Eshelman Flying Flounder, Scratchbuilt 1/72

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

A build from 10 years ago:

 

As many of you do, I like to alternate more complex projects with simple ones.

Again, as many of you do, I many times discover that simple projects simply don’t exist.

Anyway, I call the long-hauling, all-demanding projects the “405 Freeway” projects. For those who live in the L.A. area further explanations are not needed. I can hear you already weeping. For the ones not familiar with the denomination, this main L.A. freeway has been under “improvement” for the last 2,798 years. Meanwhile, the already jamming-prone L.A. traffic suffers the consequences of the “improvement”. As we Angelenos once more take the 405 to our destinations, we see the closed lanes that run for miles and miles, we see the trucks, the concrete dividers, excavations that run to the center of the earth, all kinds of construction paraphernalia like a giant “Playmobil” set. But what we do not see is the improvement.

As we all know, by the time it is done –if it’s even going to be done- new “improvements” are surely going to be needed. But we can confidently leave that to the next generations, since I lost any hope of seeing its completion during my lifetime. Even if I live, as I plan, for the next 300 years.

So, between “405 Freeway-like” projects I take some rest building little things like the hereby presented Eshelman Flying Flounder. Once you look at it the name becomes obvious, and I hope you don’t smell anything fishy. And yes again, it did fly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8y5suPs1uE&feature=channel_page

The ones familiar with these articles know that I usually favor either “Pioneer” or “Golden Era” projects, but sometimes creatures outside this time envelope (1941 in this case) are just too good to be missed.

Not much is around in terms of data. A note in Aerofiles –bless it- and the above-mentioned Youtube clip. So you all know, span is speculative at 3.45 meters, and so is the color. The added walkway is visible in the clip. So is the antenna wire.

Thanks to Steve K. for the white decals that saved this project.

Now, is it a flying wing or a lifting body? Or perhaps a flying fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JWM]

Beauty model - but what it was?  Was it a materialization of the idea of Luis Bleriot, that with an proper engine even a barn gate can be turned into airplane?!

Cheers

J-W

 

[Dazey]

7 hours ago, Moa said:

Anyway, I call the long-hauling, all-demanding projects the “405 Freeway” projects. For those who live in the L.A. area further explanations are not needed. I can hear you already weeping. For the ones not familiar with the denomination, this main L.A. freeway has been under “improvement” for the last 2,798 years. Meanwhile, the already jamming-prone L.A. traffic suffers the consequences of the “improvement”. As we Angelenos once more take the 405 to our destinations, we see the closed lanes that run for miles and miles, we see the trucks, the concrete dividers, excavations that run to the center of the earth, all kinds of construction paraphernalia like a giant “Playmobil” set. But what we do not see is the improvement

Apparently, we are all, in some way, going to Reseda...

[pheonix]

Extraordinary! I am ata aloss for words for this one, except to write that it is beautifully made. And that I agree that there are no simple projects in modelling.

 

P