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100 years of the RAF - Silver Linings


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So as the two current builds reach the painting and waiting phase, I've moved on to the next attempt in stash reduction. Now, biplanes have always presented me with a bit of a problem, I've always struggled to get that top wing balancing properly and sturdily enough. So what better way to face this fear than to attempt building one a few most of those present in my stash. Since four are matchbox, I know from my previous fury build that someone's actually thought construction through and the central struts will be well placed and held be other parts. Since the others are Airfix and Frogspawn, I may have more trouble later... :unsure: So what kits are making an appearance?

 

The first is part of the reason for the build, pulled down of the dread SoD after taking flight and various delicate parts snapping, one Hawker Demon.

 

26927412928_a4ccf912da.jpg

 

Next, the Frogspawn. A Blackburn Shark Mk.II

 

38987346950_4328795796.jpg

 

Then the second Airfix kit and first Matchbox. A Bristol Bulldog and Armstrong Whitworth Siskin.

 

38987347370_73857dca04.jpg

 

One Matchbox Gloster Gladiator with a bit of AM....

 

39902646075_c5f95f739e.jpg

 

And finally, Matchbox's Supermarine Walrus.

 

26927413788_3db0045ba1.jpg

 

There's also a Matchbox Stranraer in the wings, but she will appear later in the thread.

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Now, some work has already begun on four of the above, a little detailing of the unsurprisingly bare pits an example of which below.

 

25887832107_1ea890fd7e.jpg

 

With a little plastic rod, strip and runners, they now look like this...

 

26098261107_9fb06de911.jpg

26098262097_d24c3c14cb.jpg

27099021918_6e7a256f54.jpg

26098258707_b4eeb19777.jpg

 

40927947042_b73a0085e8.jpg

 

I've tried to make them realistic, and have Yahu's excellent IP's for the Bulldog and Gladiator. Since both the Walrus and Stranraer need more planning, they're gonna take a while longer. Just need some good images of the Shark and Siskin panels to really make them pop. Oh, and the Shark engine? Lucky find on Shapeways, something I'd love to be able to do myself, but my Google-fu for appropriate pics is weak :(

Edited by charlie_c67
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1 hour ago, charlie_c67 said:

Now, some work has already begun on four of the above, a little detailing of the unsurprisingly bare pits an example of which below.

 

25887832107_1ea890fd7e.jpg

 

With a little plastic rod, strip and runners, they now look like this...

 

26098261107_9fb06de911.jpg

26098262097_d24c3c14cb.jpg

27099021918_6e7a256f54.jpg

26098258707_b4eeb19777.jpg

 

40927947042_b73a0085e8.jpg

 

I've tried to make them realistic, and have Yahu's excellent IP's for the Bulldog and Gladiator. Since both the Walrus and Stranraer need more planning, they're gonna take a while longer. Just need some good images of the Shark and Siskin panels to really make them pop. Oh, and the Shark engine? Lucky find on Shapeways, something I'd love to be able to do myself, but my Google-fu for appropriate pics is weak :(

 

Your shots could easily have been taken on my desk, mate! ;) Very nice work so far. An interesting subject.

 

Martin

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A lovely selection of aircraft, I'll be following this one!

 If you need any help with the biplane/rigging bit just shout, as I build 1:72 WWI types almost exclusively so I may be able to help....no promises though!

 

Ian 

Edited by limeypilot
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So in my haste, I managed to close up the Bulldog with zero pics of the final (admittedly rudimentary) innards which included the Yahu IP and may be slightly visible int the pics below.

 

40309047874_67d2cb44a1_b.jpg

 

40975966302_eec222d3b9_b.jpg

 

This also shows the wonderfully flashed engine and the sharks teeth holding ring for want of the official description. This has been added already as it should be lovely shiny bare metal, something I hope to have a cunning plan for...

Having learnt my lesson I then proceeded to close the Gladiator up with no pics, nor an IP :wall: Flowery language then ensued....

 

 

The Siskin and Shark managed to avoid a similar fate, and since I'm doing the No. 32 Siskin, she has also been closed up ready for the trial shiny metal stage.

