Norwegian Aircraft

Article by Mr. Terje Opsahl

Models by Nils H. Gran, Nils Mathisrud, Kyrre Ingebrethsen, Tormod Sørvang, Ragnar Eckhoff, Jens Håkon Brandal

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  Norway Constitusion Day 2006 

To commemorate Norway’s Constitusion Day, we would even this year like to present some models of aircraft that have served with the Norwegian Armed Forces. The photos are taken at various model shows and competitions and by the modellers themselves. 

Grumman HU-16B Albatross built by Nils H. Gran

 

The Albatross replaced Catalinas in the Norwegian Air Force in the submarine hunter and reconnaissance roles. 18 aircraft were acquired in 1961. The aircraft served with 330 and 333 squadrons, each getting 9 aircraft.  Albatross served until 1969 when 333 took on five P-3B Orions. 330 was disbanded, being reestablished in 1972 in the SAR role with Westland Sea King helicopters.

The model is built from Monogram?s 1/72 scale kit, detailed and converted to the anti-submarine version. The markings are those of 333 squadron. 

 

Consolidated Catalina Mk.I built by Nils Mathisrud

No. 333 (Norwegian) Squadron was established at Woodhaven in Scotland (near Dundee) 10 May 1943, equipped with Catalina flying boats. The unit had for some time operated under other names though, from 8 February 1942 as No. 210 Squadron Norwegian Detachment and later as No. 1477 (Norwegian Flight).

The model is Academy 1/72 scale, built straight from the box. Most decals are from various Modeldecal sheets, while the ?Vingtor? name and flag on the nose are home made.

 

Spitfire built by Kyrre Ingebrethsen

AH * M belonged to 332(N) Sqn in 1942 though it did not have a long career with the squadron. The Castle Bromwich-built Spitfire was shot down over Dieppe by a FW 190. The Norwegian pilot, Sgt Olav Djønne, bailed out over the Channel and was rescued.

The stripes were applied for the postponed operation Rutter in July 42 and there’s a possibility that the aircraft still wore these stripes during the Dieppe raid.

The serial AD325 was most likely not painted on this aircraft, as was common on 332 Sqn aircraft in 42.

 

Spitfire  Mk IXc built by Tormod Sørvang 

Spitfire Mk IXc flown by Kpt. Marius Eriksen (9 victory’s) when he was shot down May 2. 1943. He survived the war as POW.

The plane is a kit bash between Hasegawa and ICM. The fuselage and the spinner are from ICM, and the rest from Hasegawa except a few pieces in the cockpit. Exhaust pipes are from Moskit and seatbelt from Eduard. The paint are Tamiya acrylic and decals from Norseman decals. The name TROLL on the fuselage is speculative, but probable. 

 

F-84G Thunderjet built by Ragnar Eckhoff

The F-84G Thunderjet was operated by several of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) squadrons during the fifties. 332 squadron used the type from 1953 to 1957, when it was replaced by the F-86F Sabre.

The model depicts AH-E, serial 52-8388, and was built using the excellent 1/48 Revell kit. The bare metal finish is Alclad II, and the decals are a mixture of items from the kit sheet, roundels from KAR-Decals' F-84G sheet and home made items. 

 

DeHavilland Mosquito built by Jens Håkon Brandal

DeHavilland Mosquito FB.VI of 334 Sqn. based at Gardermoen early 1946.  The Royal Norwegian Air Force roundel was introduced in late 1945, and aircraft were then graudally repainted.  Complete guidelines were not yet established, so there was room for individual interpretation, and sometimes the aircraft left traces of their warpaint as evidenced with the RAF finflash and the stripes on the spinners.  The model in 1:48th scale is based on the Tamiya kit and decals are from KAR-Dekaler no 4805.  A full build article will appear in Model Aircraft Monthly soon. 

 

Junkers W 34 built by Nils Mathisrud 

A single Junkers W 34 seaplane was the first aircraft operated by the major Norwegian airline DNL (now part of the Scandinavian Airlines System). It was acquired in 1935, and operated together with four Junkers Ju 52 seaplanes, a Sikorsky S-43 amphibian and a Caproni Ca.310 (leased from the Army Air Arm) until the occupation by Germany in 1940.

The model is in 1/72 scale and is built from MPMs kit, almost straight from the box. The kit also includes decals for this aircraft but since they are slightly inaccurate (not much though), I made a new set with my PC and a laser printer. 

Best Regards

Mr. Terje Opsahl

Ipms Norway

Photos and text © by Mr. Terje Opsahl