John Masters Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 (edited) I'll be killing two ducks with one stone with this one. 😂  The very nice old Airfix kit of the Grumman Duck will provide an excellent base for this GB and I'll be double posting along with the Film and Fictional GB by constructing Murphy's resurrected Duck from the film 'Murphy's War' starring Peter O'Toole.  The Wiki is here...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy's_War   I have the correct decals for the roundels and plenty of little RAF letters to write the name of the merchant ship and registration on the side.    I'll get into it as soon as the F&F GB begins on a few days!  --John   Edited September 23, 2019 by John D.C. Masters date! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 That is a really old boxing of the Duck you have there John, the older Airfix boxings of kits of this age tend to go together much easier than the later moldings so hopefully yours will behave. Always had a soft spot for Murphy's War (and the Duck) since seeing the film as a kid many years ago, will you be building her with the makeshift "bombs" under the wings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrlx Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 Hi John!  Welcome to the GB! Nice choice of subject! I've built the Airfix Duck early after my return to modelling. It was a recent reboxing and nothing fitted, it was a real challenge. In the end I managed to make a good looking model.  How should we classify the Duck? Is it a flying boat or a floatplane? Since it has a hull-shaped main float, we could think of it as a small flying boat. Or is it better classified as a float plane because there are floats under the wings?  Good luck!  Jaime  2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 7 hours ago, modelling minion said: the makeshift "bombs" Yes!  And the oil drum floats on the center pontoon...isn't there a torpedo somewhere as well?  I have re-screen the film.  5 hours ago, jrlx said: Is it a flying boat or a floatplane? It's a Duck...😂 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share Posted September 29, 2019 Okey-dokey...  Here's a good pic...from the film...The Airfix kit comes with a clear stand for flight and I will be using that.  So it is wheel's up for Murphy!  I will have to fix the pilot to look more like O'Toole...    Here are the sprue shots...all parts present and accounted for!    And here is something fun.  On the right is the Airfix kit-supplied Wright R-1820.  Much too small really and not what I want for the exposed engine on Murphy's aircraft.  On the left is another Wright R-1820, in this case cannabalized from the Northrop Gamma 2E from Azur.  I will have to do a little sculpting to finish the nose of the Airfix kit, but that will be fun.  I will also have to construct some exhaust pipes!  So a little scratch building will be necessary.     And away we go!  -John  8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Quack-quack.🦆🦆  Stuart   1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) For a second I was a bit baffled as to the assembly of the cockpit interior and all the little bulkheads, etc...I am so used to having plans that detail each slot/tab, etc...I had forgotten the older style instructions wherein one really had to read through the text to figure out what to do.   For those of you following along at home, I have completed steps 1 through  9.  I wanted to do this so I could glue the interiors together and then prime the inside.  I will insert the cockpit module today and prime it.     8 pieces make up this assembly.    The glass is in, the wheel-well bulkhead is attached and the instrument panel is glued in place.  I have also put together the wing pontoons.  Busy work really.    --John     Edited September 30, 2019 by John D.C. Masters 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Good start John,I remember this kit from years ago it would have been your boxing I built and painted with those Airfix jars we used then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, stevej60 said: I remember this kit from years ago Thanks Steve. Â I remember it too. Â As I recall it was the perfect kit for an eager 8Â year-old modeller. Â Still is...and in many ways, I still am! Â Edited September 30, 2019 by John D.C. Masters 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 Cockpit module inserted and glued...windows masked inside and out...   ..and primed with Dark Sea Grey.  I am not going to fool around with a lot of interior detail.  None of it will be seen anyway.   All closed up!  And, yes, I removed the interior window masks beforeI did this!  It fit together pretty well but, as you can see, I still had to use some high-tech clamps to fix it thusly!   This will be Murphy.  I'll try to make him a little more articulated somehow.     --John  11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrlx Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Great start and great progress John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) I figured that the most difficult aspects of this build would be some of the scratch building, but it wasn't so hard.  I have constructed the exhaust from some Evergreen tube strengthened with some brass wire inside to retail's the shape.  I will finish painting the motor later.    As I recall, in the scene when Murphy first gets her off the water (and indeed most of the film) and into the sky he is wearing a floppy sort of worn out Alagash/boonie hat.   I have begun a bit of work.  Needs a bit more up top.  I'll round off his noggin.    --John   Edited October 2, 2019 by John D.C. Masters 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Wow this is great John, engine loos very nice indeed. Your scratch building work looks good too, I had never thought of putting brass rod into the plastic tubing before so thanks for the tip. Keep up the good work All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 Thanks Chris! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 I have filled out the area with Milliput that would have been covered by the cowling. Â I think it looks pretty good. Â When it is thoroughly dried I will fine-shape it. Â Â Â Alas...I will never be a milliner but I think Murphy's hat looks the part! Â Â --John 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Just catching up with your Duck build (platypus?) sorry for that I couldn't help myself. Truly excellent work John both on the interior and especially on Murphy's hat, awesome! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 49 minutes ago, modelling minion said: Duck build 😂🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Very nice Miliputtery John or should that be Milinerputtery!!! Sorry I'll get my coat 🧥 All the best Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 4, 2019 Author Share Posted October 4, 2019 Most of the wings are on.  I was impressed by the lack of gaps.  These old Airfix kits were moulded very well.  At this point I am thinking of covering up the cockpit area and beginning primer stage.  I think I am at that point.   I have painted Murphy.  That's as much as he'll get since he'll be ensconced in the cockpit anyway.  It's the hat that's important anyway.   And the motor/exhaust assembly is finished.    So...yes.  Time for primer!  --John   7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 5, 2019 Author Share Posted October 5, 2019 I have used a black primer from Vallejo. Â This is because the blue paint for the aircraft is quite dark. Â And also I have it and want t use it up. Â Everything is primed and ready for paint. Â I think I might attach some struts and make sure they are all aligned. Â I will attach the upper wing afterwards. Â Does this make sense to you all? Â Â I also need to drill holes for the rigging after the blue paint goes on... Â --John 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Makes sense to me. Nice to see primer on. Â Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandboof Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Great start John Love the hat . Does it mean that you are old when you can remember the Airfix paint numbers . All the best will be watching Martin H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 7, 2019 Author Share Posted October 7, 2019 Thanks Martin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 Great progress on the Duck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Thank you Tom. Â One step forward, two steps back sometimes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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