SA-2 Guideline Surface to Air Missile Walk Around Part II

Photographs taken at Udvar-Hazy and the NMUSAF by Phil Peterson.

Part III here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/09/07/sa-2-guideline-surface-to-air-missile-walk-around-part-iii/

Women Warriors 335

Fiona Lee Republic of Singapore Air Force

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Carlin Keally, an armor officer in the 3rd Infantry Division

Sergeant Mariya Oktyabrskaya, HSU and her tank “Fighting Girlfriend”

LTJG Lashanda Holmes stands in front of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter at USCG Air Station Los Angeles

Squadron Leader Samantha Freebairn is a C-17A Globemaster III pilot in the RAAF

ww540_Nancy Harkness Love_FounderWASP — **Nancy Harkness Love, founder of the WASPS**

ww339 — **LT Becky Calder, US Navy F/A-18 Pilot**

ww340_Seymour — **WASPs with B-17 Flying Fortress, Seymore Field**

ww140Proctor — **WAAF, Percival Proctor**

To see more Women Warriors, click on the tags below:

Hasegawa Grumman F9F Panther Build in 1/72 Scale Part I

This is Hasegawa’s F9F Panther kit from their 1978 tool. Despite its age, this kit still can hold its own and has been re-boxed several times over the years. It is readily available from online retailers and is commonly traded at the model shows, so it can generally be purchased for bargain prices.

Molding is sharp and features recessed panel lines. The trailing edges of the wing are molded into the upper wing parts so there is no need to thin the wings. You have the option to arm your Panther with six HVAR rockets or build it with a clean wing.

Like most Hasegawa kits the cockpit is rather basic, and on their Panther there is nothing to prevent you from seeing into the fuselage in either direction.

I added some bulkheads fore and aft to close everything up. The nose wheel well was very shallow, another common problem with Hasegawa kits but a little harder to see. I ground out the molded-in wheel well with a Dremel tool and boxed in a deeper well.

After spraying the cockpit with the required black and interior green I added the Kelik 3-D printed cockpit set. This is a great improvement and really makes the cockpit pop!

Another view of the cockpit looking forward. The Kelik parts are printed on paper and are removed by soaking in water just like decals, but there is no adhesive so they will not adhere on their own. I used MicroScale LiquiTape on mine to get them to stick.

Like most aircraft with tricycle landing gear the Panther will be a tail sitter without adding some nose weight. My standard solution is BBs set in epoxy located as far forward in the model as I can manage.

The Panther goes together quickly and the Hasegawa reputation for great fitting kits is safe with this one. There are slight seams around the engine air inlets which will need some attention but nothing major. One thing to correct is the cannon barrels molded into the nose piece are too long and will need to be shortened and drilled out.

Part II here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/09/05/hasegawa-grumman-f9f-panther-build-in-1-72-scale-part-ii/

Picture of the Week 87

The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) underway in rough seas in the Pacific on 09AUG2010. Curtis Wilbur was the fourth Burke-class Destroyer to be commissioned, the class numbers 74 today and is still in production with 10 more building. She was part of the escort for the Aircraft Carrier George Washington (CVN 73) at the time.

Kriegsfischkutter – KFK of the German Navy in WWII Part II, Detail Photos

This post will focus on Kriegsfischkutter details, these should be of interest to modelers working on kits in larger scales wanting to enhance their models.

First up is a broad view of KFK 39, she is unusual in not having any weapons fitted. Another unusual detail are the large cable reels seen on her main deck forward which are likely part of a non-standard minesweeping equipment rig. She is wearing a dark camouflage paint which has worn off of her rubbing strake in spots. Along her lifelines abreast the bridge is a rack which holds five sets of long poles, this is a common fitting but I am unsure what their purpose is – perhaps boat hooks or the spars of dan buoys. To the far left of the photo a crewman is making adjustments to her paravanes, another piece of minesweeping equipment. (history-classics.de)

Details of KFK 55 superstructure and main deck. She carries large cable reels forward similar to KFK 39, but has weapons fitted on both bandstands. If you look closely at the lifeline stanchion under the white 55 the rack for the poles can be seen. On the main deck on each side you can see vertical fittings which are easily mistaken for vents. These are actually an obscure anti-aircraft weapon, a rocket projector called the 8.6cm RAG (Raketen Abschussgerät) M42/43. These were preferentially fitted Security Forces vessels operating off Norway as a barrage weapon to counter RAF Coastal Command swarm attacks. (history-classics.de)

