Joe M Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 (edited) This was the last American biplane airliner and was a direct development of the Curtiss B-2 Condor bomber. The airliner model was completely different, 45 were built in five versions. The first aircraft was delivered to Eastern Air Lines in 1933 and the second to American Airways four months later. It was a good plane and it looked like it had a great future ahead or itself. But, and there always is, it had the misfortune that a revolutionary new aircraft arrived on the scene, the Douglas DC-1 and the rest is history. Production stopped in October 1934. It gained its place in history because of its association with the 1933 Byrd Antarctic Expedition. The aircraft were operated by the Chinese, Peruvian, Colombian and Argentine military services. The kit was originally released in 1954 by the ITC company as a float plane for the 1933 Bryd Antarctic Expedition. When the moulds were rediscovered in 1988 ,Glencoe released a wheeled version with two extra decal options. The second bag contains the Glencoe parts for the rereleased kit. The extra options are for the one on the cover of the box, American Airways 1933 or a 1938 Argentine Navy. I have found one or two reviews on the kit and none of them are very optimistic, with twisted fuselage / tail assembly also the new set of lower wings seemingly don't match up very well with the older upper wings. Looks like another load of filling and sanding, filling and sanding, filling and sanding, filling and sanding. I thought that this one might be a bit easier that the Vickers Veron Commercial, looks like I thought wrong. Some reviews mentioned that the replacement half to the lower wing was not great and was a bit undersized. Also the original kit was designed for floats and not wheels. So basically the 'new' replacement half is (1), too narrow in cord and (2), short in length. This is with both sides of the engine attachment points lined up correctly. You can clearly see how its too narrow and short! I did a mock up of the aircraft, just taped the fuselage together and dry fitted the lower wing. Besides needing a fair bit of filler I was truly amazed when I looked at it. It looks like a very modern for the time monoplane. Its hard to believe that there is another biplane wing to be fitted above the fuselage. Cutting a long story short ( I don't want to bore you all) ended up building a new upper wing. Some photo's of the finished kit. IMG_20190415_142409 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142400 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142907 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr Cheers Joe M Edited February 23, 2020 by Joe M problem inserting photo's 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 Nice civil model, Joseph! I wish there was a newer kit of this iconic biplane. The old injected version an vac that are still around are not really enticing. You did a good job on getting there with a nice result. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 This just in to our newsroom: Modeler turns sow's ear into silk purse. Details at 10. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeddahbill Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Hello Joe, Very Nice! More photos perhaps? Many thanks, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 13 hours ago, Moa said: Nice civil model, Joseph! I wish there was a newer kit of this iconic biplane. The old injected version an vac that are still around are not really enticing. You did a good job on getting there with a nice result. Cheers Thanks Moa. Cheers Joe M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 12 hours ago, Space Ranger said: This just in to our newsroom: Modeler turns sow's ear into silk purse. Details at 10. Thanks Space Ranger, I enjoy your sense of humor!!! Cheers Joe M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 7 hours ago, Jeddahbill said: Hello Joe, Very Nice! More photos perhaps? Many thanks, Bill Hi Bill, Your wish is my command! I hope that this is enough for you. Cheers Joe M IMG_20190415_142758 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142714 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142606 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142919 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr IMG_20190415_142428 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Very nice result! 17 hours ago, Moa said: I wish there was a newer kit of this iconic biplane. The old injected version an vac that are still around are not really enticing. There is very high quality resin 1/72 new (2016-17) model by Ardpol I have one in stash, so definitely it is not a myth, however now it is available only from second hand since the company was closed... Hope that someone will buy the moulds. and will go on. Regards J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Wonderful build! Lovely paint job. I see people ask about a new version of this in 1/72 but I gave to ask if the model Gods are listening for 1/48. Why not go big, it is such a beautiful aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 4 hours ago, Harold55 said: Wonderful build! Lovely paint job. I see people ask about a new version of this in 1/72 but I gave to ask if the model Gods are listening for 1/48. Why not go big, it is such a beautiful aircraft. Thanks Harold, I always wondered why they put the top wing on as it looked really modern as a monoplane. IMG_20181024_161250 by Joseph Moran, on Flickr Cheers Joe M Stick & String Rule O.K. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 16 hours ago, Joe M said: Thanks Harold, I always wondered why they put the top wing on as it looked really modern as a monoplane I agree, I wonder if the issue is the engine horsepower available at the time. It would seem it would have worked with more power. It does have nice lines, it looks like it should fly without the top wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro1 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 On 2/23/2020 at 11:44 PM, Moa said: Nice civil model, Joseph! I wish there was a newer kit of this iconic biplane. The old injected version an vac that are still around are not really enticing. You did a good job on getting there with a nice result. Cheers I second that! Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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