Popular Post fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 11, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2018 This build is so old that I actually don't recall when I assembled this kit. Re-photographing and re-posting now for the sake of nostalgia. The text is from the time when I posted it somewhere, but that post is not dated. Another spawn from the Dungeons of Matchbox, with the usual colorful Ectoplastic treatment. After opening the box I realized I have seen a decal review of a civilian version, and following a fast search I order the set from Whiskey Jack Decals. I will elaborate on this matter later*. So there I was, battling valiantly again against the multi-colored Ectoplastic, but always with a smile on my face. This Stranraer model is really beautiful -the 30's definitely have some special charm- and builds easily. The only parts of the kit that made me frown were the struts. The central ones are way too long, and some of the exterior ones are too short. I found them difficult to position and the whole process of attaching the upper wing found me making good use of words that will make a seasoned rap singer turn pale. Rigging info is not provided, but there is a fair amount of images on the Internet, which helped me with it and some other details. Since I didn't have the lemon yellow suggested by Whiskey Jack Decals available, I used Utrecht artist acrylic, which of course unfortunately is meant not to flow, and diluted it with Model Master acrylic thinner. Several coats were laid down to build up a solid color that matched to my satisfaction the yellow on the fuselage side decals. The conversion to the civilian version, a Canadian machine of Queen Charlotte Airlines Ltd., requires some changes: the gun positions have of course to be deleted and blanked off and there are also changes in the engine/propeller area and other minor details. I have a single word for the after market decals: excellent. You have to be aware, though, that they have a continuous carrier, so you will have to carefully cut all the subjects and trim them. The decals must be handled carefully, and before cutting them a clear coat is suggested (I used Future, three coats, airbrushed). I tried them with and without decal setting agents, and I think you are safer without them, but you have to be patient. The colors are good as is the definition, but I encountered minor misalignments in the fuselage side decals (if you make on part of the image align with certain surface features, other parts are not aligned and vice versa, but I repeat: minor issues. The decals conformed well to all the surfaces and even endured some repositioning with remarkable stoicism. Another old Matchbox kit that provides a satisfying build, provided you are not obsessive-compulsive. *These decals -as far as I know- have been discontinued for ages now. (Note: there was a dolly, now missing, that supported the aft fuselage of this kit) 74 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmouredSprue Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Very nice 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Your predilection for war machines in civilian dress brings forth yet another triumph. And the photography here is breathtaking – you have really used the sun to best advantage! From a semi-retired photographer… 😉 Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 I have a soft spot for old matchbox kits, this one is fantastic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Wish I'd seen this before I cammo'd my Stranraer.........gorgeous !! Rog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artie Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Dear Moa, I'd like to ask you, to beg you a favour: Please, stop posting those bauties. Everytime I see one of them, my blood pressure rises up like a firework in Guy Fawkes' night, and I suffer from cardiac arrythmia. TIA and best regards.... 🤣🤣 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Again a nice, very nice build. I do believe that the decals are available again under Thunderbird Models, They have re issued a few of the former Whiskey Jack decals but as screen printed sets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannie Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) Stunning build of an interesting airplane. The owner of Blue Mountain Hobbies in Coquitlam (BC, Canada - shop closed down about 10 years or more ago) had one in a display case. I complimented him on his build, and he commented that the Canadian pilots' nickname for this plane was "The Whistling Sh**house" - or something to that effect. I wonder if there is any truth in it - anybody out in my neck of the woods know? Edited November 12, 2018 by jannie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_opland Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Hi Jannie, Yes, that was exactly the nickname for this plane related by the founder of Queen Charlotte Airlines Ltd. in this book on the subject: "The Accidental Airline" by White & Spilsbury. "Moa"! I don't recall seeing this one before! Great to see somebody putting those decals to use; good'un! Cheers, -Lars 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Another beautiful flying lumber yard! I have two of the MB kits, which I think is their best biplane release- their biplanes are their best kits, in my humble opinion, and I wish they had done more of them. The Stranraer is an elegant and BIG airplane, and you have done her proud. If I can do half as good...(I'm worried that there might be a Heyford in civilian markings lurking in the shadows!) Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 How nice to see one in civil markings for once. Another of your most beautiful builds - and wonderful photographs too. Please keep them coming. P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Terrible,absolutely terrible!