Navy Bird Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi mates, For my next trick, I'm going to build something that doesn't have an overall white scheme. I walked into my warehouse stepped into the closet opened the cabinet fell over a pile of kits on the floor, and came up with the 1:72 Avro Anson made by Special Hobby. I don't recall if this is one of the box full of Czech kits I acquired from @occa or if I bought this elsewhere, but it's a short run, multi-media kit from several years ago. There are just a couple of injection moulded sprues, containing the fuselage, wings, cockpit floor, greenhouse, and sundries: It looks like at some point I also bought the masking set from Eduard. Inside the decal envelope are the photoetch fret, with the instrument panel, seat belts, trim tab linkages, etc., and a small piece of film with the instruments for the panel. The kit also has a lot of resin parts, most notably the engines (with individual cylinder heads), cowlings, seats, gear struts, exhausts, gun, wing lights, etc. If I understand correctly, the Anson was powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines, each with 7 cylinders. That's a total of 14. Not sure why Special Hobby give us 32 cylinders - I might drop one or two but I think it would be hard even for me to lose so many that I'd need that many extras. Speaking of resin, here's where the kit gets "interesting." This, of course, is one of the more recognizable features of the Anson - the tubular framework visible through the greenhouse. As you can see, in addition to the cleanup required, these pieces are warped. Hmm. I can always count on Special Hobby to be looking out for my modelling skills development. They're so kind. I did a bit of cleanup and got this: The sidewalls will eventual mount to the cockpit floor (the teardrop shaped piece at top left of the second photos) so they will need to be curved in order to conform to the shape of the floor. The tubular portions of these parts (let's just call it the roll cage), are not round in cross-section, they're flat on the side that is visible through the windows. This is due to the casting method and cleanup. The top portion of the roll cage is warped, too. Here's what I'm going to do. First, I'm going to pour libations and make sacrifices to Zeus (remembering, of course, to wrap fat around the thigh bones). Then, I'm going to construct my own roll cage using styrene rod. Let's try an experiment first. I measured the diameter of the tubes, and they're all somewhere around 0.030 inches. Great, I have some Evergreen rod of that size. Using the above piece as a template, a short while later I have this: OK, why not? This should work. I think the best way to do this is to cut off the tubular section from each sidewall, attach the sidewalls to the floor, close up the fuselage and add the roll cage later. As with most short run kits, there are no alignment pegs to show you exactly where any of the cockpit pieces go. There is usually quite a lot of dry fitting involved before any glue is, well, glued. You have to find the "keystone" - the one part that can only go in one spot, and then build out from there. For this kit, I think the keystone is the forward bulkhead for the turret compartment. That needs to align with the rear windows, so I'm confident that's where we'll start. Luckily, there are quite a few on-line photos and references that will help with this build. I'm not sure what markings I'll use, probably the ones shown on the box top. This is a famous Anson that actually shot down two Bf 109s (one for the pilot, one for the gunner). Imagine that. Although I also like the trainer schemes with the yellow undersides. We'll see. Stay tuned for another exciting episode as Uncle Navy Bird gets paint under his fingernails again. Cheers, Bill 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I'm in love the Anson beer and sandwiches ordered. I'm sure you will overcome all obstickles thrown in your path and end with another show stopping exhibit! Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hello Annie!! I'm in for that of course! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Here I am, front row seat this time There's enough resin to have a lot of fun, I think Nice start already, BTW CIAO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Ah Bill , this should be great - don't envy you wrangling the resin on that interior tubework though. Best of luck with this! Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi Bill, I'll tag along too if that's okay, I've always had a soft spot for Faithful Annie Cheers, Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 A Bill build of an Anson. Are there any seats left? