Airfix Tomahawk IIB 1/72
Comments
4 10 May 2020, 10:21
CuajeteNice camo... Will you make the painting scheme of the project presentation image?
27 May 2020, 18:55
Guy RumpNo Cuajete (and thank you for commenting), this time I intend to use the 112 Sqn livery from 1941 and Pilot Officer Duke as the subject pilot. I've been doing a bit of research on him which I'll share at a later date. 🙂
27 May 2020, 19:34
Andy Ballliking the paints you've put down on there...you've many builds on the go together I see!
22 June 2020, 11:00
Guy RumpThanks @Andy, I really do like the desert camo, it's different! Yes, quite a few on the go at the mo, I find it more fun and interesting to have a few together so as I may get a little frustrated with one, I can go on to one of the others....that's the theory anyway 🙂
22 June 2020, 15:56
Guy RumpCompleted. Small amount of weathering but apart from that pretty much as new.
Pilot Officer (later Squadron Leader) Neville Frederick Duke 1922-2007
This aircraft denotes a Tomahawk IIb flown by Pilot Officer Neville Duke in Libya, late 1941.
Neville Duke began his career at RAF Biggin Hill with 92 Sqn flying Spitfire V and shot down 2 BF-109s. When he was posted to 112 Sqn in Libya in late 1941 he flew the Curtiss Tomahawk IIb. He was shot down twice in short succession (30 Nov and 5 Dec 1941). By Feb 1942 Duke had gained 8 victories and was awarded the DFC in March 1942.
After a rest, he joined 92 Sqn flying tropicalised Spitfire Mk Vs in March 1942 he was awarded the DSO and by June 1942 he was awarded a bar to his DFC after amassing a further 14 victories.
He assumed command of 145 Sqn flying Spitfire MK VIIIs in March 1944 and gained a second bar to his DFC in May 1944. He was shot down (again) by flak in June 1944. On 7 September 1944 he gained his final 2 kills and became the Mediterranean theatre top Allied fighter ace. He flew 486 sorties claiming 27 kills, 2 shared, 6 damaged and 2 shared destroyed on the ground.
Duke became a test pilot for Hawker and was awarded the OBE in 1953 for his contribution to supersonic flight.
26 July 2020, 19:56
Andy BallIt's great that we represent the many lives beyond the kits we build on here. You've captured the P-40 beautifully, I like the subtle weathering. Also, that kit had a significance as my dad built the original Airfix one for me - and I was hooked!....
26 July 2020, 21:50
Guy RumpMany thanks for your kind words Andy and thanks to your dad for building that P-40! 🙂
27 July 2020, 15:22