A complementary view of the superstructure of KFK 55. The inflatable boat and life raft are secured in their usual positions. Details of the navigation lights are seen atop the pilothouse, the running lights on each side have baffles fitted to limit the visibility arcs – these are painted to match their lights – red to port and green to starboard. A fire extinguisher and two life rings are fitted to the superstructure sides. Under the overhang of the weapons deck are a pair of cable reels which would typically be used to store mooring lines. Paravanes are stored on the deck right aft, these are the teardrop-shaped devices used for minesweeping. (history-classics.de)

A signalman using semaphore, Security Forces vessels appear to have relied on semaphore and flashing light far more than signal flags, but the KFK still has four signal flag halyards mounted to the mast. The odd-shaped device on the halyard is a day shape which appears as a single black ball and is to be displayed when the vessel is at anchor. Both the life raft and inflatable boat show details of the lines fitted to their sides to good advantage. It is very difficult to climb from the water into a rubber boat, the lines are vital for this and also help men in the water cling to the boats if they are overloaded.

A pair of crewmen posing for the camera on the rubber boat. This photo shows more details of the pilothouse and the surrounding fittings, as well as the lines which secured the boat in place. In the foreground is a vent for the berthing area below the main deck.

Another signalman and pilothouse details of a different KFK. Compare the variations of lights and other fittings to the previous photos. Overall dark gray appears to be a common finish. This KFK shows wear to the paint on her pilothouse, the streaks may be primer.

The inflatable boat is used as a painting punt by these crewmen. Painting and corrosion control is a constant duty of shipboard life, something is always in need of painting. Modelers should not get too far down the color-matching rabbit hole, in actual practice Navy paints of the same color (or even lot number) rarely match exactly and the crew must take care to avoid a patchwork finish on the ship. This photo confirms the 200-liter barrels seen fitted to the port side gunwales of many KFKs were standard Wehrmacht issue. (history-classics.de)

One KFK follows another in line astern. The photo is taken from the weapons station immediately behind the pilothouse, the object out of focus to the right is the back of the port (red) running light. This KFK does not have a weapon fitted to the forward bandstand position and a paravane is laid on the deck. The leading vessel has several Schleppboje Klein (small towing buoys) secured to the railing of her after gun station. These were part of the minesweeping gear and it was not uncommon to see them on Security Forces vessels. (history-classics.de)

A petty officer stands watch on the wharf alongside a moored KFK. This photo shows details of the mooring bitts as well as the chocks built into the gunwale, both of which appear to have been painted black. The inside of the gunwale is painted a very light shade. There is controversy as to the color of the decks on KFKs, most illustrations show them in natural wood tones but these would be highly visible when seen from above. IMHO a dark stain is a more likely possibility (both for reducing visibility and to preserve the wood) but with over 600 KFK in service it is probable both options are correct on different vessels. The ladder is a standard issue piece of equipment on all types of Security Forces vessels, on the KFK it was normally seen stowed on brackets fitted to the port side lifelines as it is here.

A lookout “stands” watch while sitting on the liferaft on the pilothouse. Forward is the back of the range lights, to the rear is a megaphone in a rack and storage boxes. Note the variations in colors of these fittings, as well as the varieties and combinations of uniform items worn by the crews in all these photos. (history-classics.de)

A rare and interesting view of the deck area under the forward weapons station which shows many details of an apparently new KFK. The mount for a 2.0 cm single gun is in place although the gun itself is not yet fitted, neither are the ready service lockers for ammunition nor the racks for the gun crew’s helmets. Storage space on a ship is always at a premium, and semi-protected areas such as this were prime locations for storage, both officially sanctioned or locally improvised.

Comparing this photo with the previous one, this crew has added various lockers and drums to the area under the bandstand. The port side has steps welded to the support while the starboard has a ladder, both of which appear to have been painted white, likely to aid the gun crew in manning their station in the dark. The small box mounted to the back of the lifeline is a common fitting, I suspect it holds an optical sight for the gun or sound-powered phones. The spiderweb of strips fixed to the deck are to help the gun crew maintain their footing.

