weemanreturns

Hi Jennings. Thanks very much for the attached mod drawings. Greatly appreciated. Regards. Andy

Hi Richard. I may have to 'hang fire' with the 'Condor' livery. We are going on holiday at the end of August, and are scheduled to fly in a Condor Thomson Boeing 757-300. But I have checked out Thomson on 'Wilkipaedia' and it says the airline is replacing the 757 with the Airbus 320 from 2012 (?), so I cannot now be certain of the aircraft. I will let you know in due course. Thanks for your help and comments. Regards. Andy

Well, I am flabergasted !!!! Thanks to you all who took the time to reply. Your help and advice is invaluable. I think I have enough info to proceed with my quest. All I need to find now is where I can obtain 1/144 Excel Airways decals, and also Condor Thomson as well. I built a Hasegawa 1/200 Boeing 767 and had to 'hand paint' the markings, and I would prefer a decal source. I will have to resort to hand painting if there is nothing else out there.

Hi Folks, Anyone got ideas if it is possible to convert a 1/144 767-300 to a 767-200. I want to build a representation of an Excel Airways aircraft I flew to Rhodes on. The only 767-200 I can find is by Hasegawa , but that is 1/200 scale which I do not want.

As I see it, as long as the finished kit looks like what it is supposed to be, then fine. I have no great interest in re-scribing, and do not bother if the panel lines are raised or otherwise. Kit builders have had to live with them for years. I think we expect too much from manufacturers these days, but, hey, I am one in millions and to see all the votes and comments, it is a very personal one as well.

Hi 'NavyBird'. Ha Ha. Nice one!!. I think I should have been more specific and said 'I have yet to find a kit that doesn't need any modifications, add-on's or decal sheets'. Of course any kits we buy will need one or the other to satisfy our needs.But, heck, we are modellers. People years ago had nothing like the range of kits we have today, so I for one am very thankful. Regards WEEMAN

Hi 'JohnR'. I know what you mean. There appears to be a lack of the 'grey matter' with some model manufacturers. I can understand to a point the lack of detail in some areas, such as cockpits, u/c and weapons bays, as sometimes the cost of making moulds to include these could be prohibitive. What I cannot understand is why go to the trouble of producing a kit if the basic dimensions are incorrect. That will inevitably affect sales. There are however numerous scale drawings of the same aircraft which contradict each other, which is a problem. But there are also hundreds of aircraft in museums, or at airshows to obtain measurements. Having said all this, I am still thankful there are manufacturers that produce these kits, regardless of total accuracy, as per the 'Arrow' in question. Best Regards WEEMAN

Hi 'DavidWinter'. Couldn't agree more. I think that goes for quite a lot of kits. I have YET to find the perfect kit. But, I ask myself, would I, or other modellers, REALLY want that? There is something pleasantly 'masochistic' about carving up a kit in an attempt to make it look more accurate, and put our own 'stamp' on it. As I said, I like a challenge, and the Hobbycraft 'Arrow' (first edition) is exactly that. Many thanks for your reply Best Regards WEEMAN

Hi 'John R'. I did indeed read your posts,and that was what really inspired me. I had read a lot of posts on the merits of the various 're-incarnations' of this kit. Having already bought the 'original' issue kit, I decided to 'have a go'. Firstly because I like a modelling challenge (the contrail 1/72 TSR-2 is one instance!), and secondly because I 'CBA' buying the latest version. I never take pics of kit builds because I am basically lazy. I took aboard some of your mod comments. I widened the fuselage as you did, but put inserts in the outside edges, rather than cut the fuselage in half in the middle. I am also opening the front cockpit and have basically 'sort of' detailed it. I had to scratch build a new windscreen though. I lengthened the fuselage by cutting it at the start of the weapons bay, and adding an insert, as I decided that the weapons bay on the kit was too short. Other than that, most of the mods were similar to yours. I found some confliction with various scale drawings, so I took the easiest option and used those I found that closely matched the kit the best. I must say I am sure my finished effort will look nowhere as good as yours, but to me it looks like an Arrow, and that is good enough for me. I am still trying to finish it, but we have adopted a 'kitten cat' and he thinks he is more important than my modelling at present, so I have to choose my moments. Many thanks for your reply. Best Regards and take care. WEEMAN

