So, here's the next of my silver biplanes, RAF 1918-1939! And it's a vacform kit! A, relatively, straightforward build, but it was a lot of work. Not as much as the Aldershot though, obvs!
The Hawker Horsley was designed to Day Bomber Spec. 26/23 in 1925. The Mk.II was of composite wood and metal construction. They replaced Fairey Fawns in 1927, and were later adapted to torpedo dropping, like the Fawns. As torpedo 'planes they sent to the far east in 1931, replaced in 1935 by Vickers Vildebeests (which were still in service to be used operationally against the Japanese in 1941). The Horsleys were eventually retired from service in 1934
In 1927, a modified Horsley set an unofficial distance record in an intended non-stop flight from Cranwell to India, before crash-landing in the Persian Gulf. The record was beaten 2 hours later by Charles Lindbergh!
100 Squadron converted from day bomber to Torpedo/bombing in 1930, working in conjunction with the home fleet. So, the RN had eleven years to learn how to deal with land-based torpedo 'planes, before the loss of Repulse and Prince of Wales...
The Vickers K and Scarff ring are just about the only 'stock' parts added. The gun is Aeroclub, the mount the nightmarish Eduard frame
The Hawker Horsley was designed to Day Bomber Spec. 26/23 in 1925. The Mk.II was of composite wood and metal construction. They replaced Fairey Fawns in 1927, and were later adapted to torpedo dropping, like the Fawns. As torpedo 'planes they sent to the far east in 1931, replaced in 1935 by Vickers Vildebeests (which were still in service to be used operationally against the Japanese in 1941). The Horsleys were eventually retired from service in 1934
In 1927, a modified Horsley set an unofficial distance record in an intended non-stop flight from Cranwell to India, before crash-landing in the Persian Gulf. The record was beaten 2 hours later by Charles Lindbergh!
100 Squadron converted from day bomber to Torpedo/bombing in 1930, working in conjunction with the home fleet. So, the RN had eleven years to learn how to deal with land-based torpedo 'planes, before the loss of Repulse and Prince of Wales...
The Vickers K and Scarff ring are just about the only 'stock' parts added. The gun is Aeroclub, the mount the nightmarish Eduard frame
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quite large indeed