Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Arado AR.96B (Avia C2)

The Small Air Force



The Arado AR.96B (Avia C2)

The Arado 96 B was the most important of the two-seater training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe, the B-1 was for primary training with the B-5 used later for fire training. Powered by the Argus As 410 A-1 12 cylinder inverted vee air-cooled engine it had a top speed of 205 mph (330 kph). Armament consisted of a single 7.92mm MG 17 machine gun mounted above the engine on the right side.

During the mid 30’s the fledgling Luftwaffe was training its pilots on biplanes. This was perfectly acceptable for primary training, but aviation technology was advancing rapidly. It was clear that for advanced fighter training something more modern was needed. The RLM issued a request for an advanced trainer that was to be powered by the 240hp Argus As10. Arado submitted their Ar96 design of which the V1 first flew in 1938. After redesign of the canopy and landing gear it was accepted by the RLM. It was somewhat lacking in power though and it was decided that the 360 hp As410 would be used instead of the As10. The Luftwaffe placed great importance on the new trainer and even though the As410 engine was not available yet Arado was instructed to start production. So the first series, Ar 96A, aircraft where powered by the As10C. The first Ar 96B machines with the As410 started coming of the lines in 1940. Although it was a very successful design Arado itself produced few Ar 96’s. Up until mid 1941 AGO produced most Ar 96’s. After 1941 The Czech company Avia took over production. It was joined by Letov in 1944. In total over 10.000 Ar 96’s where built during the war and besides the Luftwaffe, Hungary and Slovakia used them too. After the war production of the Ar 96B continued at Avia as the C.2.





The lovely shape of the Arado AR.96B seen here as the licence built Avia C2.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

The Small Air Force



The Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero ("Sparrowhawk") was a tough tri-motor aircraft that was flown with courage and skill and was a mainstay of the Regia Aeronautica during WWII.

The prototype flew on 9/2/35 powered by 3 750 hp Alpha Romeo 125 RC.34 engines. It was developed from a civil airliner and had the distinctive hump on the upper forward fuselage that housed the forward and dorsal gunner's position, earning it the nickname of "Gobbo Maledetto" (Damned Hunchback). The plane was a mix of steel tubes, light alloy wood and fabric with a high wing load that demanded long airstrips.

Maximum speed was 270 mph with a range of 1,243 miles and a service ceiling of 23,000 ft. The SM.79 was armed with a 12.7mm machine gun firing ahead through the roof of the humpback, a 12.7mm machine gun firing from the dorsal (rear) part of the hump, a 12.7 mm machine gun firing through the ventral position of the gondola and 2 7.7 mm machine guns firing from the side windows. Up to 2,750 lbs of bombs or a 17.7 in torpedo could be carried.

The first SM.79s entered service in late 1936, just in time to fly in the Spanish civil war with the Italian contingent. The SM.79I established an excellent reputation in combat during this time. In October 1939, the Regia Aeronautica began receiving the SM.79II with 1,000 hp Piaggio engines, which was the main version built. The SM.79III, of which a handful were built, had a 20mm cannon in place of the forward firing 12.7mm machine gun and did away with the ventral gondola.

In 1940, well over 1/2 of Italy's 1,000 bombers were SM.79s, which also turned out to be one of the best land based torpedo bombers of the war. The SM.79 was used to bomb Malta and, in the summer of 1942, had one its best successes against Operation Pedestal, the Royal Navy effort to relieve Malta. The SM.79II also saw extensive service in North Africa, the Balkans and the Mediterranean. After the armistice, the series III was built for use by the pro-axis Italian airforce.

The SM.79 was so popular, that Spain, Brazil, Iraq and Yugoslavia used them in their air forces. Romania also received the SM.79 and also license built the Series II using the Junkers Jumo 211 D 1,220 hp engines and used them on the Russian front through 1944, first as bombers and then as utility transports. The SM.79s that survived the war were used until the 1950's as utility transports for their air forces.

A total of approximately 1,200 were built.







Airfix Savoia Marchetti SM.79 finished in Luftwaffe colours

[Guest]

so now you have put all these away for the winter. what models do you have stashed away to keep you going in the cold months?

anything exciting that your really looking forward to doing?

[wonwinglo]

No RJ,those were a batch of models that underwent extensive restoration over the past 18 months many of which still need photographing,these are much older models from my collection that have been carefully stored in zip seal bags with a bit of air blown into them,that way they rest in a box,the air cushions them,dont worry we will not run short of subjects ! the only limiting factor is nice blue sky backgrounds,today was dry but useless for photography.

Anyway hope that you are enjoying them,then these will be put away.

Plenty of new kits to build up,building a 1=48th Westland Lysander at the moment from the old Hawk offering,not bad for its age.

so now you have put all these away for the winter. what models do you have stashed away to keep you going in the cold months?anything exciting that your really looking forward to doing?

