fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Record Fever. The 20’s and 30’s saw one record flight after another fall more rapidly than the transit of the sun. They were a combination of show business and keen aviation skills, and helped to develop the industry as well as to create confidence among the general public towards the capabilities of the airplane. Individuals, Cities, States and Countries alike sought to gain the first page of newspapers, not to mention the industry brands that saw their products widely advertised in a way many times impossible to buy with money. So it was a win-win situation for everybody involved, pilots, sponsors, media, industry and the general public. This particular machine, thanks to in-flight refueling stayed aloft for more than seventeen days, piloted by Forrest O’Brine and Dale Jackson above the Lambert, St. Louis airfield. The machine was an out-of-the-production-line Curtiss Robin, slightly modified, equipped with the standard Curtiss Challenger six-cylinder engine, named the St. Louis Robin1. Two men manned the plane, taking four-hour turns to pilot and rest on a bunk above the fuselage super-sized auxiliary tank, refuel from the tanker and repair the engine in flight using an external rig braced around the engine. The flight was from 13 July to 30 July 1929. Quite a feat, isn’t it? This particular plane, as said, was adapted for the record flight, so a number of little things will need your keen attention. Always, always, always, no matter how good you think the plan or kit you have is, look at photographic references and contemporary accounts of the events. You will be very surprised almost every single time discovering how far from reality representations could be. No kit for this one, fellows (see, there are some advantages to scratchbuilding), and many an hour was spent looking for additional references, but you can start with the very good article on this plane on Skyways (Oct 2011) magazine. Nice history, nice plane, nice colors. What else could you ask for an engaging modeling project? The ancillary structure around the engine was for in-flight -plein air- repairs/inspection (yes, believe it or not). The opening on the back was for the in-flight refueling operation. 36 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 If ever one of your models needed an on-board toilet, this would be the one!😁 Not much else I can say, Moa, as I'm just about out of superlatives to describe your work; I need to get a pocket thesaurus, I guess! I really, really, really like this one! Mike 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Me too. Really really really like this one. Interesting story - had not heard it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankymodeler Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Stunning! Excellent work and a civilian subject as a bonus! Well done, Sir! Eric aka The Yankymodeler 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Lovely Curtiss. It looks exactly like the one I have seen flying many times before at Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, NY... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Fabulous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Amazing feat – the flight and the model both! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artie Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Moa, I've ran out of words with your modelling skills. Not just the amazing work you do, but the bizarre and obscure subjects you choose. Congratulations.... Arturo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Lovely build of a subject not often seen in a very attractive livery. Well done. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Another stunner. Loved to have seen you scratch the engine. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 12, 2018 Author Share Posted November 12, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 12, 2018 Author Share Posted November 12, 2018 5 hours ago, Courageous said: Another stunner. Loved to have seen you scratch the engine. Stuart Hi Stuart It wasn't really a scratch, but chop and re-position on a made-up crankcase and adding a little detail: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Good work on the engine. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I too am running out of superlatives. These models really are among the best that I have seen anywhere. I especially like the scratch builds. An amazing achievement for the aircraft and no less so for the model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 Found a clip of it, in-flight refueling!: https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/MVTN/id/3196/rec/111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 On 11/11/2018 at 3:20 AM, Artie said: Moa, I've ran out of words with your modelling skills. Not just the amazing work you do, but the bizarre and obscure subjects you choose. Congratulations.... I can only echo that sentiment. Your work never fails to be a treat to see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 2 hours ago, SAT69 said: I can only echo that sentiment. Your work never fails to be a treat to see. Too kind, too kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 I take it you preshaded the bottom of the wings and struts? Like we say at museums, looks to nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 45 minutes ago, busnproplinerfan said: I take it you preshaded the bottom of the wings and struts? Like we say at museums, looks to nice. Do you mean too nice? Pre-shading? Pft! Speaking of museums, a second Robin was commissioned and it's exhibited at the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Wow, another lovely model Moa, great work. I loved the inflight refuelling video . Can you imagine getting out in flight to carry out inspection and work on the engine in flight !!! Brave fellows. Another fascinating model and subject and you have really done it justice. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 A wonderful model of a surprisingly little known but amazing aviation achievement. I had to look it up. I think it's fair to say that if today's health and safety environment had existed then it would have never taken place! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Wow ! Yet another masterpiece, whatever next ? Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 10 hours ago, bigbadbadge said: Wow, another lovely model Moa, great work. I loved the inflight refuelling video . Can you imagine getting out in flight to carry out inspection and work on the engine in flight !!! Brave fellows. Another fascinating model and subject and you have really done it justice. All the best Chris Inflight refueling...carrying out engine repairs outside the plane while flying... I would have needed napies, that's for sure! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 5 hours ago, Meatbox8 said: A wonderful model of a surprisingly little known but amazing aviation achievement. I had to look it up. I think it's fair to say that if today's health and safety environment had existed then it would have never taken place! Thanks, and yes, regulators must cringe seen these videos! (and insurance companies)! 5 hours ago, Wulfman said: Wow ! Yet another masterpiece, whatever next ? Wulfman Thanks Wulfman! Next, applying those decals to the Dragons! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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