Tuesday 9 August 2011

Eastern Express/Frog Blenheim Mk1

Well this one I've been on and off for over a year, the big earthquake we had in September managed to loose some parts, so I lost heart. But I have finished the painting and decalling on this now, and only needs the scratch built replacement bits for the engines and aerials built.

I wanted to do a Mk1F representing the one (L6836) flown by Flying Officer Ashfield, and crewed by Pilot Officer C. Morris (Observer) and Sergeant R.A. Leyland (AI Operator), who on the night of the 22/23 July 1940 shot down a Dornier 17Z of 2 Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 3, becoming the first airborne radar intercepted kill in history.

Vac formed a canopy, and replaced the Frog engines and cowlings with Airfix ones.


I blanked off the rear turret, one of the books that got me on the night fighter kick, mentioned that 21 Blenheims were converted in late Sept 1939, with AI MkII and had their rear turrets removed. So I reasoned that the FIU may have had a few of these, and the lines of the Blenheim look so much better with out it.

I'm not sure of the codes, FIU was ZQ, but I havn't been able to find out the individual code letter, I just  did an I for intercept.

The vac canopy is a huge improvement.

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