Airfield Tractors Standard N Mod. 1938
MiniArt 50001

Air Support on the Ground

This model depicts Standard N Mod. 1938 airfield tractors, used to service aircraft at British airfields during World War II. The box contains two detailed tractor models, which can be an interesting addition to airfield dioramas and scenes depicting everyday aircraft maintenance. The set also includes photo-etched parts and decals allowing for several marking options.

Kit Features

• Two Standard N Mod. 1938,
• detailed chassis, engine, and tractor attachments,
• photo-etched parts for increased detail,
• decals with markings and registration numbers,
• various variants used by the RAF can be produced.

History

The Standard N was one of the tractors manufactured by Fordson, a subsidiary of the Ford Group. Its design was derived from agricultural tractors, which, thanks to their simple construction, good availability, and ability to work with a variety of equipment, found applications outside of agriculture.

In the period before World War II and during the war, tractors of this type were used at airports to perform a range of aircraft maintenance tasks. They could be used, among other things, to move equipment and perform auxiliary work on the apron. Their presence was particularly important at a time when efficient ground handling of aircraft had a direct impact on the speed at which aircraft were prepared for subsequent flights.

The Standard N Mod. 1938 model is well suited to depicting a British airfield in the early years of the war. The included marking variants refer to RAF units stationed in the UK and air bases in France, among other things. This allows both tractors to be used as part of a larger diorama depicting airfield life during World War II.

Available livery and markings

1. 19th Squadron RAF, Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, UK, autumn 1940 – tractor with registration number JME 747.
2. RAF 10th Operational Training Unit, Abingdon, Berkshire, UK, summer 1940 – tractor with registration number HMT 400.
3. RAF 102nd Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, UK, March 1940 – tractor with registration number EHX 746.
4. 19th Squadron RAF, Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, Great Britain, autumn 1940 – tractor with registration number JME 720.
5. RAF 102nd Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, Great Britain, March 1940 – tractor with registration number JMV 372.
6. RAF, Northern France, winter 1939–1940 – tractor with registration number HMP 448.

The kit includes two tractor models and a decal sheet, allowing you to create pairs of vehicles with different markings. The manufacturer also states that photo-etched parts are included in the kit.