel footage of these on YT supposedly filmed at Tangmere).
Hawker Typhoon were certainly based at Westhampnett as they were involved as escorts on the raid on Ameins prision in 1944.
If you fancied something bigger there is a loose connection with the HP Halifax given that the aircraft carrying the agents for Op. Anthropoid left from Tangmere and last year a memorial was placed to commemorate the crew and those on the ground killed when a Halifax crashed just behind the control tower (I guess where Hanger drive now is) I think in 1943.
Fairly sure I have seen reference to P-47's being based ther, although around D-day many squadrons and types would have been there and at the Merston, Appledram, Funtington and Bognor satalites.
If your local to Tangers there is plenty find out about and a few more extant parts of the airfield left than is immediately obvious.
Awesome, thanks.
I'm very close to the museum, unfortunately it's closed for another couple of weeks (from memory, there was a sign on the gates when I walked past with the dog a little while ago - I'll walk past again this weekend and check).
Paint masks are even better than decals for me - always struggled with decals, but masking and spraying with the airbrush is quite fun...
Plenty of reading and planning to do!
I'm very close to the museum, unfortunately it's closed for another couple of weeks (from memory, there was a sign on the gates when I walked past with the dog a little while ago - I'll walk past again this weekend and check).
Paint masks are even better than decals for me - always struggled with decals, but masking and spraying with the airbrush is quite fun...
Plenty of reading and planning to do!
Krupp88 said:
A multitude of types flew from Tangmere and Westhampnett including some unusual ones which may provide a change from Spitfire/Hurricane (although not sure what kits there are).
Turbinlite Boston Havoc.
Westland Whirlwind (there is some great newsreel footage of these on YT supposedly filmed at Tangmere).
Hawker Typhoon were certainly based at Westhampnett as they were involved as escorts on the raid on Ameins prision in 1944.
If you fancied something bigger there is a loose connection with the HP Halifax given that the aircraft carrying the agents for Op. Anthropoid left from Tangmere and last year a memorial was placed to commemorate the crew and those on the ground killed when a Halifax crashed just behind the control tower (I guess where Hanger drive now is) I think in 1943.
Fairly sure I have seen reference to P-47's being based ther, although around D-day many squadrons and types would have been there and at the Merston, Appledram, Funtington and Bognor satalites.
If your local to Tangers there is plenty find out about and a few more extant parts of the airfield left than is immediately obvious.
In 1/72 - Turbinlite Boston Havoc.
Westland Whirlwind (there is some great newsreel footage of these on YT supposedly filmed at Tangmere).
Hawker Typhoon were certainly based at Westhampnett as they were involved as escorts on the raid on Ameins prision in 1944.
If you fancied something bigger there is a loose connection with the HP Halifax given that the aircraft carrying the agents for Op. Anthropoid left from Tangmere and last year a memorial was placed to commemorate the crew and those on the ground killed when a Halifax crashed just behind the control tower (I guess where Hanger drive now is) I think in 1943.
Fairly sure I have seen reference to P-47's being based ther, although around D-day many squadrons and types would have been there and at the Merston, Appledram, Funtington and Bognor satalites.
If your local to Tangers there is plenty find out about and a few more extant parts of the airfield left than is immediately obvious.
Special Hobby does a Turbinlite Havoc.
The 1978 vintage Airfix is still the only option (there is an even older Airfix 1/72 which is really only of interest to collectors)
Airfix has a very nice modern 1/72 Typhoon
Revell released a modern range of Halifax kits in recent years although they do have some shape issues. There is also the old Matchbox Halifax or the even older Airfix one.
Thanks Krupp and Eric - more reading and planning!
I've seen and read that plaque, it's bordering the extant concrete runway at the boundary where the new houses have been built last year. It is indeed Hangar Drive, if you look on Google maps it's to the Eastern end of where the hangars are still visible as the photos haven't been updated since the houses were built.
I've seen and read that plaque, it's bordering the extant concrete runway at the boundary where the new houses have been built last year. It is indeed Hangar Drive, if you look on Google maps it's to the Eastern end of where the hangars are still visible as the photos haven't been updated since the houses were built.
They are hosting their 3rd model show at Tangmere on 3 May.
https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
Eric Mc said:
They are hosting their 3rd model show at Tangmere on 3 May.
https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
I'll be there running the Airfix stand https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
lufbramatt said:
Eric Mc said:
They are hosting their 3rd model show at Tangmere on 3 May.
https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
I'll be there running the Airfix stand https://www.thetouristtrail.org/events/general/sca...
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