The Little World

And fresh as a daisy.

I was delighted to find very clear photographic support for the French naval air service on the web. A number of the Vought Crusader aircraft that operated from the FOCH and CLEMENCEAU were photographed from the islands of those carriers while taking off or landing – and these evolutions were performed in fine weather.

Hence the clear details on the images and the pleasing sight of clean aircraft. No layers of salt weathering or old crusty panels. I would guess that the French Navy doesn’t have as many aircraft as the US Navy and has to treasure them more.

I was also pleased to see that they had not given way to the temptation to make the aircraft look like Constructivist canvases or Dubonnet advertisements. The markings are sensible and restrained. Still a lot of stencils to be applied, but that is the modern builder’s burden. They are in French.

And Lo! Not a gram of lead weight needed to keep her on her front wheel. The long greyhound design of the Crusader means there is plenty of natural weight to overbear the tail.

And for the curious – the wing in the take-off and landing position sits on a triangular wedge of Evergreen plastic – and it is secured by 5-min epoxy. The Matra missiles are held on with superglue and PVA and the finer details on the wing are decals from the Italeri sheet.

This is a very good companion for the US Navy Corsair II. I am scouring the shops for an RN Phantom.