New Cabinet for the Falklands Collection

[Gilly]

After reading and taking onboard Scuttles excellent thread on making cabinets for his collection I decided to add glass sliding doors to an open front bookcase I have used from time to time for diecast but have been keeping everything under glass after a friends son wreaked havoc amongst my collection :mad: .
So armed with Scuttles instructions and some spare readies gathered whilst waiting for my Corgi pre-orders :wacko: I set to work and the result is way beyond expectations, my Falklands collection is now all safe and sound behind glass with lighting fitted and sits in prime position in the lounge :) . Thanks Scuttle for the insight and info required to achieve this for minimal cost.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01206.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01211.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01209.jpg

The only piece I could not fit in the cabinet was my HMS Hermes Diorama which I decided to have a custom acrylic display case made by Widdowsons, again the result was way beyond expectation and this diorama and is now safe and sound along with a couple of other items incorporated into the display.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01207.jpg

To celebrate this new safe haven a couple of new arrivals were added , again projects that had been on my list for a while.

First was a plastic build of the FAA T34-C Turbo Mentor as deployed at Pebble Island , this was a Sky High kit and proved to be an interesting experience to build , a great deal of reshaping, filling and and reconstructing required to achieve the objective however I am more than pleased with the results, the only downer being that even though the nose is crammed with ballast she still insists on tail sitting :( so has to be displayed alongside a suitable leaning post in the cabinet and photographed on a spare legends stand.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01185.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01182.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01180.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01178.jpg

Second new arrival was a modification of the Hobbymaster FAA A4 Skyhawk C-207 kindly donated by a forum member, (thanks tc2324) to C-204 which on the 8th June 1982 was the mount of Premier Teniente Danilo Bolzan who as leader of Mazo Flight attacked HMS Fearless Landing Craft Foxtrot 4 over Choiseul sound. Following his release of three bombs which narrowly missed his target he was shot down by SHAR XZ499 800 NAS piloted by Lt David Smith using Sidewinder AIM-9L. Danilo Bolzan being killed in the explosion and crash, he was originally buried beside the wreck of C-204 by a local resident and RAMC Medic but was later exhumed and interred at Darwin Argentine Military Cemetery. All but one aircraft of this flight were destroyed . LCU Foxtrot 4 was lost along with six members of her crew KIA. This conversion was very simple indeed, after painstakingly removing some code numbers and the kill markings of 207 it was a case of masking, painting theatre ID markings in yellow and touch up around the removed codes, a couple of coats of clear add appropriate decals and another couple of Klear coats and job done, I may just matt down the finish a little later, but am pleased with how this turned out.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01190.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01197.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01201.jpg

next to join the collection should be the Argentine Chinook subsequently captured and returned to the UK post hostilities, donor Helo sourced , decals obtained time for me to get painting :wacko:
Apologies for the picture quality folks

[Diamond nine]

Very nice collection:cool :D

[prune]

Very nicely done,good to see a theme so well presented.

[Sponge Bob]

Excellent display :)

[DCRanger]

........... friends son wreaked havoc amongst my collection :mad: .


:eek: :eek: Is he still your friend and how old was the son.

Very nice collection well presented.:)

[Dan214sqn]

very nice set up, great theme

[Gaz Mk1]

Love what youv'e done with the cabinet. :cool: Great themed collection.

What draws you to the Falklands conflict Gilly?

[MiGAlley]

Great display, and what a great theme! I particularly liked the Argentine models - you don't see those every day! Fantastic :cool

I don't imagine it's in Corgi's current area of interest, but some Argentine adversaries for their extensive UK Falklands range would be very welcome...

[Davidte2007]

:) Thats a nice Display Gilly well done :cool

:) I'll have to show me mate Wayne when i see Him again an ex Para and vetron :D Not sure what he will say about the piccy of SS Canberra apart from scrapping with the Marines resulting in the tug being segregated Para's at one end Marines at the other :wacko: and that was on the way out there :rolleyes:

[eismeer]

Very nice collection and display Gilly:cool:

[Garethster]

Very interesting theme Gilly, and very smartly displayed. Thanks for sharing :cool :)

[Christian]

Thats an excellent set up and display Gilly.

Gotta say the Argentinian stuff really completes the display in my view.

