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capt. R
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B-24 Hasegawa 1:72 as GR.V BZ860 in Operation Storm.

September 15, 2024 · in Aviation · · 21 · 239

I apologize for the delays in writing the article, but I had a lot of work and wanted to sit down to it calmly. So here we go: The Special Purpose Squadron 1586 originated from the disbanded 301 Bomber Squadron, which lost its independent combat capability on March 31, 1943 due to losses. On April 1, 1943, the Polish "C" Squadron was formed from 7 crews and 76 support personnel as part of the British 138 Special Purpose Squadron RAF. The remaining pilots were transferred to other Polish bomber squadrons, mainly the 300 Bomber Squadron. On November 4, 1943, the squadron was detached from the British 138 Squadron and became fully independent. At the same time, it was relocated by air and sea to the Sidi Amor airport near Tunis. The airport was poorly equipped logistically and with accommodation. The first airdrop flight to Poland took place on 15 December 1943. Already on 19 December 1943 the squadron commander received permission to relocate it to the Reggia Aeronautica airport in Campo Cassale, on 22 December 1943 five aircraft of the 1586 Squadron landed there. From Brindisi the distance to Krakow was 1000 km, and to Warsaw 1250–1500 km depending on the route. The squadron's staff increased to 10 crews, with 6 aircraft (3 Halifaxes and 3 Liberators), and by June 1944 to 12 crews and 12 aircraft (9 Halifaxes and 3 Liberators). This is a general description of the unit.
Operation „Burza" (Storm) - a military operation organized and undertaken by the Home Army units against German troops in the final phase of the German occupation, immediately before the Red Army entered, conducted within the borders of the Second Polish Republic. It lasted from January 4, 1944, when the Red Army crossed the Polish-Soviet border in Volhynia established in the Treaty of Riga, until January 1945.
The order to start it was issued in November 1943 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Army, General Tadeusz Komorowski. The Commander-in-Chief of the Home Army, General Stefan Grot-Rowecki, was convinced of the Soviets' hostile attitude and wanted permission to begin preparations for to resist their armies. However, this did not happen. As a result of the actions of the Red Army, many partisan units were disarmed after being revealed, some soldiers were incorporated into the Polish People's Army under the auspices of Moscow, and some were arrested and disappeared without a trace.

Active air support during Operation Storm was provided by Squadron 1586 and British Squadron 148, dropping weapons, ammunition, medicine and food.

Now a little about the project. I prepared for it for quite a long time, because I had to get an Eduard set that allowed me to build a British Bouton Paul turret, which was equipped with the Liberator BZ860. The Hasegawa model was put together really well, and this time I used a lot of additional elements such as resin wheels, engines, radar antennas, PE parts, and a dedicated DK-Decals decal set. All drop containers was 3D home made printed project.
I invite you to familiarize yourself with the gallery and the presentation on YT, and captain R. will be back soon!

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36 additional images. Click to enlarge.


21 responses

  1. Excellent work on this B-24! Those figures look great too! Good work @lis

  2. Interesting history and very nice build.

  3. Diorama and Liberator do look amazing, Bernard @lis
    A very interesting historical topic.

  4. Gorgeous build, @lis! Those polish crews were very brave. Your linerator is beautiful!

  5. Nicely presented capt. R.

  6. Great stuff Capt. Thank you for a good interesting read and build. Excellent

  7. Interesting history and a great model, Capt. Well done.

  8. Congratulations Captain! Excellent model, excellent diorama and very interesting historical facts!

  9. Very nice project! Well done.

  10. Excellent work and interesting history.

  11. Another really nice plane and diorama, Bernard (@lis). Your canopy frames are always immaculate. I need to work to see if I can get mine to look that good. Well done.

  12. Excellent build, diorama and a great read!

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