 

40309049234_094dceba62_b.jpg

 

The Shark meanwhile, is closed up, but awaiting a few more sticky out bits and some attention to the Tiger engine. Compare the kit part and the Shapeways replacement below.

 

40309049274_117f336c89_b.jpg

40975966682_1c66a8c1ef_b.jpg

 

I also have a bit of a quandary on the colour's the Shark should be sporting as several pics suggest that the body and fabric surfaces are two different colour's, though this could be my poor eye on such matters.

 

https://goo.gl/images/V9GxUa

 

Any help on the subject would be appreciated!

 

 

 

Edited by charlie_c67
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11 hours ago, charlie_c67 said:

So in my haste, I managed to close up the Bulldog with zero pics of the final (admittedly rudimentary) innards which included the Yahu IP and may be slightly visible int the pics below.

 

40309047874_67d2cb44a1_b.jpg

 

40975966302_eec222d3b9_b.jpg

 

This also shows the wonderfully flashed engine and the sharks teeth holding ring for want of the official description. This has been added already as it should be lovely shiny bare metal, something I hope to have a cunning plan for...

Having learnt my lesson I then proceeded to close the Gladiator up with no pics, nor an IP :wall: Flowery language then ensued....

 

 

The Siskin and Shark managed to avoid a similar fate, and since I'm doing the No. 32 Siskin, she has also been closed up ready for the trial shiny metal stage.

 

40309049234_094dceba62_b.jpg

 

The Shark meanwhile, is closed up, but awaiting a few more sticky out bits and some attention to the Tiger engine. Compare the kit part and the Shapeways replacement below.

 

40309049274_117f336c89_b.jpg

40975966682_1c66a8c1ef_b.jpg

 

I also have a bit of a quandary on the colour's the Shark should be sporting as several pics suggest that the body and fabric surfaces are two different colour's, though this could be my poor eye on such matters.

 

https://goo.gl/images/V9GxUa

 

Any help on the subject would be appreciated!

 

 

 

the shark had a metal fuselage and It should be cerrux grey They usually had the top decking painted black.

 

Selwyn

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  • 4 weeks later...

Been a little while since I updated, but these haven't been forgotten!

 

27833378888_468c0fbbb5_b.jpg

40802907205_5b02e6e5f5_b.jpg

41701698601_31ec367dd5_b.jpg

 

The Shark's taking a small break while I concentrate on these three, plus I'd like to do her with the wings folded so that will need a little forethought. As for these three, the first of two problems is rearing it's head. Fitting the top wing. The Gladiator should be relatively straight forward, the Siskin a little less after the front two supports snapped off, though one these has broken in such a way that repairing it should be fairly straightforward. The Bulldog however... any hints one fixing this with only two hands rather than five would be gratefully accepted!

 

As a quick, reletively easy, build to aid mojo maintenance an interloper has appeared...

 

40802907295_ff1e43153a_b.jpg

 

However, she'll not be wearing her usual colour's, more on that to follow.... 😊

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On 3/23/2018 at 2:40 PM, charlie_c67 said:

Can't help with the Siskin, I'm afraid, but these are the only engine / cockpit shots in the excellent (but very hard to find; it was published 51 years ago) "Canada's Wings - The Blackburn Shark" [Karl Vincent]. 

40994793104_43f1fb6c63_b.jpg

40994792094_9a44a135da_c.jpg

27843994648_d9487d5fd4_b.jpg

27843994358_1aadd2845b_h.jpg

Edited by Ex-FAAWAFU
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Thanks for the pics FAAWAFU, but I think those Sharks are Mk.III's rather than the Mk. I/II of the kit. It's a different engine and has a canopy for one! Assume that would make the innards different as well. Unfortunately I've already zipped her up, but will keep them in mind should I ever do another, maybe one with floats instead.... 🤔

 

Also looks like it's all over silver rather than the grey suggested in other pics. I think. To quote the Goons "It's all rather confusing..." in your best Eccles voice.

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