Here we are halfway through the year and the turnout is still strong. We had 37 Members turn up for our June meeting. We had a good selection of models on the tables for our Anniversary themes of Australian military and Australian civil models. And not to be out done we had quite a diverse array of models for the General display from the Artemis heavy lifter rocket to a Wickham type 42 armored trolly.
The Son Tay Prison Raid: A flying success Presentation
Dave Richardson took the long drive up from Canberra to present ‘The Son Tay Prison Raid: A flying success ‘ a story of daring do from the Vietnam war. Where he discussed the events leading upto the raid on the Son Tay POW camp to rescue captured US soldiers in November 1970. Militarily, the raid was a failure as all the POW’s had been moved from the prison so it could undergo renovations to make it a more suitable and secure prison site. What the CIA thought were prisoners turned out to tradies doing their job renovating the prison.
However in planning, logistics, execution and audacity It was a textbook example of how to go about such an operation. A wing of 59 fixed wing and rotary aircraft took off from bases in Thailand for the long flight to the prison just 37km west of Hanoi. What made the feet more amazing this was done at night , in close formation and at low level (below 500ft) Into the most heavily guarded city in North Vietnam. No computers, no GPS so stealth technology just accurate navigational technique and superb airmanship.
Many thanks to Dave for a thoroughly engaging and enlightening talk!
‘Australian Civil’ anniversary theme winners
‘Australian Civil Includes any craft used by an Australian civil organisation.
First place
Qantas Catalina
1:72 scale Academy kit. PBY-5 kit modified toPBY-6 using Red Roo conversion kit
By Dave Clark
Second place
The Bull Catcher
1:24 scale Italeri kit.
By Dave Muir
Third place
Empress of Australia
1:350 scale Toltoys kit. OOB with funnel area modified to be more accurate
By Jame Argaet
‘Australian Military’ anniversary theme winners
‘Australian Military’ Includes any craft used by an Australian military.
First place
M113 APC
1:35 scale Academy kit.
By Andrew Buckley
Second place
11 Sqn RAAF Catalina
1:72 scale Academy PBY-5 kit. OOB with PD decals.
By Dave Clark
Third place
DB-7B Boston
1:72 MPM kit.
By Jiri Kure
General display winners
First place
1928 A Model Hotrod
1:24 scale built from various kits.
By Dave Muir
Equal second place
Wickham type 42 armored trolly
1:72 scale scratch built kit.
By Ley Reynolds
Equal second place
Honda Mugen CRX
1:24 scale Tamiya kit. OOB with simple diorama
By Mathew Tung
Checkout the winners models
and other great builds on the display tables this month.