Old Man Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Completed this past weekend, Gentlemen. Here are a couple of pictures (more will be in the 'Finished' gallery): There were a few small adventures in the final stages, but nothing really worth going into detail over. I am happy enough with the results. I want to again thank Mr. Coulson (over on HyperScale) for his kindness in sending me the 802 Sqdn wing markings. They went down very, very nicely, laid onto Future: if all Sword decals are like that, they are first rate. I thought the thing was all one piece wit the roundels, but it was not, which mis-perception on may part led to some interesting moments, as there is a time-limit when using Future as a setting agent, but it all came out well in the end. I suspect, too, that the wing on the Sword kit may be about a millimeter longer than the one on the old Matchbox kit. I wound up putting serials on the lower wings. I was told in correspondence, in such a way that I credit it, that a photograph exists of this machine in flight at Dehkelia which clearly shows serials in that position. The Sea Gladiators of No. 802 Sqdn were probably the last English fighters to have upper wing squadron identity markings applied. It seems likely all those assembled and flown from Dekhaila had these applied, for display in fly past of farewell on June 6, 1939 for the Captain of H.M.S. Courageous, who was stepping down in favor of a new man. When war began, the Sea Gladiators were left behind, as the carrier was assigned to commerce protection in the Indian Ocean, a duty on which fighters would have been of little use and hardly needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Turned out very well. Those Matchbox biplanes were certainly good kits in their day and you've proved they can be brought up to a high standard with a little effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Well done sir you've made a great job of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B. Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 (edited) Superb. The rigging looks spot on - the wires look like RAF wires. The metal parts have a different sheen than the cloth parts, just like it should. Very nice. The final two photos are particularly effective. Congratulations on a great build. Edited October 7, 2013 by Richard B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) Well done old chum,what a superb result.Matchbox kits,with a little help, are still a force to be reckoned with. Edited October 6, 2013 by Alex Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Very nice, great work. Congrats on your build All the bestChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thank you very much, Gentlemen. I am glad you liked the thing. Once I learned something about the background of 802 and its Sea Gladiators, the chance to put a Naval plane on a desert base was hard to resist.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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