cngaero Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 And he's off! It must be time to buy more shares in plasticard. This is going to be an interesting build and I'll be following with great interest. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 8 hours ago, tomprobert said: Bulkheads, bulkheads, bulkheads and more bulkheads will be the key - in fact I've cleared my local model ship out of 1mm plastic card sheets! The kit plastic is pretty thick though, so it's actually fairly rigid but the wings are going to need some serious supporting. I too have visited Calshot and spent a week doing water sports down there in 1995 - many of the hangars were being used by the activity centre and we actually stayed in the old barracks - great fun! In regard to markings - as it's a MkII it'll be in the early 1940/41 Coastal Command scheme of Slate Grey/Dark Sea Grey over sky. There are no markings available for this kit though, so they'll all be home-made masks. Yes I do remember seeing the Sunderland fly - my Dad and I also got inside it when it was anchored down at Rochester. Good times! I know... I've run into major problems with the BUFF (mainly undercarriage related) so have had to shelve it for the time being. The Shackleton is still in storage and will be finished one day, I promise! I've often looked at the 1/48th kits available - I had a drool over the Sanger one but have not had the chance of a close examination of the Combat one. However, having built a few Combat kits, I imagine it's best to avoid it! Surprisingly, the Combat Model 1/48 isn't all that bad, I actually ordered this one from them a couple of years ago rather than finding one at a yardsale. I just finished an XP-67 Moonbat for a group build on another site and that was an old casting and a pure pain in the backside to complete. But that is another tale for telling scary stories around the campfire.😯 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Great subject Tom, Another Mission Possible from the Probert Modelworks. Looking forward to the progress on this one. Cheers Cees 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.P. Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Oh, dis gunna be good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 18 hours ago, LorenSharp said: Surprisingly, the Combat Model 1/48 isn't all that bad, I actually ordered this one from them a couple of years ago rather than finding one at a yardsale. I just finished an XP-67 Moonbat for a group build on another site and that was an old casting and a pure pain in the backside to complete. But that is another tale for telling scary stories around the campfire.😯 Well that's good news - perhaps his kits are improving. The 1/32nd B-24 and 1/72nd C-17 that I built were almost enough to put me off modelling for life. 10 hours ago, Cees Broere said: Great subject Tom, Another Mission Possible from the Probert Modelworks. Looking forward to the progress on this one. Cheers Cees Hi Cees, Good to hear from you - hopefully I won't disappoint you! I've had a quiet day at home today without the wife and child and have completed the drilling out of all the portholes. The light beat me for decent photographs so I'll try to get some uploaded tomorrow. Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 This is utter madness........that's why I'm in for the duration. I love the way we open a large 72nd or 48th kit with trepidation, while Mr.P drops this monster in the mix! Good luck.....this is going to be awesome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, tomprobert said: Well that's good news - perhaps his kits are improving. The 1/32nd B-24 and 1/72nd C-17 that I built were almost enough to put me off modelling for life. Hi Cees, Good to hear from you - hopefully I won't disappoint you! I've had a quiet day at home today without the wife and child and have completed the drilling out of all the portholes. The light beat me for decent photographs so I'll try to get some uploaded tomorrow. Tom I think the new stuff coming out may be more of the "draped" mouldings as opposed to the "cavity" type like Gerald Elliots. Because of backlogs for the holidays just got anAJ-1 Savage and a C-121 Super Connie. The Savage is a cavity mould fair detail panel lines and what not and part of the old Combat Models catalogue. The Connie Is one of the newer kits released in the last few years, a draped mould with plenty of room for mods. Both will provide a lot fun. But then I am a sick sod.😆 Edited January 3, 2019 by LorenSharp correction 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Strewth Tom, and I thought my 1/48 Sunderland vac was going to be big if I ever got round to it. Watching every step of the way and hoping to be educated in the dark arts. While you are sanding away are your thoughts turning to a 1/6 scale Lincoln scratchbuild or some other Mount Everest of the modelling world? Always enjoy watching you at work what comes in the box for you to work with? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Another epic in the malking; I’m in! