Subject: Re: Testor Ryan STM-S2
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Fam. Willekens" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 11:55:22 -0700

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fam. Willekens 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 10:23 AM
  Subject: Testor Ryan STM-S2

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  Gallery Template #02

  Testor's 1/48 Ryan STM-S2

  by Robert-Jan Willekens
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        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here

       

  An old but great little model by Testor's, which can be built either as landplane or as floatplane. The Dutch Netherlands Indies Army had the land-based version, the Dutch "Marine Luchtvaartdienst" (MLD - naval air service) had both versions, of which 24 were the floatplane version. Operating from bases in Kalimantan, Borneo, they were used for training, but with the outbrak of the Pacific War they also served for patrol and liaison duties, operating in and out of flooded rice paddies. Sometimes they encountered Japanese aircraft, and by virtue of their manoeuvrability were able to elude the enemy. On one occasion, a Dutch pilot out-manoeuvred a Japanese fighter for ten minutes, regaining his base, albeit severely damaged!  During the war, the airplanes were camouflaged in a dark green clour; but prior to hostilities, all aircraft were in alunimium dope and natural metal. Markings came from Dutch Decals; the rudder was airbrushed with the black edge hand-painted. Only modifications are instrument panels, seats with seatbelts, repositioned flight controls and dropped flaps. The beaching gear comes with the model.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here

       

  Photos and text © 2003 by Robert-Jan Willekens