bristol boy Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Completed this Sanger Bristol Bombay a few Months ag and got around to some photos this weekend. It's my first vacform and last for a while until my stress levels come down. Not sure of the percentage of filler compared to plastic but it's quite high! The model represents a Bombay in use in 1942 as an Air Ambulance in North Africa and Sicily, based on photographic evidence and research, I am grateful to all those on the Key Publishing Historic Aircraft Forum that contributed to my plea for information. Like all vacforms the kit is basic so most of the details are sratchbuilt additions, as is the interior and all the landing gear, struts etc. All comments welcome. 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Wow! That's a rare sight. Well done, you clearly are not afraid of a big challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I have the Sanger HP Harrow, and frankly think it absolutely awful, so I have some limited understanding of what you've been through. It must be said that most vacforms are considerably better than the Contrail/Sanger productions, but nobody else did a Bombay. That's an interesting photo showing what appears to be a couple of Austin K2 ambulances (as in the Airfix kit), as it was recently said on this board that the RAF didn't operate such. The same body was used on other chassis, but they look like Austin fronts. Maybe the RAF didn't operate them in the UK... or perhaps there was just less demarcation on the front line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Very nice vacform build and a rare model at that, as Tom would say welcome to the dark side 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 What an eye-catching and unusual model Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks for your interest, as this is my only vacform to date I can't say how it compares but I've heard others say Sangers are particularly bad. Will the Valom version ever appear? The photo with the ambulances would make a great diorama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Great looking kit, I hope to finish up a few of my starters this coming year. Nice effort for a first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyinoz Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 very nice,,,well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael louey Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Great build BB - I would never have guessed there were so many problems with the kit from the end result. I have a ?Contrail 1/72 kit to build in this scheme - I hope the proposed Valom kit is accurate and well fitting. Cheers Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Absolutely wizard job old bean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Smasher! I didn't know there were vacforms any more - lovely build, and a very unusual subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 That really is a beaut and you`ve done it in the scheme which I`ve chosen for my Valom Bombay when it is released! Lovely scheme isn`t it? The fuselage red cross marking on some of them had working for the Australian Air Ambulance Unit along the inside of the white circle. You are a very brave person and my had goes off to you for a fantastic model, Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Lovely build, but heavens, it's an ugly aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Fantastic effort! It would look even better in a diorama with an Airfix Austin ambulance. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 nice job .looks great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Smashing result from a very difficult collection of parts. I've been hanging on and hanging on for the Valom kit. I'm begining to wonder if I will shuffle off this mortal coil before it ever appears. I have been tempted by the Sanger Bombay but your experience seems to justify my decision of NOT acquiring said product. Come on Valom - you've been keeping is Bombay (and Harrow) fans waiting way too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Fantastic model,a rare sight but very welcome,hats of to anyone with the skills to tackle vacforms! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) Sorry, but this is an over-stated myth. Many vac forms need little if any more skill than injected plastic kits. Yes, you do have to cut out the parts from the backing sheet, and spend a bit if time cleaning up joins, but the latter skill is required by many an injected kit! The suggestion that much greater skills (such as what?) are required come from those who haven't tried - or perhaps those who have tried one of the bad ones. Such as Contrail/Sanger - but even then what it takes is not extra skills but hard work applying the standard ones and a generous supply of patience.And if you do have to stretch yourself a bit, is this necessarily a bad thing? There's nothing to be learned from a vacform that can't be applied to standard kits. Edited November 18, 2014 by Graham Boak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 Graham, I agree with you it's more about patience than skill, oh and a good supply of filler. As this is my first it took ages, about 6 months although that's partly down to available time. The most annoying parts of this kit is the need to cut a recess in the one price wings so they sit like a saddle over the fuselage. Lots of trial and plenty of error! The supplied landing gear was also useless, mainly because there was only one set on the sheets. I will do more vacs in time, I have a Classic Planes Bristol Racer in the drawer, now that is an ugly plane! I'll post a few progress shots of the Bombay when I get a chance. Thanks for all the supportive comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbru1 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Great to see a rare Bristol type built. Excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Superb modelling with an excellent result, top job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Superbly done, a credit to you. You might shame me into dragging my Dynavector Wyvern out of the stalled pile. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Very nice. You have done a great job on that old vacform. Quite a challenge for your first one I would think. Great pictures of the original subject, and it stands up very well next to them. You can't ask for more than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wheels Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 A type that I need to complete my Shorts collection (built by them under contract) Although I'm not brave enough to tackle the Contrail kit ! Great to see one built Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Very well done - thanks for sacrificing yourself to make the Valom kit appear (:>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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