Miles Martinet TT.1 - Magna Models 1/72

[acklington]

I've had this resin kit unmade for decades, but finally gave it a go. There are only about eight lumps of resin main parts (some were warped), plus rather crude metal bits for the various details. There are no decals provided. The poorly detailed vacuform canopy I swapped for the spare vacuform canopy from the Pavla Martinet kit. Considerable trimming was required to fit it to the Magna model as the Pavla one has part of the fuselage structure incorporated into the canopy moulding. The metal Magna propellor was also made to rotate, with difficulty.

HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (3) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (5) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (6) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (7) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (8) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (10) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (16) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (17) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
HP147, Ouston Station Flight, early 1943 (25) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr

The model represents Miles Martinet TT.1, HP147, delivered new in early 1943 to RAF Ouston Station Flight in Northumberland. This aircraft went on to serve with 1490 (Fighter Gunnery) Flight, also at Ouston, before re-joining the Station Flight. Subsequently it was transferred to the nearby RAF Acklington Station Flight, followed by 1 Air Gunners School at Pembrey, and finally the Central Fighter Establishment. It was struck off charge in January 1947.

This is another addition to my 'RAF Ouston Research' project and website.

[northbynorthwest]

Another very interesting model. Must have been disconcerting to be the person in the backseat with what I presume is a wind driven generator whizzing around uncomfortably close to his neck. I presume that this is for operation of the target towing winch.

[acklington]

I've been left with nothing but admiration for the TTO (Towed Target Operator) in the back seat. The 'seat' folds up against the right fuselage wall, the shoulder harness being strung from a beam across the rear of the cockpit. After take-off the TTO gets down on the floor where there is a permanent very large hole, and he sticks his arm out to thread the cable and attach the drogue, which I assume is in the 'target box' between the exhausts. He then operates the propellor/winch device, with the drum of steel cable being mounted sideways inside his cockpit, at face height, and inline with the propellor device. The propellor is rotated to face forward in to wind, and the model shows it in the stowed position to reduce drag.

A hole in the floor, a drum of steel cable whizzing round in front of your face, and a trainee Biggles firing canon at you from behind. Delightful.

Many Martinets had a different winch, electrically driven off the engine, with no external propellor device. The large electric winch was mounted on the cockpit floor, nicely placed with the whizzing steel cable between the TTO's legs!

Some 1200 Martinets were built from 1942, seeing widespread world service including the Fleet Air Arm and foreign users, and they remained in service until 1955 when they were replaced by the Tempest TT.5