We'll go way back in time with this one, right after the RAF's birth in early 1918. Things have to start somewhere.
This will be a slightly modified Revell Airco DH.2, as a very late WWI recce/attack aircraft.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81vVyySI8UL._SX355_.jpg)
Yes, I obviosuly have masochistic tendencies... :rolleyes:
I built that when it first came out. My hand/eye co-ordination was obviously far better back then ;)
Sensible for an attack aircraft, no pesky prop to get in the way of the guns ;D
And with excellent view for the pilot, too. I also built one, when I was about 10 years old, with corresponding results, and I hope to get it better this time. Still a bit nervous, though... :unsure:
I think I also built one as a kid. I remember building a DH2. Did anyone else do one in the one true scale?
How about a trench strafer with downward pointing guns and an armoured tub?
;D
Things started moving this morning, and since there's not much model to build I am already about to place the struts on the wings. The kit is, well, just what you should expect from a 50+ year old mold - lots of flash and cleaning, and no part seems to match any other. However, thanks to some modifications (e .g. external armor plates, rhinoplasty, different wheels from a Gloster Gladiator), most problem zones can be hidden or simply outmanoeuvered, but the wings and the tail between them make me nervous. The pilot figure is cool, though: the guy even has a mustache!
I can't wait to see this.
Some live pics; things start very OOB...
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/29255873018_e24aa8305c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LzeZML)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LzeZML) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
...but soon things go astray, e .g. with a four blade propeller for a beefed-up engine:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/42409145504_5fd1897315_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27BxXrS)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27BxXrS) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Some more hp are required, because of the external armor plates that protect the pilot now:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1782/43128055881_1ffb078106_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28H5ysn)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/28H5ysn) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Furthermore the nose recived a channel so that the machine gun can be tilted downwards by up to 60° for strafing attacks:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/922/43128054221_56c25b16f9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28H5xXK)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/28H5xXK) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The landing gear has just been fixed:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/28258417537_ebd73b7100_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/K46M2t)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/K46M2t) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
And here's the pilot - looks pretty happy? Probably just had some afternoon tea and scones... :o
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/42409140174_cbfd59cdea_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27BxVRY)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27BxVRY) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
;D
Love the pilot.
Do you think the undercarriage would be up to the job?
In all honesty it's not that bad considering it's age, probably in better shape than me :angel:
I can remember some kits of German WWI aircraft the pilot even had a dueling scar :rolleyes:
Some of those elderly Revell kits aren't as bad as one might expect. Certainly better than the old Airfix Gladiator, dH 88 Comet and NARSES2's favourite, the RE8.
Progress went on yesterday at interstellar speed: I got so far that not only the wings and tails could be attached, I even managed to finish painting by 90%! Well, it's not much aircraft to work with, but the paint scheme is ...complex, you'll see it soon. Just finished painting the struts final pre-rigging setp this morning, and this evening I expect to dive into rigging hell...
Well, and besides the lots of flash the kit is not as bad as expected - it went together (relatively) easily. You have to keep in kind that all twelve(!) wing struts are separate pieces, the whole thing is a wobbly affair. But I glued all the struts into place on the lower wing and the fuselage, and - once semi-dry - glued the upper wing to the four fuselage struts. Shaky affair. When this connection was more or less dry I pushed the long, outer struts into their respective attachment holes and glued them into place - and this method miraculously worked at the first attempt! Mounting the wobbly tail was then an easy task.
More pics to probably come this evening, when decals and wires come to play.
What are you hanging about at Thomas, it's the SECOND day of the build and you haven't even finished ONE model yet....... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 02, 2018, 01:09:15 AM
Progress went on yesterday at interstellar speed: I got so far that not only the wings and tails could be attached, I even managed to finish painting by 90%! Well, it's not much aircraft to work with, but the paint scheme is ...complex, you'll see it soon.
Ah I take it your going to use something similar to the proposed schemes for the likes of the Dolphin etc ?
Salamander (or, to be exact, a scheme that was proposed with the Orfordness Report E/30A). Similar role for what I want to nmake out of the DH.2
So, here's the update from yesterday's work; first from the assembly process:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1762/42436955854_2390d799a2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27E1uuE)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27E1uuE) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/42436952074_0b3c90952d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27E1tnu)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27E1tnu) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/924/42436949064_1a2452c036_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27E1stA)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27E1stA) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/42251087665_3fe9242f25_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27nzSmH)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/27nzSmH) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
...and then the painting commenced, and for this task I have to add some explanations (no whif without a plan!). The paint scheme was inspired by the trial schemes that were actually applied to some Sopwith Salamander attack aircraft in July 1918, even though, AFAIK, none of these was used in front line use. However, the scheme's concept (Orfordness Report E30/A) of "depicting" trenches and the rough frontline "landscape" on an aircraft and other details like asymmetric roundels in order to confuse enemies and impede aiming is pretty unique, and this build was a great occasion to apply it.
