British Columbia Sub Service?

It appears that Das Werk has a hit on their hands with their soon to be released 1/72 U-9 U-Boat kit. If they are looking for ideas on a follow up, how about the HMCS CC-1 and CC-2, Canada's first two submarines? 

The two Davids (DatGuy and Knights) are big fans of the Drachinifel YouTube channel. Yesterday, Mr. Knights suggested I check out their latest video on the Royal Canadian Navy which is humorusly subtitled "Sinking you, but politely." I enjoyed the video. While I was aware of the the RCN's Corvette story thanks to the 1/72 Matchbox kit (A kit I lusted after in my youth, but never got a chance to build); I was surprised by the story of Canada's first two submarines. Wow, how have I never heard this story before? 

Ok, I take that back, they weren't bought by Canada, but the province of British Columbia. While the thought of a province with its own military service seems rather shocking, it does make some sense that the province, so remote from the Atlantic Ocean and Canada's capital in Ottawa, would want to defend its shores. The CC-1 and CC-2 submarines were not identical, but similar versions designed by the Electric Boat Company. The Electric Boat Company contracted with the government of Chile to build the two boats, but, after completion, the deal fell through. Subcontractor Seattle Construction and Drydock Company looked to offload the boats and the Premier of British Columbia stepped in to purchase the subs. The two subs left Seattle without permission on August 3, 1914 and made their way to British Columbia, with the USN in chase. Within days, the submarines were transferred to the Canadian government and joined the RCN, being renamed HMCS CC-1 and HMCS CC-2 on October 1914. 

However, the RCN had a problem. World War One had broken out in Europe, and the subs were based Esquimalt, B.C., in the Pacific. After their refits in 1914, the two subs undertook patrols and training in the Pacific, but a decisions was made in 1917 to send the boats to the Atlantic. Leaving B.C. on July 21, 1917, the two subs had - in the best tradition of RCN second-hand submarines - multiple maintenance issues, failures, and problems, but the crews persevered and they were the first RCN warships to pass through the Panama Canal. Finally arriving in Halifax during October 1917, after many stops for repairs, the two subs were found to be in need of an overhaul. During their time in drydock, the subs survived the Halifax Explosion. But after all this work, expense, and time, the boats were used as training craft and never went on patrol in the Atlantic.

So yea, these things didn't do much to help the war effort, but hey, I'd buy one copy of a 1/72 CC-1 or CC-2. See Das Werk, a guaranteed seller!  

(Photos are courtesy of the Department of National Defence/Library Archives Canada. I'm unclear if the photos were taken in Seattle or Halifax, or even one of each.)

Canadians and the Corsair

Corsair II coded "147/P" of 1836 Squadron landing on the USS Essex after an
op on August  9, 1945.  (Photo courtesy of the National Archives via Dana Bell)

The Vought F4U Corsair is one of the most iconic World War Two fighters, well known because of its fame in the Pacific theatre, its unique gull wing, and its screen time on the 1970s television show Baa Baa Black Sheep. Operated by the U.S. Navy, USMC, and the British Fleet Air Arm, the Corsair is the most famous aircraft of the Royal Canadian Navy that was never actually flown by the RCN. (Canadian pilots flew aircraft on strength with the FAA.) Two of Canada’s most remembered naval aviators- Canada’s only Corsair ace Donald J. Sheppard and Victoria Cross winner Robert Hampton “Hammy” Gray - flew Corsairs, but so did many less remembered Canadian pilots, many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

RCNVR pilot Robert Hampton "Hammy" Gray at the New Hotel
Tanga in September 1942 (Photo courtesy of the Fleet Air Arm Museum.)

The Fleet Air Arm operated the “Birdcage” Corsair as the Mk. I, the later blown canopy F4U-1 as the Corsair Mk. II, Brewster built examples were the Corsair Mk. III, and Goodyear built FG-1Ds as the Corsair Mk. IV. While generally identical to their US counterparts, there were a few small detail changes such as a scoop on the rear fuselage and clipped wingtips in order to fit into the smaller hangar bays of Royal Navy carriers.

Corsair IV KD244 of 1842 Squadron from HMS Formidable.  This photo was
taken after Sub Lt Duke landed the airplane on the USS Shangri-La on July 7,
1945, after an op.  The aircraft crashed upon return to the Formidable just hours
after this photo was taken.  (Photo courtesy of the National Archives via Dana
Bell)

The Corsair in Scale

As expected with such a famous aircraft, there have been a plethora of Corsair kits issued in all the major scales. If you are looking for the best F4U-1 in 1/32, 1/48, or 1/72, just turn to Tamiya; they have the Corsair market cornered.

The large Tamiya 1/32 Birdgcade Corsair build by Tony O’Toole to represent JT132 

of 732 NAS, Brunswick, USA.  This Corsair collied with Corsair JT160 over Lake 

Sebago on May 16, 1944, killing both pilots.  The remains of this Corsair and its pilot, 

Sub. Lt. Vaughan Reginald Gill, have been discovered at the bottom of Lake Sebago.

