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.