Based on the inline
"Wildcat" designed for the Fleet Air Arm, the "Jabiru" was
produced from the Grumman Wildcat components shipped to Australia, and
re-engineered to work with the Allison engine used by the P-40s. Engineering was
by CAC, and major subassembly was by Holden Motors.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Used as a stopgap fighter
until more powerful planes were available, the Jabirus were nororiously
noseheavy, but could dive at tremendous velocity...given enough altitude.
As stable as a rock in a dive, the most effective tactic against the more
nimble Japanese planes was to blast through their formations from above
and tear off at low altitude, easily outrunning anything flying at the
time.
I used two venerable old Monogram
kits, the P-40 and Wildcat to do this build. Why? Cuz they are cheap, that's
why! Oh, and reasonably accurate in outline. The nose section was made from a
large plug of balsawood, glued in place and sanded until it looked
"right". It also had to conform to the spinner from the P-40, and the
firewall of the Wildcat. I'm surprised it came out as well as I had hoped!
Decals are from the spares bin,
the paint scheme reflects an RAAF Spitfire type scheme to avoid being shot
down by allied forces.
Alvis 3.1
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