Patrik Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) I think I deserve well-earned rest after the scratchbuilding experience with the Westland Walrus vacform. So I decided to select more contemporary kit for my next build – the 1/72 Vickers Vildebeest Mk. IV by Special Hobby. Well, not a mainstream kit either, but at least including all the details moulded either in medium grey plastic (by the way, quite hard one) or resin, or included on the large photo etched plate. I intend building the kit more or less OOB with one eventual exception. I found this intriguing photo some time ago with something reminding dinghy stowage fairing behind the front cockpit. Unfortunately I have not found other photos from the same viewing angle confirming whether it was just one-shot solution fitted for PR (or inspection?) purpose or if it was standard feature of all Mk. IVs, fitted probably during some particular period of their service. Any idea? Edited November 11, 2017 by Patrik 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I made five Vildebesst but I did not know this picture. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthemodeller Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 It's the inspiration for the X-Wing/R2-D2 combination in Star Wars! Are you sure it's actually on the aircraft - the perspective looks, to me, like it's actually something on the ground behind the aircraft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I think you're seeing the vertical tail of the aircraft next to it. Look at the letter "K" that is visible, and compare to the letter "K" on the aircraft you wish to model. They're the same! Looking forward to your build - I've had this kit on my wish list for some time. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 No, he's pointing at the elongated shape to the left of that, lying on the top corner of the fuselage. I don't recall seeing it, either, but I suspect it was a common fit, not just for some inspection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Ah, the R2-D2 reference from brianthemodeller threw me off. I see what you're saying now. Quite interesting, for sure. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthemodeller Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 My apologies, I missed what he was pointing at too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Good Sergeant Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I've always been intrigued by the SH Vildebeest, so I'll be watching your build. Steven Brown Scale Model Soup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 This is going to be fun! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptmvarsityfan Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Will follow this with interest! Cheers, paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrik Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) The R2-D2 role was reserved rather for the Vincent general purpose version. Although - as shown on the picture below - they were far more on the humanoid = C-3PO side in the 30's. On a more serious note. Recently I am becoming quite puzzled by the rear cockpit armament arrangement. It is evident that Vildebeests I + II were equipped with the Scarff ring - as represented in all Azur/SH Vildebeest kits: From the available references it is also clear that Vincents were equipped with the Fairey gun mounting: I am becoming more and more convinced that the same Fairey mounting was used on Mk. IV Vildebeests too. So it is once again adieu OOB build, as I will have to cut and scratchbuild the rear cockpit.: Additionally the available photography shows that the same mounting was most probably used also on Mk. III Vildebeests - at least on some of them. I was unable to find a single Vildebeest III photo with the Scarff ring in place. Well, they could have easily flown without it in the service, because I suppose every single extra pound of payload was useful while carrying the torpedo. But there are other Mk. III photos which suggest rather the Fairey mounting. In this case all the Azur/SH kits (except the Spanish boxings) are wrong in the rear cockpit area. Has it been discussed before? Can anyone shed more light on this particular issue? Patrik Edited November 11, 2017 by Patrik 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herr66 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Hi guys, Finished model in czech modelforum: http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=100920 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 A couple pics from the IWM. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125674 http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212175 http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205210929 Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrik Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 (edited) After careful study of available references I made up my mind yesterday and the result is below. Left the original fuselage, right with the opening for the Fairey gun mounting. The slot for the gun barrel is still missing - indicated by the black marker. Edited November 11, 2017 by Patrik 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
occa Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Wow, they are rebuilding a Vildebeest somewhere ? Or is it a Vincent ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Is that the one at Dairy Flat ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 I'll be visiting Dairy Flat on Saturday - do you have any Vincent picture requests? I think John's photos are of the RNZAF Museum's example at Wigram, but I may be mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Great photos John! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M. Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Wow, they are rebuilding a Vildebeest somewhere ? Or is it a Vincent ? Hi Occa. The pictures John has posted are the Vildebeest that the Air Force Museum at Wigram in Christchurch, New Zealand are re-building. The Vincent is the one at Dairy Flat here in Auckland that is being re-built by the Subritsky family. I thought I'd posted a series of photos of it here on Britmodeller, but can't find it in the walkarounds section. Check out my Photobucket collection starting from http://s63.photobucket.com/user/trx850_2006/media/Inst-panel-1.jpg.html then go backwards from there! I have a later series that I don't appear to have uploaded to Photobucket. I'll do so in the weekend, and add a notification to this thread. Cheers, Pete M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrik Posted February 29, 2016 Author Share Posted February 29, 2016 I'll be visiting Dairy Flat on Saturday - do you have any Vincent picture requests? I think John's photos are of the RNZAF Museum's example at Wigram, but I may be mistaken. Vincent photos - the rear cockpit from somewhere above would be really great - in order to see the shape and size correctly. All the photos I have seen so far are too distorted by perspective. Hopefully they have a stepladder for you somewhere . Patrik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Idiot that I am, I completely forgot to check in to see your answer before I left! I'll see if I can get in touch with owner Don in the hope he can help you out...in the meantime: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magua87 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Hi Occa. The pictures John has posted are the Vildebeest that the Air Force Museum at Wigram in Christchurch, New Zealand are re-building. The Vincent is the one at Dairy Flat here in Auckland that is being re-built by the Subritsky family. I thought I'd posted a series of photos of it here on Britmodeller, but can't find it in the walkarounds section. Check out my Photobucket collection starting from http://s63.photobucket.com/user/trx850_2006/media/Inst-panel-1.jpg.html then go backwards from there! I have a later series that I don't appear to have uploaded to Photobucket. I'll do so in the weekend, and add a notification to this thread. Cheers, Pete M. What are Subritzsky's plans for his collection? Museum? I'd love to be able to see that NF Meteor in the flesh/aluminium someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Don sees himself as a caretaker/custodian who gathers projects and then passes them on to people who share his vision for them. The last I heard was that the Vincent was going to the RAF Museum (possibly in a trade), the Meteor was going to fly but that was shelved as there aren't many places it can fly to/from. I'd love to make a case to get the Battle and one of the Hinds from him! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 That would be great if it is true, then they can hang it up so we can see underneath! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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