891 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, was a bureaucratic football. Established as a land-based unit in July, 1942, it was disbanded less than a year later in April of 1943. This was a result of losing many of its aircraft and personnel when its ship, HMS Dasher, tragically exploded in the Firth of Clyde on 27 March. It was re-established in June, 1945, only to be disbanded again in September that same year.
Nine years later, in November of 1954, it was again re-activated, only to be disbanded yet again in April of 1956. In September 1956, 891 was re-established at RNAS Yeovilton, and equipped with eight de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21 all-weather fighter aircraft. This incarnation lasted almost 5 years, until it was finally disbanded again in July, 1961.
During the latest episode of this up and down existence, members decided that, for better or worse, the squadron would be remembered for something other than constantly winking in and out of life at the whims of the Admiralty. Embarking on HMS Centaur in 1959, it was off on a tour of Australia and the far east, which left it far from the prying eyes of Whitehall, and in short order it was decided to become more outgoing. Aircraft WW139 was painted in an overall blue scheme, with orange tip tanks to aid in visibility for the landing crews, and gave impromptu air displays at various places along the route, often without Centaur stopping.
The KitThe venerable Frog offering, first produced in 1973, and issued in various reboxing over the years. It goes together fairly well, but the cockpit gave me some frustration. I'm sure that I assembled it correctly, but when it came time to fit the canopy it's downward progress was impeded by the pilot's seat headrest. This took some serious filing, grinding, and the obligatory swearing, before it would meet the fuselage. (The good folks at Martin Baker should not be allowed to see what I did) More weight than was probably necessary was jammed into the radome to prevent tail-sitting. Decals worked fine, not bad for a boxing from fifty years ago.
