Likewise, the band around the rear fuselage is very dark but it could also be yellow-ish. Post war wasn’t the normal for a silver or bare metal finish with yellow bands on the tail and wings?

The Sturgeon is in racing markings hence the fuselage band, ’80’ sported a green band.
Unfortunately I don’t know what the green shade was, but The National Air Races stipulated a 36″ band painted in an established BSC spec aero paint.
Obviously the background boxes of the numbers are either in a different colour or shade, I can’t help thinking that they’re black with white numbering though.

I personally don’t think the image is taken on orthochromatic film, such film tends to render yellow as extremely dark, as in many of the early British wartime aircraft pictures where the roundel band is black.

The ‘FLight’ photo in Dcollins pic shows the shades depicted in a diffrent way again, but this comes down to camera or enlarger lens filters.

The yellow ‘P’ on a white background was unusual, but seemed to be favoured by Shorts on their prototypes.

Santiago, the models look superb, do you know which kits are being used?
They really show off what a purposeful looking beast that the Sturgeon 1 was, I always think it’s a shame that some of the late-war piston designs didn’t get to see greater production and use (only likely with prolonging of Pacific war), can you imagine FAA and RAF squadrons of Sturgeon 1s, Wyvern 1s, Welkins, Seafangs and MB.5s!

Highball Avenger

I’m sure I’ve seen reference to proposals for this idea, possibly at the TNA.

There was a plan to use Highball armed Mosquitos in the Far East, I wonder if the Avenger was seen as a safer option than the large powerful twin from a carrier back then?

Sounds like a great idea Anne.
Be nice to see the whole family, inc export versions (such as the radial engined and Hartebees types) covered and the story of how the various fighter, light bomber, Army co-op, and naval types all related to each other told in an authoritive publication.

As Bruce says, the triangle panel is attached to the nose leg, behind the front nose gear door and fills the triangular gap between the front gear door and the rear door.
The single seaters don’t have this, I wonder if it makes up the difference in gear bay length, but can’t be attached to the front door as would be too close to the ground if the nose leg oleo bottoms out?

This pic shows the layout,

Edit, forum problems not enabling pic, so here is a link to a pic of the door layout, http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/QuonsetAirMuseum/DeHavillandVampire/images/05VampireNoseGear.jpg

I often wonder if the seller is just fishing and waiting for offers off eb@y to avoid their fees?

There is definitely truth in that.

I agree with all above, I must admit I didn’t think free listing was as regular as some of the listings for items I’ve seen.

BTW I’m certainly not negative about Ebay as such, I’ve found items that I never thought I would before, but some of the practices need to be bourne in mind before hitting the magic button!

No that was at Weston airfield, near Dublin.

I think we’re all reading too much in to post #235, my comment was a tongue cheek glance at the whole highlighting an item and bidding amongst forumites situation, not a particular sale:)

Sorry Martyn, I’ve only just seen the two posts ahead of my last, I guess that’s one good reason why the winner is now anonymous – though I would be surprised if that was the reason EBay introduced it!

Positive vibes people, positive vibes:)