Very interesting, but it will never replace aircraft

[Ray S]

Hello all. I have recently been building old models and getting plenty of fun from them. This time, I thought I would try something newer, this time from 1999, the MPM 1/72 scale Fairey Barracuda II. It was an 'interesting' build, and went reasonably well for a 'short run' kit. I did not need much filler, just some underneath the fuselage and along the wing/fuselage joints.

 

The build is full of errors (probably self-induced), but the main problem I had was with the Cartograf transfers. I do not know if was the age, but they lifted off the surface and curled. I used 'Klear' to re-settle them down, but they also silvered something atrocious, despite flooding underneath them with 'Klear'. The model represents one from  52 TBR Wing, 829 Squadron, HMS Victorious 1944.

 

I have always wanted to build a Barracuda, ever since I saw the old Frog kit back in the 60's, and I managed to get this kit from our local Club Show for only £7 a few years ago, and I thought it was time to build it.

 

Anyway, here she is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One error in the build has just come and slapped me in the chops: I forgot to paint the wingtip lights!

 

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed building this and it was fun not doing a 'shake and bake'.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Ray

Edited August 30, 2020 by Ray S
Tidy the post

[Wulfman]

Nice job on the Barracuda , certainly better than the old Frog.

 

Wulfman

[SAT69]

Your build certainly looks good to me. I don't see the errors.

[RMCS]

Lovley 

[F-32]

You don't see many of these, great job!

[Eric Mc]

Nice neat build.

[Natter]

It's a Barracuda, nicely modelled.  'Nuff said.

[Ray S]

Thank you all for the very nice comments, 'likes', and views - they are all very much appreciated!

 

Take care all

 

Ray

[IanC]

On 8/30/2020 at 12:49 PM, Ray S said:

 

One error in the build has just come and slapped me in the chops: I forgot to paint the wingtip lights!

 

I often forget on purpose. At that range, who's going to notice?!

 

Very nice build!

[mick b]

Always good to see a Barra completed so well 👍

 

Mike

[woody37]

They say if it looks right, it flies right...who on earth volunteered to test fly the first of these? 😂

 

Lovely build of an ugly duckling but love is in the eye of the beholder

 

[kapam]

Very nice!

Your honesty (about the decals) is not betrayed by the finished model in the photos.

Well done 👍 -  the headline of your post is amusing too! 😄

[Ron NL-S]

Interesting plane.

And interesting to see that there are more that enjoy building the ancient kits of yesteryear!

[Eric Mc]

If you want an ancient kit of a Barracuda, try the FROG one. This is modern in comparison.

[Michael louey]

Hi Ray,

 

Nice to see you've got the Barracuda on the shelf at last. For all it's foibles, it is an interesting looking plane - I have the MPM kit and a newer Special Hobby kit. I expect the Special Hobby one to be much nicer.

 

The quote you gave was one that sticks to memory - the other was the view of observers that when folded up, it looked like it had been involved in a nasty accident.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Buzby061]

Nice Barra, an  aircraft that fell off the ugly tree.

 

I think your quote was from a US navy pilot on first seeing the Barra, made me chuckle then & still does.

 

Pete