Aaronw Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 My second entry is also from Airfix, the 1/72 Brewster Buffalo, an export version known as the B-339E Buffalo Mk 1. This variant was inferior to that ordered by the US Navy and many were passed on from the British to RAAF and RNZAF forces in Malaya and Singapore. The aircraft I will be building was used by No. 453 Squadron RAAF, stationed in Singapore, December 1941. I've built this kits once before as a US Navy F2A-2. While a bit simple it was a pleasant enough kit to build, so I'm looking forward to giving another a try. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDSModeller Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) My second entry is also from Airfix, the 1/72 Brewster Buffalo, an export version known as the B-339E Buffalo Mk 1. This variant was inferior to that ordered by the US Navy and many were passed on from the British to RAAF and RNZAF forces in Malaya and Singapore. The aircraft I will be building was used by No. 453 Squadron RAAF, stationed in Singapore, December 1941. I've built this kits once before as a US Navy F2A-2. While a bit simple it was a pleasant enough kit to build, so I'm looking forward to giving another a try. Hi Aaron, Great topic to build, I have a partially finished 1/32 Special Hobby Buffalo sitting at my table being built as a 339E. The RAAF/RNZAF personell in Malaya/Singapore were Article XV Squadrons (meaning they were RAAF/RNZAF servicemen/women but under RAF command) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_XV_squadrons#Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force The 170 odd 339E Buffalo aircraft were actually purchased from Brewster by the British Ministry of Aircraft Production, and built under contract to include British Air Ministry requirements. Meaning that RAF radio/oxygen systems would be used as well as the installation of Sutton Harness once they arrived in Singapore. The aircraft were painted instandard RAF colours of Dark Earth/Dark Green/Sky using Air Ministry approved US colours (Not Grey on the undersides). Look forward to your build, if you have any questions on the RAF Buffalo let me know. Regards Alan Edited March 2, 2014 by LDSModeller Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 and work progresses on the Buffalo. Alan looks like they give you some additional detail to go with the bigger scale. :) Not much inside this old Airfix kit, but makes for a nice uncomplicated model. The Buffalo gets something of a bad rap. It was not a bad design but it had a lot of issues stacked against it. They actually did ok initially, particularly against the older Japanese fighters like the Ki-27. They were ultimately overwhelmed by superior numbers and dwindling logistical support leading to their rather poor record. The Australians thought enough of it to use a surviving Buffalo to test the new Boomerang's capabilities (my other entry in the GB) as they thought its maneuverability was similar to that of the Japanese Zero. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDSModeller Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hi Aaron, Coming along nicely. The RAF/Commonwealth Aircrews though outnumbered managed to score against the Japanese, Geoff Fisken 5+ kills, Noel Sharp 3 Kills etc with the Buffalo. The larger model does have extra parts, but many I had to scratch build. The Boomerang looks good, my late father worked for CAC (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) who built the Boomerang, at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Some years ago at a family day function, I had the oppertunity to stand (on what remained) on the airfield where the Bomerangs took off from after they were ready for dispatch. Regards Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lodni_k Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Very cool! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VG 33 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Just a little easier than the Boomerang and nice as well. Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 This is a nice little kit. Sure, it's 60's vintage with rivets and lack of detail, but it's a fun build. Nice work so far! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Finally an update. Got the paint on, and starting decals. Hope to have this wrapped up by the end of the week. I'm sure this kit has been surpassed by newer kits, but I haven't found any serious issues and I can't complain about the price of these old Airfix kits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Finished Additional photos in the completed section. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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