Two small but good pics appear in the Boulton Paul Defiant Warpaint, No. 42 in the series, page 22.

R.J. Caruana

Another long shot. To me it doesn’t look like a unit badge, more like a personal item:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070210205152AA7uAAb

Richard J. Caruana

Thanks Laurence, replied.

G.50

HI,

This is a very interesting photo, and so is the site your links lead to. Many thanks.

The G.50 comes from 351 Squadriglia, 155 Gruppo Autonomo Caccia Terrestre that was based at Derna in April 1941. I do not have the serial for 351-6 shown in the picture, but another machine from the same unit was MM.6385 coded 351-12 in the same scheme and carrying the same unit badge. The overall scheme consists of Nocciola Chiaro uppersurfaces with very sparse Verde Oliva Scuro mottling; undersides were in Grigio Azzurro Chiaro. Engine cowling and spinner were finished in yellow and the badge was carried (handed) on both sides. The latter consisted of a light blue shield with a ‘hunter’ with gun in hand and trailing a bag with some sort of dead fowl in it, and the palm tree in the background.

I had produced a full colour profile, together with a detail of the badge, for my book ‘Camouflage & Markings-Italian Air Forces-1935-1945’ published by Modelaid International (1987), p.16. Not easy to find. Will try to scan and post over the next few days.

Richard J. Caruana

Beat me by a whisker!! Just sent in my anniversary feature on the Buccaneer S.Mk.1 to Model Airplane International with four pages of colour art. Would have loved to include XN964’s temporary markings.

Modellers on this site should also log onto my site and download a full set of drawings from which they can print out their own decals.

With thanks also to Andy White and his extensive knowledge of the Buccaneer’s history, who helped me along this project.

http://rjcaviationart.googlepages.com

Richard J. Caruana

Sorry Ken, thought I had it. Actually have the Modifications and Technical News Sheets for the Gypsy Queen 30 Series, gigantic volume. If any sections from it can be of any use, let me know.

RJC

Here in Malta we have ‘Triq il-Vulcan’ (Vulcan Street), in Zabbar. Commemorates the crash of XM645 which exploded over the town on 14 October 1975. Port wing fell into Triq is-Santwarju while the rest of the aircraft fell into a field behind the school (marked black near the orange arrow), then still an unbuilt area.