Evening All,
Nearly 6 years ago I posted the first pictures of two of my models on this site: they were conversions from the Airfix D.H.4 to a Vickers F.B.5 and F.B.9 gunbus. I was a little apprehensive because I had only recently returned to modelling after a 30+ year break and wrote that I was not sure whether my models were "up to the mark" when compared with others that had already been posted. In the first response to my post Des wrote that: "They are two very impressive models" and that the forum "caters for all levels of modellers". Many others also wrote very positive comments which together with Des' comment encouraged me to continue converting kits and later scratch building. Normally I build models in 1/72 scale but last year I decided that I wanted to do something a little different and chose this subject and the scale that Des most favoured - 1/32. This is my first scratch build in this scale and my first attempt to show the structure of an aircraft - something which I think Des could have done very well indeed had he chosen to. Unfortunately I cannot enter this in the current GB to Des' memory so I am making it a personal tribute to him: it is through this forum which he created and you forumites that I have learned so much and gained in confidence - thank you Des, you were a truly inspirational modeller and a great person.
The model is based on the first Vickers FB 5 (Fighting Biplane no 5) "Gunbus" to land in France on February 2nd 1915. It was allocated to No 2 Squadron and flown by Lt. Chidson. On 10 February it was moved to 16 Squadron but on 28th of the month it was captured intact by the Germans and Lt. Chidson and his observer Lt. Sanders were made prisoner. It is known that the machine was test flown by the Germans for a time.
The first orders for this variant of a series of gun carrying pusher biplanes which had been designed and built by Vickers were placed just after the outbreak of war in August 1914. They were to be armed with a Vickers machine gun, and 1621 was equipped with such a gun when it was captured. However the gun proved to be unwieldy in the air and was soon replaced with a Lewis. Single machines were sent to France in 1915 until the first squadron (no. 11), to be equipped with the type arrived in July of that year.
Most of these machines were used as escorts for Avro 504 and B.E.2c reconnaissance aircraft: it was found that unescorted Avro's and BE's were attacked, but if an escort was provided enemy pilots stayed away. However the type was too slow to be able to persue other enemy types and its ceiling was restricted to approximately 8000 feet which even then was rather low, so by early 1916 it had become outclassed and was being withdrawn to home squadrons where it was used for training.
For those who are interested there is a build log in the scratch builds section of this site. The model is made from brass rod, brass bar, styrene sheet, strip and rod, wood, and the engine, seat, machine gun and spoked wheel are aftermarket units. This was the first time that I had attempted soldering and representing an uncovered airframe. The model is rigged with monofilament thread and EZ line.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
