Vickers/CASA type 245 Spanish Vildebeest float plane

Vickers Vildebeest was RAF's land torpedo bomber version. Spain was interested in this machine since it would fit its Navy Air Force's needs. Spain required installation of Hispano-Suiza 12L in-line engine with 600 Hp (448 kW) power output. According to the Spanish specifications, Vickers designed new version designated Type 245. Two prototypes were built and trialed in Britain. Both were designed with exchangeable wheel or float undercarriage. Spain purchased both prototypes and license production for 25 machines to be produced in CASA Company in Getafa. Republican Air Force used mainly wheeled Vildebeest version but also two machines equipped with floats. These two machines were assigned to Grupo 73 and served for Spanish Coastal patrols. They received codes T-16 and T-17, respectively. Only two Vildebeests survived the war, one of them was equipped with floats. The kit of this interesting machine contains plastic parts, resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer markings for T-16 overall in aluminum color with unit emblem on both sides of the fuselage and markings for T-17 that featured almost surreal wavelet camouflage pattern.