fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 A build from 7 years ago: The issue #102 (April 2013) of Skyways has a long article on the Mystery Ship. “Scratchbilt” brand kits could be qualified as the most optimistic kits of all times (no kidding, and you will see why). Their #3 Travel-Air Mystery Ship is portrayed in one of the accompanying photos. The contents are as follows: three printed sheets with a 3 view, patterns, several drawings and depiction of the construction. Also there was a decal sheet by Microscale, two plastic rods and two vacuformed canopies. In this particular case the review should start: “You are on your own” (you were anyway, don’t worry) since the method given to build the model (keel, many half bulkheads, stringers, strip covering, puttying and sanding) could have worked on a larger scale or for a galleon, but it is hopeless in 1/72. The instructions also advise you to ruin other kits by cannibalizing spats and cowls that are an ill-fit anyway. The depicted method for building the stab and wing was used by the Spanish Inquisition. A truly remarkable kit, this “Scratchbilt”. Their logic and business model are equivalent to giving someone a box of rivets, the directions to an iron ore mine, a sketch and a piece of Camembert cheese and tell them to build the Eiffel Tower. I have to concede that they have a sense of humor, though, and that their brand name, “Scratchbilt”, does not hide their purpose. That being said, you still have those decals. Or do you? When David The Irrefutably Unbound from Glen Ellyn sent me some material related to the Mystery Ship, I exhumed the “kit” from the dungeons where it was kept under lock inside a coffer marked “evil”. As you can see in the photos I followed my own path here using wood for the fuselage and spats’ vacuforming plugs, the traditional one-two styrene punch for the rest, and white metal engine, prop and wheels from Aeroclub. The engine had to be modified to fit the plane’s one, which had a particular front case. The short wing struts and landing gear struts were made from brass “Strutz” stock, for which I am indebted to Andrew of England, The Slightly Iridescent. An interior was scratched as per photos, some was structural and some pour la galerie. The first Microscale decal I used was for the instrument panel and it was the source of momentary panic as I had to wait about twenty minutes for the decal to come loose from the backing sheet. Once all the main components were ready, the puttying/sanding/priming/repeat cycle ensued. The painting stage -which involved a good share of masking- required attention. At this point I tried to use the rest of the decals, but the first ones shattered in myriads of little pieces. The ones that remained in the backing sheet were treated with Testors decal bonder, but later on a few more shattered anyway as they were applied. The few remaining ones were given a few coats of Future, but again to no avail. Now, this is not Microscale’s fault, the decal must have been between 20 and 30 years old, and not properly stored. I printed the decals that failed and had a great time cutting the regs from white decal stock. The transparency was cut in three parts, the frames depicted with metal-painted decal strips, and arranged in its open position. The underwing oil coolers were made of thin aluminum sheet, engraved, cut and glued. The two Venturi probes were attached after the photos were taken (the photos of course made me realize that they were still unattached). Regarding real kits, I am aware of the 1/72 Dekno resin model of the Mystery Ship. I also built a sister ship, as I had made the wood vac masters already: Many, many pages have been written about the Travel Air Mystery Ship but I can’t tell you anything because of its inherent mystery. No ostriches or people from outer space were harmed during the construction of this model. We would like to extend our thanks to the sponsor, The Intergalactic Soenkish Empire. They used to call this a "kit". Can you believe the cheek!? A few printed sheets, a solitary strip of styrene, and a molded canopy. Even the decals shattered. 28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 That was serious and at the end beautiful work! I like this little bug a very much BRAVO! Best regards Djordje 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 I LIKE that. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted December 17, 2018 Author Share Posted December 17, 2018 On 12/15/2018 at 10:04 AM, djos said: That was serious and at the end beautiful work! I like this little bug a very much BRAVO! Best regards Djordje On 12/15/2018 at 1:47 PM, Courageous said: I LIKE that. Stuart Thanks for your kindness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Fantastic 👏👏👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Moa, Another little jewel! Hawk did a 1/48 injected Mystery Ship that was also released by Testors. See the link to the kit below. Don't think anybody ever did a 1/72 kit, either vacform, injected, or resin, to the best of my knowledge. Mike https://ninetalis.com/reviews/aircraft/testors-148-mystery-ship/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Another stunner. Love these American radial engined planes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 Found a clip. Then plane appears after the first minute and 10 seconds approx.: https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/MVTN/id/3187/rec/59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Superb build of a very attractive aircraft, is there anything you can’t build ? Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 11 hours ago, Wulfman said: Superb build of a very attractive aircraft, is there anything you can’t build ? Wulfman Thanks, Wulfman This was posted long ago, but I found that excellent clip that I just added. As to you question, surely there are. But if eventually I can build a Farman Jabiru and a couple other aviation delights, I will be satisfied. I have fully scratched 144 models so far (all posted here, together with a similar similar number of "normal" builds). Needless to say some are better than others. But even bricks like me improve with time and effort. Funny thing is, may be 10 of those scratched subjects have later been released as kits. I wonder if it is not a matter of waiting another 200 years for all my beloved planes to be kitted 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Wow Moa, a gorgeous model and great photos. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 minute ago, bigbadbadge said: Wow Moa, a gorgeous model and great photos. Chris Thanks, Chris I posted this one (and a bunch of others) about two years ago. I guess many missed them. There was a twin posted too: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 19 minutes ago, Moa said: Thanks, Chris I posted this one (and a bunch of others) about two years ago. I guess many missed them. Hi Moa Guilty, however in my defense I have been converting my 2 bedroom bungalow into a 4 bedroom house over the past 3 and a half years so was often working into the night and modelling time limited. I struggled to keep up with people's builds. I feel bad as I did not have the time to catch up and although I get more time now that the build is almost over, I still struggle as I still have to work and what with family life etc. Sorry a feeble excuse I know but I am sticking to it!!! Keep up your great work All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 2 hours ago, bigbadbadge said: Hi Moa Guilty, however in my defense I have been converting my 2 bedroom bungalow into a 4 bedroom house over the past 3 and a half years so was often working into the night and modelling time limited. I struggled to keep up with people's builds. I feel bad as I did not have the time to catch up and although I get more time now that the build is almost over, I still struggle as I still have to work and what with family life etc. Sorry a feeble excuse I know but I am sticking to it!!! Keep up your great work All the best Chris Oh, Chris, you are so very kind, you are plenty justified, the comment was broader, as sometimes we all miss builds that later on re-pop, to our good fortune. Having been through a few, the mere word "remodeling" produces in me a foaming frenzy and a state of desperation. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 The craftsmanship shown by your models is truly inspiring. That you do this in 1/72 scale is preternatural at least, heading to supernatural. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 1 minute ago, dnl42 said: The craftsmanship shown by your models is truly inspiring. That you do this in 1/72 scale is preternatural at least, heading to supernatural. I will take the compliment, even undeservedly so. There are so many great modelers out there. I just have a bit of fun. And a lot if there are restrooms involved 😄 Thanks for your extraordinary kindness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Well I missed it too first time round Moa but just had to comment - that is absolutely exquisite! What a beautiful aircraft to model too - it just looks right! As an aside and quite by chance I find that there is a QiGong & Shaolin academy not 20 miles from my house - I may consider joining if it meant I could model like you! Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 45 minutes ago, Baldy said: Well I missed it too first time round Moa but just had to comment - that is absolutely exquisite! What a beautiful aircraft to model too - it just looks right! As an aside and quite by chance I find that there is a QiGong & Shaolin academy not 20 miles from my house - I may consider joining if it meant I could model like you! Cheers Malcolm Thanks, Malcolm. Regarding the Shaolin training, the tell-tale are huge mounds of styrene sawdust around the premises. If you see that, then they are ok. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Once again, a beautiful model. I confess that I know little to nothing about most of the planes you present to us in model form. The Travel Air Mystery Ship racer is an exception 'cause at least I can say I've read about it. 🙃 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: Once again, a beautiful model. I confess that I know little to nothing about most of the planes you present to us in model form. The Travel Air Mystery Ship racer is an exception 'cause at least I can say I've read about it. 🙃 Thanks! Sometimes it's hard to like so many different types of planes: racers, airliners, record breakers, prototypes, oddballs, etc. I need about one hundred more years to model them all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Amazing work as always, Moa. Looking at the 'kit' contents this is basically a scratchbuild. I wish I had some of your skills! 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: Amazing work as always, Moa. Looking at the 'kit' contents this is basically a scratchbuild. I wish I had some of your skills! You are very kind. I don't have supernatural powers (do not tell my wife, she is still under the spell) it's all a bit of time and patience, and passion. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 30 minutes ago, Moa said: I don't have supernatural powers I do somehow think you may have just that. Another fantastic model created from odd parts and scratch. Lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Bengalensis said: I do somehow think you may have just that. Another fantastic model created from odd parts and scratch. Lovely. Thanks, Jörgen. I wish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 The plane in flight, another clip: https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/MVTN/id/3114/rec/182 and another https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/MVTN/id/3005/rec/280 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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