LDSModeller

Hi All, Another segment to my Build. Please note I will add a link for any photos I post just in case you can't see the Photo Bucket one This week I have been busy "manufacturing portholes from sprue as below First off drilling out the centre to create the porthole (using 1.6mm drill), and when set re-drilled to 2mm (actual size is 1.98mm) which equates to 30.5cm in actual 1:1 size. Photo Link I'm glad the skills I learned in School wood working shop class turning wood, can be scaled down Photo Link Measuring to get 2.4mm with my calipers (The 2.4mm is outer dimension which equates to 37.5cm in 1:1 size) Photo Link I have done the Starboard side, you can see where I have added the tooled sprue to the aft potholes, the white sprue you see, is to block the hole for the beaching gear pin, and note the filled in Bomb Bay door windows to move the doors forward (too far aft like Airfix kit) Photo Link I have created a Bomb Bay door template to scribe in the new doors in correct position Photo Link Just a piece of Technical info, from Sunderland manual and Bomb Bay door dimensions Photo Link For those interested My Airfix Sunderland build link showing how I dealt with the Portholes and bomb bay doors Airfix Sunderland More soon, hope you enjoy, and thanks for stopping by Regards Alan

Hi Simon, From two AMO's on the Flying boats If you look at these photo links of RAF 230 Sqn aircraft based at Egypt you will see the Temperate Sea Scheme, no black 230 Sqn Sunderland Mk I 230 Sqn Sunderland Mk I As to the comments in above posts on Natural Metal, especially on the planing bottom, ALL Sunderland's were painted from the keel up to the loaded Draft depth of the water line, with a "Lanolin Based" water proofing paint - generally clear at first, then changed to a light grey. And as to Natural metal Sunderland's operating - The RNZAF at the end of WWII stripped its 4 MK III Sunderland's down to bare metal, and operated them for some years this way - see photo from my collection RNZAF MK III Sunderland Natural metal Regards Alan

Hi Rob, You didn't specify F4U-1A Repaint, F4U-1D or FG-1D? Being Black & White, bit more difficult, but hopefully this will help GSB RNZAF Corsair GSB Corsair RNZAF FG-1D RNZAF FG-1D Colour Profile Regards Alan

Bear in Mind Gents, that the Italeri Kits (Mk I/III) have their Own "Accuracy" Issues -and that's not the Trench panel lines or "Fictitious" Riveting...... Regards Alan

Hi Guys, Have added links into my post for the photos, so you can see them HTH Alan

Hi All, Thank you for your comments Well it's 19:32 hours, Saturday Sept 2 here in New Zealand, time for a quick update I always like to add in some historic/technical info with my builds, so here are some shots from a Mk V Manual, I own, and as you look at the Photos you will see it was at RNZAF Lauthala Bay, so my Dad most likely used it. Some of the pages Cockpit/Flight Deck Upper Hatch over Flight Deck - Been up through that when our Sunderland's were in Service This one always gets a smile from me, Bilging the float while afloat, you have to wonder what that chappy did to end up here All Sunderland's had to obey Maritime Law while on the water -Hence the Mooring Light Manual Photo Links Manual 1 Manual 2 Manual 3 Manual 4 Manual 5 Manual 6 Manual 7 Manual 8 Onto the Model - this what I would like to end up with Sunderland in Braby Using some spare Balsa, I measured up to see how the model will sit in the Braby Braby Sanded off the fuselage rivets Rivets Areas I need to address - The Kader kit suffers from the same issue the Airfix kit does with the forward edge of the Bomb Bay door too far back - need to add in the Beam gun hatches also Areas to fix Need to add in the Hump where the upper turret once sat Dorsal hump More to follow soon - Hope you enjoy Regards Alan

Hi Ray, I do have other Flying boats/Seaplanes kits (Martin SP-5M Marlin/Grumman Hu16 Albatross/Curtiss Seahawk/Catalina etc), but with my glacial build rate, I figured this would be the easiest option to actually finish the GB. Should I finish with time to spare, maybe the Martin Marlin...... Regards Alan

