Curtiss Mohawk IIIA - Operation Rutter

[Leading Observer]

Operation Rutter/Jubilee
The Role of 323 Squadron in the Dieppe Raid

Based at RAF Bradwell Bay in Essex, 323 Squadron [Code GN*?] was stood up there in 1941 as a fighter Squadron and equipped with the Mohawk Mk IIIA. The Mohawk IIIA, of which 323 were the only users, were different to the standard Mohawk III's in that they had had the four wing mounted 0.303 machine guns replaced with two 20mm Hispano Cannons, with the two nose mounted 0.303 guns being retained. This gave these Mohawks a good deal of success against the Luftwaffe Me109E/F's in combat, as the Mohawk, whilst underpowered compared to its opposition, could out-turn the 109's in dog fights, and the twin cannons could inflict heavy damage – the cannon were also very useful when attacking ground targets.
When the raid in force on Dieppe was planned as Operation Rutter, 323 Squadron was included in the RAF units planned to take part, as it was thought that these more heavily armed Mohawks would be useful in the role of ground support, a role then in its infancy, rather than in the fighter role which would be provided by S the cannon pitfire and Hurricane Squadrons.
When Operation Rutter was cancelled due to German aircraft spotting and bombing the assembled ships and inclement weather forcing a delay in sailing, 323's aircraft had already been painted with the white recognition stripes ordered for aircraft taking part.
323 did take part in the subsequent Operation Jubilee and paid a heavy price for their efforts, with most of the Squadrons aircraft being lost to anti-aircraft fire whilst attacking targets in and around Dieppe in support of the Canadian troops on the ground. But lessons were learnt, which would later prove useful in the planning for Operation Overlord





The model is the venerable Revell Hawk 75, hand painted with markings from my spare decal library. 323 Squadron never existed but the GN codes were allocated to it in readiness. RAF Bradwell Bay in Essex later became the site of the Bradwell Nuclear Power Station

[McColm]

Well done 

[PR19_Kit]

That looks so good, and the backstory's so very plausible too. 

I've done a couple of those 'venerable' Revell P-36s and they're very nice kits, basic but well moulded and seem to stand the test of time too.

[NARSES2]

That's come out well    I particularly like the Operation markings.

[DogfighterZen]

 

[kitbasher]

Good to see older kits put to good use 👍

[Joe CalPo]

Quite enjoyable.

[kerick]

Nice job!

[comrade harps]

Bold real world markings that are under utilised in whif world. Excellent choice! Adding them to an under utilised  fighter type earns extra browny points. 

[Hotte]

Klasse - nice Hawk 

Hotte