The Little World

Casting about for a role for the FROG Avenger, I came upon a series of photos taken at a recent Dutch air show.

They show a Grumman Avenger painted in what I assume are authentic colours for the Aéronavale – the air arm of the French Navy. I expect the aircraft would have been a patrol bomber of the 1950’s – sold to the French after WW2.

The condition of the current aircraft is magnificent – glossy and clean in deep French blue. I was intrigued to see that even the legs of the landing gear have been refinished in this deep blue colour.

I must confess to preferring the silver finish for the wheel centres, though, so as I have put on slightly different markings, I have indulged myself. Some of the decals are from a Special Hobby kit but the main roundels and tail are custom-printed at home. If you can get a good ink coverage you gloss them with clear lacquer varnish and they settle down perfectly.

The only substitute in the structure was to give it a better pilot. I have saved M. Grenouille for some other aircraft that does not show as much cockpit. He is not a well-rounded individual…