Well I have been put off modern Russian stuff temporarily. The paint job sucks on my T-64 and I can get no help from the company on what went wrong. I am also Fokkered out. 4 almost in a row was just too much. so the 4th one is put away for later. I have a Mig to do and a 104 but they just aren't tugging at the heart strings right now. So back to WWI and as far away from Fokkers as a bullet can be lobbed I picked the De Havilland 9A from the pile. Considered doing the 9, but this caught my attention more. Its the WNW kit in 1/32
and at this moment I am thinking this one.
DH9A E8483 “1F”, 99 Sqn, Oct 1918. From Wikipedia "What would later become No. 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron was originally formed at Yatesbury, Wiltshire in England on 15 August 1917 from elements supplied by No. 13 Training Squadron, RFC. It was equipped with de Havilland DH.9 bombers in 1918, deploying to France to form part of the Independent Air Force, the RAF's strategic bombing force. It flew its first mission on 21 May, and continued to take part in large scale daylight raids against targets in Germany, sustaining heavy losses both due to the unreliable nature of the DH.9 and heavy German opposition. As an example, during one raid against Saarbrücken on 31 July 1918, seven out of nine aircraft from 99 Squadron were shot down.[1][8] 99 Squadron was withdrawn from the front line on 25 September to be re-equipped with de Havilland DH.9A bombers, and it was still being in the process of converting when the First World War ended. During the first World War it had taken part in 76 bombing raids, dropping 61 tons of bombs and claiming 12 German aircraft, of which eight alone on the raid of 31 July.[1][8] In 1919 it was sent to India, flying patrols over the North-West Frontier from Mianwali and Kohat during the Mahsud and Waziristan campaigns.[1] It was disbanded by being renumbered to No. 27 Squadron RAF on 2 April 1920.[8][9]"
I started the bombs first more to see if I was interested or not and then the engine. I have studied Des' build and another build to see if there were any traps or anything and it looks like a straight through build. After looking at another forums build and figuring how I would do the engine I realized that you wont see it with the cowlings on and so there wont be any extra work there. Hope I can keep up the enthusiasm also. Painted a base coat of Tamiya XF-63 desert yellow yesterday. This morning I did some oil work with burnt sienna and yellow ochre. When that dries I will go over with clear yellow which should tone it down a bit and make it look varnished.
James