By all accounts, the Tamiya 1/32 Corsair is a stunning kit. It was issued as a “Birdcage” Corsair in 2013, a F4U-1A in 2015, and many hope that a F4U-1D will be issued in the near future. This is a complex and detailed kit and is certainly in the running for best plastic kit ever. Sadly, it has a high price to match its quality, but if you are looking for one large scale Corsair for the shelf, it is clearly the way to go.

Tony O’Toole’s 1/48 Hobby Boss Corsair build using Fundekals to model an aircraft 

of 1836 NAS flown off the HMS Victorious.

Tamiya has also issued the best Corsairs in 1/72 and 1/48. Both are well-engineered and assemble easily. Again, multiple versions of the -1 Corsair are available, and, in 1/72 at least, the F4U-1A is a value boxing, as it has all the parts necessary to build either a F4U-1A or a F4U-1D.
In 1/48, both the Hobbycraft (also issued by Academy) and Otaki Corsairs offer value alternatives, but neither can match the detail or the ease of assembly of the Tamiya kit. There is a recent Hobby Boss kit that is almost as expensive as the Tamiya kit, but not nearly as nice a model. The Hobby Boss Corsair Mk. 2 boxing does come with the clipped wingtips, but is missing the remaining Fleet Air Arm modifications. While not a bad kit, the Tamiya will provide a more enjoyable building experience and result in a nicer model.

The Revell 1/72 Corsair was built by Tony O’Toole as a Corsair Mk II from
759 NAS based at Yeovilton as part of the Naval Fighter School.

Almost every kit maker has issued a Corsair in 1/72. As stated above, Tamiya is the best kit in the scale, but Academy has a nice 1/72 that is an excellent value at right around $10. Also, the older Hasegawa kit is still competitive, if you can find one at a good price. (It is often reboxed by Hasegawa with new decals at outrageous prices.) Revell AG recently issued a 1/72 Corsair, but while the price is nice, it has accuracy issues and odd engineering choices that make it a less than enjoyable build. I had hoped the kit would offer a budget option compared to the Tamiya kit, but it was a huge disappointment. Hobby Boss has done a F4U-1 in 1/72 as an “Easy Assembly” kit which looks quite nice despite the lack of detail in the engine and the cockpit. Unfortunately, Hobby Boss molded large grooves into the bottom of the wings to fit the rocket rails and for all FAA Corsairs these grooves will need to be filled.

Tony O’Toole’s 1/72 Tamiya Corsair built in the markings of Hammy Gray’s
VC winning aircraft.

Fleet Air Arm Pilots in the Battle of Britain

Seventy-five years after the Battle of Britain, a small subset of pilots who fought in the crowded skies above England have almost been forgotten.  They are the Fleet Air Arm pilots, who took to the air, along with their Royal Air Force counterparts, to defend the British Isles.

Some of the Fleet Air Arm pilots while training with 7 Operational Training Unit at
RAF Hawarden  in June 1940.  Jimmy Gardner, Admiral Blake, Dickie Cork,
and Francis Dawson-Paul can be seen in this photo.  

During the Battle, the Fleet Air Arm had one resource that the RAF desperately needed:  pilots.  While aircraft could be built rather quickly in factories, it took time to train men. In the dark days of 1940, the FAA loaned a small group of pilots to the RAF for attachment to their expanding complement of fighter squadrons.  Two of these pilots, Sub Lieutenant Francis Dawson-Paul, who flew Spitfires with 64 Squadron, and Sub Lieutenant Arthur “Admiral” Blake, who flew Spitfires with 19 Squadron, quickly became aces.

As always, Canadian-born pilots were included in the mix.  Two Canadian Fleet Air Arm pilots were to earn their Battle of Britain clasp with Fighter Command.

Jack Conway Carpenter was born in Toronto, but as a young boy returned to his ancestral Wales.  He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1939, but was attached to the RAF in June 1940.  He joined 229 Squadron flying Hurricanes, but was quickly transferred to 46 Squadron, which also flew Hurricanes.  While flying with 46 Squadron, he downed a Bf-110 on September 3, 1940, then shot down a Bf-109 on September 5, 1940.  Sadly, his short life ended just a few days later when he was shot down while flying Hurricane P3201.  He attempted to bail out of his stricken aircraft, but his parachute failed to open.

Roy Baker-Falkner, was born in England, but grew up in British Columbia.  He is better known for leading attacks against the Tirpitz during Operation Tungsten in 1944, but  was also involved in the Battle of Britain.  Sadly, his contribution to the Battle with Fighter Command is unknown, but he was awarded the Battle of Britain clasp for having flown at least one operational sortie with RAF Fighter Command during the period of July 10, 1940 to October 31, 1940.  (There is no question that Baker-Falkner was flying operations with 812 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.  This Fleet Air Arm unit, flying Fairey Swordfish, was attached to RAF Coastal Command for laying mines in German-held harbors as well as bombing sorties against German invasion barges.  However, only pilots attached to Fighter Command during the Battle are eligible for the Battle of Britain clasp.  While one can debate the merit of the decision to leave out bomber and Coast Command aircrew who served during the Battle, it appears possible that Baker-Falkner was not actually eligible to receive the clasp.)

