Brewster model 339E Buffalo Mk1. 21 Squadron RAAF.
Here is my 1/32nd scale Special Hobby Brewster Buffalo Mk1 .
The aircraft was flown by Fl.Lt J.R. "Congo" Kinninmont at Sungei Patani, Malaya. 1941.
"Congo" Kinninmont scored four kills flying the Buffalo, one Ki-48, one Ki-51 and two unidentified aircraft.
He survived WW2 and later commanded 77 Squadron RAAF during the Korean War and flew the Gloster Meteor Mk8.
The Special Hobby Brewster Buffalo kit was an easy build for a limited run kit and I was very pleased with the result.
Fit was good and the decals were excellent. The only extra detail I added was a reflector gunsight from the spares box, brake hoses on the undercarriage and radio aerial wires made with EZ thread and small springs.
Awesome job, Michael!
Thankyou Spiros
That is a fine looking Buffalo, Michael @michaelwoodgate
Well done.
Thankyou John.
Another good looking model, Michael, this Buffalo and the Kittyhawk make a fine pair.
Thankyou George. I agree with your comment. They really do make a fine pair.
Nicely done again, Michael. The Buffalo is one of my favorite planes.
Thankyou John. Yeah, there really is something about the Buffalo that make it interesting. I like it as well.
Great job. You faired in the rear glazing beautifully, something most builders ignore. Yes this is one of the best limited run jobs ever released IMHO.
If you want to know, according to "Bloody Shambles" by Chris Shores, this particular aircraft was being flown up to Ipoh from Singapore, against the weatherman's advice, when Kinninmont got lost in the filthy weather and crashed on an emergency field. Kinninmont walked away from the crash and went on to be successful later.
Thanks Bill. I have read your post about the Special Hobby Buffalo and you did remark that you took the time to fair in the glazing. I thought that was a must do, so I did that as well. It really does make a big difference to the look of the model.
Thankyou for added a bit of history about "Congo" Kinninmont. Very interesting.
Great looking model. It's a bit of a head turner when you hear about a pilot managing to shoot down other aircraft in the Buffalo. We've all heard the story about the Finish Buffalos and how well they did, but most of what you read about its use elsewhere always focuses on how many were shot down and how much of a dog it was perceived to be. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Thankyou Carl for interest in my Buffalo.
At the start of the pacific war there were only 4 fighter squadrons of Buffaloes in the Malaya and Singapore area, 2 British, 2 Australian and 1 New Zealand. These Squadrons were over run and decemated by the Japanese. Not before they gave a good account of themselves. The Buffalo were more than a match for the older Japanese aircraft like the Claude and the Nate.
I'm glad you like my Buffalo.
A very nice-looking build, indeed. @michaelwoodgate
Thank you John for your kind words.
Excellent build! Well done.
Thanks Greg
That's a fine looking Buffalo, well done!
Thanks Chas,
I really appreciate your kind words.
Nice job Michael !
Thankyou very much David.