The scale Short Stirling was a development tool in the same way as wind tunnel models and as historically relevent as such a model or drawing or concept sketch. Its part of the history of the finished article.

One pot of paint but two brushes.

Very likely. What a fantastic shot showing just how crudely the stripes were applied and these chaps may even have been trying extra hard for the camera. Still difficult to envisage a moden day warbird owner going for the completely authentic look and taking it this far though (at least not with permanent paint).

Personally, I don’t get all the hassle over replica fighters. Think of it this way, nobody here gets any stick for having a shelf full of built up airfix kits or corgi models, or for building a flying model Spitfire. A replica is pretty much a model in that it represents something fantastic yet fairly unobtainable for most of us, with the bonus that you can sit in it and get the thrill of flight into the bargain, which sounds *%£@”<^~# brilliant in my book

But the discussion is not about the merit of these ‘replicas’, RC aircraft or static models, its about whether they are appropriate subject matter for posting on this ‘Historic Aviation’ forum. Daz is perfectly entitled to his undeniable enthusiasm for these machines but my view is that if a replica is anything less than a full size and accurate airframe reproduction (with at least a similar engine) then it really belongs on a ‘general’ or ‘sport aviation’ forum.

PM sent!

Ah yes – must be true then!

A thought – as the invasion stripes were black and white, could the possible ‘painting out’ of the 602 Sqdn badge simply have been done at the same time by the same hand with the same brush, out of convenience?

Very mixed feelings here whilst accepting at the same time it did some good to the preservation movement.