I really like the code 3 Canberra. :cool:

[tc2324]

Gilly, nice to see you have done my old girl proud. Thats a great looking collection and I`m looking forward to seeing the future additions.:cool

[Gilly]

Thanks for all the positive comments folks, as always it is very much appreciated, just wish I was a better photographer to really do it justice :LOL:

[Gilly]

Gilly, nice to see you have done my old girl proud. Thats a great looking collection and I`m looking forward to seeing the future additions.:cool

Thanks TC , I have still one more A4 in the cupboard to convert and am considering an easy paint job of a 5 Group aircraft nicknamed the dappled horse which went into action in a grey primer livery due to the need for serviceable aircraft to continue air ops against the Task Force, if I dont it will become another off white and green cam 4 Group A4-C. But as promised yours is now sitting proudly as C-204. Thanks mate.

[Gilly]

Thats an excellent set up and display Gilly.

Gotta say the Argentinian stuff really completes the display in my view.

I really like the code 3 Canberra. :cool:

Thanks Christian, much appreciated the Canberra was a real labour of love and patience taking a very long time to complete due to trying to locate the proper scale nose decals, the ones originally sourced although 1/72 scale were well off the mark and ironically the accurately scaled sheet I used to complete her of the correct size were of Argentinian origin, a cracking sheet from Aero Calcas.

a couple more shots for you

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01001.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC00969.jpg
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC00963-1.jpg

and finally as I first came across her with her escort nearly 30 years ago. B -108 in company with B-109 and Mirage Escorts were tasked to bomb troop concentrations on the mountains outside of Stanley on the night of 13th June 1982, we were on escort duties not far from the Fitzroy area when overflown by the formation which caused considerable concern and anx, we eventually managed lock on with our aged old seacat (after they had overflown :wacko: ) but they never closed back within range of our system, however HMS Cardiff splashed B-108 with Seadart. B-109 and the escorting Mirages escaping back to the mainland. So there is a very good possibilty I saw her on our fire control radar and had a lock on all those years ago, hence she is the jewel of my collection.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01008.jpg

[Gilly]

:) Thats a nice Display Gilly well done :cool

:) I'll have to show me mate Wayne when i see Him again an ex Para and vetron :D Not sure what he will say about the piccy of SS Canberra apart from scrapping with the Marines resulting in the tug being segregated Para's at one end Marines at the other :wacko: and that was on the way out there :rolleyes:

Thanks David, much appreciated. Nothing like rivalry lol all bessy oppos now though, I witnessed the booties applauding the Paras and vice verca in London in 2007 and both of them applauding Her Majesties Senior service , brought a tear to many an eye that did :)

[Gilly]

Great display, and what a great theme! I particularly liked the Argentine models - you don't see those every day! Fantastic :cool

I don't imagine it's in Corgi's current area of interest, but some Argentine adversaries for their extensive UK Falklands range would be very welcome...

Thanks Mig, appreciate the positive comments, my collection was heavily weighted to the Task force which led me to address the situation building kits :wacko: and repaints of diecast to achieve an even balance, I still have a pucara to build, Canberra to repaint to B -108, A4 and a chinook to repaint :wacko: so loads to keep me out of mischief for the winter:wacko:

Task force side I am looking to obtain by hook or crook Wasp, Scout and Gazelle Helos.

As for more input from manufacturers , call me an old sceptic but even with the 30th Anniversary approaching I doubt we will see anything , I hope that I am very wrong, but doubt it.

[Gilly]

Love what youv'e done with the cabinet. :cool: Great themed collection.

What draws you to the Falklands conflict Gilly?

Thanks Gaz, much appreciated. I served with the Task Force during the conflict and combined my diecast passion with a very big and personal part of my life and that of many other young service and non service personnel of both sides who contributed to the conflict fought thousands of miles away. So in a way its a tribute to all of them.

[Gilly]

:eek: :eek: Is he still your friend and how old was the son.

Very nice collection well presented.:)

Thanks DC and he is , although I havent seen him since . Thankfully it wasnt any of this theme , however it was the best part of £400 in approx 2 mins , a lesson learnt :LOL: for me, now everything is under glass one way or other lol

[Davidte2007]

Thanks David, much appreciated. Nothing like rivalry lol all bessy oppos now though, I witnessed the booties applauding the Paras and vice verca in London in 2007 and both of them applauding Her Majesties Senior service , brought a tear to many an eye that did :)

:) Make you proud Our Lads don't they Mate. ;)

:wacko: Yeh my Mate Wayne (Bonkers) i tel ya, Heart of Gold ;)

:( Dont see him that often nowdays Shame! life moves on Kids Wife relocating :wacko: we teamed up once as Carp Anglers :LOL: 12 years none stop bending me ear :wacko: so as we spent so much time together i got the full run down on the Falks from start to finish Jesus! hearing it from Wayne well you could imagine! :eek:

:D Honest Gilly cracking Display and fab mods Great Job Mate well done :cool:

:) Regards David...