I was able to dig up some information concerning the camouflage trials and the colors that were used:
the upper tones were mixed individually from a few basic colors, and I did follow a similar approach in order to achieve a unique and pretty retro look. The colors are/were:
"Light Earth" (White, Indian Red and Raw Sienna); I went for Humbrol 62 (Sand), which is a bright, almost orange tone. I did some mixing experiments and the color turned either into a pink of skin tone, or into a yellow-ish tan, depending on the mix ratios. After that, Humbrol 62 appeared to be a convenient OOB option, since I found mixing for the lightest camouflage tone hazardous.
"Green" (Ultramarine Blue, Chrome Yellow and Raw Sienna); I used a 1:1 mix of Humbrol 80 (Grass Green) and 170 (Brown Bess), with a little 15 (Midnight Blue) added.
"Dark Purple Earth" (from Indian Red, Ultramarine Blue and White); I settled on a 1:1 mix of Humbrol 68 (Purple) and 98. Sick result!
The undersides, landing gear and struts were painted in "Light Green Grey" (Mixed from White, Chrome, Brunswick Green and Indian Red); I'd assume that the tone would be very similar to Sky, but I used Tamiya XF-71 (Flat Grey Green, a.k.a. IJN Grey), which is a bit darker and more greenish.
According to the Orfordness Report E30/A, the lower wings' upper surface carried, by tendency, patterns with considerably more Light Earth - probably an early attempt of counter-shading? All the upper colors were furthermore separated through black lines, 2-4" wide, which were done with acrylic Revell 09 (Anthracite) and a thin brush.
On some aircraft the wings' undersides were painted differently – some had upper and lower wings' undersides painted black, while some only had the lower wings painted in this fashion. Because of the odd look I went for the "lower-wings-in black-only" option, painted with Revell 06 (Tar Black), which is actually a very dark grey.
This all results in a REALLY distinct and colorful look - it's almost sad that the DH.2 offers so little surface to apply the scheme, which is a faithful adaptation of the Orfordness Report E30/A recommendations.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1801/43155027051_b854177dfd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28KsN3x)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/28KsN3x) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1762/41344724120_78c2c24603_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuw43)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuw43) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/845/41344721700_0c26d1955b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuvkj)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuvkj) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/41344718960_c0d9335dc0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuuw5)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/25Zuuw5) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Weird, esp. on the DH.2. But sexy, too!
Oooops, slip of the keyboard :banghead: Yup Salamander is what I meant. They tried some very interesting schemes
It does look good :thumbsup:
On its own, the camo looks surprisingly modern (and effective!) but the black demarcation lines between colours definitely bring that retro feel :thumbsup:
Have "fun" with the rigging :wacko:
Thank you. Yes, the paint scheme is both retro and also somewhat ultra-modern, IMHO, very disruptive. Yesterday, not much happened - I did some finishing painting touches, applied decals, did some overall dry-brushing and gave the kit a protective coat of matt varnish from the rattle can (pics to follow).
I could basically stop here (already looks very good), but I want to add at least some stabilizing wires to the frames. Unfortunately I have seen too late that I missed to add (more) attachment points for the complete rig, but I will add some - even though the process scares me, and I am afraid that I can no longer push it away... :-\
Here's what the model looks like at the moment - pls. note the asymmetrical roundels on the upper wings, this was part of the scheme proposal! The black wings leave me a little puzzled (esp. since there were layouts with all-green wings, all black wings, or, as seen here, only with the lower wings in black) - I assume that this was intended for quick ID purposes?
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/43176604411_6b43e3911a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28MnoeZ)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/28MnoeZ) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/29305176198_8191d943fc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LDAFUA)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LDAFUA) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/43176601941_7fd1e9ffd9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28Mnnvp)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/28Mnnvp) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Glorious!
Thank you! Rigging WiP, actual life pics while England plays vs. Colombia. The job is done with grey sprue material and attached with simple white glue. Works (unexpectedly) like a charm, and I am happy that I went this post-painting route, because - as you can tell by the wire forest - any attempt to paint anything after the wiring would end in disaster. The long steering cables are still to follow, though, but it looks very good and improves the kit's look.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/834/41368243740_b539084d20_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/262z4BJ)
1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/262z4BJ) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
That's looking suitably amazing. :thumbsup:
And it's only July 3rd! :o
The model has been finished this morning: pilot and machine gun in place, engine with propeller has been mounted (fiddly affair between all the wires!) as well as the new wheels. And I stopped counting the wires after about 60 of these delicate plastic strings... :banghead:
Looks very good, though, I am curious about some action pics now!
