Oldefarte

I recently picked up the two Airfix DH88 Comet Model kits- Grosvenor House and "the Green one" for a relative "song" at a model kit sellout sale, thinking- yeah, I remember these planes, and the kits from when I was a kid (about 55 years ago!) These aircraft were conceived and built in less than 9 months for a specific purpose- the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race of 1934. An 11,000 mile race from London to Melbourne Australia. The planes, of which only 5 were ever built, 3 before the race and a further 2 after, only flew for the first time 6 weeks before the race. The design was pretty clever. It used: Gypsy 6 engines -(although a new design and slightly modified to increase performance, these were based on the tried and tested Gypsy series of motors developed by de Havilland, and so were both relatively easy to manufacture, and also potentially reliable a reasonably aerodynamic design with a low profile cockpit (which resulted in very poor forward visibility for the pilots) 2 position variable pitch propellers (which had to be manually reset on the ground) (manually) retractable undercarriage (requiring 14 turns of the cockpit wheel) All timber frame including a unique "spruce veneer" stressed wing design to provide strength and lightweight wings not much else- ie : creature comforts etc... It gave the aircraft a cruising speed of around 200-220mph (320km/h) and, with a total fuel load of 258 gallons (1160l) fuel which gave it a range of almost 3000m (4700km). I thought- this could be fun, making these up!... Well...... OK- well it was kinda fun!! But- the kits are bloody woeful!! - really!! It wasnt till I asked my mate "Google" for a bit of info, that I discovered that the kit was still based around the original 1957 tool, although now manufactured in India, that I realised it may be a bit of a challenge! And - it was! In the process of discovering and building the kits, I found that: the main wings connection to the body left considerable "gaps" requiring considerable filling the panel lines (those that were provided- it was pretty light on detail) were raised- in the process of filling- some of this detail was "lost" forever... The ailerons, rudder and flaps had very shallow panel, but very wide engraved panel lines, requiring a bit of additional engraving the clear cockpit canopy -in scale terms was about 5 inches thick! and lacked detail there was no interior- just two "talking heads- sticking up out of a flat panel. So, I scratch built interiors using spare parts, based on details I obtained from Mr Google. the decals included a teeny decal for affixing to the propellers, and instead of a mould recess, decals were to emphasise the engine air outflow ducts atop the wings, and the external exhausts were completely omitted, requiring a little bit of scratch building. other "minor details" which were actually shown on the box illustrations but omitted from the model included rudder and aileron counterweights, navigation lights and pitot tube, again requiring a bit of fabrication from scratch. However, in the end, I satisfied myself that I had done almost the best I could with my skills, abilities, tools and spare bits n pieces. And. quite frankly, I reckon they came up alright!! Importantly for me also was the knowledge gained on both model techniques, but also these amazing aircraft, and the accomplishments of the pilots and aircraft! Ive seen that there are other kits available, including new resin kits, highly detailed and , maybe just for laughs, Ill get one or more. But, for now- Im glad of the experience, and not unhappy with the result! What was also interesting for me, was that, I have been "stagnating" for a good 12 months now- and just not building any kits. I get started, but soon run out of puff- hence I have a selection of partly made kits- and a stash of unmade ones. But in completing these two, albeit quite challenging little builds, its revealed what was causing me to "stagnate". Most of the kits I have still to build, and /or have recently started, are 1:48 scale, well detailed (eg Eduard, Tamiya) and, they have me nervous about being able to deliver them in good condition. While these kits- crummy and challenging as they were, gave me some confidence to keep going. At 1:72 scale- I can be satisfied at the level of detail I can provide. So- Ill be concentrating on a couple of other 1:72 scale builds now underway atm, as well as grabbing a couple more from my stash, to get a few under my belt- before I have another good crack at the 1:48 scale builds. Sorry for the pic quality- very amateur I know...but, it is what it is...next time will be better .

Awesome job of the model- re weathering- was just watching "Reach for the Sky" with Kenneth Moore, movie made in 1956, and actually uses MkXIV spits for the battle of Britain footage and not Mk1s, but the amount of wear and tear on them is very visible- possibly thru 10 years storage I know, but an indication of the rough treatment they got.

