sloegin57 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 This is a beautiful model! We can only hope that the upcoming Revell kit looks half as good when it is released. One small nit, the flap angle and hinge point do not appear to be correct. The Halifax, like the Hampden, had Handley-Page slotted flaps. You can kind of see how these work in the linked image: http://adg.stanford.edu/aa200b/airfoils2/images/flaptypes.gif The slotted flap is shown in the lower left corner. Since the hinge point is below the lower surface of the wing, the flap moves down and back when operated to open up a slot between the wing and the leading edge of the flap. The slot gets bigger the more the flap is deflected. You can see the hinge points in the linked image of the Halifax preserved in Canada: http://www.williammaloney.com/aviation/RCAFRoyalCanadianAirForceMuseum/HandleyPageHalifax/pages/38HandleyPageHalifaxFlaps.htm The only picture I could find of a deployed flap is of the unrestored aircraft at Hendon. I assume that the flap is still attached and the hinges are undeformed: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peteredin/7946356112 It's not clear to me what the maximum flap angle is, but the cockpit indicator looks like it goes to 80 degrees By the way, you can find pdfs of the Halifax Pilot's Notes (and many other aircraft) at the following link: http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/170185-british-aircraft-pilots-notes-also-commonwealth-aircraft-too/ These notes have useful images of the various controls and panels as well as operating limits and procedures. Very interesting reading. Spot on - exactly the same as on the later Hastings which had the same basic mainplane and control surfaces/flaps, indeed, on Malta and Cyprus in the mid sixties, the hydraulic rigs for the Hastings of 70Sqdn were marked "Halifax Aircraft" and both dated "1944". They were not to sure what to do with the adaptors for the gun turrets though !!. Spare flaps held at Safi were dated around the same time frame and marked "Halifax". The slots in the top of the flaps were for the control rod clearances (there was only one jack which operated push rods) and the flaps drooped to fully down once hydraulic pressure had bled off. The inboard engine fairings on the flaps dropped clear of the fixed portion (although a portion of the flap mounted fairing did slide inside temporarily as the flaps were lowered) on the mainplane as the flaps moved down and aft and the 90 degree angle was the angle of the undersurface of the flap to the ground once fully down - rigged by plumb bob (ask me how I know - WJ328 of 70). Apart from that, nice model Andy. HTH Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Amazing work, looks awesome and great detail too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Can't add much really. But now that I've retrieved my jaw from the floor... This is my favorite sort of modelling - getting a classic, long in the tooth old kit and producing something magical from it. And a subject that is dear to my heart too. Would that I had the time and talent to emulate it! So, drinks at the Pink Pussycat on me Melchie. Ian Edited September 22, 2015 by IanC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMA131Marine Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Thanks again fellas, glad you like the old beast... Cheers Rick, yep she was quite a machine.....and extremely versatile, flying with Bomber and Coastal Command, Special Duties units, glider tug, air ambulance, general troop transport, armaments and test trials aircraft at Boscombe Down and Farnborough and finally as a civil transport (Halifax and Halton|). Not a bad CV.... VMA131Marine.....thanks for the comments and links, the flaps could be deployed at up to 90 degrees and were quite often seen at this angle when powered down. I have many photos showing this feature, looks quite odd though. The rear of the inner nacelles disappeared inside the main nacelle body at these acute angles. Here are a few shots to show the angle, (I always try and do my homework before cutting plastic. .One of the perks of our Bomber Command sig archives) Thanks again... Melchie Those are great pictures! Thanks for posting them. Was this the normal flap setting for landing? Looks very "draggy"! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Absolutely fantastic. Such an elegant aircraft, beautfully presented. It's very inspiring seeing vintage kits, that many cast aside, being transformed by the hands of a master modeller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Thanks chaps, very kind of you all, I've got to be honest Ian and Chris, next to working on resin aircraft my favourite thing in this funny old hobby of ours is renovating these old kits, (got quite a few more to come including a certain Frog tin triangle and a few Matchbox HP crescents). I find them relaxing builds, OK maybe not for a magazine deadline, but generally because only the basics are given they lend themselves to all manor of abuse and once rubbed back down to the bare shell then you have your proverbial blank canvas to work with. Just getting stuck in is the thing. I always have a mental picture as to how it's going to look and try and achieve that as quickly as possible. Funny, I'm working away on a new Italeri Stirling B.Mk1 for our Telford display at the moment and it's taking forever and with so many things to improve on it I think I could have finished an old Airfix jobbie in half the time with a lot less pain......progress eh Melchie..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12jaguar Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Have you still not finished that Stirling Melchie???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Not enough expletives John.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Stap me swagger stick, Sir! A thing of beauty and one to parade in the mess on dining in nights! