Category: History
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Sikorsky H-19 – Part Four – Utility
I often used to watch a television program in the 50’s and 60’s called ” Whirlybirds “. It featured adventures and rescues centred around two pilots and a Bell 47 helicopter – the US Army Sioux. I realise now that Hollywood made the 47 do a lot more than ever it could. It is a…
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It’s Only Gotta Work Once
A cynical phrase, but perfectly true – if you are talking about kamikaze planes, nuclear bombers, or interceptors. The occasions upon which they are used to fulfil their dire fates are such that they only need to work the one time – but that needs to be done with a degree of success. No kamikaze…
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MiG 15 Bis – Part Five – Between The Wars
Actually you have to be a lot more specific with the Middle East – which two?. Their wars arrive in succession like buses at Bull Creek railway station – one after another. This colour scheme is said to be late 60’s – somewhere in between the Sinai War and the 6-Day War. I have googled…
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” Do Your Research “
This is a buzz phrase used in arguments these days as people trade things they have seen on the internet. Reels, social media posts, and video channels all tell the viewers what to think – sometimes at the expense of thought. ‘Twas always this, from the time that the first caveman told his mate what…
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Tasman Airspeed Oxford Mk I – Part Seven – G-AMFJ
Or 2813 of 141 Sqn. This aircraft is counted as an Airspeed Consul – the civilian version of an armed Oxford. It was acquired in 1951 and flown by the 141 Sqn. The type was used as a VIP aircraft, multi-engine training, navigation and radio training, and as a light transport. It lasted only until…
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Lockheed S-3A Viking – Part Three – I990’s
The chief raison d’être for the S-3A was hunting Soviet submarines in the 1970’s and 1980’s. With the 1990’s and the Reds beaching most of their fleet. the plane was reconfigured for surface surveillance and attack and garnered war honours in several conflicts. The ability to haul bombs and rockets as well as targetting gear…
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If They Ask The Right Question
Give ’em the right answer. ” Is that a Messerschmitt “? is a perfectly sensible question, unless it has four engines and ” Enola Gay ” on the nose. It deserves an honest answer and an explanation of the era and the markings. Likewise if they ask the scale and the model manufacturer – you…
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A Model Philosopher’s Stone
Alchemy in scale. The old concept of the Philosopher’s Stone that would transmute lead into gold never quite got off the ground – both substances defying the power of 18th century aero engines to achieve lift. Even when modern jets and rockets were strapped to freight cars full of lead and the vehicles sent down…
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Tupolev SB 2 – Part Four – Taipei
It is unfashionable nowadays to think of air raids from mainland China on Taiwan. But there was a time when it was a good idea… As when the Soviet Volunteer group that operated these bombers for the Nationalist Chinese Government essayed to fly to Taipei and bomb newly-arrived Japanese aircraft at the airfield before they…
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Čmelák – Part Four – Flying Fertiliser
I was fascinated with the instruction sheet for this Czech model as it detailed the service life of the Z-37A agricultural aircraft. It would appear that they are used for crop dusting and spraying in equal measure in middle Europe and are in some areas of the west as well. The planes are working for…
The Little World 