Typhoon is a sweet looking machine! Have been contemplating what to do with the edges. Think I will mount a (painted) facing around them and leave it tidy - thanks for the feedback!

Thanks Selwyn- thats what happens when you follow the Airfix paint guide it appears. I just found the thread with your comments on re this tanker. Ill take your comment right on the cheek, and justify my actions by claiming beginners mistake....

Ha Ha- no- only the Ambulance and Jeep was diverted from a US base...

My big dive into dioramas- First attempt - maybe bit off more than I could chew but had fun doing it and learned heaps along the way Overall view (low res phone pic sorry) showing layout- background was hand painted in acrylic paint as part of project "Check point" and machine gun post Bofors installation and support vehicles lookout tower another view showing Typhoon being prepped. Kits comprised Airfix WWII RAF set, and Typhoon landscape/terrain based on foam base with plaster of paris surface, covered with soil etc

Trolled thru the posts to find yours.. Serious mullet! lol, and equally serious scratch build. No Dad wasnt on the Perth- he was 2/3rd MG battalion- handed to the Japs on a plate- but met Ray in POW camp. And yes Ray Parkin is best known for his authoritative work on the HM bark Endeavour-his biography "Odyssey" was published a few years ago by Pattie Wright. I have a couple of small ships in my collection now destroyer and an aircraft carrier- very small scale- and sad truth is, I cant even remember when I built them!

new member- trolling thru posts (stalking!!) saw this one- intrigued that bits of the aircraft are still there- didnt ASB investigate the crash? I thought they always came and gathered up the bits to recreate in a secret hanger somewhere!!

Wow!- a message from "the other side" lol. Nice to see another man from Oz on the site! My missus would crack me on the back of the head if she saw my comment... Yes correct re Fletcher and Cutty Sark. Not really into ships or sailing ships but, my father was given an original watercolour of the Cutty Sark by artist and author Ray Parkin- a WW2 survivor of the HMAS Perth sinking, and POW vet (like my Dad now 100 and still going strong) . I have always loved the painting too. If I ever do another ship- it will be the Cutty Sark-in some larger scale format, and, of course the mighty Yamato! (and maybe the Bizmark, Missouri...etc etc).

The PE scene is new to me.. Only had a small entre so far with a Dragon JU 88 P- I keep putting all my PE kits and bits at the bottom of the pile till I build up courage (and skills)

Hi- woohoo my first post (other than to introduce myself!) My latest two acquisitions- 1:48 scale. Thought Id jump in deep with the Eduard "Spitfire story: The few", (complete with miniature Sir Douglass Bader figure!) and also a ground crew set from Airfix to go with it. I also have previously purchased and nearly finished a Tamiya 10hp Utility. and also the Tamiya Spitfire M1 kit- which Im yet to start.. the makings of a small diorama! Will be a serious plunge into a bit of PE as well, which I havent really done before.

HI all An olde farte now retired and getting into my long time hobby of model building This is my model display cabinet (shelves made by my dear old Mum) taken back in around 1968 when I was just a teen. I was pretty pleased with the Yamato ion the top shelf! Didnt realise my preference for mainly German aircraft in 1:72 scale at the time! Time has flown but Ive always enjoyed modelling- in between career and family commitments. Now Im retired and getting time to do more. Ive recently discovered the world of "aftermarket" and PE. As well, the quality of kits now is soo much better than those early Revell and Airfix kits that we bought at the local Coles supermarket for about $2- in a plastic bag..... Also now getting into dioramas and hve seen the awesome quality sets that serious modellers produce- makes me super envious but my fat fingers and limited patience will limit the quality I could ever produce. But it wont stop me trying. My preference is for WWII aircraft and ground support vehicles in 1:48 and 1;72 scale- but I will try just about anything. My largest kit is an old Revell 1:32 scale Phantom F4 (which was actually my son's, but he threw it away- so I salvaged it, and have been tinkering with some aftermarket and scratch built improvements). I have a stash of 1:48 and 1:72 kits to get thru atm. and have recently set myself up with a workshop with some handy hobby goodies which I am gradually refining and building on. This is me listening to my wife telling me I need to get a life beyond playing with plastic models....