Subject: Re: Post on September 3 update
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Mike & Julie Mitchell" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:35:31 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike & Julie Mitchell 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 1:31 PM
  Subject: Post on September 3 update

  Gallery Template #05

  1/144 S&M Models Vickers Viscount 

  Air Rhodesia (VP-YNC) "Mazoe"

  by Mike Mitchell
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  On 3 September 1978, Air Rhodesia Flight RH 285 left Kariba on a scheduled flight to Salisbury (now Harare) with fifty-two passengers and a crew of four on board. Shortly after take-off, the Vickers Viscount (VP-WAS "Hunyani") was struck by a SAM-7 Strela missile fired by ZIPRA forces. After having lost both starboard engines and sending out a Mayday call, Captain John Hood and First Officer Garth Beaumont fought to maintain control of the aircraft and managed to crash land the Viscount in a cotton-field in the Whamira Hills. In the process of pulling off a miraculous landing, the undercarriage hit an irrigation ditch running through the cotton-field, causing the aircraft to cartwheel and explode. Only eighteen people managed to scramble from the wreckage. 

  Having assessed the situation, five of the survivors decided to leave the wreckage and seek help from local tribespeople. Half an hour after their departure, the ZIPRA forces that brought down the aircraft arrived on the scene. After initially offering assistance to the thirteen remaining survivors, they subsequently ordered them to their feet and then opened fire on them with AK-47 assault rifles. Ten of the survivors were killed.

  All in all, only eight passengers managed to survive the tragedy.

  On 12 February 1979, another Air Rhodesia Vickers Viscount (VP-YND "Umniati") was also shot down by a SAM missile on a scheduled flight with fifty-four passengers and a crew of five. There were no survivors. 

  Click on images below to see larger images

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  The Kit - S & M Models (1/144 Scale) Vickers Viscount 800

  Back in the early 1970's, I flew on a scheduled Air Rhodesia flight between Bulawayo and Salisbury at the age of 11. Nothing particularly remarkable for the average traveller, but in my instance, it was the first time I flew on an aeroplane without the rest of the family. Since then, I've always wanted to build a model of an Air Rhodesia Viscount, but besides having no model kits available as a base to work on, I never felt that I had the skill. After spending thirty odd years cutting my teeth on polystyrene and building up the courage, I figured I was ready to have a go. After all, I had now mastered the art of patience, and the temptation to test the dryness of gloss paints with my fingers. (I couldn't begin to tell you how many Airfix airliners have been through my hands on their last unscheduled flights into the wall / floor / bin with ruined paintwork and the scientific discovery - "Wet paint looks like Dry Paint - must remember for next time...").

  Luckily, my misguided confidence coincided with S&M Models releasing a short run injection moulded kit of a Vickers Viscount Series 800. In effect, there was no excuse for not having a go, and after having spent some time in designing my own decals, there was no holding me back either. (Actually there was a lot holding me back, but it would be rude of me to discuss my modelling ineptitude again). As Air Rhodesia only operated Series 700 Viscounts in the 1970's, I had to modify the fuselage. After cutting a chunk out of the forward fuselage and reshaping the nose with Milliput, the outline seemed to fit the bill. The trailing edges of the wings and tail plane were extraordinarily thick, and although I did have a go at trying to thin them down, I eventually gave up. I must admit that I did have to strip the decals, paint and everything else off, after Microsol reacted with the Alclad Chrome on the wings. To be fair, Alclad do tell you not to use decal softeners with their Chrome paint, but who's got time to read the instructions until after disaster strikes ? 

  In spite of my usual efforts to make a mess, the model was eventually finished as VP-YNC "Mazoe" using my home-made Air Rhodesia decals. Two Six came to the rescue with their etched metal parts for the aerials, propellers and undercarriage doors. I also used their decal detail set designed for the Viscount on the wings, engines and tail planes. Job done. 

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

  In memory of those who perished thirty years ago and those who survived.

  Mike Mitchell