Hang on folks, I'm probably wrong here, but when I first saw it I immediately thought the same about wrong livery for the version, but RAF Devons were initially C.Mk 1s, and then upgraded to C.Mk 2/2, the /2 bit denoting the bump in the cockpit roof - IIRC. This being done in the mid '60s.
Is it not possible some may have been painted in this later livery before the upgrade?
The previous Devon livery was, I think, that which currently adorns VP981, so I suppose Dereks current version could be repainted as such.
Yup Garry. If anything, one of the glass canopied versions would be more suitable to the C.1 as prior to the 2/2 conversion, they didn't have the enlarged cooler intake at the front of the engine nacelle. In fact, a shot I have here of a C1 shows it without the modified LH elevator too :shock: I'm not looking anymore in case I see something else!
Info I have on the conversions states that in 1965, 8 RAF Devons were re-engined to Dove 8 standard with the GQ175 by HS and at M.U's. Initially they retained the original Dove cockpit canopy, the raised Mk.8 type being installed later when they were redesignated Deven C Mk 2/2. I presume that this happened on an 'opportunity' basis
The model is painted with a red bar and triangle at the base of the rudder. This is a gust lock device, to prevent movement of the rudder when the aircraft is parked. This should NOT be present when the aircraft is taxiing / flying.