Ian Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I’ve mentioned previously that my first model was a FROG 1:72 DH Comet racer, it was a present from a friend on my 7th birthday. My dad built and painted the kit for me, having never built a plastic kit before in his life and I though it was magnificent. Strangely dad was never really enthusiastic about my new hobby following that build, but now and again he would get a wee bit more excited, like when I bought my first (Airfix) P-38 – I’ve posted photos here before of my grandfather’s truck towing P-38’s through Liverpool in 1943 so I won’t bore you by repeating that tale. The only other aeroplane dad got excited about was the Catalina. Following the loss of HMS Hood in spring ’41 (and the subsequent sinking of the ‘culprit’ Bismarck), Catalina’s and Fairey Swordfish the types that had hunted-down and damaged Bismarck, were sent out on (what we would now call) PR visits to towns were the loss of the Hood was particularly felt. Hood had been berthed in Liverpool in May 1940 for rest & refit. My grandfather took my dad to see the Catalina that was moored somewhere in the Mersey and he was lucky enough to be taken aboard… He never forgot his experience. Often when we went to local toy-shops he would try to get me to buy the Airfix or Revell Catalina kits, I always maintained that I’d build one for him ‘one day’. Dad died in January 1988 and I never did build him a Catalina. It’s one of those things that crept across my mind occasionally when I was deciding what model to build next… “Hmmm, I really must do a Catalina one day, for dad…”. I was having that very thought as I was browsing eBay a few months back, and then… …BAM !! – a trader I’ve bought a lot of decals from, had Aeromaster 72-039 for sale, a Catalina sheet that included WQ*Z (AH545), the machine that first spotted the Bismarck on the 26th May. I bought the sheet and here's the result. Thanks folks, for taking the time to read this, I know it is long-winded but it’s a form of catharsis that I needed to go through and I appreciate you’re patience. * * * Kit - Academy 1:72 Paint - All enamels, Humbrol & Xtracolour. Decals - Aeromaster 72-039 Extras - None. Consolidated Catalina I 209 Squadron RAF Coastal Command First aircraft to spot & track the Bismarck 26 May 1941 As ever thanks for taking the time to look and/or comment. Please feel free to ask any questions or leave any criticism, it's all welcome. AFN Ian. 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Ian, this is a beautiful and affecting tribute to your father. I'm sure it would have pleased him greatly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foresterab Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 great job and an even better reason for the build. Sure someone is smiling looking at it from above. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempestwulf Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Seeeeensational Catalina Ian, she's a real beaut. Nice effect on the side where the water would have been lapping. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Wonderful build, and wonderful background story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Moore Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Outstanding!!! Love the scheme!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Great job on this one Ian. With a lovely back story like that & a wonderfully made Catalina in TSS whats not to like. I'm sure your Dad would be as pleased as punch with it & very proud of you. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Sweet !, really nice Cat` 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commontsar Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 That's a moving and, as it seems, fitting tribute. You should be proud of yourself - because that's a really well built kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telboy1999 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Lovely job on this one, well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 A beautiful and moving introduction and that Catalina is just fantastic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skids Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 That is stunning and Im sure your dad would have been impressed 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 superb job , looks great very nice job on the paint and weathering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivers3162 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) Fantastic build and a very nice introduction. I'm sure your dad would be impressed. I also lost a relative on the Hood who was only 16 so it's nice to see a build connected with it. Edited January 7, 2015 by rivers3162 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 What a great result - I especially like the waterline weathering - just perfect. Cheers, Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 That is outstanding! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Lovely piece of work, love the camo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moaning dolphin Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 A fine and very fitting tribute, excellent finish! Cheers now Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Very nice indeed, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ascoteer Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz rb fan Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 i love it...and i'm sure your dad is smiling down on her....beautiful job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Agree with all thats been said. Top job peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Lovely Catalina there Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomore Shelfspace Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 That's an interesting story. Coincidentally my dad also built a FROG DH88 - I've still got it in it's unpainted red plastic! Only one thing with the Catalina, I see rust-coloured streaking around the lower hull - I don't know a lot about Catalinas but I imagine they were made of aluminium, which corrodes obviously but doesn't rust. Unless I am wrong and the Cat did have a steel clad hull... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 What a smashing model.....I'm sure your dad would be absolutely chuffed to bits. Could you point me towards the pictures of your grandad's truck towing the P-38s.....I for one woud be anything but bored by the images. PS - You've just encouraged me to build a DUKW for my dad. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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