Author Topic: HP 38 Heyford Coastal Command (Read 2173 times)

Robomog · « **on:** July 30, 2023, 07:50:05 AM »

Hi all

Simple paint whiff here using the Matchbox kit as a base, always loved the Heyford but virtually all of them we're boring green NIVO finish so something had to change.

Heyford's were retired around 1939 but many continued in secondary roles such as glider tugs and trainers, so my premis is some were seconded to Coastal Command to assist with submarine patrols, a bit tenuous you may think but it would pack more punch than a Tiger Moth or Anson. But bottom line is I thought it would look good in green and gray over white.

So here's the pics

This is my first two colour airbrushed masked camoflage scheme and I'm really happy how it turned out.

As always all comments and criticisms gratefully accepted

Mog
>^-.-^<

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2023, 07:51:39 AM »

Oh yes !

that works for me.. very nicely done

raafif · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2023, 07:59:46 AM »

Looks great ! Coastal Command never did get the aircraft it deserved until very late.

Believe a Heyford was the first aircraft to bomb German soil in WW2 ?

apophenia · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2023, 08:36:10 AM »

Holy cow! What a cool concept 'Mog! And a gorgeous build to boot

Frank3k · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2023, 08:51:57 AM »

Looks gorgeous - if you can say that about a Hayford...

Old Wombat · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2023, 09:33:21 AM »

And she does look exceptionally good in green & grey over white!

Fantastic thinkin', 'Mog!

robunos · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2023, 05:08:37 PM »

Ohh Me Likey Dat !!

You've been reading my mind again, I've been planing something similar, but not with a Heyford . . .

cheers,
Robin.

Robomog · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2023, 11:47:37 PM »

Thanks guys !

Frank3k :- I don't think you could call the Heyford beautiful, but it has bags of character like a lot of the RAF post war aircraft, its a shame they were painted in such dowdy colours

Robunos:- I'm intrigued what is the base kit you have in mind

Mog
>^-.-^<

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2023, 01:43:25 AM »

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2023, 03:56:38 AM »

It does look excellent and appropriate. I really should pick up a Heyford one of these days. I've had plenty of fun with French Between the Wars aircraft.

robunos · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2023, 04:07:34 AM »

Quote from: Robomog on July 30, 2023, 11:47:37 PM

Thanks guys !

Robunos:- I'm intrigued what is the base kit you have in mind

Mog
>^-.-^<

Oh, I'm going to keep it under my hat for now, don't want to spoil the surprise . . .

Also, I've got rather a backlog of half-finished models to complete, (been spending time doing something else . . . naughty me . . .), I've got a GB starting on another forum in a couple of weeks, there's some models to post on here, but I still haven't written the back story yet, and when I do start it, there's some mods required to the kit, it won't be just a straight paint job.
So it's going to be a while before I get to it, watch this space . . .

cheers,
Robin.

finsrin · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2023, 11:01:01 AM »

Never guessed Heyford had it in itself to look this good via a paint job. Such a transformation.

Obviously have an eye for this that I do not.

The Rat · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2023, 09:37:24 AM »

HOLYCRAPOLY! That's gorgeous!

John Howling Mouse · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2023, 05:10:05 AM »

Seriously top-notch results. And any time you want to provide a tutorial on rigging, I'm in!

finsrin · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2023, 05:17:52 AM »

Could add magnetic anomaly stinger to tail, or perhaps not.

raafif · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2023, 05:50:20 AM »

Quote from: finsrin on August 19, 2023, 05:17:52 AM

Could add magnetic anomaly stinger to tail, or perhaps not.

In that time frame they would have used a big hoop like the JU-52.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2023, 01:01:42 AM »

Quote from: raafif on August 20, 2023, 05:50:20 AM

Quote from: finsrin on August 19, 2023, 05:17:52 AM
Could add magnetic anomaly stinger to tail, or perhaps not.

In that time frame they would have used a big hoop like the JU-52.

Errr...those hoops were for a degaussing ring to sweep for magnetically triggered naval mines by creating a magnetic field that triggered submerged naval mines, not search for subs etc.

The MAD system was developed in the 1930s (though some related, non-military applications, were even older) and also first used on K-type blimps in 1941:

But from what I can find the first practical fixed wing aircraft installations were in 1943/44 with PBY Catalinas:

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2023, 03:53:08 AM »

That is one weird, but admittedly practical, place to store a torpedo. Neat info, Greg, thanks!

apophenia · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2023, 05:56:48 AM »

Quote from: Dr. YoKai on August 22, 2023, 03:53:08 AM

That is one weird, but admittedly practical, place to store a torpedo. Neat info, Greg, thanks!

Doc: That M.A.D. 'bird' was really light compared to any torpedo. So, perhaps that hull step would be a handy "place to store a torpedo" but releasing said torpedo would make for some interesting c/g changes

apophenia · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2023, 06:10:24 AM »

Quote from: finsrin on August 19, 2023, 05:17:52 AM

Could add magnetic anomaly stinger to tail, or perhaps not.

Note that Greg's Catalina does have a modest 'stinger'. IIRC, that's for the receiver section of the Mark X M.A.D. system. The rest of the operational end of the Mark X was in the 'bird'. Other than installing an operator's console and the 'stinger' hull hatch, the Mark X only required slight modification to the hull hatch to accommodate a winch and the tow-bird support cradle.

These Mark X M.A.D. systems were installed in both USAAF B-18Bs and US Navy PBY-5As. AFAIK, the US Navy continued to use Langley Field terminology and never applied a BuAer designation to the Mark X.

Getting back to the Heyford, Coastal Command decided not to bother with the US M.A.D. systems beyond experiments. As I understand it, interference from rocky sea floors around the British Isles was the biggest problem. Add to that, short detection ranges (~600 feet from 100 feet altitude); full detection possible only possible directly above the U-boat; and regularly snapping tow-bird cables ...

Acree · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2023, 11:47:35 PM »

The Heyford with a dequassing ring would be interesting though. The Germans first applied the technology to Do 23s (see photos here: https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/dornier-do-23/), which would be roughly analogous with a Heyford, tech-wise. So why not have the RAF start with obsolete Heyfords before switching to Wellingtons? Would make for a believable use for the remaining Heyfords... or (dare I dream?) Hendons.

Here's a quick-and-dirty profile of a Heyford DWI I (note the housing for a Gypsy engine above the bombay on the lower wing to power the degaussing ring):

Chuck

sharkman · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2023, 04:48:31 PM »

Beautiful plane! I really like the new colours!

apophenia · « **Reply #22 on:** October 18, 2023, 03:38:27 AM »

Quote from: Acree on August 22, 2023, 11:47:35 PM

Here's a quick-and-dirty profile of a Heyford DWI I (note the housing for a Gypsy engine above the bombay on the lower wing to power the degaussing ring)...

Very nice Chuck!

Not sure how I missed this one

finsrin · « **Reply #23 on:** October 18, 2023, 08:23:27 AM »

This Heyford looks so good

it cries for a 50s modernization. S-2 or P-2 style MAD boom, canopy, searchlight, enclosed turrets or no turrets, newer inline or radial engine.

Robomog · « **Reply #24 on:** October 18, 2023, 08:44:48 AM »

Thanks guys

Acree :- love the graphic. The pilots would probably prefer this aircraft as the Wellington used to fill with fumes when the ring engine was started $:-\$

Mog
>^-.-^<


Swords to Plowshares GB Now Open!!

News:

Author Topic: HP 38 Heyford Coastal Command (Read 2173 times)