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 4, 2019 Author Share Posted January 4, 2019 10 hours ago, LorenSharp said: I think the new stuff coming out may be more of the "draped" mouldings as opposed to the "cavity" type like Gerald Elliots. Because of backlogs for the holidays just got anAJ-1 Savage and a C-121 Super Connie. The Savage is a cavity mould fair detail panel lines and what not and part of the old Combat Models catalogue. The Connie Is one of the newer kits released in the last few years, a draped mould with plenty of room for mods. Both will provide a lot fun. But then I am a sick sod.😆 I do fancy the Connie so glad it’s not too bad. One day... 9 hours ago, JohnT said: Strewth Tom, and I thought my 1/48 Sunderland vac was going to be big if I ever got round to it. Watching every step of the way and hoping to be educated in the dark arts. While you are sanding away are your thoughts turning to a 1/6 scale Lincoln scratchbuild or some other Mount Everest of the modelling world? Always enjoy watching you at work what comes in the box for you to work with? Not a lot comes in the kit. Just the outline shapes of the fuselage, wings and tail. There are some engine cowlings but I don’t think they’ll be useable. The vacform transparencies are excellent, however, with the turrets in one piece so no nasty join lines to deal with. There are no interior parts whatsoever so it’ll all have to be made from scratch. Engines and props will need to be sourced too. Fun times! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 4, 2019 Author Share Posted January 4, 2019 I had a very productive day on the Sunderland yesterday - the opening up of the portholes is now complete. As with the port side fuselage, I carefully measured the plans and transferred the position of the portholes onto the fuselage before opening them up: Window apertures by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The trickiest part was ensuring that they were all perfectly aligned and identical, but hopefully this photo shows they're close enough to pass a cursory glance: Window alignment by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here are the two fuselage halves with their portholes finished and I can now continue with more detailing work on the fuselage: Rear Turret Aperture by Thomas Probert, on Flickr A useful size comparison when compared to my iPhone: Size Comparison by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And this is where my attention will be turning now: Interior by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As you can see the interior isn't exactly brimming with detail, so plenty of scratch-building ahead! I'm hoping to make the most of the last couple of days of my holiday before returning to work on Monday - there maybe another update before the weekend is out but it'll depend on whether I can persuade the wife to go out somewhere for the day Tom 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony.t Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Awesome! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 (edited) If it keeps this progressing we can have a whip-round to move her along 😉 Edited January 6, 2019 by Mike Removing unnecessary photo quote. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewfl290 Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Oh, superb sir. A pal mentioned this build to me and as I only pass this way occasionally I thought I had better come and take a look. This is modelling at its' best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 5 hours ago, tomprobert said: I had a very productive day on the Sunderland yesterday - the opening up of the portholes is now complete. As with the port side fuselage, I carefully measured the plans and transferred the position of the portholes onto the fuselage before opening them up: Window apertures by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The trickiest part was ensuring that they were all perfectly aligned and identical, but hopefully this photo shows they're close enough to pass a cursory glance: Hi Tom, Looking good thus far. Couple of comments if I may As an FYI, the Starboard side of the Sunderland All marks had 10 portholes on the lower forward section including the one in the galley hatch. You can count them on my photo below The additional port would need to be added at the bow forward section, you can make it out in this interior photo just forward of the Forward bulkhead/frame Just out of curiosity what are the two small openings for (Port side forward and Starboard rear)? Regards Alan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Wow, this is going to be a beast, popcorn stocked up for the ride! