johnie hopper

There's no real photo of this machine in VLÚ service (aircraft research institut), only writen data. Also there's no evidence about mjr. Maňák flying this piece there, but I believe that he couldn't withstand temptation of trying acrobatics on it. Nice and pleasant building. Had to replace propeller for the left-turning one (used piece of DH-82). Some improvement in cockpits (frame pipes, wires etc.) and of course rebuilding of the engine part (there was used Walter Minor III engine).

You can find the result here:

Finally here you can see my result of well known captured RAF Me-110 C-5. Not easy to take good photos of such large piece.

One more question: Did RAF apply any labels and marks in english on RAF camouflaged captured planes (except roundels, letters or assigned serial number)? Are there any proofs?

My first attempt of airbrushed camouflage of UF-L piece of No. 601 Squadron RAF - September 1941 (F/O Jiří Maňák - CZ).

It looks that it could be one of these two. Is it possible (cannibalized from another captured Luftwaffe machine)? Eventually this one:

Thanks, is there any specification, ID number, or better pic? I can't find any similar.

Please, could anyone help me to recognize higlighted device. I think that after crashland on to belly, the original circular antenne of FuG10 was destroyed and RAF substituted it with some other device with similar function.

Hi Peter, really nice work done. Regarding KG12 or KG13 control stick, please notice slight deflection of the upper part to the left (from the pilot side view). It's not too much, but it is visible and noticeable on photos from the real cockpits. Regards Johnie

Thanks a lot for shared pics which most of them I've never seen. But I can see a couple of discrepancies there. 1) wire antena between vertical stabilizer and top of the fuselage turnover beam (on drawing of P-400 above) / wire antenas between horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage (on pics of Airacobras Mk I of 601 Sqn.) 2) The antenna mast on the top of turnover fuselage beam (on pic above) / The antenna mast on the top surface of the aft fuselage at Station No. 288 1/2. 3) The map pocket on the right cabin door (on pic above) / flat inner area of the right door (on AH601 pic) My idea: Above pics for RAF pilot notes were taken sooner (maybe AH573 or AH701 or others tested and examined by British A&AEE) and there were couple of differences on the real operationaly used Mk I. Maybe there is somewhere description what modifications had British mechanics had to do before operational using.

Hello, I'm solving problem regarding radiostation used in Airacobras Mk I. If my source is correct, this picture shows IP of Airacobra I. There are visible parts of SCR-283 radiostation on central column of IP. According to Erection and maintanance manual this radiostation used wire antena between vertical stabiliser and cabin, which is contrary to wire antenas used on Airacobra Mk I (between horizontal stabiliser and the fuselage). SCR-283: The only radiostation using antenas between horizontal stabiliser and the fuselage was SCR522 SCR-522: So where is the true? Which radiostation was used in Airacobra Mk I (except AH 577). And what I'm interesting on the most - what device (probably microphone preamplifier) was placed in the right side of the aft cabin deck? Thanks for any ideas argument and evidence. J.H.

I have found some cockpit pics from building time. There are seen uncovered and unmounted Mk-108 cannon and few added wires, pipes and devices inside.

The greeness of top colour depends heavily on the warm of the white light. Pics 1 and 3 were taken in natural late afternoon warm white sun light. Most of others were taken under almost cold LED lamp. (I didn't take care of white balancing)

Thanks a lot. I decided to use RAL 9001. Project is Bf-110 C-5 in RAF service.

Hello, starting my new project can't find what colour have RLM used for luftwaffe cameras (as in the next image)? Could someone help me (it looks like some kind of creme)? and here results of my effort:

That's a really nice build and weathering. I'm sorry, but I have to ask, why both ailerons are deflected in the same direction? Regards J.H.

Shure you may, I'll be honored.

Next piece to my after war Czechoslovakian Aerospace research institute - flown by J.Maňák in October 1946 with starting rocket Borsig RI-502 (as shown on the last pic).

Thanks to all. And here are some detailed pics from building.

As I indicated, Czechoslovakian version of Me-262 B-1a named CS-92 is finished finally (precisely said CS-92.3). I have to say, that building of B-1a version, without existing of correct data and with only few pics (especially regarding wheel bay and cockpit barrel) was a real challenge for me (trying to make all rods, cords and cables as functional and logicaly placed as possible). Model is based on mixture of following old b/w pics: And here's my version of similar situation:

Please, can anyone identify jaks under Jumos on this pic (not those under wing)? There's seen some Screw jack ahead, but I'm not able to find or recognize more. Thanks for any help.

Thank you, unfortunately they are scratchbuilt because I haven't found responding kit (see WIP section). You can find those and similar trolleys at many pictures of RAF bases. During BoB they used mostly simple trolley with accumulators and lately they were modified by using of available army generating set (300 W BSA or JAP). Lately during war the construction was changeded for towing behind vehicles. Even though it's thought very often, that there was used only RAF blue grey, the real colour depends mostly on weighed time of use (there's a lot of discussions in others forums) For example here So I decided to use Khaki green No3 as I would like to use them under 601 Squadron Airacobra Mk.I and Hurricane IIb during summer and autumn 41.

Two early pieces of Accumulator / generating RAF trolley. I hope that they will look good with RAF planes.

Completed and done. See 'Ready for Inspection' section. J.H.

Generating sets done: