RAAF ANZAC Special 1/72

Gallery Article by David Thompson (Thommo) on Apr 25 2010

Australia and New Zealand - ANZAC Day 2010

 

Here’s some pics of RAAF models I’ve built since my last ANZAC Gallery article several years ago. All are 1/72 scale.

The Skyhawk is a Hasegawa kit, the Mirage and Sabre are both Matchbox kits and the B-25 is an Airfix kit.

Quite a bit of modification and scratch-building was applied to the Sabre to convert it from a U.S. version to an Aussie Avon Sabre.  I didn’t go as far as modifying the fuselage width however.

The cockpit of the Mirage was also targeted with lots of scratch-building, plus after-market ejection seats.  I rarely purchase after market bits, preferring to scratch them, but the Martin Baker ejection seats for this model were only $3 each, so you can’t go wrong.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

I’m only getting through about 1-3 kits per year now (used to be about 10) and prefer to do basic 1/72 kits and add a bit of detail from my spares box.

And finally, a link to my favourite ANZAC song.  In fact, in my view, the best Australian song ever written - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urtiyp-G6jY – a song about Australian Vietnam Veterans who sadly were treated rather poorly on their return due to the unpopularity of the war.  I’m pleased to say they are now recognised in ANZAC marches and the Australian War Memorial. 

Listen carefully to the lyrics – many returning Vietnam servicemen suffered terrible mental and physical problems on returning to Australia .

I’m working my way toward building some Aussie Vietnam War aircraft.

Lest We Forget  

David Thompson (Thommo)

Photos and text © by David Thompson (Thommo)