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S.e.5a - No 74 'Tiger' Squadron, Clairmarais 1918.


kkarlsen

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Next project in the pipeline: Ever since i watched 'Aces High' (1976 tv movie) I have always wanted to do this diorama. I think the film catches the atmosphere of the RFC during WWI!  Although the 'Aces High' film is showing it's age today, it stayed with me and did make a lasting impression on me. Some of you may know the project of the crashed S.e.5a and the Crossley RFC tender + trailer i did a while back? That project was part of a larger plan, to finally get to do this RFC diorama with S.e.5a's.

 

I have been working a little on an off, on the planes, when I needed a distraction from other projects, but also because I was looking for a 'story' which involved S.e.5a's. I have spend a lot of time researching for this project and now I've found my 'story'...

 

I eventually stumbled across the story of  No. 74 Squadron, also called 'Tiger' Squadron is truly remarkable. With a lot of catching story's of the flying heroes of WWI.

I havent' yet decided exactly which planes I will end up doing, because the Squadron had so many 'character' that it takes your breath away! But the Squadron commander the New Zealander Keith 'Grid' Caldwell's plane will surely be part of it...

 

Long story short, here's an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding No 74 'Tiger' Squadron:

 

"During its wartime service, it was credited with 140 enemy planes destroyed and 85 driven down out of control, for 225 victories. Seventeen aces had served in the squadron, including Victoria Cross winner Major Edward Mannock, Ira "Taffy" Jones, Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith, future Air Commodore Keith Caldwell, Andrew Kiddie, Frederick Stanley Gordon, Sydney Carlin, Frederick Hunt, Clive Glynn, George Hicks, Wilfred Ernest Young, Henry Dolan, Harris Clements, George Gauld, and Frederick Luff."

 

I haven't finished the research, I'm about to read a the book 'Tiger Squadron' by one of the Aces of 74 Squadron, Ira "Taffy" Jones. Maybe this will add to the project?

 

Regards: Kent

Edited by kkarlsen
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Guest Peterpools

Kent

I'm buckled and ready for the build to begin. Absolutely it is going to be a blockbuster

Keep 'em coming

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Peter

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Photos of the build, as you can see I've bee at it for some time...

 

7698-030717135403-111532104.jpeg

 

The interior framing has been replaced and wires added...

 

7698-030717135404-111551765.jpeg

 

Practicing a lot of wires...

 

7698-030717135531-111621368.jpeg

 

Replaced the kit fuellines with brass wire, It almost feels like a factory...

 
7698-030717135530-1115824.jpeg
 
Instrument panels...
 
7698-030717135530-11157425.jpeg
 
An extra experiment using real wood for the panel + Eduard instruments, a scratch build magneto, copper wire, brass tube and a scratch build Creagh-Osborne compass...
Edited by kkarlsen
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  • 2 weeks later...

Time for an update on the build...

 

I do not know if it's correct, but I decided to scratch some early Sutton Harness seatbelts, using tape, sheet styrene and lead wire.

 

7698-030717135701-111682261.jpeg

 

7698-030717135531-111631890.jpeg

 

Also reworked the control colums...

Edited by kkarlsen
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really nice set of builds

 

Thanks!

 

Great things come in threes I see! Looking very tasty Kent

 

Torben

 

Thanks!

 

Kent

You're amazing ... absolutely stellar work

Keep 'em coming

Peter

 

Thanks, I still have so much to learn. WWI planes are such a challenge...

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