It is always hard to start writing about an event that was 6
months ago. The Shepparton Mammoth scale event was as good as ever and the weather was
kind. Fortunately these pictures prompt some of my memories of the day that I spent
there. I didn't take as many photos as
I did for the year before ('96)
because many of the aircraft I have already photographed. I hope you enjoy what I did
take. If you have any information about these models, I'd love to have an e-mail from you.
 Cap
321
Looking all the world like a Cap 21, this beautifully and
very professionally presented model is a Cap 321. There is some logic in it's numbering.
I've been told that this aircraft is a Cap 21 re-winged with an Extra 300's wing.
Northrop P-61 Black Widow
This was one of the three very spectacular twin engined war
birds present at this gathering. It flew very nicely and suffered none of the problems
some expect from flying this sort of aircraft.
P-51
Mustang
Yet another beautifully presented war bird.
Supermarine
Spitfire
Mystery numbering........It looks like it might be a MKIX?
Gee
Bee R-1
From a sheer size, finish and engineering point of
view, this must have been the most spectacular aircraft at Shepparton in '97. Based on the
very unusual design 1930's racer, everybody at the event stopped to watch this model take
to the sky and it flew very well. The bottom picture shows some of the home built engine,
a feat in itself to build.
Want to see another Gee Bee of this size? Check
out Shepparton '96 civil page.
Bristol
Beaufighter
Again, beautifully presented, I was disappointed
not to see this model fly the day I was there. Maybe it's a hangar queen!
Heinkel
He219 -Night Fighter
Although I have photos of this model on the Shepparton '96 page, I couldn't resist an opportunity to get a
close-up of this amazing twin engined model. This model was built by the renowned Brian
Johnson. At a club meeting in February, he gave us a very informative insight into his
methods of building as well as giving us preview of his latest project, A 109"
wingspan Douglas A-26 Invader. We might see it at 1998's gathering.
Gee Bee
This is another Gee Bee but of a different model to
the one shown above. This model has been involved in the Thompson Trophy style Golden Era
pylon racing that has been gaining popularity in Southern Australia.
Extra
300
Laird
Turner
Another 1930's style racer. All I can say is that
this immaculate model goes like a bullet. It is absolutely ballistic for a model of this
size. On a closer look at this model, the detail is staggering |
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