vh-bob Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 G'day All Bristol 170 Mk 21 "Freighter" VH-INJ was one of three purchased by Australian National Airways to fly frozen carcasses from the Kimberly abattoirs to Wyndham, a coastal port in West Australia under the "Air Beef" scheme in1948. The operation proved a success until a sealed road was built to allow the cattle to be trucked to the coast instead' The three Freighters then served ANA, later Ansett - ANA, as general cargo carriers until all were scrapped at Essendon Victoria in 1961. I of course started with the Airfix "Super Freighter" kit, shortened the nose and built up the new one using the "plastic card and bog" method. I tried scribing the outline of the loading doors which ended in disaster so I fudged it by painting them in. The fin was modified by removing the dorsal and building up new leading edge and the tailplane tips squared off as were the early freighters. The ANA titling and logos were taken from a Hawkeye DC-3 Sheet but she still lacks the fleet name "Pokana" (all ANA aircraft at the time had names ending in ana) in tiny letters on the nose. The bare metal finish is done with Humbrol "Polished Aluminium" finished with a coat of gloss. I would like to eventually build a Freighter with open nose doors and detailed interior but I may hold off to see if anything comes of the rumours of a release from Eastern Europe. IMGP7806 by Trevor Putterill, on Flickr IMGP7807 by Trevor Putterill, on Flickr IMGP7809 by Trevor Putterill, on Flickr 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyinoz Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 jeez VH-bob you certainly punched them out and you build post my sorta stuff! Bravo! I built one of theese too! for another friend and had to give away! http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7472&p=55456&hilit=+bristol#p55456 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vh-bob Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 Wally, your Freighter is really beautiful. The original VH-AAH was owned, flown, and crashed by the uncle of a mate of mine, Former World Speedway Champion, Lionel Van Pragg. The models I have posted here were built about 12 months ago and are pretty straight forward. Trev. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 A very nice conversion indeed. This brings back happy memories. The Freighter was one of my favourite models from a bygone era. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Nice to see a Freighter, I have one waiting it's turn, hope it turns out as good as yours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Another absolute beauty and a great conversion. A really interesting story. I wonder whether the pilots, when learning to fly, ever thought they would one day be ferrying dead animals for a living. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 That is absolutely magnificent.I have one in the stash,and I will have to get started on it. Actually I already have,but I must really get started,if you know what I mean!! Great build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Very nice! I wonder about Airfix's thinking back then. Why make a model of the less known "long nose" Freighter? Also why make the Heron but not the much better known Dove / Devon? They weren't the only ones. Dinky made in (1946 to 1949) a Messerschmitt 110 calling it a "twin engine fighter" but not a DH Mosquito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Well done on that, pure nostalgia in modelling, both the kit and subject Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinism Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Fabulous build of a fascinating aircraft with an interesting history. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vh-bob Posted May 27, 2016 Author Share Posted May 27, 2016 Rik , that is an interesting point as to just how the descision about what to release comes about. I had one of those "twin engine fighters" a life time ago. I saw a reference recently about a future release of a new Freighter kit from ,I think, "Fly". As for the Air Beef operation, Meatbox 8, at least the carcasess were frozen unlike similar flights in Bolivia where t6he meat was carried at room temperature Trev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Hothersall Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Another interesting conversion I remember you doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 special plane, nice build - like it. Cheers, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 Very nice finish you've achieved here. ( "Frozen carcasses" - sounds like this outfit was ahead of the game as to how airlines would come to treat passengers! ) Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 As much of an oxymoron as I know it is, beautiful Freighter! Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 A nice conversion of the Freighter and a great choice of subject too one of the lesser known aspects of aviation. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vh-bob Posted May 28, 2016 Author Share Posted May 28, 2016 Mike W I had missed the similarity to today's airline passengers and Jason the Freighter was certainly an example of the old adage, "handsome is as handsome does". Thanks to all for taking the time to comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Hello,vh bob- A great looking build of a true classic.I love it! All the best,Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodders154 Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 good job unuseual subject Rodders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Very nice work, looks fabulous got the superfreighter in the stash too, to build one day. Thanks for sharing. All the bestChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 A rather charming model! I too am looking forward to the expected new freighter release. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Very nice. These things look like they just shouldn't fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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