Hi All, Only a few days to go, and the GB kicks off officially. My entry will be a a Lincoln/Kader Kit 1/154 scale, my choice of size means within the four months, I should finish, as opposed to 1/72 scale. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the retirement of the Sunderland from RNZAF service, after some 22 years of service (both Mk III and MR5) starting in 1944 with the brand new Mk III Sunderland transports arriving from Britain, to the later arrival of the MR5's early 1950's. The Sunderland's served both with No's 5 & 6 Squadrons, eventually just 5 Squadron. My Dad served with 5 Squadron both at RNZAF Lauthala Bay Fiji (spelt Lacala in Fijian, but pronounced Lauthala), and RNZAF Base Hobsonville (here in Auckland). My Dad introduced me to these grand Ladies at a young age, taking me on board a number of times, and I was privileged to see and do things that aviation buffs can only dream of today My Dad was always willing to pass on his technical knowledge, and after many discussions with him and others who served on the Sunderland, I have built up quite a knowledge base of the Sunderland and how she worked Today not much remains of both bases, but my memories are bright and great, as is my love for this aircraft. Lauthala Bay was the epitome of all things Flying Boat and South Seas Islands - This movie clip recently became available posted by Dave Homewood of RNZAF Proboards, of Lauthala Bay - the music is cheesy and OSH would have a heart attack today, but hey it was the 60's Many of the scenes in the movie, were similar/same as the slides we used to watch as children from Dad's time at Lauthala Bay - By the way the cheesy "Isa Lei" song is actually a Fijian farewell song sung at ship departures usually. On to the model - Ignore the Box art Required Model photos - this is really just the Airfix kit reduced in size Airfix kit and Kader size comparison Clear parts Instructions Kit Decals - I won't be touching these....... Will go with a set of Oldmodel decals designed interestingly enough for this scale http://www.oldmodelsdecals.com/442_500_csupload_68482816.jpg?u=721011540 Hope you enjoy, and see you in a few days regards Alan

Hi Neil, The remaining Sunderland's in the RNZAF Inventory were respectfully retired between Jan and May 1967. NZ4107 being the last RNZAF Sunderland MR5 to fly from RNZAF Lauthala Bay, Fiji, early April 1967, she was out of the water by end of April - beginning May 1967, and struck off charge May 3 1967, thus ending the end of the Sunderland era with the RNZAF and New Zealand 4 Sunderland's were to remain as "Preserved" including NZ4115 here at MOTAT (fully functioning and flyable when presented in 1967). Sadly only NZ4115 and NZ4108 (Sunderland in Kermit Weeks collection) remain as whole aircraft today. Regards Alan

Hi John, Yes, Individual WIP threads for each build by each participant. Generally a Special thread for RFI is created by the GB Moderators, where everyone shows photos of their completed builds. HTH? Regards Alan

Always nice to see a Sunderland build For your first video, re your "spot"of History as an FYI, the last Military Sunderland's actually retired in 1967 (RNZAF MR5's) Regards Alan

Hi Graham, This link shows the main gear silver Beaching Gear From an RNZAF Sunderland Note the Light Grey https://goo.gl/i2dqCk https://goo.gl/z6FZRK Beaching Trolly - Note I have seen the flotation blocks on these painted Red and Green for Port & Starboard https://goo.gl/Q4D2PA Short Solent (same type of Beaching gear as Sunderland) - note black colour https://goo.gl/Hp34WS Hope that helps Regards Alan

Hi Jaime, Apologies for getting back to you later than I would have liked. Differences in the Sunderland marks (Bare Basics here) As a constant, the bow section, lower deck -Toilet (strbdside)/Cloak room (portside), Wardroom/Galley/Bomb bay/Rear ward room remained much the same during all Marks (slight differences in equipment). Flight deck - 1st Pilots (Port) 2nd Pilot (Strbd)/ Radio operators station/Navigators station/Flight Engineers Station stayed in the same positions during all marks. Addition of ASV Stations all marks, Drogue stations same All had 10 Portholes Starboard side lower section, 9 Portholes Port side lower section (forward of bomb bay) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Yff6LKWML1MW9ZTFowZlJhdjQ/view?usp=sharing For the Italeri Sunderland's you will have add an extra porthole (1 in above diagram) Starboard side All Marks had 12Foot, 9 Inch Props Mk I and early Production Mk II - fuselage at base was slightly wider than Mk III/V. Unfaired step, 3 portholes aft of wing trailing edge VGO MG - front turret/Upper Beam stations, 4 MG turret at rear Inner Port Engine had exhaust passing through leading edge (went through boiler) and exited aft of leading edge Flight Deck Pilots seats were parachute seat type, Behind Radio Operators position was a Hot/Cold air mixer Mk II - Late production addition of Upper turret and mezzanine floor (roof over rear ward room), deletion of upper beam gun stations. newer 4 gun FN Turret at rear, deletion of exhaust through leading edge Both Mk I/II had flare dispensers located in rear ward room/camera for filming attacks Mk III - Bristol Pegasus Mk XVIII engines, fared step, addition of extra 2 fuel tanks aft of main wing spar, deletion of 1 porthole aft of trailing edge, and upper flight deck, Seat cushions for pilots, Change in Inst panel, addition of Glycol tank aft of flight engineers station, retention of mezzanine floor/upper turret. Change in Navigators station equipment/Radio Operators equipment/addition of electrical equipment across from Flight Engineer Deletion of Flight Engineers astrodome access ladder/additional equipment on flight deck, deletion of flare/ camera station in rear ward room, and addition of flare chute aft of rear hatch/door Starboard side Circa 1944 addition of fixed forward guns (UK based Sunderland's only). Also about this time deletion of Upper turret and replaced with hatch Mk IIIa - Addition of FN5B Mk2 turret in bow, and four gun FN4B Mk2 turret rear. Retention/deletion of upper turret, Bomb bay doors 2 or three portholes, addition of Mk VI ASV radar and domes under wings. Mk V early - Much the same as Mk III a, except with 2 porthole bomb bay doors retention/deletion of upper turret/ Sonobouy station, and addition of GPI (Ground Position Indicator) station directly behind 1st pilot Mk V/MR5 - Much the same as Mk V, except Upper turret deleted and hatch in place, addition of beam gun positions aft of training edge and hatchs/ports for guns - change in rear decking with addition of Beam positions Please note the above is each mark in a nutshell and not comprehensive To answer you query on the cross bar, I hunted through the Mk I/II and Mk III manuals I have, and as you can see in the attached diagram form Mk III M&E manual, no mention of removal of cross bar https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Yff6LKWML1UVNtRTVsZE0zeXc/view?usp=sharing As far as Eduard goes, I think bad research, misinformation on the net (Just read Wiki on the Sunderland), Erroneous Modelling articles, I can think of one in particular, and the list goes on.......... Regards Alan

