1/32 Matchbox DH 82a Tiger Moth

by Fred Bosselman

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''After over-energetic aerobatics, a ground engineer cleans engine oil from inside the lower cowling while the chastened pilot looks on".  The aircraft in question- ZK-AJK was one of a trio operated by the Wanganui Aero Club, this being one of 61de-mobbed from the Royal New Zealand Airforce in1946 and gifted to aero clubs to encourage flight training post-war.  The other two were ZK-AIZ (open cockpits) and AJB fitted with a canopy over both seats.  The aircraft modelled had been imported to New Zealand in1939 as ZK-AGY, impressed by the RNZAF as NZ718 and operated by No 1 Elementary Flying School at Tairei in the war-time yellow training scheme.  It retained this basic scheme with roundels and serials removed and new registration letters applied in  large letters when delivered to its new home.  I "soloed" in this aeroplane in April 1948 as a member of New Zealand's Air Training Corps.

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The kit chosen is a typical Matchbox model in being moulded in 3 colours, none of them yellow!  It is brush - painted, first primed light grey then several coats of 'trainer' yellow, all interior surfaces RAF interior green.  Humbrol paints used through-out, including the hand - painted club badges on the cowling sides. All registration lettering is pressure -sensitive 'LETRA - SET'.  Kit decals being used where relevant elsewhere.  

Additions are -upper cowling corrugated walkway stiffening for when fuelling, engine has additional plumbing, wiring and ducting, wheels have outer disks added and painted with D.H symbols, propeller improved by using filler to build up an incorrect hub area.  Additional detail in the cockpits includes Sutton - harnesses using several thickness of masking - tape and fuse -wire buckles, a fire - extinguisher from brass painted sprue, 'gosport' tubes made from shaped sprue and all relevant placard cards.  All external rigging and cables are heat - stretched sprue. Figures use dare Matchbox and Monogram.  Tarmac is fine grade abrasive paper with model - railway 'grass' added, the trestle and chocks are balsa and the tool - box and drip tray are plastic scrap

Fred

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Photos and text © by Fred Bosselman