[Guest]

I think these restored old kits look absolutely brilliant and hark back to the heydays of plastic kits that we will never see again.

[wonwinglo]

You hit the nail bang on the head Richard,and it is great to have been there in those pioneering years of model kits,when we look back at what has been achieved in terms of finesse and detail in recent years,this has all stemmed from those early efforts by companies like Airfix.

By placing these pictures here,it in itself is a reminder of what was produced in such prolific numbers back then even.

Dont forget that the pictures are mirrored on Scale-models.net also.

I think these restored old kits look absolutely brilliant and hark back to the heydays of plastic kits that we will never see again.

[Guest]

thats a good idea Barry. No posts in the middle to interrupt.

...got a bit of catching up to do though.lol

[Guest]

You hit the nail bang on the head Richard,and it is great to have been there in those pioneering years of model kits,when we look back at what has been achieved in terms of finesse and detail in recent years,this has all stemmed from those early efforts by companies like Airfix.By placing these pictures here,it in itself is a reminder of what was produced in such prolific numbers back then even.

Dont forget that the pictures are mirrored on Scale-models.net also.

I have followed these postings with a sense of wonder ! Most of those planes i built when i was a youngster but I never painted them it was "Got my pocket money off to the newsagents (they had the whole range of Airfix and Frog kits) and back home with my latest treasure" The rest of the day it would be glue and sticky hands ! Then to come downstairs into the living room and show everyone my latest creation I also memorised most of the info from the sleeve so i could explain to my parents the history and types ( bless them they allways listened intently and encouraged my passion) Once when i had some Birthday money I made The trip to the shop and bought the ultimate Plane a English Electric Lightning unfortunately I didnt have enough money for the glue as well so i took it home examined the contents with a sense of awe then Badgering the hell out of mum to by me some glue she eventually had enough and departed the house ! One hour later she returned with a tube of Bostick which I thought wow there is enough to build lots of kits with that !Off i disappeared upstairs where i found the Bostick to be anything but easy to use ! eventually after a couple of hours and lots and lots of bostick the lightning sat on my bedroom window sill resplendant in decals and Wow it was silver plastic so it looked real After about half an hour in the sun the whole bloody thing fell apart I was devastated!!! The glue just didnt work !! Mum was " never mind you can get some more glue on Saturday" I watched the models degradation over the next 4 days Eventually consigning it to the bin. I didnt buy another lightning kit for a further 30 years So you see the memories that these articles bring up ! Long may you continue Barry:dan1:

[Guest]

Every picture you post Barry triggers off memories such as Nigels in one of us. We all have a wealth of stories such as that to draw on and remind us of what we have done and where we have been.

The archive you are creating is an invaluable resource to us all.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Rata I-16 Russian fighter aircraft

The Small Air Force



The Rata I-16

The Polikarpov I-16 prototype flew for the first time on New Years Eve day, 1933. There were only a small number of the original I-16's built, five of which participated in the 1935 May Day fly-past over Red Square in Moscow. These were the first low-wing, single seat fighters with retractable landing gear, to enter into service anywhere in the world. Originally, the aircraft were built with American Wright Cyclone engines, but they were soon substituted with Russian engines built under license. Because of the new style of this plane, many pilots initially found it difficult to fly.

Therefore, several two seat advanced trainers were built. A few airplanes were built with enclosed canopies, different gun configurations, skis for landing on the ice and snow, and many other variations. Most countries' air forces underestimated the abilities of the I-16, because of it's stubby appearance. It quickly gained respect and the name Rata (rat) as it fired 1,800 rounds per minute and flew 70 mph faster than most fighters of that time.

The Spanish Republicans received 475 I-16's from Russia, and even locally built some of their own. Polikarpov I-16's fought against the Japanese over China and Manchuria while armed with airborne rockets The I-16 fought for Spain, China, was instrumental to the Soviets success during the 'Winter War' against Finland, and fought bravely in Operation Barbarossa launched by the Germans in 1941. During this war with Germany, the Polikarpov I-16 began to be outclassed. Therefore, the Soviet fighters would sometimes deliberately ram their planes into the opposing German fighters and bombers, risking their planes and their own lives for the defense of their Motherland.

The Fighter Factory's airworthy Polikarpov I-16, White #28, was found in Karelia in 1991. The data plates recovered at the wreck site reveal that this I-16 was produced at the Gorky Aircraft Plant #21 in late 1939. The fabric found among the wreckage showed the paint scheme of the Red Army Air Force of 1941, which were black spots over dark green. This airplane flew with the 155th Fighter Squadron and likely crashed in 1941- 42.



The tiny Russian Rata i-16 made by Revell.

