LIFTING OFF OUT OF LOCKDOWN - BUF AIRFORCE

Well, at some point we all (in the real world) will get out of lockdown - hopefully in time for a (slightly delayed) Spring Big Game 2021! Back in the world of the Hereford1938 Very British Civil War, the British Union of Fascists have been first to take advantage of the "2020 Modelling Challenge" ("Aircraft and Anti-Everything") with a display of airpower lifting off "at a strategic site out of County", thought to be the Gloster Aircraft Works at Hucclecote, Gloucestershire:

A flight of BUF Vickers Venom interceptor aircraft. The timing and demands of the Civil War 

caused the Venom to be favoured over the more complicated and expensive Spitfire, and 

even the rugged Hurricane. See HERE for an explanation and brief history of this

 iconic - if scarcely remembered - VBCW type.

A full BUF Squadron of Venoms line up for inspection. Vickers turned out hundreds of these 
aircraft over the course of the Civil War. The BUF's pilots were recruited either from
the civil aviation sector, or via the BUF's many "gliding clubs", with a relatively few
senior officers being directly transferred from the RAF (often, but not always, under protest).

A half Squadron of BUF ground attack aircraft - the Mongrel day bomber. Developed by Sir Reginald B'Stard, the
 famous (in his day) aircraft designer, these have been identified as characteristically "square tailed" Mk.II(G) types,
of course indicating manufacture by Messrs. Woolworths & Woolworths of Enfield.
 A potted history of their design can be found HERE

Lift off! Mongrel Day Bombers fly out of Hucclecote Landing Strip.
(Wargamers Note - bases from tops of Tesco coffee jars (small) weighted
with cheap WH Smith modelling clay, stands from bamboo barbecue skewers.
Even these 'cheapskate' bases plus costs of paint came close to being more
expensive than the aircraft models themselves....)

The complete BUF airforce in late afternoon flight (or forest of bamboo skewers).The Mongrel day bombers
take the lead, with 'top cover' being provided by the Vickers Venoms. The two 'weavers' or 'tail end Charlies'
bring up the rear at a slightly higher altitude, as per best RAF early war practice. It is thought that this was
a training flight rather than a battlefield mission.

Next up - the "Red" Air Force and Royal Air Force.....