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Showing results for tags 'Ford Tri-Motor'.
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It's been a few months since I last posted in this forum. To be honest, I felt a need to "switch it up" and instead work on some non-aircraft subjects: Now it's time to get back to my main love, 1/72 aircraft. I've been inspired by Thorfinn's rendition of Airfix's Ford Trimotor, done up as the aircraft used in Miskatonic University's ill-fated Antarctic expedition, which is described by horror author H.P. Lovecraft in "At The Mountains of Madness". I've been a fan of Lovecraft's fiction since my teen's, so when I saw Greg's Trimotor I knew I had to have one of my own (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). I contacted Greg, and he graciously sent me files for his homemade decals. If you haven't already done so, check out Greg's RFI here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235043782-charter-flight-to-the-mountains-of-madness-airfix-172-ford-trimotor/&tab=comments#comment-3140418 Unfortunately, Greg did not do a WIP, but I found a great one by Chris "bigbadbadge" that I will use as reference: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235040494-ford-trimotor-now-finished/&tab=comments#comment-3079475 Let's get started! The kit I'm using is the venerable Airfix offering in 1/72 scale (boxed here by MPC): I originally planned to use this old Monogram kit: but it isn't as detailed as the Airfix kit and is slightly smaller than 1/72 (closer to 1/77), which wouldn't be a show-stopper but I also managed to find the Airfix kit at a good price on eBay. Even so, I'll probably steal a few items from the Monogram kit, namely the landing gear skis and maybe the dogsled and figures. I'm a sucker for aftermarket, and since the Ford's three engines are its most memorable characteristic, I picked up these to scratch my detail itch: I also hope to build an appropriately Lovecraftian vignette for my display base, based loosely on this painting: And, I'll need plenty of snow & ice... fortunately I found this book and appropriate diorama materials from AK Interactive: To be frank, I've barely opened up the box so far. Instead, I've been experimenting with snow & ice techniques and learning how to build rocky mountain walls. Here are some examples: Finally, a couple more pics for you: I anticipate progress will be slow on this build. There are challenges with this old Airfix kit, my aspirations for the diorama base will stretch my abilities, and I have a couple of business trips coming up. But with a little luck, I should have something tangible to show in the near future. Stay tuned!
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After five months of work my Mountains of Madness diorama is finally complete. The basis of this project is the Airfix 1/72 scale Ford Tri-motor kit, done up as an aircraft the fictional Miskatonic University Antarctic Expedition, described in H.P. Lovecraft's novella, "At the Mountains of Madness" My Tri-motor is presented in a separate RFI, which can be seen here: The WIP for this diorama is here: On with the show! First, here's the general layout: Some "Beauty Shots" Next, the details: The expedition's supplies, skis, and a scratch-built sledge: Petrol drums and a scratch-built hand pump: Unoccupied tent with a case of empty beer bottles: Footprints leading from the tent to the plane: A new case of beer in the passenger doorway, and more footprints leading back to the tent: The footprints come to an abrupt end, where a case of beer has been dropped: Nearby is an empty boot, within easy tentacle's reach of an angry Shoggoth: Meanwhile, on the other side of the camp, a pair of sled dogs have encountered some very strange intruders: Last, but not least, both the Shoggoth's lair and the tent are wired with LEDs: I hope you have enjoyed viewing my RFI. Many thanks to everyone who has followed along, and special thanks to Greg "Thorfinn" who not only inspired this project, but also graciously sent me the Miskatonic Antarctic Expedition decals for my Tri-motor. - Bill