The air war over the North African desert in World War 2 - unfolding between 10 June 1940 and 13 May, 1943 - was of pivotal importance to the outcome of the North African Campaign. In addition to the use of air power in support of ground forces, aerial attacks on convoys supplying both sides brought many kinds of aircraft into the action. This would include aircraft involved in the air war over Malta, since this island was the "unsinkable aircraft carrier" that allowed the British to strangle Rommel's supply lines across the Mediterranean by convoy. In the words of Rommel himself, "Without Malta the Axis will end by losing control of North Africa" - as it indeed did. This Group Build invites all kinds of subjects from the Allied and Axis air forces, as long as they served in the period indicated in direct relation to the desert air war. RAF types in use - notably tropicalized versions - included many famous types , Hurricanes, Spitfires, Beaufighters, Wellingtons and Blenheims as well as American produced P-40b Tomahawks and P40e Kittyhawks flow by British and Commonwealth forces. The air war for this period also covers Operation Torch and the Tunisian Campaign, which can bring in Grumann Martlets in Naval Service and P-38s and P-39s in the USAAF. On the Axis side the Bf-109e/f/g, Bf-110, FW-190, Ju-87, Ju-88 and other aircraft served over the desert. The Italian Regia Aeronautica contributed many aircraft types, including the Savoia-Marchetti S.79, Macchi C.200 Saeta, and C.202 Folgore, CR. 42 Falco and others. Hopefully, modelers will be inspired to add their projects to this open-ended GB at whatever building stage, as long as they are not already finished. Dioramas as well as stand-alone models are welcome. This GB will last for one year (until August 2022), after which time it may be extended. I realize we are all busy with other builds and life and there is not need to feel pressured to contribute. Happy modeling.
Looks great, Allan. Very fine work on the camo demarcation. The authentically intense azure blue undersides make this a striking finish. I am glad you persevered after the landing gear mishap.
Thanks, George. Sometimes I get more pleasure out of a build with major fixes than I do with an easy build. But I still like to have a Tamiya or Hasegawa to turn to to get my mojo back, as they say. Fortunately, […]
Thank you very much for your kind encouragement, Valter. Your work on the SM79 in 1/72 is incredible, I was looking again at the three models you did that are here on iModeler as well as elsewhere on the […]
This is the kit that keeps on giving, Colin (@coling). All of the misshapen parts in this kit are amazing. You are obviously making the best of a bad situation. Glad you are moving again on this one. Can't […]
Hi,ad an ITALIAN and model maker who built 4models of the SM79 i can tell you that tuo are doing an excellent job.
All the companies that built the SM79 had their own personal painting scheme for the internal […]
@coling - myself, I would build up the "interior" of the flawed tire woth C-A glue, then put milliput or some other putting on that I can sand to shape.
Thanks, Steve. Definitely want to see this one through soon. Most of the major build challenges solved now so on to painting soon. The decals look excellent, so I hope to have smooth sailing there.
Thanks, Tom @tcinla. I read your S-79 reviews carefully and often consult the pics of the double build you did. Seems you got two good kits early on as opposed to the lemons I got from the end of the production […]
Thanks, Spiros. The extra work has been worth it, especially to get the thing back on track. With all the work done earlier, I couldn't bring myself to abandon it.
You have certainly had a struggle with this. I don’t remember having this much problem when I built this kit. You have definitely used “..some modeling skills required”
Mine went to grandkids prior to a move. […]
Thank you John.
Very nicely presented on the headlines, Allan @kalamazoo She definitely deserves it.
Well done, my friend @kalamazoo! A wonderful finish!
This is the kit that keeps on giving, Colin (@coling). All of the misshapen parts in this kit are amazing. You are obviously making the best of a bad situation. Glad you are moving again on this one. Can't […]
Hi,ad an ITALIAN and model maker who built 4models of the SM79 i can tell you that tuo are doing an excellent job. All the companies that built the SM79 had their own personal painting scheme for the internal […]
@coling - myself, I would build up the "interior" of the flawed tire woth C-A glue, then put milliput or some other putting on that I can sand to shape.
