Author Topic: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940  (Read 13722 times)

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #50 on: August 29, 2021, 02:13:40 AM »
 :smiley:
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Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #51 on: August 31, 2021, 05:11:55 AM »
. . .Handley Page HP 42?

Vickers Victoria and Valentia?


Not directly, as none of them are available in 1/72, as far as I am aware, rather I'm thinking about scratching a fuselage and tail to go with the Handley Page wings I have spare from my O/400 and Heyford builds, I also have a Vickers Vimy in the stash, awaiting it's fate . . .


cheers,
Robin.
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #52 on: September 01, 2021, 01:05:41 AM »
Ahem!!

« Last Edit: September 01, 2021, 01:08:35 AM by GTX_Admin »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #53 on: September 01, 2021, 05:02:10 AM »
Oh, I'm aware of those, but I can't find any available for sale, and if there were, I'm sure that they'd be be much more expensive than I'd want to pay . . . a Vickers Vimy Commercial kit was also produced, can't find one of those, either . . .


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #54 on: September 01, 2021, 07:18:36 AM »
Greg, as a vacform afficionado... I like  :smiley: :smiley:
I can think that the  :smiley: of finding that kit turns into the  :( when you see that really, it is going to be a lot of work.
In the day, I would have loved that set, but never found it.

Robin, a slab sided scratch fuselage would fit the time period nicely, plenty of gawdawful Heller French abominations out there  ;)

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #55 on: September 02, 2021, 01:48:49 AM »
They do pop up for sale on the likes of bay every once in a while.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #56 on: September 02, 2021, 06:00:58 AM »
Robin, a slab sided scratch fuselage would fit the time period nicely,
That's what I've been thinking, a plastic card box fitted with the wings and other parts I have spare. I'm currently looking at something based on the Vickers Vulcan, aka 'The Flying Pig' . . .


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Vulcan


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #57 on: September 02, 2021, 06:40:04 AM »
They do pop up for sale on the likes of bay every once in a while.

Yeah, Naahhh.  Not that interested anymore, my Vacform days are pretty much done.
I still have quite a number in a box that may never see the light of day, Blackburn Perth, SARO London, Sopwith Cuckoo, Blackburn Blackburn.. the list goes on.

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #58 on: September 03, 2021, 05:29:57 AM »
Sopwith Cuckoo, Blackburn Blackburn..


I could do things with them . . .   ;D


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #59 on: September 03, 2021, 06:09:20 AM »
Sopwith Cuckoo, Blackburn Blackburn..
I could do things with them . . .   ;D
cheers,
Robin.

Funnily enough, you picked the two that I still have a soft spot for, as they fill holes in my now packed away RNAS/Fleet Air Arm aircraft collection.

Offline kim margosein

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #60 on: September 08, 2021, 10:18:06 AM »
Five four-bay twin engine vacform biplanes?  That's the 3rd or 4th circle of hell.  Now, what is the aircraft going to be used for?   Parts runner, carrying a few mechanics and needed stuff?  How about that Heller de Havilland?

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #61 on: September 09, 2021, 05:20:20 AM »
Now, what is the aircraft going to be used for?   Parts runner, carrying a few mechanics and needed stuff?  How about that Heller de Havilland?


Primarily a ground handling and servicing party, plus a few type specific spares that might not be available at the airfield where the display is being held. Things like wheels/tyres, propellers, spark plugs and the like. Things that cause an aeroplane to go u/s, and a show to be cancelled, but which can be easily replaced in few minutes.
The Heller Rapide would be suitable, it's a bit small so two might be needed, but I also need something for earlier in the story.
As I said, I have some spare bits I'd like to use up, and here I have a ready made back story . . .


cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #62 on: April 06, 2023, 02:55:48 AM »

Been working away at this one for a while now, finally got it finished . . .


The 'Yellow Peril'


"One of the most popular  performances  at airshows in the immediate postwar period was the 'crazy flying' display. Usually flown in an old, surplus, ex-RAF fighter, this involved the pilot, often pretending to have never flown an aeroplane before, performing all sorts of hair-raising aerobatic stunts, usually very close to the ground. It was no surprise, therefore, when the 'Black Diamonds' decided to incorporate a 'crazy flying' routine into their displays.
It was decided to obtain a Sopwith Camel, if possible, due to it's proven reputation for extreme manoeuvrability, including the trademark 'rotary turn'. A Bentley engined  Camel was duly 'obtained' from an unknown RAF aerodrome, and modified with a Snipe fin and rudder, in an effort to make it slightly less difficult to handle. Painted yellow and black, and marked with various Oriental characters, It was given the name 'Yellow Peril', and the premise was that the aircraft was 'haunted by Oriental spirits', had a 'mind of it's own', and was a 'flying deathtrap'.
A couple of pilots with Camel experience were found, and seconded to the Team on a temporary basis ( they weren't part of the 'Black Diamonds' proper), to perform at 'Black Diamonds' displays.
The 'Yellow Peril' display was a popular and successful part of the airshow, the routine of severe, often violent aerobatic stunts carried out at extremely low altitude, often being chosen as the highlight of the entire airshow. 
However by 1924, the Camel and it's engine were worn out, and spare parts were effectively unavailable. Also, RAF pilots with Camel experience were now rare beings indeed, and, due to the phasing out of the Snipe from RAF service, so were engine fitters with rotary engine knowledge. It was therefore with some regret, that for the 1925 season, the 'Yellow Peril' display was dropped, being replaced with the 'Tied Together' display, flown by three of the newly enlarged Team's new Siskins."
































