WGS North Africa 1941-42 - 1/200 Peter Planes Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV, FAFL

[Carl_Brisgamer]

My WGS Project #14 for 2013 is a Peters Planes 1/200 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV twin engined bomber. This was another 'gift' miniature from Zoe Brain whilst I was visiting Canberra in January. The Peters Planes sculpt is excellent, of light construction and with great panel lines.

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I have finished the miniature as a Blenheim Mk.IV assigned to Groupe de Bombardement II/20 'Lorraine' of the FAFL (Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres = Free French Air Force), November 1941. This unit was first established in February 1941 and by the end of the year was part of the Desert Air Force's No 270 Wing RAF based at Fuka in Egypt. 'Groupe Lorraine' fought throughout the North African and Tunisian campaigns before being transferred to the UK in April 1943 where it was renamed No 342 Squadron RAF and re-equipped with Douglas Bostons.

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The upper surfaces of the aircraft are dark earth/tan over azure lower surfaces. The engine cowls are metallic brown and the cockpit glass my usual mx of white and metallic blue. The roundels and white background circles are Shed decals, the tail numbers are Microscale, the rudder flashes were supplied by Zoe and I made and printed the red 'Cross of Lorraine'.

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Groupe Lorraine Blenheim escorted by two P-40 fighters of GCII/5 flying over the North African coast.

My unofficial statistics for the Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV are as follows:

Manouver Deck: XB
Damage Points: 24
Firepower: Short A/A, Long A/A. The Blenheim's front armament consisted of one .303in machine gun in the left wing. The dorsal turret was equipped with one or two .303in machine guns, but it did not have 360 degree traverse, only covering to the rear about 95 degrees either side of the centreline of the aircraft).
Climb Rate: 7 (6.6m/s)
Top Altitude: 11 (9600m)

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Firing arcs

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Crew management

[Baldrick62]

Now that takes me back: many moons ago I used to have an Airfix Blenheim IV which I did in FAFL decor. I agree completely regarding Peter's Planes having recevied a number of his 1/144 kits.

As an aside, do you know when/if FAFL sqns operating in NW Europe used French rather than RAF roundels? I've seen an artist's profile of a 341 Sqn Spitfire IX with French roundels, but photos I've found all show RAF pattern.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Now that takes me back: many moons ago I used to have an Airfix Blenheim IV which I did in FAFL decor. I agree completely regarding Peter's Planes having recevied a number of his 1/144 kits.

As an aside, do you know when/if FAFL sqns operating in NW Europe used French rather than RAF roundels? I've seen an artist's profile of a 341 Sqn Spitfire IX with French roundels, but photos I've found all show RAF pattern.

Hi Balders,

I am no expert on the FAFL, but from what I have seen FAFL aircraft in North Africa and the Med appear to have kept the French roundels and fin flashes right up to the end of the war, whereas the UK and later NW Europe based squadrons flying with the RAF went to standard RAF markings from 1943. Just based on photographs I have seen - no scientific basis whatsoever!

Cheers,

Carl.

[Marechallannes]

You miniature output is incredible, Carl. :eek:

Nice model & plane card.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thanks Sven. With work and family commitments at the moment I have no time to play, at least painting minis I can have more options available when I get the chance.

The map is my 1414mm x 1000mm aerial photograph of the desert near Sollum.

[Marechallannes]

...a North Africa game mat is something I need, too.

There is an Italian pilot here in the Aerodrome, that delivers wonderful sattelite pictures for gaming mats.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

I have three North Africa maps taken from satellite images:

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Libyan desert (near Tummar)

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Tobruch Harbour

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Mediterranean coast near Sollum (El Sallum)

[Baldrick62]

I am no expert on the FAFL, but from what I have seen FAFL aircraft in North Africa and the Med appear to have kept the French roundels and fin flashes right up to the end of the war, whereas the UK and later NW Europe based squadrons flying with the RAF went to standard RAF markings from 1943. Just based on photographs I have seen - no scientific basis whatsoever!

Thanks Carl,
Concur regarding the MTO FAFL. 341 Sqn wasn't formed until Jan 43, and used Spitfire IXs between Mar-Oct 43 and again between Feb 44-Mar 45, so the French roundel marked Spitfire IX (NL-P) shown as used between Mar-Oct 43 is a bit of an enigma. The other FAFL NW Europe Spitfire sqns (329 & 340) are shown with RAF roundels exclusively in 1943.
BofB

[Flying Officer Kyte]

:clap: Another very nifty bit of painting Carl, and you are right the definition on the model is superb.
Rob.

[ptownhiker]

That is a nice paint job. You are right about the Peters Plane sculpting. What does it for me is the flare on the back of the engine cowlings -- that is a nice touch in their molding.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thanks gentlemen. The dark earth / tan looks good on this miniature and I selected the Free French colours because I wanted something different for North African battles.

Cheers,

Carl.

[Zoe Brain]

You miniature output is incredible, Carl. :eek:

Nice model & plane card.

What he said.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thanks for passing on the Blenheim, I'll try to get it on the table soon.

[Nightbomber]

Fantastic plane, Carl and Zoe:) A usual excellent painting :clap:!

[Nightbomber]

...a North Africa game mat is something I need, too.

There is an Italian pilot here in the Aerodrome, that delivers wonderful sattelite pictures for gaming mats.

You will have a chance to test a huge desert Hotz mat I will bring to our Prague Con in July, Sven:)