[wonwinglo]

And that is exactly what it is Richard,an archive of models past and present,in fact there is probably nothing quite like it on the internet ? well if there is then I cannot find it ? my aim from the beginning was to present good quality images of these old models,you will notice that in many cases they still have the dust on them and the occasional missing tailwheel etc ! but this in my mind only adds to the authenticity,the only reason that the models survived ( 8 house moves in fact ) was that they have been carefully packed in that time mostly in the blown riplock bags which seems to have worked.

It gives me the greatest of pleasure to share them amongst my friends here,so sit tight there are plenty more yet to enjoy.

Nigels story about the Bostik reminded me that when these kits first came out there was not much polystyrene cement in the shops,unsuspecting shopkeepers would see you a tube of balsa cement,which had exactly the same effect as poor Nigels Bostik,ie they fell to bits!

So let the images continue of times past,to remind us of summer days in the garden making model airfields next to dads best lettuce patch,when the airfield raid had finished there was sure carnage with craters on the runway,and a few damaged aircraft to repair,if it had not been for Airfix and Revell,Aurora and Monogram all of this would not have been possible,it took me months to carve up a couple of wooden Spitfires,as opposed to building a small fleet of kit examples.

Every picture you post Barry triggers off memories such as Nigels in one of us. We all have a wealth of stories such as that to draw on and remind us of what we have done and where we have been.The archive you are creating is an invaluable resource to us all.

[Guest]

I remember making an Airfix Heinkel. I can't remember the specific mark but it was a twin engines job and had two flying bombs under the wings. The camoflage was mottled along the fuselage and this was when I was still in early teens so all I had was my brush and paint.

I remember sitting in my grandma's front room with the sun beating in while she dozed in her rocking chair half watching the cricket while I stippled the olive green patches. It took me over an hour each side but I was so chuffed with the result I couldn't stop smiling at it.

Memories such as that moment are what makes us and Barry's photo's generate such powerfull reminders of them in all of us.

Wonderfull stuff!

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The RE8 World War One Recce biplane

The Small Air Force



The RE8 World War One aircraft-A real classic fondly remembered



Who Was Harry Tate?

Real name Ronald Hutchison, Harry Tate was an established music hall performer over five decades.

His catchphrases passed into the language with the best known,

"Goodbye-ee", inspiring one of the war's most popular songs. And the expressions "How's your father?"

and "....I don't think!" have faint echos even eightyfive years later. Aged 69 and still touring the music halls Harry Tate was killed by a German bomb in 1940.



Contrary to the widely held view that the RFC was tardy in replacing the much maligned BE-2 proposals to do so were in place as early as the autumn of 1915, a bare two months after Max Immelman's first victory with the Fokker EI. The proposals retained all the qualities then thought desirable in an observation machine and gave full consideration to the provision of the effective defensive armament so manifestly lacking in the BE-2.

The replacement which emerged in the summer of 1916 was the Royal Aircraft Factory RE-8. So often said to offer little improvement the RE-8 was, despite undeniable faults, superior in every respect to it's predecessor. Respectable by 1916 standards overall performance was broadly comparable to contemporary German "C" types and the 103mph top speed the equal of some opposing scouts. But the operational necessity of flying a lazy eight at a constant altitude above a fixed point in hostile airspace, and all whilst facing an enemy capable to the last of enforcing local air superiority almost at will, renders any such comparison meaningless. Dubbed "Harry Tate" by it's intimates the RE-8 became Britain's most widely used two seater still equipping fifteen RAF squadrons at the armistice. Conceived even before the full height of the Fokker scourge it may be said that it laboured too long. But for that no blame can attach to an aeroplane perhaps undeserving of it's poor reputation.



Now on its 5th rebuild here is my original Airfix RE8,she has long since lost the famous 'Paddy Bird From Ceylon' decals supplied with this early kit,to small hands the struts could present a real challenge to get just right with very little if any locating marks or indents.

First released in 1957 the RE8 was one of the very earliest Airfix kits and one third of a trio depicting aircraft displayed at the Imperial War Museum South Lambeth. Along with it's companions, the Sopwith Camel and Bristol F2Bl Fighter, the RE8 has been a staple of the Airfix catalogue ever since. Reissued many times with different packaging and alternative decals the plastic remains unchanged and was for a long time even the same colour. Crude by today's standards a real jewel can be made from this venerable kit .

[Guest]

I remember making an Airfix Heinkel. I can't remember the specific mark but it was a twin engines job and had two flying bombs under the wings. The camoflage was mottled along the fuselage and this was when I was still in early teens so all I had was my brush and paint.I remember sitting in my grandma's front room with the sun beating in while she dozed in her rocking chair half watching the cricket while I stippled the olive green patches. It took me over an hour each side but I was so chuffed with the result I couldn't stop smiling at it.

Memories such as that moment are what makes us and Barry's photo's generate such powerfull reminders of them in all of us.

Wonderfull stuff!

I have since found out that it was a Heinkel 177 (There's one on Fleabay!)

[Guest]

Richad there is a brand new 1/48 HE177 out now it looks superb