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 (edited) An Anson you say young William? Its your lucky day innit Edited March 9, 2018 by NAVY870 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 4 hours ago, Hamden said: I'm in love the Anson beer and sandwiches ordered. Ham & Swiss on rye...with mustard please. Oh, yeah, I'll take a beer too. 2 hours ago, giemme said: There's enough resin to have a lot of fun, I think Can you have too much resin? I don't think so. 2 hours ago, TheBaron said: Ah Bill , this should be great - don't envy you wrangling the resin on that interior tubework though. This is the beauty of my plan! I'm going to replace the resin tubework with scratch-built styrene rod tubework. Maybe you can have too much resin. 1 hour ago, Beard said: A Bill build of an Anson. Are there any seats left? There is a seat left, but it's way up front in the nose. You have to lay down on your tummy and look out the bomb aimer's window in order to see anything. 16 minutes ago, NAVY870 said: An Anson you say young William? Its your lucky day innit Well, you see it's like this. I look in the background of the photos you post, pick an aircraft and then build that kit. This way I know you'll come around and help me avoid making anything other than silly mistakes. But seriously, glad to have you aboard. What mark is she? Oh, and stick around for later - I've got one of those 1:72 Aki Sea Furies looking at me with beguiling eyes. Cheers, Bill 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 OK then, here we go with more modelling entertainment, pass the popcorn please 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempestwulf Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 There's a flying example of an Anson in New Zealand. Saw it at Wings Over Wairarapa, great fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 6 hours ago, Navy Bird said: Hi mates, For my next trick, I'm going to build something that doesn't have an overall white scheme. I walked into my warehouse stepped into the closet opened the cabinet fell over a pile of kits on the floor, and came up with the 1:72 Avro Anson made by Special Hobby. I don't recall if this is one of the box full of Czech kits I acquired from @occa or if I bought this elsewhere, but it's a short run, multi-media kit from several years ago. Well I'm looking forward to this one, and what a difference to the TSR2, Buccaneer and F-111 this will make! Special Hobby kits need a little work but I like their finesse and general appearance. I'm all eyes ............. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
occa Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Man Bill, I see your thread and my immediate thoughts are hey that's a kit I once owned lol ... This will be great, I just know it ... Cheers Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Looking forward to you working your magic on this one Bill,...... I have a couple but haven`t felt brave enough to start one yet!! Quite fancy an early war RAF and a post war overall yellow RN myself,...... hoping you`ll give me some inspiration,.....so pop corn at the ready, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 I'll take a seat at the back if you don't mind and take a tutorial from the master. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 On 3/9/2018 at 17:48, Tempestwulf said: There's a flying example of an Anson in New Zealand. Saw it at Wings Over Wairarapa, great fun. Nice! Was it this one? I think she's based in New Zealand. She is beautiful. On 3/9/2018 at 18:41, Terry1954 said: Well I'm looking forward to this one, and what a difference to the TSR2, Buccaneer and F-111 this will make! Special Hobby kits need a little work but I like their finesse and general appearance. I'm a big fan of Special Hobby/MPM/Xtrakit/All Those Other Brands. They make some very interesting subjects, many that the mainstream guys wouldn't bother with. Here are a few of my blasts from the past, all 1:72: DAP Beaufort Mk.VIII Blackburn Skua Brewster Buffalo B339E Fairey Firefly TT.4 Fairey Firefly FR.I de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 (TT) On 3/9/2018 at 18:51, occa said: Man Bill, I see your thread and my immediate thoughts are hey that's a kit I once owned lol ... This will be great, I just know it ... Cheers Martin Hi Martin! I'm slowing working my way through the Care package you sent me. Someday I'll finish them all. I was just looking at the XP-56 Black Bullet kit today - cute little bugger. On 3/9/2018 at 18:58, tonyot said: Looking forward to you working your magic on this one Bill,...... I have a couple but haven`t felt brave enough to start one yet!! Quite fancy an early war RAF and a post war overall yellow RN myself,...... hoping you`ll give me some inspiration,.....so pop corn at the ready, Cheers Tony Hi Tony! I was on Hannants today, and saw Xtradecal sheet X72143 with an RAF (I think) Anson based in Canada in Temperate Land Scheme, but with yellow areas on top of the spine, wings, and tailplanes. Different, you know? I like different. I might have to get that sheet. Cheers, Bill 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Those are some beautiful blasts from the past Bill, and good luck on