billn53 Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 After completing two large bomber projects, both with natural metal finish, I felt a need for something simpler and, most importantly, lacking anything having to do with a metallic finish. Looking through my stash, I settled on Special Hobby's 1/72 Fairy Barracuda Mk.II and decided to do it as a well-weathered aircraft, in the markings shown on the box top. This particular aircraft operated out of Ceylon in 1946. The entire build was completed in three weeks, a near record for me. I did run into a few snags along the way, the most serious being when I cracked the kit canopy and was forced to try my hand at vacuforming a replacement. The WIP can be found here: On to the pics! This aircraft had replacement panels on the nose and port wing tip, still in primer: Also, a roundel on the starboard wing had been painted over at some point: I maxed out the Barracuda's load carrying capacity with four 250-lb depth charges under the wings and a 600-lb depth bomb on the centerline. I freely admit that it's unlikely any Barracuda ever carried this loadout, so don't give me any grief over it! The white line on the port flank is a kit decal representing the emergency dinghy release line (the other end is in the pilot's cockpit). I added red decal to simulate tape holding the dinghy line in place. The radio antenna line is made from Uschi "Rig That Thing" stretchable filament. I hadn't originally planned on having an open cockpit, so I did little detailing other than adding seat harnesses for the pilot and crew: I scratch built hydraulic cylinders to replace the kit's oversize flap actuators: In this shot you can see the underwing recognition lights (made using UV-activated acrylic gel) and the rib pattern on the control surfaces (thanks to Airone Hobby's fabric effect airbrush masks): My closing "beauty shot" Many thanks to everyone who gave advice and encouragement along the way! 42 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Well done for sorting the canopy. There are lots of nice little touches all over the place on your model and the weathering (always a matter of personal taste) is spot on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 A beautiful and realistic model Bill - great job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckwizard Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Close to perfect in my eyes, a phantastic job. You did the weathering amazingly well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Lovely job Bill, a treat for the eyes. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Excellent weathering, heavy but believable. I love that last photo, very atmospheric. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairtrigger Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Superb piece of work.. You have have a good eye for detail... Excellent pics as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Andwil said: Excellent weathering, heavy but believable. They did get pretty beat up in service 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Lovely job! The aircraft in that pic should've been scrapped years ago by the look of it! Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Great build with wonderful weathering. Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo88 Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Stunning paint finish! Did you have access to the 'Barracuda From the Cockpit' book, by Robert McCandless during this build? Your kit is clearly based on the machine the author flew during 1946 from HMS Colossus. You have captured the details of his aircraft in brilliant detail. I find it interesting to study specific machines and identify particular idiosyncrasies, such as mismatched panels, temporary repairs and local modifications that occur, especially away from home base, just as your model portrays so effectively. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 A beauty indeed! Smashing job and finish!! Miguel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickthebrief Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Absolutely superb, Bill. The whole build, and especially the painting and weathering is spot on. Two things I'm curious about: I have never noticed the radio antenna going to the end of the horizontal tail surface and have always assumed it went to the centre? And I had also assumed the dinghy lanyard ran down to near the tail wheel so that, in the event of a ditching, one of the crew could release the dinghy from in the water, as the aircraft sedately sank nose first? Regardless of my ignorance, you have done a really great job here. Cheers, Nick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Timbo88 said: Stunning paint finish! Did you have access to the 'Barracuda From the Cockpit' book, by Robert McCandless during this build? Your kit is clearly based on the machine the author flew during 1946 from HMS Colossus. You have captured the details of his aircraft in brilliant detail. I find it interesting to study specific machines and identify particular idiosyncrasies, such as mismatched panels, temporary repairs and local modifications that occur, especially away from home base, just as your model portrays so effectively. Well done. Thanks Tim! The SH instructions do say the scheme I used were for McCandless’s plane. I tried to find a copy of his book, but the prices being asked are more than I’m willing to pay. That’s a shame because I try to learn as much as I can about the subjects I’m modeling. Developmental & operational history, engineering design, and first-hand accounts. -Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 8 minutes ago, Nickthebrief said: Absolutely superb, Bill. The whole build, and especially the painting and weathering is spot on. Two things I'm curious about: I have never noticed the radio antenna going to the end of the horizontal tail surface and have always assumed it went to the centre? And I had also assumed the dinghy lanyard ran down to near the tail wheel so that, in the event of a ditching, one of the crew could release the dinghy from in the water, as the aircraft sedately sank nose first? Regardless of my ignorance, you have done a really great job here. Cheers, Nick. I couldn’t find clear pics of the antenna layout, and drawings were contradictory. TheBaron, in his build, said the antenna line went to the starboard stab, so I followed his lead. The dinghy is stowed in a rear compartment, the release handle is on the cockpit wall (port side), beside the pilot’s seat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Niiiice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo88 Posted September 22, 2019 Share Posted September 22, 2019 22 hours ago, billn53 said: Thanks Tim! The SH instructions do say the scheme I used were for McCandless’s plane. I tried to find a copy of his book, but the prices being asked are more than I’m willing to pay. That’s a shame because I try to learn as much as I can about the subjects I’m modeling. Developmental & operational history, engineering design, and first-hand accounts. -Bill I got my copy from Hannants a while back. Not sure if it's currently in stock but well worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Timbo88 said: I got my copy from Hannants a while back. Not sure if it's currently in stock but well worth a look. Unfortunately, no longer at Hannants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo88 Posted September 22, 2019 Share Posted September 22, 2019 That's a pain. The 'From the Cockpit' are an excellent series of books. I have been adding them to my library as and when my finances allow. The trouble is, I live a short drive from Hannants (depending on the Lowestoft traffic - locals will know what I mean). The temptation is just too much sometimes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 Amazon has it (used) but for >> $100.00 I did find a book titled “Barracuda Pilot”, for only $5.69 (includes shipping), so bought that instead 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevejj Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Really nice job, love the weathering but ain't it an odd looking beast!? Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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