[the_old_un]

Very very nice Gilly. Love the theme.

[MiGAlley]

Wow, love the pictures of the Mirage and the Canberra, they look absolutely fantastic :cool

Beside being important from a historical point of view, the Argentinian planes also sport very attractive liveries. I'm chuffed that HM actually has done an Argie Skyhawk, as I wasn't expecting that at all, but it would have been nice if Corgi'd seen the potential of say, that Argentine Canberra. I have the feeling this could be quite a successful theme if developed properly. Of course everyone's in love with WWII RAF, but I could well imagine the Falklands conflict being quite popular among collectors who remember the conflict, especially now that the anniversary is coming up, and the Sea Harrier has gone to the great beyond...

[Gilly]

Wow, love the pictures of the Mirage and the Canberra, they look absolutely fantastic :cool

Beside being important from a historical point of view, the Argentinian planes also sport very attractive liveries. I'm chuffed that HM actually has done an Argie Skyhawk, as I wasn't expecting that at all, but it would have been nice if Corgi'd seen the potential of say, that Argentine Canberra. I have the feeling this could be quite a successful theme if developed properly. Of course everyone's in love with WWII RAF, but I could well imagine the Falklands conflict being quite popular among collectors who remember the conflict, especially now that the anniversary is coming up, and the Sea Harrier has gone to the great beyond...

Thanks Mig , I totally agree and as for the vast array of liveries that were in use by the FAA at the time there could be a couple of very collectable pieces if thought and research was put into it. The differing colour schemes certainly caused me a headache or two for all my builds and more so the A4C conversion as pictorial evidence tended to show vast differences in the cam scheme , modellers have made cracking models but painted them sand and brown when the accurate scheme was a lightly off white and a very unique green. So even conflicts of only 30 years ago can be a nightmare to research :wacko: .

[Wolster]

Very nice collection Gilly, look forward to seeing it expand. I agree, Falklands stuff would seem a no brainer for Corgi.

[Christian]

Quality mate, with a quality story.

Thanks for sharing it with us.



and finally as I first came across her with her escort nearly 30 years ago. B -108 in company with B-109 and Mirage Escorts were tasked to bomb troop concentrations on the mountains outside of Stanley on the night of 13th June 1982, we were on escort duties not far from the Fitzroy area when overflown by the formation which caused considerable concern and anx, we eventually managed lock on with our aged old seacat (after they had overflown :wacko: ) but they never closed back within range of our system, however HMS Cardiff splashed B-108 with Seadart. B-109 and the escorting Mirages escaping back to the mainland. So there is a very good possibilty I saw her on our fire control radar and had a lock on all those years ago, hence she is the jewel of my collection.

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad21/Gillyf45/DSC01008.jpg

[MiGAlley]

Very nice collection Gilly, look forward to seeing it expand. I agree, Falklands stuff would seem a no brainer for Corgi.

I've been thinking a bit more about this, and had a strange thought. We've heard that Corgi may gear the aviation line more toward a more general (rather than just us enthusiasts) audience. I believe that, if marketed sensibly, such and audience could well be receptive to a Falklands theme. I'm thinking catalog with good prepros and excellent tales of bravery (like they used to have in the AA catalogs). Get a strong theme going, centered around a new Sea Harrier casting, and add further releases throughout the year.

Here's where the thought gets interesting. It would be perfect if the UK releases could be complemented with some Argentinian schemes as opposition. Now Corgi has two castings that could perhaps be done as Argie types - Skyhawk (worse casting than HM, but the Corgi badge may nevertheless help, given the right scheme) and Canberra. But of Corgi would be interested in giving other types a try, without going bust on new castings, then couldn't they lease the Ixo castings? The Mirage III and Entendard - both of which played prominent parts in the Falklands war - are pretty decent castings, especially if assembled properly and done in an evocative scheme. Ixo is happy to crank out thousands of low-cost versions in but a single scheme, but imagine if Corgi could negotiate to use the casting for a smaller series, finished to a slightly higher quality level, and with schemes that would appeal to the UK crowd. So the thought is something along the lines of the Predator line, without the huge risk of doing a new casting.

Members here have often commented that some types in the Ixo line are actually rather decent, if they're given some attention. Ixo does not seem to be too interested in exploiting these castings much further than a single scheme in a big series. If Corgi would be interested in getting the AA to a broader audience at a lower cost, then I could imagine that hand-picking the better Ixo offerings and giving them the Corgi touch could well result in a rather nice, and more varied, line of offerings. The Mirage, at least, has been compared favorably with the Falcon Models pre-pro...

I'd buy some!