Hi Everyone,
This is the Matchbox kit of a 1:32 D.H.
Tiger Moth and was modelled after one that was operational in the Malayan
Auxiliary Air Force (MAAF) - Singapore Wing in the 1950s after the Second
World War.
This plane was stationed at
Seletar Air Field (Fka RAF Seletar) which a handful of Tiger Moths, Harvards
and Chipmunks were used to train local and British pilots to fly these
aircraft. It is believed that this squadron was the birth of the Singapore
airforce in which the first Singaporean pilot, Jimmy Chew, was trained
and awarded his "wings" in the MAAF by the Royal Air Force based in
Singapore. More historical information and reference material can be
obtained from the following websites:
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The kit used is an old 1:32
Matchbox but it still packed with details that's good enough to model a Tiger
Moth that served in the MAAF. The kit came with various colors that is typical
of Matchbox kits and it was sprayed over with several coats of Gunze Silver to
capture the look of the bare metal Tiger Moths that were in the MAAF. I was
considering using Chrome and bare metal but decided that it maybe too bright
as most operational Tiger Moths during that era were not that well polished or
silvery; except during inspection parades by VIPs. Reference pictures
were obtained from websites and from personnel who served in the MAAF.
The most painstaking task of
building this model was mounting the wing wires of the biplane with thin metal
wires with small blobs of super glue on its ends and carefully holding
them with tweezers to position them accurately at various positions on the
wings. Other than this, it was a pleasant build and a trip down history
lane as the pieces of the Tiger Moth started coming together...
This model was built for a
Tech. Sgt., Mr. L.M. Mani, who served in the MAAF in the 1950s and
in appreciation for his service and being one of the pioneers of the
Singapore Airforce and in Singapore aviation history.
Hope you enjoy my artwork
and the pics!
Regards,
David C S Teo
Click on
images below to see larger images
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