The Shed Wars Air Force

Since I turned my attention to 28mm gaming in the 1930’s (VBCW and Pulp) I decided that it might be an opportunity to branch out on my modelling and go back to building some model aircraft.

 

Having read on a number of posts that 1/48 scale is the closest fit with 28mm miniatures I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of kits in this scale on ebay. In addition to the kits there are a number of diecast model available that fit the scale. Theres a really good post on the Lead Adventure Forum that got me thinking about these purchases. See link

Link:

http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=58045.0 

There are of course the usual protagonists Spitfires, Hurricanes, Kittyhawks, Stukas and BF109’s on ebay but also a range of eclectic airplanes that will work really well with my period of choice. Purchasing some aircraft also opens up a range of new terrain features that can be built – control towers, early radar stations, air raid shelters, hangars – I am getting quite excited now just writing this.

 

Sometime ago I built a couple of flight stands for some futuristic landers. These are just simple telescopic aerials fixed to a heavy MDF base. I still need to redo the bases but they will work perfectly for my aircraft. Fixing the plane to the aerial is really simple. Establish the centre of gravity on the model and drill a hole in the underside. The aerial can then be pushed into the hole. By having such a loose fitting the planes banking, and direction of altitude can be easily created by merely tilting the model on the aerial. Of course the altitude of the plane can be created using the telescopic function of the aerial.

 

Use of flight stand in a futuristic setting

  

One word of caution when employing this method. Make sure the aerial is strong enough to avoid bending and the base is heavy enough to stop the craft from toppling over. Of course the higher your aircraft ‘flies’ the greater the risk of wobble. Given that I will want the planes to also be static terrain features in their own right I will be modelling them all where possible with undercarriage down.

 So without further ado I went ahead and bought some models…I used my usual practice of fixing a price in my head and despite some actions going for crazy prices I stuck to my guns. None of the models you are about to see were bought for more than £20 including postage.

 The first of which is a Supermarine Walrus Seaplane – I was drawn to this by both the price (about £14 total) and it does look quite pulpy. The plane first flew in 1933 so its perfect for this period.

 I had the good intentions of cutting the waterline and then re-attach the boat part with magnets. But this proved too problematic. This is a nice model - straight forward to build and just needs a coat of paint.

 

All primed - just needs paint

 All the figures shown in the photos are 28mm  - as you can see the 1/48 scale is a perfect fit

 

The second plane bought is an Avro 504K Bomber/Trainer – This was originally built in 1913 and continued in service right through to the second world war. Initially used as a bomber it then became a trainer. I was staggered to read that more aircraft of this model were built than any other WW1 plane (8500 in total). Again this looks like a pulp style plane but works equally well for my VBCW project.

What you see at the moment is the box this model turned up in - I am still wondering whether the build here is right or whether I might get a better return by selling back on ebay?

 

 

 

 

The third and fouth planes are not really kits but rather diecast models of the Hawker Fury – a biplane used by the RAF in the 1930s. These were used by the republican forces in the Spanish Civil War so are absolutely perfect for this period. These wre my most expensive purchases coming in just over £18 each but they looked great and I just wanted them.

 

Next up is plane number 5 – a stinson reliant monoplane – first flown in 1933 by the USAF – it look very pulpy and again is the right period.

 

Paint job started - windscreen still to be added

 

Plane number 6 was listed on Ebay as a Delta 777-200 but it clearly wasn’t based ion the picture. I took a bit of a punt on this one based on the fact that the description gave the dimensions as an 11 inch wingspan and 8 inch body. It looked like it would work for the period and fit with a 1/48 scale. Total price was £11 (inc postage) – not bad for a pre built model.

 

 

Finally I have been trying to procur a 1/48 scale Junker 52 – the famous German three engine transport plane used to drop paratroopers. These seem to go for a premium on ebay (around £25+) so fingers crossed one of these can be secured in the near future.
 

  

With these planes purchased the Shed Airforce has begun to take shape. Will have to turn my attention now to the Airfield….

 

 

Until next time