1:48 Battle of Britain Diorama

[MSea]

You could also have a drunk hanging out of the taxi - very realistic - hohohoho

[Haddock]

Many thanks for this Francis, I was going to make it as the one in the BOB film, where they are in London at a bombed out street.
But this is certainly a novel idea, a crew taxi, well I never.

More progress, the wings were formed from green stuff around a former.
It is quite an odd filler.

It is strange stuff, I've used it.
I think the war gamers use it to make cloaks and that sort of thing.
Haddock.

[zak]

Mostly undercoated and in parts.
I need to paint the interior and make the hood at the rear.

I am pondering the colour?
Black as a taxi or camouflage as the Church Fenton one?

[MSea]

Camouflage please

[kiwichappers]

I'm with Martin, camouflage with roundel and squadron colours.

[chriswil42]

A camouflaged taxi would be very different.

[zak]

I'm with Martin, camouflage with roundel and squadron colours.

What were the squadron colours - all the photos on the web of the taxi seem to be post WW2?

[kiwichappers]

Squadron colours for the taxi are a bit of a conundrum if the date I've been quoted for the photo is correct. Of the squadrons [71, 73, 85, 87, 249, and 306] stationed at Church Fenton during the Battle of Britain period the only one with chequer board colours was 85. Now their colours were red and black which doesn't look credible on the taxi photo, even allowing for orthochromatic film.

If we ignore the claimed location then it's possible the taxi could belong to 19 Squadron whose colours are white and pale blue. Fortunately they were very active during the Bob show so the camouflaged taxi with flashes would still fit the picture.

Lastly an idea for a diorama that I came across in my 85 squadron file.

[zak]

Thanks for the information.

[Bigkev]

Squadron colours for the taxi are a bit of a conundrum if the date I've been quoted for the photo is correct. Of the squadrons [71, 73, 85, 87, 249, and 306] stationed at Church Fenton during the Battle of Britain period the only one with chequer board colours was 85. Now their colours were red and black which doesn't look credible on the taxi photo, even allowing for orthochromatic film.

If we ignore the claimed location then it's possible the taxi could belong to 19 Squadron whose colours are white and pale blue. Fortunately they were very active during the Bob show so the camouflaged taxi with flashes would still fit the picture.

Lastly an idea for a diorama that I came across in my 85 squadron file.

Hi Kiwichappers,

I was looking at your picture of the said 'Taxi'.
I think that probably 19 Squadron would fit the bill, pale blue and white chequers, though its location does not fit. The colours of red and black would not probably not show as they are in the picture, being too light in tone and variance between the two.
If I remember right 85 Squadron badge was a 'hexagon' or something similar? 

A great picture though of things liberated by the RAF into service, by what/any means.
Cheers,
Bigkev
,

[zak]

Presumably like this?

From the picture, the rear hood looks black as in the original.

I also found this other picture.

[Bigkev]

Hi Zak,
Interesting picture that, as it shows it with a Hawker Hunter, about another 15 years after the BoB.
That 'Taxi' has had a long and eventful life.
Bigkev

[zak]

Hi Zak,
Interesting picture that, as it shows it with a Hawker Hunter, about another 15 years after the BoB.
That 'Taxi' has had a long and eventful life.
Bigkev

The photos that appear on the Church Fenton website are all from the 1950's, so from when the taxi was used I don't know. It also states that it was used by 19 squadron.
Maybe a bit of poetic licence, as it seems like a pre-war taxi.

[cph64]

Either way it will be an interesting addition.

[zak]

Home made decals, using white transfer paper and an inkjet printer and a coat of gloss varnish.
They are a bit thick but the best I could do.
The model needs a coat of varnish and glazing and mirrors as well.
The figure is just cos!