PWJ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 After a long time hoping for a kit of the DH84 in 1/48 scale I decided to cross this one off my bucket list by scratch building (naturally there will now be a kit released just as I finish!) Being relatively slab sided the structure is not too difficult. Construction is with plastic card and various detail bits from the spares box. The wings are shaped balsa core and covered with ballpoint pen embosed rib and structure detail. The resin engines were mastered and supplied by Fred Harris - thanks Fred. Thats it for now - Cheers and regards PJ Western Australia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius at Home Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 That looks absolutely superb!!! Looking foreard to seeng the completed model. It would be great to have an IM kit of this aircraft, the Dragon Rapide and the Dragonfly. At least John at Aeroclub has produce the Dragon Rapide in 1:48 albeit as a multi-media kit and now OOP. Always a pleasure to see some true modelling!!! Darius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Beautiful work - very few us (I think), would ever contemplate undertaking such an ambitious project Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakingModelsAgain Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Holy-moley! Exquisite work that someday I hope I can aspire to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wonderful effort! I think this is the prettiest of the De-Havilland pre-war designs. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wow, that looks superb. I too was slightly worried that my current scratchbuilding project might be overtaken by events. But I reasoned that with a scratchbuild you're not subject to the same constraints as a manufacturer designing a production kit. The fuselage sides, for instance, don't have to be quite so thick. So you can actually do better. Mind you, if a kit does come out during the build, you can always get one and nick some parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Lovely job PJ. I hope you are going to finish it in Chrisair colours. Il you need any scale details let me know. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 (edited) Not exactly the same aircraft but IsraDecal has just released a brand new DH.89A Dragon Rapide 1/48th multimedia kit. Source: http://www.isradecal.com/?storeid=110&...s&id=531977 DH.89A Dragon RapideScale: 1:48 Full Multimedia Kit Kit includes: - Vac-u-form fuselage and canopy. - 61 resin parts. - 12 Photo-etch detailed parts. - Decals for 4 different airplanes. - Detailed instructions. Cat. Number: IC-48035 V.P. Edited June 11, 2012 by Homebee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWJ Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks for the positive comments gents, much appreciated! Yes I agree the early De Havillands are lovely and I also have an Aeroclub DH89 half built and also I have a resin version from Kiwi Models (OOP) which is also nice. I have managed to find some time and do a bit more to the Dragon. First is the master canopy and now plan to make a vacuum form machine and make some clear copies. Gloss colour coats are on and some decalling (also masked and sprayed some of the markings) Finally a quick test fit. Because of the complex nature of the aircraft (multiple struts, biplane etc.) I plan to build the model as a series of sub assemblies and fit, fill, patch and paint the joins st the end. Cheers and regards PJ Western Australia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyoal Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hi, It's very impressive, and nice off course I really like the way you paint it.... Guess I will be able to do this kind of things one day.... Cheers Yoyoal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcclure Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Brilliant. One of the loveliest aircraft ever in my view and I'm following your work with great interest. I'm no scratch builder but like many others I'm hanging out for the day that somebody releases a mainstream kit. Thanks for sharing and good luck for the rest of the build. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 A stunning example of modelling on a stunning subject PJ. Have to agree with everyone who has commented on the pleasant lines of DH golden era machines and you are doing it justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Wow, it's looking fantastic. Especially the surface detailing like the fabric sag between the wing spars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Looks great. Nice to see another scratchbuilt biplane on the go. Looks like yours is progressing a bit quicker than mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWJ Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Thanks again for the positive comments, much appreciated. Something happened to my last picture so I have reposted. This is a test fit of the lower mainplane and tail feathers - starting to look like a Dragon now and I should have the side glazing and framework done this weekend. Cheers and regards, PJ http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa112/p...es/IMG_5647.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 That really is superb, can't wait to see the final product! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchbuilder Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 PJ, just seen this while researching a 1/32nd scale DR . You mentioned Fred Harris in your first post. Would that be the Fred Harris of Replicast, who used to do the most wonderful Speed Record boats in resin, 1/43rd scale? I have several of his kits, the only kits I ever bought for decades, so lovely were they. I shared a stand at the very first Modelex show with him. An absolute gent. If it is he and you know him, please give him my fond regards. I have finished the K3 and have the Slo-Moshun being veneered with steamed pear. K7 is destined for a Coniston diorama. Cheers, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWJ Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 Hi Martin, Thanks for your message. Concerning your query about the reference to Fred Harris, no I dont believe he is the person you know. This Fred Harris is a master building of scratch built models and is based in Melbourne, Australia. Cheers and kind regards, PJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 This looks gorgeous! The wings look very realistic under a coat of paint. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I am most impressed by your neat work. Way to go.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Wow .....great job fantastic in fact and yes Fred Harris is a genius and is not limited to scratch building engines !!!! Boy do Airfix need to embrace a 1/48 kit of this beauty Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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