''After
over-energetic aerobatics, a ground engineer cleans engine oil from inside the
lower cowling while the chastened pilot looks on". The aircraft in
question- ZK-AJK was one of a trio operated by the Wanganui Aero Club, this
being one of 61de-mobbed from the Royal New Zealand Airforce in1946 and gifted
to aero clubs to encourage flight training post-war. The other two were
ZK-AIZ (open cockpits) and AJB fitted with a canopy over both seats. The
aircraft modelled had been imported to New Zealand in1939 as ZK-AGY, impressed by
the RNZAF as NZ718 and operated by No 1 Elementary Flying School at Tairei
in the war-time yellow training scheme. It retained this basic scheme with
roundels and serials removed and new registration letters applied in large
letters when delivered to its new home. I "soloed" in this
aeroplane in April 1948 as a member of New Zealand's Air Training Corps.
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The kit chosen is a
typical Matchbox model in being moulded in 3 colours, none of them yellow!
It is brush - painted, first primed light grey then several coats of 'trainer'
yellow, all interior surfaces RAF interior green. Humbrol paints used
through-out, including the hand - painted club badges on the cowling sides. All
registration lettering is pressure -sensitive 'LETRA - SET'. Kit
decals being used where relevant elsewhere.
Additions are -upper
cowling corrugated walkway stiffening for when fuelling, engine has additional plumbing,
wiring and ducting, wheels have outer disks added and painted with D.H
symbols, propeller improved by using filler to build up an incorrect hub
area. Additional detail in the cockpits includes Sutton - harnesses using
several thickness of masking - tape and fuse -wire buckles, a fire -
extinguisher from brass painted sprue, 'gosport' tubes made from shaped sprue
and all relevant placard cards. All external rigging and cables are heat -
stretched sprue. Figures use dare Matchbox and Monogram. Tarmac is
fine grade abrasive paper with model - railway 'grass' added, the trestle and
chocks are balsa and the tool - box and drip tray are plastic scrap
Fred
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