It does look good :thumbsup:
The asymetrical roundels throw me when I look at 3 view drawings of the proposed schemes, let alone in the flesh :angel:
Quote from: NARSES2 on July 04, 2018, 06:46:58 AM
The asymetrical roundels throw me when I look at 3 view drawings of the proposed schemes, let alone in the flesh :angel:
Same idea as the asymmetric Polish 'Squarals' perhaps? To throw off the enemy's aim.
Yes, AFAIK this move was introduced to distract enemy fighters, hampering their aiming effort.
If I recall correctly, the asymmetrical roundels was to fool the attacking aircraft into believing that the aircraft in question was banking/turning and would throw off the attacking aircraft's aim.
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 04, 2018, 11:32:52 PM
Yes, AFAIK this move was introduced to distract enemy fighters, hampering their aiming effort.
Yup, I've always wondered what effect they'd have on AAA gunners as well ?
I guess that such confusing efforts only make sense from above - from below, I´d rather suggest clear identification above anything else in order to avoid friendly fire. I'd also think that, due to longer distances of aiming, the detail effect of the asymmetrical roundels is not as effective as in air-to-air combat?
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1784/42315275545_fa17353001_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27tfRbi)
1:72 Airco TR.2 - fake box art (https://flic.kr/p/27tfRbi) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
;D
Some background:
The Airco DH.2 was a single-seat biplane "pusher" aircraft which operated as a fighter during the First World War. Early air combat over the Western Front indicated the need for a single-seat fighter with forward-firing armament. As no means of firing forward through the propeller of a tractor aeroplane was available to the British, Geoffrey de Havilland designed the DH.2 as a smaller, single-seat development of the earlier two-seat DH.1 pusher design. The DH.2 first flew in July 1915.
The majority of DH.2s were fitted with the 100 hp (75 kW) Gnôme Monosoupape rotary engine, but later models received the 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône 9J. The rear-mounted rotary engine made the DH.2 easy to stall, but also made it highly maneuverable, since the aircraft's center of gravity was located in a highly beneficial position.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/913/42315253975_3748c5aafc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27tfJLp)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/27tfJLp) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/920/43219732011_e5501bfdf2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbqzi)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbqzi) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/836/42315251365_c5d6987666_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27tfHZp)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/27tfHZp) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The fighter was armed with a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun, which was originally able to be positioned on one of three flexible mountings in the cockpit and with the pilot transferring the gun between mountings in flight at the same time as flying the aircraft. Once pilots learned that the best method of achieving a kill was rather to aim the whole aircraft than the gun, the machine gun was fixed in the forward-facing center mount, although this was initially banned by higher authorities until a clip which fixed the gun in place, but could be released if required, was approved.
After evaluation at Hendon on 22 June 1915, the first DH.2 arrived in France for operational trials, but it was shot down and its pilot killed. No. 24 Squadron RFC, the first squadron equipped with the DH.2 and the first complete squadron entirely equipped with single-seat fighters in the RFC, arrived in France in February 1916. At the height of the type's deployment, the DH.2 equipped seven fighter squadrons on the Western Front and quickly proved more than a match for the Fokker Eindecker. DH.2s were also heavily engaged during the Battle of the Somme, No. 24 Squadron alone engaging in 774 combats and destroying 44 enemy machines.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/28349862367_6da03a8293_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Kcbsot)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/Kcbsot) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/919/43219728771_db961069e3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbpBr)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbpBr) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/43219725141_defac49ce3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbowR)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbowR) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The DH.2 had sensitive controls and at a time when service training for pilots in the RFC was very poor it initially had a high accident rate, gaining the nickname "The Spinning Incinerator", but as familiarity with the type increased it was recognized as very maneuverable and relatively easy to fly.
