Oh my, what a wonderful place to be. So many offers of help. Thank you so much.
This has been a project that has received far too little of my attention. When dad died I inherited his medals and service history. Unfortunately several parts are missing, destroyed in air raids or just lost. He started as a wireless mechanic then went on to Defiant day fighters again as wireless mechanic/airgunner (2 sorties over Dunkirk - records lost) then trained as radar operator on Fairey Battles and Hampdens (unit unkown), back to Defiants for invasion scare (his one has racks for 8 x small bombs fitted) and training in ground attack, then as radar operator in Defiant night fighters and lastly to Beaufighters until shot down (by the RN!!!) After that unfit for flying so joined the RAF Comandos and finally landed on D-Day as a Fighter Controller for the Typhoons, saw action in Normandy, the pursuit, Arnhem, Walcheren, Belsen, met the Russians on the Elbe and then came home. He never went abroad after the war as he lost too many friends over there.
So far I have (all old Airfix) 3 x Defiants (2 built), 1 x Battle (stash), 1 x Hampden, 1 x Beaufighter, 1 x RAF rescue launch that picked him and his pilot out of the sea. Also the Walrus (Matchbox) that found him but could not land because of the minefield that he had floated into.
My other current project is the display for SWMBO's amateur theatrical "The Blitz" and will include dad's Defiant Night Fighter (fortunately coded JT-J so easy from the old Airfix kit). I am not able to get these to museum standard but a decent set of models that will end up in our local Memories of West Lothian centre.
Thanks again for so much help and kindness.