The Catapult Squadrons ...Kalafrana Sea Base Malta 1939

[louis Carabott]

This is another Diorama 1/72 scale with a story to it.... When WWII was looming , The British Admiralty decided to create 

three recce squadrons namely 701, 711 and 713 squadrons and base them in Malta, which was a British colony and smack 

in the middle of the Mediterranean, which was a very important and strategic position .

All aircraft Fairey IIIF's and Osprey seaplanes  were all previously based on battleships mainly using catapult launchings from their main gun turrets .

This Diorama depicts the inauguration of these squadrons by the rear Admiral of the fleet at that time in 1939.

It features Royal Navy....Royal Marines and RAF personnel based in Malta..... with a detachment of Malta Police cavalry to 

escort the Rear Admiral to the Malta Governor after the ceremony .All figures were casted from different master figures in 1/72 scale.

The Hangar is scratch built . There is also a Walrus and a Swordfish with floats accompanying the Rear Admiral 

All information was gathered from old photographs and The Royal Navy Archives . I tried to be faithful as can be plus a small 

dose of imagination.

This project took nearly 3 years to complete and is now housed at The Malta Aircraft Museum  

[Jim B]

Awesome diorama.  Very well done.

[TarheelRick]

That is some very beautiful, intricate work. At that scale it would have taken me three years just to complete a couple of the planes. The addition of the coal barges adds a nice touch.

[Mike 1017]

Another Masterpiece. The Marching Band is so KOOL. How many figures are on your diorama?

Mike

[Hi-Po]

Totally awesome diorama!!

[espo]

Amazing attention to details on every part of this diorama. 

[shoopdog]

All I can say is, WOW!

[PappyD340]

On 5/6/2024 at 3:23 PM, Jim B said:

Awesome diorama.  Very well done.

Yes indeed!!

[louis Carabott]

On 5/7/2024 at 4:06 PM, Mike 1017 said:

Another Masterpiece. The Marching Band is so KOOL. How many figures are on your diorama?

Mike

Built it a while ago ....but I think it's a 100 plus 

[TonyK]

I'm speechless. Such amazing work.

[slusher]

Absolutely amazing !

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

Love it!

[Gord55]

Truly Impressive! 

I assume the IIIF's are the Kora kit?

Cheers,

Gord

[louis Carabott]

14 hours ago, Gord55 said:

Truly Impressive! 

I assume the IIIF's are the Kora kit?

Cheers,

Gord

Can';t remember now this was built in 1998 ...If I remember correctly they were vacform kits ...thanks for your kind comments Gordon