this one! I actually built the ancient Airfix Anson kit (when both it and I weren't so ancient); I may still have it around somewhere. The landing gear actually retracts on the model! Woohoo! I can't remember if the turret rotates also - probably, but I'll need to dig it out. Regards, Jason 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 White styrene time so soon! I'm in! Martian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJP Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 The one flying in New Zealand is a bit of an odd duck. It has the early windscreen retrofitted along with the potted engine cowlings. And the wing and tailplanes are the pointy metal jobs seen on the postwar marks. I'm not sure it isn't a unique combination. NOT to say it wouldn't be a worthy and interesting conversion all on its own. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazontipede Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 More Navy Bird magic, excellent! The airworthy Kiwi Anson I lives at the Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim, South Island. It is absolutely gorgeous and to see it clattering around overhead, going on the occasional rampage with 'little' (100lb) bombs is something else to be sure! Heres a little (10min) video of the old girl to get the modelling mojo boiling. Carry on! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempestwulf Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 33 minutes ago, Gazontipede said: More Navy Bird magic, excellent! The airworthy Kiwi Anson I lives at the Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim, South Island. It is absolutely gorgeous and to see it clattering around overhead, going on the occasional rampage with 'little' (100lb) bombs is something else to be sure! Heres a little (10min) video of the old girl to get the modelling mojo boiling. Carry on! That's the beauty. Now if they could lovingly rebuild the Sunderland at MOTAT to a flying condition, our dreams would come true. Only thing that topped it was the sorely missed Mosquito before it headed to the US. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 2 hours ago, RJP said: The one flying in New Zealand is a bit of an odd duck. It has the early windscreen retrofitted along with the potted engine cowlings. And the wing and tailplanes are the pointy metal jobs seen on the postwar marks. I'm not sure it isn't a unique combination. NOT to say it wouldn't be a worthy and interesting conversion all on its own. The pointy metal wings were fitted because of the impossibilty of getting it certified with the wooden sparred wings the Mk Is had, happily the metal spars fitted in the same gaps. They came from an Aussie one which at one point flew fish across Bass Strait, if I've got that correctly, I was lucky to get up closr & personal with this old girl prior to her flying, a superb restoration in every way imho. I'll be looking forward to watching you work your magic on this Bill. Steve. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Evergreen for an evergreen Seems suitably suitable I'm over there near the doors to the convenience, getting old y'see This will be nice ☺ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, Navy Bird said: Hi Tony! I was on Hannants today, and saw Xtradecal sheet X72143 with an RAF (I think) Anson based in Canada in Temperate Land Scheme, but with yellow areas on top of the spine, wings, and tailplanes. Different, you know? I like different. I might have to get that sheet. Cheers, Bill Hiya Bill, I think I know which one you mean,...... think it is a RCAF aircraft,... it is brown and green but the colours look darker somehow? Is this it; Here is the real thing; These RCAF Anson`s are nice too,.... note the multi coloured cowling `bumps'; For something different,..... this one (NK718, DT-K2) with black undersides was flown by 462 Sqn RAAF in the UK,....possibly as an ECM trainer for their specialised Halifax`s,....or as a hack,..... Anson NK718 462 Sqn, RAAF P01523_021 by Tony OToole, on Flickr And I think that some ASR Ansons were re finished in the Temperate Sea Scheme colours,....it isn`t clear but it seems the case here; The resources needed to mount a single air/sea rescue sortie by Tony OToole, on Flickr The scheme isn`t so clear on this ASR Anson,.....could be Temperate Land or Sea scheme? Whatever the case mate,.... I know that you will do a superb job and I`m looking forward to your Anson, Cheers Tony Edited March 10, 2018 by tonyot 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 7 hours ago, Navy Bird said: I'm a big fan of Special Hobby/MPM/Xtrakit/All Those Other Brands. They make some very interesting subjects, many that the mainstream guys wouldn't bother with. Here are some blasts from the past, all 1:72: They are beautiful Bill. I posted this one last week. As you say interesting subjects not often available from the mainstream guys. Cheers Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now