Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

At last I am ready to model one of my father's Stirling IV's that he flew during the Arnhem campaign together with a Horsa to match. Conversion parts sorted, kits bought.
During the campaign he flew in two 299 squadron aircraft, "X9W" and "Z". I want to get the squadron codes and markings as near right as I can. Position, size and colour. Why was "Z" just a single letter in his log book. Were the codes red... or grey. Did the invasion stripes extend all round the rear fuselage or just the lower surface? I have hunted everywhere fr reference material, but cant find any contemporary pictures of these two, or sister aircraft that show the detail that I need. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Guy, that's great news mate! I'll have a look through my books but I'm sure some of the other members can tell you a lot more than I. Hope you will make a 'build' post on it.
John

Hi Guy,
Here are a few details / pics.
John
http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2 ... 3cy2k4.jpg
http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/images/b11.jpg
http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/images/kw5.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee4 ... /299-2.jpg
Also this site which covers 299 sqn detail .......... http://www.users.waitrose.com/~rward/war.htm

Thanks for these, I have already found them. Unfortunately both the illustrations contain errors which make me question their overall accuracy. The painting shows a MkIV with a window where there was none, and the illustration shows all the fuselage windows in place when every other one should be missing... see the photograph of the same a/c that you found. For this reason I am seeking more contemporary photographs. It is looking probable that Arnhem a/c only had stripes on their lower surfaces, it was Normandy that had the full set, although there was no doubt some crossover. Thanks for your efforts. Guy

Like this, Guy?
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k54 ... w/ss45.jpg

Yes, possibly. Only problem is wrong squadron and not specifically Arnhem. The stripes were applied by ground crew at squadron level and probably varied as a consequence. A British Horsa photo attributed to Arnhem that I found has no stripes on the upper surfaces at all. To recap, I am looking for pictures of 299 Squadron Stirlings & gliders used during the Arnhem campaign. Thank you for your input to date.

Ok, I buckle to the request to post build pictures. I will state here that I am no expert, just an enthusiast! I enjoy building models of aircraft that I have a personal link with, as a consequence, kits rarely wind up being "straight from the box". I endeavour to add a little more detail as I go along, being mindful that 1) 99% of those who look at the finished article are not experts/purists and that most internal detail cannot be seen anyway, so 100% accuracy is not really an issue. So I build for my own enjoyment, flaws and all!!!

I have always wanted to build a MkIV Stirling and so my father's 299 squadron aircraft became an obvious choice. The final paint scheme and markings will come later, when and if I can find more reference material.

Recently Heritage Aviation Models released a conversion kit for Airfix's old 72nd Scale MkIII model. I had planned to scratch build the parts needed, and had already started working to build a vacuum forming frame. This new release, gave me the opportunity get on with the build sooner.

So here we go a week of spare moments into the build, and the first pictures ready to post.

The Heritage Kit is £8.00 plus postage, and comprises of a mixture of resin, white metal and vac form. It's not much to look at, but all the items are labour-intensive and fiddly to make so represent value for money.
My parts came with two nose glazing vac formed parts, and I immediately realised that this was going to be the challenging part. The plastic is very thin, and not very clear, having unsightly dimples on the inside surface. Having roughly cut one out, leaving a little spare, it seems under-size and horribly static. With any kit there should be much dry assembly to identify problems, and yes this nose is going to need some thought. Perhaps the spare part will be better?

That is great Guy,

Max and David have passed on some very handy tips, should you need any building advice .......... on these links in the Modelling section
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=106
Another great build .........
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=259

Also, a Stirling in detail ( along with a bit of banter )
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=95
John

The MkIV started life as a MkIII conversion, 299 squadron used these on for both D-Day and Arnhem. When the MkIII evolved, some nose windows were deleted, further fuselage windows were deleted for the MkIV, together with the mid-upper and nose turrets. I intend my Stirling to be representative of one of those converted from a MkIII...