Jump to content

1/35th Crossley 25/30hp 1919 Aviation Wagon


mecanix

Recommended Posts

This gallant band of men are from the Royal Irish Constabulary and they are patroling the Irish countryside during the Anglo-Irish War 1919-1921

in an early type of guntruck, a Crossley Aviation Wagon. This war was one of the first Urban/rural guerilla wars in which motor vehicles, ambush,roadside bomb

and the gun truck/APC were common. By 1919 several thousand reconditioned and surplus vehicles from ex-RFC stocks were in service with the Crown Forces in Ireland.

CrossleyTender9.jpg

The Aviation Wagon, Staff Car and more well known, at least to devoted readers of the annals of Maj James Bigglesworth DFC,RFC, Crossley Tender were produced in their thousands by Crossley at their Stockport Plant,near Manchester.Every RFC and RNAS squadron had at least 10 on strength, I believe.

As there is no kit, except diecasts, it needs to be built from scratch. Vehicles of this era had distinctive radiators and suspensions, so I started with them.

If that was right, the rest should hopefully follow.

6dbc080a.jpg

8ca23b0b-1.jpg

6e808b02.jpg

9b5345e4.jpg

The basic chassis.

f5f7eb9c.jpg

With gearbox,radiator, fuel tank and wheels temporarily added. The wheels are from a Resicast Rolls Royce Armoured car. They are 1mm larger than they should be but what the heck.

Engine, transmission and drive shaft added.

82cbbcc9.jpg

40c0ff7d.jpg

2adfbdd7.jpg

a6cf7761.jpg

f283bfc4.jpg

Finally the bonnet.

5cb22f5d.jpg

1e33b699.jpg

regards

Edited by mecanix
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So far work on the drivers compartment floor and the rear compartment.

The wood is ship modellers strip planking stuck onto 5 thou plasticard.

I believe nothing looks like wood as real wood.

55a90563.jpg

f9a0586d.jpg

5cf5b53b.jpg

1e5bab87.jpg

6ff87b60.jpg

thank you Robert but sadly no full load of constables, well maybe just one.

regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rear passenger deck complete.

05a5c545.jpg

Some of the smaller fixtures and fittings. Mudguards and the binicle.

1e03abde.jpg

Drivers seat cushion, 60thou plasticard wrapped in clingfilm to give it a used look when painted and three evenly spaced dress-pin heads.

5ed79e78.jpg

Headlight and mounting bracket.

88372ed3.jpg

ExRAF I think you are right, military vehicles of this vintage have lots of quirks and character.

regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Basically the build phase is finished.

8f5e8428.jpg

6d8f4d38.jpg

d2cf8295.jpg

bd581270.jpg

297f855b.jpg

ffa23564.jpg

Pyro, yes they are from Mil Mod May 1980. please PM me if you want a copy.Vehicles of this vintage tend to be

largely uncomplicated shapes and tend to be quite straight-forward to build, in my opinion. Next the paint shop.

Thank you Sean.

regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know it's Irish but isn't the 'L' and 'R' on the wrong sides.... :P

Fantastic work BTW... it is always nice to see some Irish service vehiles as they are so rare.... look forward to seeing the painting.

Edited by Séan Pádraig
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A simple battered paint job, Humbrol kharki base with Tamiya Buff and pastel staining.

The wood fittings were distressed with a sharp Swann-Morton and a paper nail file

9e2ef4c9.jpg

dbe821a1.jpg

3b0012fc.jpg

1aaa5207.jpg

a1bb3ff1.jpg

73a86582.jpg

Added to a Lancia Armoured lorry, Henry St/ O'Connell St, July 4th 1921

0554d127.jpg

a1876fc6.jpg

8e33c720.jpg

Gentlemen, thank you for your kind words.

regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mecanix,

WOW very impressive my friend.Are you working from drawings or photos? Love seeing vehicles of this era being built.

Highest Regards,

Gregory Jouette

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...