Crewmembers playing chess in the sun while their laundry dries. This provides a good view of the wooden deck planking although the black and white photos do little to solve the deck color question. The ladder in this photo appears to be black, which is sometimes done on ships to hide scuffing.

Yet another variation, this crew has piled all manner of loose material under their gun platform.

A very interesting photo showing a 2.0 cm twin fitted to the forward bandstand. The gun station has a common array of ready service lockers for ammunition and spare gun barrels as well as helmet racks for the gun crew. Under the platform the crew has fitted a rope reel for mooring lines along with a lot of loose stowage, and they have tied rope fenders to the lifelines. In the left foreground is an 8.6cm RAG (Raketen Abschussgerät) M42/43 rocket projector. (history-classics.de)

Here is a very nice photo of the 8.6cm RAG (Raketen Abschussgerät) M42/43 rocket projector mentioned earlier, and these can also be seen in several of the photos of KFKs in Part I. This was intended as a barrage weapon to use against aircraft and could fire various projectiles including High Explosive, Illumination, and a cable suspended from a parachute. This is an obscure weapon and it is not known how effective it was in practice.

A profile view of the Schleppboje Klein (small towing buoy) from the Atlas der Minenräumgeräte, which was published in German after the war. There are several of these Kriegsmarine minesweeping devices available as 3D prints for those willing to seek them out. A set of these fittings would make a great aftermarket item for those wanting to customize their KFK model.

The ”Schwimmer P” is one type of what would be called a paravane in the USN, it was one of a combination of devices designed to deploy an underwater cable to either side of a sweeping vessel. The cable could be fitted with cutters which would sever the cables of moored mines, or noisemakers to detonate acoustic mines. Most Security Forces vessels were fitted with minesweeping gear and it was standard on the KFK.

KFK Part I here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/08/20/kriegsfischkutter-kfk-of-the-german-navy-in-wwii-part-i/

Airfix Bristol Beaufighter TF.X in 1/72 Scale

Flying Officer Maurice Exton was flying this aircraft as part of No. 144 Squadron RAF on 09OCT44 during an attack of German shipping off Norway. Even though his Beaufighter was hit by flak he pressed on his attack. He was able to nurse his damaged Beaufighter back to his base at Banff and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Construction here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/bristol-beaufighter-comparison-build-hasegawa-and-airfix-kits-part-i/

B-29 Superfortress Combat Chronicles Book Review

B-29 Superfortress Combat Chronicles

By Robert Hilton

Hardcover, 120 pages

Published by Squadron / Signal Publications, January 2012

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0-89747-672-7

ISBN-13: 978-0-89747-672-0

Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.0 x 0.4 inches

The 40^th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy was one of the first USAAF Groups to operate the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Originally assigned to the Panama Canal Zone, the 40^th BG was transferred back to the U.S. in 1943 and trained on the new bomber. They deployed to China to take part in the first B-29 raids over Japan where they operated until re-deployed to their new base on Tinian in the Mariana Islands in late 1944. There they became part of an ever-increasing fleet of Superfortresses which devastated Japanese cities until the end of the war.

The author was part of the 40^th BG during their B-29 operations from the initial training through the Japanese surrender. While this book does describe several missions, a large portion of the narrative is devoted to the ordeals of downed crews and their rescues. Roughly a quarter of the book centers on one such crew who survived for more than a month in the Siberian wilderness before making contact with the Soviet military. Others chapters describe crews being downed over China or being captured by the Japanese.

This book is not a mission log or chronology. A large portion of the photographs are target reconnaissance or Bomb Damage Assessment photos of Japanese targets. There are also several photos of the Group’s B-29s and their nose art, but no artwork or aircraft profiles except for the cover illustrations.

This book is not intended to be a modeling reference which makes it an exception for a Squadron / Signal publication. There are a few things which left me scratching my head, such as repeated references to the Japanese using the Baka (MXY-7 Ohka) against the B-29; while the Japanese did employ aerial ramming with some success against the B-29 they used conventional aircraft in this role. This book can still be found today and is rather inexpensive on the used book market. It is worth picking up if your interest is B-29 operations from China or aircrew survival stories, but it will not help you detail your next Superfortress kit.