The aircraft in the forground of this wartime photo, is what was originaly the 48 scale AMT P-70 Boston/Havoc Nightfighter kit, has been converted into, an RAAF 22 Sqn A20a Boston III, this model has been built as part of a contract for the RAAF’s Officer Training School. The Nosecone, Side Gun Blisters and Raft are my own resin products, the Tropical Cowlings, Outer Engine Narcelles and Exhausts are a REDROO resin product. The RAAF insignia are from a Tasman Decal sheet of Faded RAAF series 1 Insignia, the Sqn and aircraft Codes are Faded Sky, [Not White], from a REDROO decal sheet, with the A28-7 serial number in white.
These aircraft were painted with the Dupont manufacturered paint of Green and Tan over Sky Blue or Grey, they were originaly destined to the RNEIAC but as these aircraft were in transit and Java was Invaded, by the Japanese, the aircraft were unloaded in Sydeney Australia and the RAAF took them on charge.
Only one RAAF Squadron flew these aircraft between 1942 and 1944 untill loosing almost all the aircraft in a Japanese Air Attack, during the night. Sadly the Boston aircraft were NOT replaced with more Boston’s but the DAP Mk XXI Beaufighter.
Interesting note: added 10 June.
This particular model is to taken to the RAAF Museum on the 17th of June 2004, to be photographed and placed in the Main Entrance [for the public to see]. They granted me permission to crawl around ‘Jessica’ at the Museum, so it’s only fair to grant the Museum their request. Then it will be handed over to the RAAF OTS, who the model was originally built for.
Nice job! I picked up about 4 of those kits for about $5 a piece at a discount store years ago. My Dad was stationed in Australia during WW II and worked on a lot of A-20’s. I believe they were in Brisbane with the 81st Air Depot. Converted them to straffers with 4 extra 50’s in the glass nose. I wish my scanner was working or I would send you a couple pic’s of some early A’s I found in Dad’s stuff. He passed on in 1989 and had had a stroke previously in 1974 so I didn’t get a chance to pick his brain about his wartime experiences very much.
Good one, Lobby.
Nice to see my resin bits on a model. The cowlings came out pretty well, and I like the painted glass nose.
Keep up the good work, mate.
LeeTree
I’m curious as to why you say " Sadly the Boston aircraft were NOT replaced with more Boston’s but the DAP Mk XXI Beaufighter ". The Beaufighter was a fine aircraft, fast and hard-hitting.