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 That is a good 'un! And in four weeks. I doubt I could do that in four years!! Trevor 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFlyHalf Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 On thinking about your amazing work and comments on improving the old Airfix Halifax...... “Does progress mean that we dissolve our ancient myths? If we forget our legends, I fear that we shall close an important door to the imagination” ― Quotation by James Christensen Legendary work Sir. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hello,General Melchett - Once again I salute you for the beautiful looking build of yout 'Halifax'.Like all your builds that I've seen,inspirational.All the very best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Always nice to see the good old Airfix Halifax brought up to standard. Well done Melchie. As a boy I never had heard about it and thought the lanc was all the RAF had. When I first saw the Airfix kit I was hooked, due to the box art too. It was the start of a lifelong fascinating with HP's finest. It resulted in a full size Halifax 3 ( and Hampden) cockpit, fully fitted out. Next,....the Stirling please. Cees 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancbuilder219 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 WOW! Yo Airfix! Give this some attention! Very very nice work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Just managed to get reconnected to the outside world Andy after the internet being cut off and what a great time to do so, stunning build. Can't wait to see it on the table 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 It's alright I suppose.................... Top bombing Andy, another masterpiece...!! Now about those cream buns, any going to be at Telford.....??!! K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daldroflas Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 It looked great in the magazine and even better here. I have always liked the look of the B.III Halifax and you have elevated the old Airfix kit into a piece of art! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingpiggy Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Mm mm just too good for a mere mortal to replicate but I appreciate the skill and hard work that goes into each of your builds....I look forward to the next Inspiring thank you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) General 'Bomber' Melchett has come amongst us once again. It's not the quality of the work, Andy, it's the fact that you achieved all that in just four weeks !!! - Just incredible. Ian. Edited September 22, 2015 by Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod bettencourt Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 That just looks great! Nicely done. Rod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Henry Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 That's a super build. However I do have one question. What scale is this aircraft ? I apologize for not being familiar with the Airfix kits. Once again, great job. Thanks for posting. Bob H. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 That's a super build. However I do have one question. What scale is this aircraft ? I apologize for not being familiar with the Airfix kits. Once again, great job. Thanks for posting. Bob H. As the General probably isn't awake yet Bob, it's 1/72nd... K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Its a beautiful model Melchie and its nice to see some more shots of it over and above those that appeared in your article in AMW. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Well thank you one and all !...I know the old Halibag is a popular subject, I'm just happy that you like my take on it. So many kind posts sorry can't reply individually as it would take up another page... When I first saw the Airfix kit I was hooked, due to the box art too. It was the start of a lifelong fascinating with HP's finest. It resulted in a full size Halifax 3 ( and Hampden) cockpit, fully fitted out. Next,....the Stirling please. Hi Cees, Totally agree..in fact it was Roy Crosses amazing box art for the Halifax that got me off on modelling in the first place, as a spotty schoolboy back in 1965, (it's amazing what the visual impact of these images are on a young mind). I'm aware of your amazing work on the cockpits, truly inspirational stuff !.......and yes a Stirling Mk.1 is in the pipeline and 'should' be ready in time for Telford.... Just managed to get reconnected to the outside world Andy after the internet being cut off and what a great time to do so, stunning build. Can't wait to see it on the table Ah the old communication problem eh, wondered where you'd got to Neil when you failed to report back on the Whitley, as I know you're a huge fan of the old jalope !....... Now about those cream buns, any going to be at Telford.....??!! Keefy, cream buns will indeed be in attendance in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd scales !, might give the plum duff and 'custard' a miss this year though..... Andy, it's the fact that you achieved all that in just four weeks !!! - Just incredible. Ian, no one was more surprised than me, other than the editor, who almost passed out. (btw still waiting on the items we mentioned, as soon as I know what's what I'll let you know).... Thanks Martin I took another batch of photos as I'd added a bit more weathering after the article was published. flyingpiggy, too good for a mere mortal to replicate Not true, anyone can do it with a modicum of imagination, a bit of know how and a fair wind, (oh and a lot of smoke and mirrors !).....to be honest good research is the best tool. Many thanks again all, hopefully have some more ready for you soon, Melchie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Keefy, cream buns will indeed be in attendance in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd scales !, might give the plum duff and 'custard' a miss this year though..... Ooooh, 32nd scale cream buns - size matters...!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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