Scale Aviation Modeller International 2001 12

Having said that there was not much choice of colour schemes appropriate to the Gekko; some of the early production machines were finished in a green over grey scheme and these appear to have had white outlines applied to the roundels. Markings for one such aircraft are provided in the kit. This may provide an alternative for those contemplating building more than one variant of this aircraft and wishing for something a little different. A trawl through some of the appropriate internet sites (see references) revealed some pictures of aircraft with an overall light colour applied. I do not know what this colour was; overall grey (possibly tinted with protective varnish as applied to the Nakajima B5N to give a yellowish appearance) and even bare metal could be possibilities here.

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Scale Aviation Modeller International 2001 10

During the next two days Greek pilots claimed the destruction of at least five Italian aircraft. The heaviest air combat took place during the 14th to 18th November 1940, when the Greek army began its counter attack. 22nd Mira was transferred from Salonika to Kalambaka airfield, where the 21st Mira was already stationed and both squadrons joined forces in support of the ground forces during their offensive at Kortiza. During the morning on the 14th November four CR.42s of the 393rd Squadriglia met nine PZLs of the 23rd Mira. The Greek pilots shot down two aircraft flown by Ernesto Trevisi and Augusto Manetti. Also damaged was Vittorio Pirchio's Fiat which subsequently crashed during an attempted belly landing. Four P.24s received combat damage, but none were shot down. Around Kortiza-Bilishte R24s of the 23rd Mira commanded by G. Laskaris shot down a SM.79 during a recce mission. The next day P.

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Scale Aviation Modeller International 2001 09

The Nakajima Hikoki Gekko series were the first Japanese aircraft specifically designed as night and poor weather fighters. The design arose from a 1938 requirement for a long range fighter able to escort bombers. It was intended that the aircraft should be able to counter single-seat fighters. However the design incorporated twin remotely controlled turrets which were troublesome and made the aircraft too heavy and difficult to handle to be successful in its intended role. The appearance of the Mitsubishi Zero fighter meant that the Nakajima design was no longer required as a bomber escort. With the turrets removed and fuel capacity reduced the lightened aircraft was pressed into service in the long range reconnaissance role as the J1N1-R. The aircraft housed three crew members. The pilot and radio operator/rear gunner were accommodated in the front cockpit while the navigator was provided with a separate cockpit behind the trailing edge of the wing.

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Scale Aviation Modeller International 2001 08

Kits of aircraft of the Royal Air Force of the Fifties era are few and far between. But thanks to the few cottage industries these gaps are being filled. Magna is one of these companies that produce such esoteric types of the RAF and has added the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer to its range. This one may well appeal to modellers and for me it is most welcome. The kit is entirely in resin and white-metal with a vac-formed cockpit canopy. The quality of the resin parts is variable with a few air bubbles noticeable in odd places. The wings are solid one-piece castings for left and right. On this review sample, the left wing had a bit of a warp that needed a considerable amount of bathing in very hot water to straighten it out! The fuselage halves are also quite chunky pieces resulting one half being close to replicating a euro cucumber ! That is, it is straight to a point at the rear end and then curling away. The tail surfaces faired better needing only the removal of the casting blocks and basic cleaning up. The remaining resin components are the sponsors, cockpit floor and seats. These are not bad as the seats have the straps moulded on. Among the metal parts are the instrument panel, controls, wing struts, wheels and props etc.

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