Alex1978 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 I found this ages old kit on a fleamarket in my hometown for a bargain.All parts were still in the plasticbag and thus complete.The decal sheet however didn't made it through the years,means,it was totally unusable. Research on the net showed that Airfix re-released this kit somewhere in 1996 with a very nice decal set that included the blue cheatline as well.But that kit was already high priced on some auction platform,so buying another Airfix kit was not an option. A quick e-mail to Airfix got me a very fast and friendly response,although their answer was that they don't have the decal set anymore.So replacement from Airfix was also not possible. Further research showed that Revell issued the Rotodyne as well and re-released it as well under the 50 years Revell anniversary boxing. Revell's Rotodyne comes in the very unusual scale of 1/78 ?... but it has a very nice decal set and the price was right. I made a copy of this decal set so was able to use some parts for the Airfix kit such as the names and logos. The blue stripes I had to apply by airbrush and for the white lines I used white decal stripes. Paints used:Tamyia Pure white from a spray can,Revell Blue 51 for the cheatlines,Revell matt black for the propellers,Testors grey and metallics for the rest.Sealed everything with Testors metallic sealer.The cabin windows were filled with Krystal Klear. The Airfix kit is,for its age, very well detailed with 100+ parts but the fit is rather poor in most places. As all doors can/could be opened,its a pitty that the model has absolutely no interior.Only a simplistic cockpit is there together with two pilot figures,who look pretty unmotivated...Nevertheless,I put them in the cockpit as the large cockpit windows allow some insight.I glued all doors in closed position as the mechanism looks very toyish. I worked on the Rotodyne since last summer and got it over the finishing line during last weekend. I added some details on the rotor as it looked very basic compared to the Revell kit.The Revell Rotodyne even features a complete interior which makes this kit a nice comparison next to the Airfix. Sadly I miscalculated the weight,so the Rotodyne is a tailsitter.Because of that I have to place it on a display stand.As the gear is retractable I was able to simulate a take off. It was a very time consuming build,not perfect,but I am happy to have this rather unusual aircraft in my collection. The Revell Rotodyne will be build another time The Rotodyne was a very interesting project,that sadly never made it out of prototype status.It could be somehow called the grandfather of todays MV-22 Osprey. If some more information is required... http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/fairey_rotodyne.php Here some pics of the Airfix Rotodyne, Sorry for the average quality,the lighting was not the best and the model is pretty difficult to photograph due to the Rotodyne's special layout. cheers 47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huvut76g7gbbui7 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Very nice. Sad that they scrapped it,a complete one would have looked great at The Helicopter Museum rather than just a couple of bits. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircraftkit Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Very nice, I like that a lot. Really good looking finish that you've achieved; well done ! Not often that you see the venerable Airfix Rotodyne made up, especially as well as this. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 A lovely build, well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Very, very nice. Just goes to show that old kits can look awesome with a bit of work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepboy Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Nice stand too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Must be 'Old kits made well' day... another kit from me childhood, looking very good.... Cheers Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 That's a fine piece of work.Pity it's not a easily available kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Scimitar said: Very nice. Sad that they scrapped it,a complete one would have looked great at The Helicopter Museum rather than just a couple of bits. Thank you very much.Yes,its a real pitty that they did not preserve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Very nicely made model - especially considering its age - I am another who remembers this from their childhood days! P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Great looking build. Scrubbed up well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 You've done a grand job with this. Yet another shinning example of what can be done with an old kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brown Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Pure loveliness! well done! Rick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Rhodes Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Something not often seen, very nice work! Darren 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Back in the day I remember making this kit,not as good as yours though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basuroy Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Such an unusual model ! I just love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansReggelsen Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Wow! I hope I don't insult you by saying that it looks like a modern model! You've certainly made the most of it. I have the same kit and I can only hope that mine will be half as good! Cheers Hans J 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFlyHalf Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Gosh, I remember seeing and hearing the real thing whistling and thumping its way overhead our primary school when I was but a nipper! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1978 Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 Thank you everyone for the nice replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzyman69 Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I also agree with all the above. Good design, unusual model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallBlondJohn Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Excellent result from what must have been a tricky build. The photographs look fine too. A fascinating machine, but the 'unmotivated' pilots have probably passed out from the noise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Great build, I love it! Martian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hello,Alex - Well,you've worked wonders with this true golden age Airfix classic.Beautifully built and finished,this is a spectacular model and a resplendent tribute to the type. 😉👍 All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Most pleasant on the eye. Lovely job! Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey m Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I love to see the old classics done well,,,,,,,,,,,,good job Alex Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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