Czech Master Resin 1/72
Westland Wapiti Mk. IIA
In RAAF Service
|
 |
History
The RAAF ordered 38 Wapiti IIAs in 1928 to replace their D.H. 9s. Another
six were purchased from the RAF in 1937 and refurbished to RAAF Standards.
An unknown number of Wapitis continued in service with the RAAF as target
tugs and utility aircraft into WWII.
 This
release, Kit No. 155, from CMR is a tweak on their first release of the
Wapiti, Kit No. 139, which was covered in-depth in the January
2006 issue of this magazine. The main visible differences between
the original RAF version of this kit and the current Royal Australian
Air Force version are in the undercarriage and the markings; all else
is unchanged from the initial release.
All my comments on the RAF Wapiti kit apply equally to this kit of the
RAAF Wapiti.
Five pages, containing 20 photos of RAAF machines are included along
with eight pages of assembly and color/markings instructions. The photos
that CMR is including with their kits lately provide good reference for
their frequently obscure subjects and are very helpful.
 Markings
are included on the decal sheet for eight planes, which served actively
with 1 and 3 Squadrons RAAF at Point Cook, Victoria and at Richmond, New
South Wales respectively and 1 Flying Training School also at Point Cook;
all in the 1930-40 time period. The markings for these eight planes are
essentially identical save for the individual plane numbers.
References
Ian Baker’s, self published, book Australian Air Force Colours
& Markings – Westland Wapiti is a very useful addition to the
three references cited in my January review.
Thanks to Czech master Resin for providing the review sample.
|
|
