Popular Post general melchett Posted October 24, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) Hail to the good folks of Britmodeller Land, thought I'd post this johnny here for your perusal, it's the test shot of the Airfix Whitley V in its BOAC civvy hauler guise as worn by 15 former Mk V bombers leased to the airline in 1942, and was built for last months issue of Airfix Model World magazine. Twelve were converted using streamlined fairings in place of the FN16 nose and FN4A rear turrets, additional fuel tanks in the bomb bays to extend the range and the interior modified to take freight, (two still had their turrets fitted). Some of these aircraft flew a particularly hazardous route between Leuchers and Stockholm but due to the heavy fuel consumption relative to it's payload the type was replaced quite quickly by the far more able Hudson. In 1943 12 of these aircraft were returned to Bomber Command plus the two armed machines and one was written off in Gibraltar. The Airfix kit is a delight to build, (I have two more on the go) and looks rather natty in the BOAC scheme. The other option in the box is of course the MkVII of Coastal Command which I'll be building once the Mk III is done. One thing to watch for with the decals...... the huge BOAC letters are printed in one piece with a correspondingly large carrier film which could prove very awkward to apply without a certain amount of the dreaded silvering to deal with. I opted to cut the individual letters out with micro-scissors and apply them using Micro set and sol and a moist cotton bud., (same went for the fuselage codes). Well Darling, kindly clear the runway for the next one... Thanks for looking, Melchie Edited October 24, 2016 by general melchett 76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumblestripe Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Top work General! Fascinating subject (I'm trying to imagine what sort of ride the paying customers got!) and a lovely clean build. Oh and nicely photographerised too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Rather natty, your Generalness. Good strong thrusting chin too. That should push up the mach number! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael51 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Great work. Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 It looks most splendid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 You kept this one quiet Mr Melchett, what a stunner. I'm wanting to do all the bombers in their respective civvy configurations and this is just the inspiration to pick this one up. gorgeous finish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 This is very nice and I hope to see her in the flesh at Telford. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Very nice build of a not often seen aircraft - thanks for posting. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks chaps, very much appreciated.... Quote (I'm trying to imagine what sort of ride the paying customers got!) Thanks Rumble, luckily they only hefted freight about, though I'm sure the odd VIP sneaked aboard...and promptly wish he hadn't ! Quote Good strong thrusting chin too. That should push up the mach number! True Pete...the Mach number may well have soared up to a terrifying 0.05 or something equally rivet popping....funnily enough it didn't improve performance much at all. the extra tankage and cargo made sure of that.. Quote I'm wanting to do all the bombers in their respective civvy configurations and this is just the inspiration to pick this one up. Thanks Neil, yes I'm not allowed to tell the big boys what I'm making for the magazines on threat of death and worse. Good plan, very tempted with a Stirling and Halibag, (not to mention Lancastrian and Halton) in their respective de-mob suits, they all look rather nice....actually the new AIM/Rug Rat DH.91 Albatross looks rather tempting too... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Nice indeed! J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Quote This is very nice and I hope to see her in the flesh at Telford. Thanks Patrick, it will be on the Airfix/AMW stand along with a few other test shot's I've done for them recently, hope to see you all there for a chat... Thanks J-W, glad you like it... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Yes I saw it in the magazine. Liked it then and like it now. As for the ride potential passengers may have had. It would be luxurious compared to riding in the bomb bay of a BOAC Mosquito! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 6 minutes ago, general melchett said: Thanks Patrick, it will be on the Airfix/AMW stand along with a few other test shot's I've done for them recently, hope to see you all there for a chat... I should be there with my five Vildebeest / Vincent. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Very nice indeed, the modification makes it look almost streamlined. I shudder to think what the in-flight catering was like. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Splendid rendition there General! I hope Baldrick has been summoned to provide suitable reward for a job well done? Look forward to seeing your Mk.VII Edge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks fellas, Patrick, Vildebeest/Vincent, wonderful machines...five eh, you've been busy, loook forward to seeing them on parade. . Quote I shudder to think what the in-flight catering was like. Doesn't bear thinking, Plum Duff, Rat Eu'van and apple crumble and Baldrick's finest 'custard'... Quote I hope Baldrick has been summoned to provide suitable reward for a job well done? Once Darling has finished with him I'll be giving him a damn good thrashing, six of the best, trousers down as recompense for services rendered, (that's provided he's finished cleaning the latrines with his toothbrush !) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 fantastic work, looks great . Very nice job on the scheme and finish....great looking scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
occa Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 This is the stuff that makes me visit britmodeller everyday !! Fantastic model !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 That is absolutely fantastic. The Whitley really suits this "Civil" scheme. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Now that's a beauty. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Looks excellent in this scheme and beautifully executed, first class glazing and framing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Exceptional work. Beautiful and unusual version. Regards 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks guys, I'ts heartening to see modellers that like something a bit different. I think it was pretty adventurous of Airfix to field this version as there were relatively few converted and they didn't last very long in service, just four months in fact..... Just hope it inspires them to do a few more in the same vein.........an AW Ensign would be nice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Oh how I wish we had a Whitley still intact Looks so good dressed as a 'civvie'. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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