I'm converting the Tamiya Wildcat in to the Martlet my grandfather flew from HMS Formidable during Operation Avalanche. Log book records this aircraft as being flown on a top cover mission 11 September 1943
HMS Formidable, 888 Squadron, October 1, 1943. S/Lt Goldie (my grandfather) far left
My grandfather's log book entries for September, showing FN144 in Operation Avalanche on 11 Sept 1943
Martlet IV FN144 aboard HMS Formidable in 1943
Another view of Martlet IV FN144 aboard HMS Formidable in 1943
Cowling separated with razor saw just in front of the cowl flaps and removed sections fitted to front of fuselage to increase forward fuselage length, as per the Martlet IV
Nose extension complete
New Wright Cyclone R-1820 engine and Hamilton Standard paddle bladed propellor as fitted to the Martlet IV. Engine uses parts from the kit (rear of crankcase), Italeri Dauntless (engine cylinders) and Hasegawa Dauntless (front of crankcase and conn rods) with wiring added from lead wire, aluminium tube and Tamiya kabuki tape. The prop uses the hub from the Italeri Dauntless and paddle bladed Hamilton Standard cuffless blades from the Eduard Mustang.