The Little World

Like Hispano Suiza 20mm cannon. And they can be affectionate out to quite a considerable distance. Far better at a cocktail party than a .303 machine gun.

Well, the British wanted to be as friendly as they could in WW II and ended up equipping a number of their fighters with this sort of auto-cannon. The Americans had trouble with the guns and never did get it sorted out until post-war. As it is, there was enough ammunition produced and available to provide this sort of a punch in the Spitfire Mk IX when operated by the IDF in the ’48 and later wars. And yes, they did down their opponents with them.

The decal markings that adorn this IDF plane are taken from a museum aircraft stored at Hatzerim airbase near Beer Sheva in the Negev. The actual plane has suffered the ravages of sun and wind, but the markings are clear. The cockpit perspex really looks bad, but that is what exposure does to plastic. I’ve not yet done a museum airplane in this sort of weathered condition, but am tempted to try it on another model.

Any rate, the Spit IX is a good addition to the Middle Eastern wars section of my air museum. I’ve been googling for examples from all the combatants and will try to complete at least one propeller-driven plane from each of the main antagonists before moving on to the jets. I’m keeping my eyes open for an Avia as well as some of the Italian fighters.

The magens are little shockers as far as thickness and quality of film is concerned and there is silvering around the fuselage numbering as well. I’ve got another IDF plane to make and a set of similar decals for it, but the look suggests that I would be better off making some stencils and airbrushing the next roundels on. I resorted to spray painting for the striped tail of this 101 Sqn aircraft and it really suggests that I should do this in the future.

The gun blast soot and exhaust are all the weathering I attempted on this plane, but I am working myself up to the full filthy monty for the next ones.

Tanx to Warren and Mark for the supply of the Malcolm hood canopy. Thanx to Wayne for the Matchbox model.