Many Thanks to all who have replied to my original query. You have helped me tremendously with you photos, drawings and comments. I thought it was strange that I couldn't see any landing lights on the prototypes. Now I know they were never fitted. Completely missed the navigation lights on the wingtips (aren't they small!) and on the tail. There is no suggestion of either on the kit. I will now be able to carry on with my quest. Best Regards WEEMAN

Hello out there. I am nearing completion of the Hobbycraft 1/72 Avro Arrow (first issue), and it has been a real labour of love (and frustrating). I have searched all sites for advice along the way, and made numerous modifications to the kit following various scale drawings, of which there appears to be a lot of conflict. I have now finished the mods and got what looks to me like an Arrow. It is not perfect, but it is close enough for me. I cannot post any pics as I am still trying to finish it the best I can. One thing that intrigues me though is the 'absence' of navigation and landing lights. If there are any on the prototypes, where are they positioned. I have looked at a lot of photos and drawings but cannot find any. Maybe I am looking too hard. Has anyone out there got any ideas? Regards WEEMAN

Hi David. Many thanks for your reply. Wasn't sure what would be the closest to the Arrow e/j seat. I am building this 'beast' with the front canopy open (masochistic aren't I !!!!). Made some rudimentary cockpit side panels and instrument panel. Not brilliant but it doesn't look too bad. Just wanted to sort the e/j's out so I could complete the cockpit interior and move on. I will take your advice and see if a pair phantom seats from one of my kits will do. Ah well, on with the project. Best Regards weeman

Hi, I am currently constructing (hacking!) the above kit (first issue). It has been a labour of love, and everything that could go wrong, has!. I have now got the kit to a reasonable level, but having problems with the ejector seats. The kit ones are hopeless so have been 'launched'. I found two seats in my spares which were suitable. I painted them, but the paint was suspect and didn't dry properly. So, I put them in some thinners to strip the paint. Then forgot about them. Oooops!. When I checked them they were just like rubber sponge. I now have nothing to work with. I cannot ask on the 'wanted' forum as I have less than 100 posts. Anybody got any ideas or help? Best Regards weeman

Hi Guys. Thanks to all who replied to my post, and offered their comments and tips. On a last note, used some Revell contacta 'tube glue' last night. went back to the model today, and the parts separated. It's mek-pak and humbrol for me me-thinks! Best Regards weeman

Hi All (too many to list). Many thanks for your help and tips. Some great ideas. Have now tried the contacta tube glue (too messy and suspect adhesive properties) and the contacta professional with the needle (either too little appears or too much, and seems a bit too thin). However, I will give some of your suggestions a try, and let you know. Still, thanks for all the replies, some 'tongue in cheek' saying 'where has this old git been?', 'get in the real world'. You are all a really helpful bunch though. Best Regards weeman

Hi Guys. Thanks for your replies. Think we're on the wrong tack here. I am definitely talking tube glue. As I said, I have used liquid glue, but I have never been confident for aircraft fuselages, wings etc. It's OK for small items like u/c, aerials etc, but doesn't seem to have the same bonding properties. I believe there are products with titles such as 'super-weld' but I would be interested to hear from someone who has used it. Thanks for the replies though. Greatly Appreciated. Regards weeman

Hi All. Hope this is the correct place to post this query. Anyone use this glue? I use to use Humbrol but can't seem to get it anymore, so I tried Revell. Awful stuff, very very messy and stringy. Brilliant for sticking plastic to your fingers, but not good at plastic to plastic. I am one of the 'old' school (you know,still use paint brushes rather than an airbrush, as i can't be bothered with the hassle). I have always preferred tube glue as I have more confidence in it than liquid glue, which seems to lack consistence to me. Not too keen on super glue, as that seems to me to be too brittle. I mainly build 1/72 model aircraft, so, has anyone got any ideas which is the best glue (adhesive sounds better!) to use. I'd appreciate any help and comments. Regards weeman