Dickie Cork of 242 Squadron and Admiral Blake during the Battle of
Britain.

A further Canadian connection to the Battle are the three Fleet Air Arm pilots attached to 242 (Canadian) Squadron.  Ostensibly, a Canadian squadron, 242 Squadron always had a complement of non-Canadian pilots attached to the unit.  After suffering heavy losses in France, Midshipman Peter Patterson, Sub Lieutenant Richard “Dickie” Cork, and Sub/Lt. Jimmy Gardner joined the Squadron in the summer of 1940.  While Patterson was killed in September 1940, both Dickie Cork and Jimmy Gardner made ace while flying with the Canadians of 242 Squadron.  Dickie Cork flew as the wingman for 242 Squadron’s famous CO Douglas Bader, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his “exemplary courage and coolness in successful action against enemy bombers.”  He later commanded 880 Squadron flying Sea Hurricanes, but was killed in a Corsair crash in 1944.  Jimmy Gardner survived the Battle and returned to fly with the Fleet Air Arm for the rest of the war.  To retain their nautical flavor during their time with the RAF, Cork and Garner wore naval uniforms and Gardner painted Nelson’s Trafalgar "England Expects" signal on the side of his Hurricane.  (Photos courtesy of the Fleet Air Arm Museum.)

The left side of Jimmy Gardner’s 242 Squadron Hurricane was painted
with Nelson’s "England Expects" signal from the Battle of Trafalger.
It is believed that the Hurricane which carried this art was P2884 LE-V.  Gardner
flew LE-V most often with 242 Squadron.

Modeler's Note:  Xtradecal has recently issued a decal sheet in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale which includes aircraft flown by Gardner and Cork.  Sadly, there are some issues with the depiction of Gardner’s aircraft as they have included no serial number, the aircraft is incorrectly marked as LE-T, and they’ve included a spurious flag signal for the right side of the Hurricane.  (LE-T was Hurricane V7203 in which Canadian Pilot Office Joseph Latta went missing on January 1941.)  Dickie Cork’s P2831 LE-K is much more accurate and carries a RN style crown painted under the cockpit.

November 2012 Issue of RCN News Magazine

This issue's modeling column features a report on the iHobby Expo in Cleveland.  You can download the magazine and/or buy your print copies here.

September 2012 Issue of the RCN News Magazine is Out

This issue's modeling column features a report on the IPMS/USA Nationals in Florida.  You can download the magazine and/or buy your print copies here and can visit the magazine website here.

RCN News Magazine

Recently, I joined the team at RCN News Magazine as the Modeling Editor/Columnist and the first issue of the magazine was published this month.  You can download the magazine and/or buy your print copies here and can visit the magazine website here.

One Man's War

Title: One Man's War
Author: Stuart E. Soward
Publisher: Neptune

I picked up this short book after hearing that the author died in January and that the subject of the book, Richard Bartlett, passed away in December. Dick Bartlett was a farm boy from Saskatchewan who joined the Fleet Air Arm and flew Skuas off the HMS Ark Royal. The book focuses mostly on the ill-conceived attack by the Skuas on the German battleship Scharnhorst in a Norway fjord, and Mr. Bartlett's time as a Prisoner of War after being shot down in that attack. Both sections are eye opening. It is hard to believe a human could survive some of the treatment he received at the hands of the Germans, and that the FAA leadership could have held out any belief that the Scharnhosrt attack was anything but a suicide mission. Mr. Bartlett's will and tenacity to survive both the raid, and his time as a POW, are impressive. The book is a quick, breezy, and interesting read and well worth the time for the Canadian aviation fan and/or students of the Fleet Air Arm.

Are We There Yet?

Every wondered what the belly compartment of a Royal Canadian Navy Avenger AS.3 looked like? (Photo courtesy of the Canada Department of National Defence/Library and Archives of Canada.)

HMS Nabob video

Here is a rather neat video of the Canadian manned escort carrier HMS Nabob, including some colour Wildcat and Avenger footage.

Royal Canadian Navy Skyraider

Today on Hyperscale there is a nicely done Tamiya Skyraider in Royal Canadian Navy markings. It is a what if, but Canada did have a Skyraider. Well not really, but one landed on the HMCS Magnificent on September 23, 1953 because of fog. It was AD-4B BuNo 132354 from the USS Bennington and flown by James Elster. In good Canadian tradition we added a maple leaf and made him carry a moose back to the USS Bennington.

Hey, cut him off with that Sea Fury...then we'll finally have a real bomber in this Navy!

That's a Canadian now, eh. Maggie must be the name of the moose. (Or maybe the carrier...)

Look at all those Avengers! (Photos courtesy of the Canada Department of National Defence/Library and Archives of Canada.)

Boys, Load Up Those Fireflys

Here is a nice set of photos of Royal Canadian Navy Fairey Fireflys being readied for action. The first three are Firefly FR.1s and the last aircraft is a Firefly IV. (All photos courtesy of the Canada Department of National Defence/Library and Archives of Canada.)