[timbo]

I was waiting and waiting for these guys to turn up (pre-ordered in March last year - I think they were orginally scheduled for April!!!!)

I have to say that personally I think they are fabulous. Best scheme yet on the Hellcat by a mile!

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

The Avenger is part of 852 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm flying off HMS Nabob. Nabob was a US build escort carrier of the Bogue class, called the Ruler class by the British. In August 1944 she was part a task force conducting a series of strikes against the Tirpitz then in Norwegian waters. Nabob's aircraft were tasked with ASW protection. On August 22nd Nabob was hit by a torpedo fired by U-354 and heavily damaged. She limped back to Scapa Flow and it was decided not to repair her. Post war she was purchased by a German company and turned into a conventional freighter.

The Hellcat is part of 800 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm flying off HMS Emperor. Emperor is another Ruler class ship built in the US. Emperor and 800 Squadron participated in a series of operations against the Tirpitz but based on the invasion strips I'd say this aircraft is from her period of operations in the Med where she supported the landing in the south of France starting in August. There is a photo of this exact aircraft on the deck of Emperor in September 1944 off the Greek island of Leros in the Aegen.

Great dope. I was lukewarm to these at first, but I may just get them now. With the PTO British Hellcat and Kiwi Avenger.

[tank nut]

Go for it shawn!! You will not regret it these are great looking birds!!

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by tank nut

Go for it shawn!! You will not regret it these are great looking birds!!

Well if your endorsing them, I'll have to think twice

[SkyBuffalo]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

The Avenger is part of 852 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm flying off HMS Nabob. Nabob was a US build escort carrier of the Bogue class, called the Ruler class by the British. In August 1944 she was part a task force conducting a series of strikes against the Tirpitz then in Norwegian waters. Nabob's aircraft were tasked with ASW protection. On August 22nd Nabob was hit by a torpedo fired by U-354 and heavily damaged. She limped back to Scapa Flow and it was decided not to repair her. Post war she was purchased by a German company and turned into a conventional freighter.

The Hellcat is part of 800 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm flying off HMS Emperor. Emperor is another Ruler class ship built in the US. Emperor and 800 Squadron participated in a series of operations against the Tirpitz but based on the invasion strips I'd say this aircraft is from her period of operations in the Med where she supported the landing in the south of France starting in August. There is a photo of this exact aircraft on the deck of Emperor in September 1944 off the Greek island of Leros in the Aegen.

Just got my Avenger, and have to agree, it is a spectacular looking model.

What was definitely less than spectacular was the accompanying "Predators of the Skies : Series 3 - Ultimate Squadrons" information booklet that came with the plane. I was hoping for great details on 852 NAS, the HMS Nabob, their missions in 1944, etc. But all the booklet had was very general information about the Avenger serving with the Fleet Air Arm. There was nothing specifically about 852 NAS or the HMS Nabob. This seems odd since Corgi chose this plane as the one for its "Ultimate Squadrons" entry, then write nothing about the squadron.

I learned a lot more about this plane from the quote above by Mr. 1250ships (thank you very much, sir!) and a bit more off Wikipedia.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Well if your endorsing them, I'll have to think twice

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by SkyBuffalo

I learned a lot more about this plane from the quote above by Mr. 1250ships (thank you very much, sir!) and a bit more off Wikipedia.

If you want to learn more try this link: H.M.S. NABOB

Thier page on HMS Emperor is excellent too and has a photo of the Hellcat in question: H.M.S. EMPEROR

[Shawn 507]

You know reading ship histories is a love / hate thing. I love the history and hate to then read of its scrapping. Thats the great thing about being Army, we can always go back to the base / post even if the unit has been disbanded. Heck I bet the Navies of the world don't even keep the ship's bells.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

You know reading ship histories is a love / hate thing. I love the history and hate to then read of its scrapping. Thats the great thing about being Army, we can always go back to the base / post even if the unit has been disbanded. Heck I bet the Navies of the world don't even keep the ship's bells.

Ships bells and other items such as Battle Honours and significant awards etc are usually sacred items.

The Maritime Command Museum in Halifax collects stores and displays decommissioned ships artifacts.

[Shawn 507]

I would love to know what the USN does with its ships bells and artifacts.