Hi and many thanks to 'Black Knight','Caerbannog' and 'Gingerbob' for your help and advice. Well, I'm a bit gobsmacked with all this help. I have this ongoing 'thing' about Amy and her aircraft. Some of the photos of her sat on her Gipsy Moth have inspired me. I just want to add her figure to the craft to make it 'come alive'. I have never done much figure modelling, so this will be a first for me. The link 'Gingerbob' gave me is just brilliant. What can be done with some wire and modelling clay is really terrific, but I doubt I will have the same success. But, that's what makes modelling so good. I will keep you all posted on my adventure. Once again, many thanks for taking the time to reply. Best Regards

Hi Rene, Thanks for your reply and helpful information. I know I have picked a difficult subject. I suppose there were not that many of Amy's kind for any of the figure manufacturers to have any interest. I have found a 1/48 scale WW1 'male' pilot figure by PJ productions which I hope will fit the bill. The figure is posed sat on the aircraft, rather than in it, which is what I want. As it is cast in resin, I will have to 'hone' my sculpting skills, of which are just about 'zero'. Still, challenges are what modelling is all about!! Regards Weeman

Hi John. Long time no hear. Hope you are well. Thanks for your comments. Yes, I know about the crash, but did not know about the navigation lights. It's really hard trying to get an accurate representation of Amy's Gipsy Moth. The film of her flying into Australia clearly shows the front cockpit covered by a plate. The film showing her landing at Hedon ,shows the front cockpit open, together with windscreen. There is also a photo, taken in England, with Amy perched on the aircraft and wearing a dress, and the front cockpit is again covered over. How can one legislate for that. Also, on the images back in England, the 'characteristic' X frame supporting the undercarriage, is replaced by two crossed metal rods. Presumably a repair from the crash. Isn't modelling wonderful!!!. Take care John. Best Regards Andy

Hi Folks, Not sure If I am in the right place for this question. I am planning to build the A Model DH-60G as flown by Amy Johnson. What I am looking for is a suitable model figure to use to simulate Ms Johnson. Preferably a seated figure which I can 'pose' sat on the aircraft. I have searched the web unsuccessfully. Does anyone out there have any ideas of what I can use?. I will appreciate any help or information anyone can give me. Best Regards Weeman

Hi Jessica, Thanks for all you information. You have been a really great help to me. All I have to do now is try to re-create these light units in 1/72 scale, which will have some 'artistic' license, as I cannot find pics of the actual units. It looks like they were only in place on the outward journey, as the film/images of 'Jason' back in the UK do not have these fitted. Guess they wouldn't be needed returning by ship. Best Regards Andy

Hi Jessica, Many thanks for your reply and information. I must be a 'dumbo'. I have been modelling for quite a few years, but concentrated more on military aircraft. I should have thought about navigation lights. Thing is, I wasn't sure if air traffic control was being used in the early '30's'. These light units look like 'ad-hoc' additions, and not part of the original build. Anyway, once again, Thank you. Best Regards Andy

Hi Folks, Back on the modelling theme after a long sabbatical. I am currently building the Frog DH Gipsy Moth as flown by Amy Johnson (what a delightful kit I might say!). On viewing the 'You Tube' video 'Golden Age Pioneers - Amy Johnson', which has some great aerial shots, I spotted 2 'unidentified objects' on the outer upper wing tips. I had never seen these before. Does anyone out there know what they could be? My first thoughts were cameras, but very doubtful as filming was in it's infancy in the '30's'. Also thought they could be landing lights. There seem to be wires attached to them leading from the front edge of the wing, so maybe they are rearward lights. I hope some of you 'boffins' out there can give me the answer. Regards Weeman

Hi, Had my T4 kit delivered today. Looks absolutely brilliant. Only problem is the photo-etched and urethen parts are missing !!!! Hope nobody else has this problem.