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Lovely build, Moa. I managed to buy the Thunderbirds printing of this decal sheet and have moved the kit up my To Build list. I note your comments about the length of the struts - that's useful to know. You mentioned some mods required for the engines and props - did you scratch these or use items borrowed from other kits? What approach did you use for the side decals? On the Thunderbirds, there is a continuous strip of black with no provision for the windows. How did you tackle this on your model? Regards Richard C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 3 hours ago, spruecutter said: Lovely build, Moa. I managed to buy the Thunderbirds printing of this decal sheet and have moved the kit up my To Build list. I note your comments about the length of the struts - that's useful to know. You mentioned some mods required for the engines and props - did you scratch these or use items borrowed from other kits? What approach did you use for the side decals? On the Thunderbirds, there is a continuous strip of black with no provision for the windows. How did you tackle this on your model? Regards Richard C Hi Richard This is a very old build, as stated in the header, I wasn't documenting much at that time, and looking at the two or three images that I took while building I could not expunge any useful information. Not sure what happened with the side decals, but most likely the windows may have not aligned, in which case I think I would have let the decal set, cut off the windows in their real position (this decal was an all-carrier thing, not "hollowed" windows) and then paint the black spots where the decal will show otherwise the edges of silver underneath. The images' exif traced the build to 2006, 13 years ago. I have no idea what I did or how. I sincerely don't recall a pip, other than the decals will adhere like limpets after a short time. I suggest that you look at photos of the machine you intend to build and compare them to the version intended in the kit boxing, taking down notes of differences, that's how I work. I do not trust plans or drawings, having been many times mislead by them, in spite of the good intentions of their makers. Sorry I can't be of more use, as said, a very old build. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Thanks Moa for the pointers. Even if it's an old build, You made a very nice job of the modelling and the photography. Cheers Richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 A pox on Whiskey Jack Decals and their maker! That S.O.B. owes me $35.00 Cdn. and/or the decals I ordered years ago. I know he was being investigated by the police for ripping people off. I still get pixxed off whenever the subject comes up. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 2 hours ago, dogsbody said: A pox on Whiskey Jack Decals and their maker! That S.O.B. owes me $35.00 Cdn. and/or the decals I ordered years ago. I know he was being investigated by the police for ripping people off. I still get pixxed off whenever the subject comes up. Chris Chris, this must be the thousandth time I heard the same complaint, every time the subject of these decals comes up. Strange business practices...to say it extremely politely. Sorry you (and it seems very many others) were ripped. Breathe...breathe.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Moa said: Breathe...breathe.... More like drink heavily and cuss a lot! Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 7 hours ago, spruecutter said: You made a very nice job of the modelling and the photography. The photos are recent, I re-photographed the model to re-post it here at BM when I was uploading those 200 or so old builds. The original photos were quite so-so. It's nice to see that even people like me can learn with time 😉 Cheers 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 West coast story on the Stranraer; Several interceptors were scrambled out of McChord AFB in Washington towards a massive, slow moving ufo return heading south along the coast. When the fighters intercepted, they found it was a Canadian Stranraer placidly flogging along at about 90 knots. One of the crew opened the bow hatch and was standing in it, waving at the fighters as they staggered by, almost stalling out. All the bracing wires apparently magnified the radar return greatly. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 49 minutes ago, Brian said: West coast story on the Stranraer; Several interceptors were scrambled out of McChord AFB in Washington towards a massive, slow moving ufo return heading south along the coast. When the fighters intercepted, they found it was a Canadian Stranraer placidly flogging along at about 90 knots. One of the crew opened the bow hatch and was standing in it, waving at the fighters as they staggered by, almost stalling out. All the bracing wires apparently magnified the radar return greatly. Pft! Fouled again by Martian Hale. Martians use a Stranraer cloaking device. Doesn't work in my native country, though: we bring them down and eat them. They taste like chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Love your low sun-angle photography Moa - really brings out the lustre and texture of your work. Congrats on another fine aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 12 minutes ago, TheBaron said: Congrats on another fine aircraft. Thanks, you are very kind. This is a relative old post, though, that just resurfaced because of a question posted. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Moa - I missed this first time around - Love it! I had a Matchbox Stranraer as a kid and have always wanted to make a decent job of one - this give me inspiration. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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