The kit is the Roden Bentley engined Sopwith Camel, with a fin from the Roden/Toko/Eastern Express Snipe kit. Roundels from my decal stash, oriental chaaracters from Blue Rider sheet BR-257 'Manchuria/Manchukuo Part 2'.


cheers,
Robin.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2023, 03:04:11 AM by robunos »
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline apophenia

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #63 on: April 06, 2023, 09:36:41 AM »
Very nice! And love your choice of markings  :smiley:
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Offline Frank3k

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #64 on: April 06, 2023, 10:48:04 AM »
Nice color combo! I ran the Chinese script through Google translate and they appear to be upside down. The port wing says "Taiwan Security Guard" and Starboard says "National Security Platform" even though they're the same characters... Starboard fuselage says "Protect the country".

In any case, it looks cool.

Offline perttime

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #65 on: April 06, 2023, 12:15:03 PM »
The Camel does look good.
I was wondering about the characters: I see 4 different ones, used in different order.

Offline apophenia

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #66 on: April 07, 2023, 03:42:19 AM »
... I ran the Chinese script through Google translate and they appear to be upside down...

That is meant to throw off opposing-force fighter pilots. "Oh no! I'm being attacked by a canard-Camel flying backwards!"  :o
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #67 on: April 07, 2023, 04:14:22 AM »
Thanks, Gents . . .
Here's a linky to the decal sheet i used :-


https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Manchukuo-Air-Force-Part-2.html#gallery_start


I just wanted some random Chinese/Japanese/Asian characters for effect. In Backstory terms, one of the Team members had spent some time 'China side', so cooked up some random characters to be painted on the airframe, the meaning was unimportant . . .




cheers,
Robin.
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #68 on: April 07, 2023, 06:46:16 AM »
Striking colour scheme.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #69 on: April 07, 2023, 12:02:59 PM »
I just wanted some random Chinese/Japanese/Asian characters for effect. In Backstory terms, one of the Team members had spent some time 'China side', so cooked up some random characters to be painted on the airframe, the meaning was unimportant . . .

Exactly! How many Britons could read Chinese/Japanese?

Nice little build! :smiley:
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Offline ColinL

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #70 on: July 07, 2023, 06:43:54 AM »
Great builds. Any chance of putting wheel spats on any of them?

Offline Robomog

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #71 on: July 07, 2023, 09:20:53 PM »
That really looks the business!  Love the colour scheme  :-* :-*

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Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #72 on: July 08, 2023, 05:51:49 AM »
@ColinL: Not on the ones that are finished, but maybe on the ones stil to come . . .   ;)
@Mog: Thanks . . .   :D :-[


cheers,
Robin.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2023, 06:00:34 AM by robunos »
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline robunos

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #73 on: February 02, 2024, 03:42:06 AM »

Part Five: Bulldog to Boxer.


In late 1934 the  'Black Diamonds' team had a serious problem. With the enrty into service of the Gloster Gauntlet, the  'Black Diamonds' were expecting to transition to the new type, however, the quantity acquired by the RAF was insufficient to allow this to occur. In addition, the phasing out of the Bristol Bulldog would mean that support and maintenance of their current aeroplanes would shortly cease.
Following a series of meetings between the 'Black Diamonds' commander, RAF chiefs, and the Bristol company, a solution was found. As it's submission to the Specification which led to the Gauntlet, Bristol had developed an improved Bulldog, with an improved structure, and powered by the same Mercury engine as powered the Gauntlet.
Bristol would undertake to rebuild twelve Bulldogs to the new standard, which Bristol called the Boxer, and undertake their support and mantenance, under contract to the RAF, for a term of two years. The rebuilt aeroplanes were to be completed in time to allow training for the 1935 season to be performed.
Thus, the 'Black Diamonds' began the 1935 season aboard their new mounts.
The most obvious difference from the previous season was the new paint scheme. Following a change in RAF Orders banning the overpainting of aeroplane control surfaces, the  'Black Diamonds' scheme changed, the black area now being the forward portion of the wing, but not the aileron, the tailplane, but not the elevators, and the fin, but not the rudder. In addition, the black area on the upper forward fuselage was continued aft to meet the fin, as well as being extended aft and down to cover thefuselage sides as far aft as the wing root trailing edge. The other major change was the Townend ring cowling around the new Mercury engine, also painted black.
The 'Black Diamonds' displayed with these 'new' aircraft for the next three years, until 1938, when they finally got their hands on a Gloster aeroplane, in the shape of the new Gladiator.


































cheers,
Robin.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2024, 03:46:20 AM by robunos »
By the pricking of my thumbs, Something Whiff-y this way comes . . .

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: The 'BLACK DIAMONDS' - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team 1920-1940
« Reply #74 on: February 02, 2024, 04:24:24 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.