The arrival of more powerful German tractor biplane fighters at the front such as the Halberstadt D.II and the Albatros D.I, which appeared in September 1916, meant that the DH.2 was outclassed in turn. It remained in first line service in France, however, until No. 24 and No. 32 Squadron RFC completed re-equipment with Airco DH.5s in June 1917, and a few remained in service as fighters on the Macedonian front and in Palestine until late autumn of that year. By this time the type was totally obsolete as a fighter, and new uses were found.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1803/43219736891_22b1aa5396_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbs2r)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbs2r) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/838/29348026018_831f3d0f3f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHoiEA)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHoiEA) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/28349856487_c236f13de4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KcbqD6)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/KcbqD6) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
One role was as an advanced trainer into 1918, the other was armed reconnaissance at low altitudes, where the types high agility and the excellent forward field of view could be exploited. For the latter role, the Royal Air Force (founded in April 1918) converted roundabout thirty DH.2's into TR.2s. The machines received external armor plating for the pilot and an uprated Le Rhône 9Jb rotary engine with 130 hp (96 kW), driving a new four blade propeller, in order to compensate for the raised overall weight. However, the extra weight, nevertheless, hampered top speed and rate of climb, but the type's original high agility was retained.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/29348001838_4135979a94_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHobtG)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHobtG) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/43219722081_fecaf09a70_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbnC6)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbnC6) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/43169884912_069ac94121_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28LLWLy)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28LLWLy) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Originally, an armament of three machine guns was planned, with two additional, belt-fed fixed Vickers guns for strafing attacks. The two additional guns were placed behind the pilot and fired forwards and downwards through the cockpit floor. While the concept proved to be successful, the plan was quickly dropped since the weapons' extra weight (on top of the armor plating) and vibrations made the aircraft sluggish, nose-heavy and unstable – both in the air and on the ground. Consequentially, the idea was quickly dropped and only the original gun mount in the aircraft's nose was kept. As a compromise, the nose section was modified so that the Lewis gun could now be tilted downwards by up to 60° and fixed for strafing attacks. The drum magazines for the Lewis machine gun were retained, though, so that the weapon had to be raised back into horizontal position every time the pilot wanted to change the magazine (while flying the aircraft over enemy lines, of course).
The first TR.2-equipped unit, RAF 157 Squadron, was sent out to France with 24 aircraft in June 1918, but the machines only flew a limited number of missions until the end of hostilities. At this time, however, the DH.2s had already been progressively retired, and at war's end no surviving airframes of the total of 453 DH.2s and TR.2s produced by Airco were retained.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/43219733771_fc09cbc3cd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbr6D)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbr6D) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1769/43219738551_c1853e90ae_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbsw4)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28Rbsw4) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/43219743321_96679a7655_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbtWi)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/28RbtWi) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/29348021928_78e0be185c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHohs5)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHohs5) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
General characteristics:
Crew: one
Length: 25 ft 2½ in (7.69 m)
Wingspan: 28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)
Height: 9 ft 6½ in (2.91 m)
Wing area: 249 ft² (23.13 m²)
Empty weight: 1,061 lb (482 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 1,630 lb (740 kg)
Powerplant:
1× Gnôme Le Rhône 9Jb rotary engine, 130 hp (96 kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 90 mph (145 km/h) at sea level
Range: 236 mi (380 km)
Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (4,100 m)
Rate of climb: 475 ft/min (145 m/min)
Wing loading: 6,55 lb/ft² (32 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.079 hp/lb (130 W/kg)
Endurance 2½ hours
Climb to 5,000 ft (1,500 m) 28 minutes
Armament:
1× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis machine gun, using 47-round drum magazines
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1804/29348034238_c49faa06da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHom7j)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHom7j) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/915/28349895187_7b402100fa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KcbC9k)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/KcbC9k) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/29348038398_ee3b6ae8d4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHonm3)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHonm3) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/845/29348029958_fe35e818e1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHojQw)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHojQw) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/29348046908_d227229518_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LHopSL)
1:72 Airco TR.2; aircraft "B" (s/n 6135) of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) (https://flic.kr/p/LHopSL) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Terrific stuff Thomas old boy! ;D :thumbsup:
That really does look the part, and trying to work out where the truth ends and the Whiffness starts is very difficult indeed.
Wow! And the fake box takes it to a whole nether level!
Well Done, Dave.
Thank you very much, gentlemen! :lol:
The next one is already gathering on the bench, I try to work thorugh my ideas chronologically, and the next one belongs into the Munich Crisis era.
Heeeellll yeah, bud!! That looks great!! Nice and spindly, too. ;D :lol: :mellow:
Nice one, Dizzy! :thumbsup:
I do like that Dizzy :bow:
Excellent model with a great backstory as usual! :cheers:
Good story, great paint job & a splendid moustache! :thumbsup:
Again, many thanks to everyone - glad you like it. ;D
What a neat little build ! And of course, your beauty pics and stories always bring them to life. Cheers !
Thank you!