Firefly Sailor

Im a newbie, and havn't made an airfix model for 30years or more, though its a pleasure I wish my children could learn to enjoy. It has a quality that transcends anything I've observed on facebook Sorry to be a "gravedigger" here but I found this wonderful thread on the Firefly dinghy model and as I sail one I couldn't resist putting in what I know. Interestingly, in the original version, the Firefly could actually be bpought as a full scale kit!! Having a full size version already however, I have been looking to get one of these Frog kits for a while. There was a moment about 3 years ago when, like buses, 3 appeared on ebay from separate sellers, but that seems to have been a one off event of astronomical significance. You have really done this model proud, although as noted, the orientation of your grain on the Port side would ultimately have to change if you want a truly authentic look. The interior is painted not varnished and so the grain here is not a problem, but if you were to attempt a “varnish” look on the inside, it would be laid at right angles to the outer veneer. IF however you were to go along the authenticity route and make this model AS INTENDED on the box illustration there would be another difference… Here a picture of the original Kit Box. This shows the model boat is based on F3007, Named “Tip Top Too” of Itchenor Sailing Club (I.S.C.) and owned by Ms Roberta (Mimie) Curry. Frog asked Fairey Marine for a number that would not present a copywright problem on the illustration and either expediency or vanity led Charles Curry, at the time a director of the Fairey Marine company in Hamble to give the number of his daughter's boat. Mimie was one of the first female helms to be National champion in this class (and for that matter one of only a few woman to be class champion in any ) sailing class. It was in the blood: Her father Charles was the Olympic Finn sailor,for Great Britain in 1952 winning Silver. Given a chance he might well have won a Gold in 1948 when the Firefly was the Single hander at the London Olympics (Held in Weymouth) but was disallowed because as an employee of the Fairey Boatbuilding company he was deemed to be a “professional” at a time when the Olympics was fiercely, (actually snobbishly,) amatuer. The Establishment selected thier own man, Gp Capt MacDonald, a (fully professional) military man, who did not shine. As far as your authentic look is concerned, as F1984, the external veneers would have been as you have them on the Starboard, (Right hand) side but as noted already, the port side should be a mirror of this. HOWEVER, if you did want to make her like F3007, this was one of the first Fireflies to be constructed with horizontally laid veneers on the outer skin. It was felt to look more attractive, more like a "real" planked boat, and also had a rather lighter "honey" coulor to it, and some claimed faster, as it could be sanded to a flatter finish, but as the firefly was a strict one design, the Class assotiation quickly squashed this rumour! F3007 continues to be sailed at a competitive level, currently in Sevenoaks in Kent I think. Here is a picture of the original kit, perhaps this might help you identify some of the parts. Rest of the album here... http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/m...irefly%20Model/ Alternatively why not look at the Firefly websight. http://www.fireflysailing.org.uk/ The authentic rig and sail plan especially for the forestay is rather complicated but if you really want to get it right, and if you are on my Photobucket album, you can look at the "Reynolds mast" album here. http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/m...eynolds%20Mast/ Oh and finally,....tiny details; The crew and helm would be sitting very close together, with thier weight up towards the bow end to get the best trim on the boat. You need to manufacture some air bags (yellow) to but either side in the stern, as bouyancy. There would also have been one in the bow, ...and then dont forget a small bucket for bailing/calls of nature(!), and a jib stick (a pole about 4' long to hold the jib in place downwind.) Perhaps this is all a bit too late. This thread is resurected from 2009! _________________ Michael Brigg