Hi Jaime I'll have to go back and re-do the photos in my build........ As far as a "Resource" there is really no one place and even if you do have access, knowing what to look for and what's not right is not always apparent. I'm quite lucky in that I have manuals for the Mk I/II, Mk III,Mk V Sunderland's and many discussions with my father who maintained RNZAF Sunderland's on many technical things on the Sunderland (like the twin 12 and 24 volt electrical systems) The Port holes - the Eduard product does NOT exist on any real life Sunderland Eduard Photo Link Eduard Portholes Real Sunderland Portholes - you can see there are NO rings around the non opening Portholes As in the link below, you can accomplish an easier solution by simply filling in the Non Opening ports, and leave the ones that do, they should suit the scale effect Italeri Sunderland portholes If you need to know which open and which don't let me know Inspection covers (lots of little dots) In Real life do not sit "Proud" of the Skin Italeri Kit Photo link Inspection covers Real Sunderland Inspection hole covers - note how they are "Flush" with the skin This page from the Sunderland Mk III manual shows the inspection covers for the Wing, note there is in this illustration, NO cross bar across the fuel tank covers Sunderland Wing Inspection holes Bomb Trolly tracks under the wings _ Italeri shows them to be open - fine if you wish to display trollies out under the wings Eduard bomb tracks Bomb Trolly tracks Sunderland in real life - Note, when not in use metal strips cover the tracks - you can see them partially open in this photo Fuel Tank covers - again in real life the covers as shown by this Eduard Link don't exist or sit "Proud" of the wing surface Eduard Fuel tank covers Eduard Fuel tank Covers Photo of Fuel Tank covers on a Mk I Sunderland wing Sunderland Wing tank covers Unfortunately there are times where illustrations can mis-lead, but not necessarily show whats actual, as in this Wing tank illustration from a Sunderland/ Sandringham manual Sunderland Manual Wings Hope that helps? Regards Alan

Hi Paul, Allan King, the Author of Wings on Windermere ( I too have the book) is one of the very few people (other than those who flew/maintained them) whose opinion I respect on Sunderland's. Very knowledgeable and has a truck load of Sunderland Photos, and very happy to share his expertise - Re the anodising/painting, my father made the same comments to me during discussions we had on the RNZAF Sunderland's, he maintained while in 5 Squadron. Regards Alan Hi Steve, Bear in mind, that NZ4115 was not a "Restored" Aircraft when presented to MOTAT here in Auckland in 1967. NZ4115 was taken straight from operational service, so was fully operational (right down to stove in galley) and in flying condition (though my dad told me the engines had been inhibited) What paint she was wearing at time of retirement was what she wore when going to MOTAT. Certainty over the years, she has had touch ups exterior wise, and the odd bit interior wise to stop corrosion, but she has still original paint as in these photos. Note the bow deck roof - original colours https://goo.gl/photos/mEnWcXfov5xhgv737 The pilots seating - Original colours https://goo.gl/photos/PP4cRvrGrpm7iAnz5 Upper hatch (Rear) over Mezzanine floor/Crew Ward room roof -original paint https://goo.gl/photos/FGp8u8G3ur27Jc9n9 When it came to painting, in areas where water (sea water especially) would be prevalent the grey green paint/primer was used as in these photos Drogue container/holder (galley) https://goo.gl/photos/AdPf86pEnube5QJs7 Bow decking and Bollard https://goo.gl/photos/9YGSMiaVsNAsqQbw7 And even the men's room............ https://goo.gl/photos/fQKXPVxinVFfcqPf9 From a personal perspective, I certainly recall on boarding Sunderland's (a number of times) moored in the Braby at Hobsonville, and going through the forward main hatch, the decking being green. Going up through the upper flight engineers hatch above the flight deck, the surrounds being green also. And to show how sturdy the Sunderland airframe was - note Natural metal skinning on this RNZAF Mk III, post WWII (one of four brand new Mk III Sunderland Transports received late 1944). https://goo.gl/photos/8HcgJqNpD6qdQSPY7 Regards Alan