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 19 hours ago, LDSModeller said: Hi Tom, Looking good thus far. Couple of comments if I may As an FYI, the Starboard side of the Sunderland All marks had 10 portholes on the lower forward section including the one in the galley hatch. You can count them on my photo below The additional port would need to be added at the bow forward section, you can make it out in this interior photo just forward of the Forward bulkhead/frame Just out of curiosity what are the two small openings for (Port side forward and Starboard rear)? Regards Alan Thanks for this information, Alan - I can easily add the extra porthole. The small opening are are small circular windows in the doors - they were on the plans for The MkII I’m using. I haven’t checked my photographic references of the airframe I’m building though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 5 hours ago, tomprobert said: The small opening are are small circular windows in the doors - they were on the plans for The MkII I’m using. I haven’t checked my photographic references of the airframe I’m building though... Hi Tom, happy to help Perhaps to assist you some more, the only Sunderland's that had transparencies on the main hatches (fore and aft) were the Mk5/MR5. I'm picking the author of the plans you're using mis-identified the Mooring lock which is about where you have drilled your smaller opening. If you check out my photo you can see where it fits in. The only other indentation is on the main hatch where the handle to unlock/lock the match is (horizontal bar in photo) Close up of Mooring Lock The small opening aft is probably a Mooring cleat, they can be either indented or push out/push in. If you would like the actual dimensions for the two main hatches, I have them if you like. As a PS, I read your post on LSP (I'M a member there also - but don't participate.....) asking the member who posted the MOTAT photos of our MR5 (not Mk 3) about the beaching gear - I have photos if it helps? The dimensions of the main bogey tyres are Tyre W=37cm (close too) Tyre Diameter = 110.7cm Hope that helps? Regards Alan 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 @LDSModeller you’re a star - thanks so much. I’ll fill the windows on the doors in that case; an easy job. I may need to pick your brains some more as the build progresses! All the best, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Tom those close up photos of the portholes gave me an idea on glazing. They appear to have a metal ring around the glazing. I have not thought it through but given their appearance might an option be to make round glazing with a “collar” and add from the outside once completed? Just a thought. You could make loads and only use the ones that work out best. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Looking good, you must be mad. I have a set of pics of the one at Hendon if you need them. Julien 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, tomprobert said: @LDSModeller I may need to pick your brains some more as the build progresses! All the best, Tom Hi Tom, again happy to help - ask away anytime, I have the Sunderland manual for Mk I/II Sunderland which has a lot of information regarding differences between early and latter marks. I also have a truck load of Interior shots if they help? An example below Photo, looking from Rear Spar in flight Engineers Station, past Main Spar onto rest of Flight Deck 3 hours ago, JohnT said: those close up photos of the portholes gave me an idea on glazing. They appear to have a metal ring around the glazing. I have not thought it through but given their appearance might an option be to make round glazing with a “collar” and add from the outside once completed? Just a thought. You could make loads and only use the ones that work out best. The Glazing Transparencies (1:1 Diameter = 30.5cm) are sandwiched between the outer ring (1:1 Diameter = 37.5cm) and an inner ring - I have an "Opening Porthole" from one of the RNZAF Sunderland's my Dad worked on - have photos if needed Bear in mind that the opening portholes (outer rings) are only found on the forward section of the Sunderland. There were only about 6-7 each side of hull. All the rest of the portholes were fixed (glazing same diameter as opening) Regards Alan Edited January 6, 2019 by LDSModeller 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 On 1/3/2019 at 5:00 AM, tomprobert said: In regard to markings - as it's a MkII it'll be in the early 1940/41 Coastal Command scheme of Slate Grey/Dark Sea Grey over sky. There are no markings available for this kit though, so they'll all be home-made masks. if you want a white one, a few Mk II Sunderlands survived to wear the later scheme Here's my WIP (I think the first post in this link shows a 1/32 model) https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234930547-italeri-sunderland-mk-ii-raaf-10-squadron/ and finished model https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234940047-italeri-sunderland-mk-ii-raaf-10-squadron/ Yours is looking great so far and I will watch with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Exciting stuff, @tomprobert - very ambitious, too. Having watched your previously builds over the years, I’ve no doubt the end result will be sensational. And enormous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 You're off to a good start. I hope it's better than the Sanger kit. There's virtually nothing usable in the latter. The wings are different cross sections (and both completely wrong) and the fuselage halves are different in profile and also completely wrong cross sections. Even the other flying surfaces are all assymetrical / weird / plain wrong cross sections so in summary all the plastic in the packet is junk. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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