Modellers Page

Over the years researching 213 Squadron and its history I have come across various model and decal suppliers featuring 213 Squadron Aircraft. Where possible I have included the model and decals available with built examples and links to builders websites along with any other information that may be helpful.

This page has been created to give modellers interested in creating a 213 Aircraft an idea of what's available. I would recommend you check for decals and models at

My sincerest thanks to all modellers whos works of art are represented here.

Squadrons Aircraft in Historical Sequence

( click on the picture)

I have found two examples of the Canberra and both were designed, by the Companies concerned, to be WT103 of 213 Squadron. As such they come complete with the correct decal livery. The first is quite an old plastic kit by Airfix produced in the 70's. It can still be found fairly often on Auction sites such as Ebay and at Toy Fairs and Air Shows. I have never seen a photograph of a completed example. You can just see the Hornet on the tail. Prices usually around £ 5-10

The second example is a Vacform model from Aeroclub. Unlike Airfix, in a vac form model, the fuselarge, wings etc all come on a pressed plastic sheet that needs care to cut, sand and fit. The benefit with Vacform is, because the plastic is thinner, you get better detail and more true scale trailing edges. The Aeroclub Canberra costs around £ 40 so its not a kit for the inexperienced.

Before I get into the models etc concerning the Vampire I must bring your attention to a truly amazing website, Silver Wings.co.uk. It is the work of a gentleman called Peter Bratt who specializes in 3D art compiled completely on a computer. The picture above is a fine example of his work featuring a 213 Squadron Vampire.

I highly recommend you take a look and be enthralled.

There are several manufacturers that produced various mk's of Vampire. I prefer to work in 1:48 scale but 1:72 scale are also available, although all the decals I show here are 1:48. Here are just two but a quick search in your favourite search engine or auction site will turn up a model i'm sure

So, youve purchased your Vampire. To show it as a 213 Squadron vampire you are going to need the correct decals... your in luck because there is a decal sheet manufacturer that has produced the very thing. Xtradecal sheet number X017-48

There are quite a few manufacturers that made 1:72 scale Tempests and although they are no longer in production they are still fairly easy to find. The Squadron were equiped with the earlier Mk V and I have only come across 1 in 1:48 scale from Eduard, although they produced early and late variants

Dutch Decals K4/9 have made a set of decals that depict various aircraft one of which is a 213 Tempest showing the pre war arrowhead and Hornet on the chin cowl and a Squadron crest on the Tail fin. I must admit I have never seen a photograph of a real aircraft in these markings but have no reason to doubt the markings authenticity.

The Tempest F Mark IV with which the Squadron was equipped was in fact the tropicalised version of the MarkV. The essential modification was the removal of the oil-cooler from the aircraft's chin radiator and its relocation in the starboard mainplane, leaving the chin radiator solely for engine cooling.

Towards the end of the war the ageing Hurricanes were replaced with Spifires and North American Mustangs. Spifire models are readily available as are Mustangs but there are a few that are produced showing R.A.F. versions, Although, again, there are pictures of both camoflaged and natural metal versions showing the Squadron's designation letters AK. The Squadron had both the hinged and Malcolm hood versions. When the Squadron flew from Biferno, Italy, into the enemy terittory over Yugoslavia they were equipped with MK111 and MK1V Mustangs. I have never seen a 213 example so I will be building one and will add to this section in due course. It would be quite easy to build the RAF version and use other decal sheets to make up the AK letters.

Although the Squadron has flown several aircraft it was the Hawker Hurricane that became synonomous with 213 Squadron. Flown by the Squadron during their role with the B.E.F in the defense of France, covering the evacuation beaches of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain in the Mk1 and final posting to the Middle East equiped with the Hurricane 11c's. Their exploits behind enemy lines during the desert Campaign seemed to catch the model manufacturers attention and there are several models available, Mk11c's (Desert Hurricanes)which were produced complete with 213 Squadron Markings from Monogram, and Hasegawa but Hurricane models are still a very popular subject and are readily available in 1:72, 1:48 scales and even larger.

As you can see, both the models above come complete with "AK" decals to build a 213 Squadron example. However, the builder is not restricted to just these models if he want to build a 213 Squadron aircraft. There is one "special" version that is quite unique.

As part of the Desert Air Force the Squadron decided to "personalise" their aircraft with the addition of their beloved "Crabro" Hornet design painted in the middle of the fuselage roundel. Below is photographs of one of their aircraft recieving the Hornet treatment.

During this time there was a Canadian pilot serving in the Squadron called Bert Houle who achieved "Ace" status (although such titles were frowned upon by the RAF senior officers) Luckily no such modesty prevailed with Canadian decal manufacturers who produced a set of decals for three of their own Aces one of which was Bert. His decals are complete with a tiny Hornet to go into the middle of the roundel.

Below is a stunning example of a desert Hurricane complete with "Hornet" built by an excellent modeller,Hank Gruben. If you click on the picture you will go to his own page describing how he completed such a superb model. The finest model I have had the pleasure to see and it won Hank the IPMS Ottawa, Canada “Best Canadian subject” and “Best of Show”.

The Gloster Gauntet was, without doubt, the most difficult kit to find. I was aware the Aeroclub did make one but it is no longer in production. Although the Gauntlet was acclaimed as the finest "open cockpit fighter " the RAF had, equipping most of the fighter squadrons pre war, it was very soon replaced by the "Improved" version renamed the Gladiator. Gladiator models are fairly easy to find but if you were looking to build a Gauntlet? be prepared for a long hunt.

As all modellers will tell you, to make a truly authentic model requires some research on the subject. The better the research the better the model and many of the top modelers spend hours just researching the particular aircraft. Walk-arounds, cockpit layouts, typical weathering, armament etc just to make sure they "get it right". As part of my research I couldn't find any 213 specific decals but by sheer chance picked up an old back copy of Scale Avaition Modeller Magazine Volume 9 Issue 9 September 2003. because it had an indepth article on the Gauntlet by Richard J Caruana.

It was an excellent article and had a vast amount of information, scales, tech drawings that were a godsend. ( S.A.M is a superb publication for all modellers) As I reached the last page I was delighted to find two pages with artwork showing various Squadron markings. Low and behold there was a picture of a Gauntlet in 213 Squadron markings. So, as I couldn't find any 213 decals to suit I thought I would make my own

Now I had the paint scheme I could recreate the patterns in a graphics programme ( I have Paint Shop Pro installed) but found it much simpler and easier to use Microsoft paint.

Once I was satisfied I had the correct colours and shapes I could then resize the picture so that it matched the correct scale. There is a free programme available to download called Irfanview. I have been using this programme to resize and enhance graphics for several years ( every picture on the website has been resized and converted to JPG format using this excellent programme) Check it out.

So, now I had the right size picture for a decal, what next. Well I searched the web because I knew transfers were used extensively in the pottery industry so there must be a way. It took a few months but then I found an excellent Company called Crafty Computer Paper. (the link is at the bottom)

They produce a special paper that can be printed on by any inkjet printer. Then comes the magic bit. You need to give the paper a few coats of a special clear laquer spray, leave it to dry, cut out the decal, pop it in water and it behaves just like regular decals, they slide off the backing paper onto the model. Remarkable!

Crafty Computer paper do both a clear (transparent) or white background. If you are planing to place the decal on a coloured surface then make sure you use the white as the colours on these decals are "solid". Background colour will show through the clear type.

To complete this section all that is needed is the Sopwith Camel and the Sopwith baby float plane but I have yet to research these models. I will get back to this page in the fullness of time