Eric Mc Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 This is one I actually started a few weeks ago whilst I was part way through my Hurricane build. It really is the polar opposite of the Hurricane regarding age and quality. Whereas that was a fairly recent and nicely engineered kit, the Heron is from a time in the dim and distant past when models were designed as glorified toys for kids to build and play with - and accuracy was not paramount. The kit actually dates from 1959 (almost as old as me) but has recently been released under Airfix's "Classic" brand. As you can see, the Classic boxings have reverted to "classic" artwork although this painting is post Roy Cross. I think it first carried this painting when it was last re-released around 1993. In the Roy Cross era it featured an image of a Heron operated by Shell. In fact, it has appeared in a number of different packages over the decades. It comes with markings for G-AORG which was operated by Jersey Airways and was flying until recently in these colours. However, I plan to finish it as a Queen's Flight aircraft and I have a set of appropriate decals. Being of 1959 vintage, there are fit issues and a few damaged parts - but all is fixable. There is no interior passenger cabin detail (i.e. no seats) even though the passenger door can be posed open. There is a cockpit with seats and even an instrument panel - quite advanced for 1959. It also features oversized rivet detail which I have sanded away. Airfix had a tendency to overdo rivets although at this stage in their history they weren't anything like as bad as they got later. As is my normal practice these days, I don't plan to add too many embellishments to the basic kit - just to try and make the exterior as neat and tidy as possible. As expected, there are plenty of gaps that need filling. I've already tackled the fuselage and am now working on the wings. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 Nice kit. I will follow this. Need to look if I can find this kit too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 Very nice, great start will watch with interest as I have one in the stash. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolay Polyakov Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 The Heron looks very attractive, Eric! 👍 The painting scheme pictured on the box is a spot-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 I will be using on of the Queen's Flight schemes from the decal sheet I showed - probably the red one as it is very striking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 12 minutes ago, Eric Mc said: I will be using on of the Queen's Flight schemes from the decal sheet I showed - probably the red one as it is very striking. I used that combination, and it looks really good in red! My build was not that great though! I will be interested to see how you get on with this. All the best, Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 I do feel that the red scheme will be a bit of a challenge. Being the personal transport of Her Maj I doubt if there will be any weathering needed either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 A classic! And an attractive scheme choice. Building this old kits is fun! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 Looking good,..... the Royal aircraft later went to RAF Germany and had these titles added to the red Royal scheme. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1133466 But it later joined the Royal Navy and bore their titles,...... still in the Royal red for the time being; https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1253048 I personally like the Royal Navy Admirals Barge,...... https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/model/De Havilland DH.114 Heron C4 I`ll be following your progress with interest and wish you well,...... it should look amazing, Cheers Tony 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 Thank you. I hope I can match all your expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 I'm excited by your build. I have this kit in my stash, and though I've opened it and given the parts a good looking-over, I haven't yet had the courage to begin it. Good on you for taking this on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 17, 2020 Author Share Posted November 17, 2020 I spotted yesterday that the Heron has four small intakes (?) above the passenger cabin windows on each side of the fuselage. These have been omitted completely by Airfix so they will need to be added somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 Belated update. Major components (apart from rudder) now attached. Priming done and ready for applying the main paint coats. I might re-prime first though. For its age, it went together quite well. And I've just noticed that one of my scratchbuilt air intakes above the cabin windows has fallen off. Time to make a new one. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 37 minutes ago, Eric Mc said: For its age, it went together quite well. I have also same experience from Boeing Clipper around same age. I need to look how Ford trimotor will work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 The Boeing Clipper is quite a few years younger than the Heron. The Heron was first issued in 1959. I think the Clipper is around 10 years younger (1968 per Scalemates). The Trimotor also dates from the late 1960s (1967 per Scalemates). By the late 60s Airfix had moved away from the more toylike features they had been including in their older kits - such as moveable ailerons and elevators - or cabin doors that could be opened and closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Coincidentally I just bought this kit and a Scammell tank transporter in a fit of nostalgia from Mark's Models in Dublin. I agree about the rivets but they are very fine and easily swept away. This kit is the same age as me. But it has aged better and any surgery will be minor. I'll probably build it with the kit decals. In another nostalgic event, a Heron featured in an episode of Dempsey and Makepeace on ITV4 lately, remember that? I think it was in Topflight livery. It looked great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 Does your have a hole in the port fuselage just below the passenger cabin windows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Nice work, Eric Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Nice! I'd like to see how you get on with this one 👍 I was rummaging the parts in my box the other evening and quite fancy giving it a go. I'm pleased to see that the flight crew aren't in crash helmets and mae wests! And there are passengers and an attendant too. Delete that, she's an air-hostess 😇 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 15 hours ago, Eric Mc said: Does your have a hole in the port fuselage just below the passenger cabin windows? In answer to this, yes, mine does. Definitely looks like it's there for something but no mention in the instructions. A little piece on the sprues somewhere?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 28, 2020 Author Share Posted November 28, 2020 I’m pretty sure the hole in the fuselage is a moulding flaw. I blanked it off and filled it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 23 minutes ago, Eric Mc said: I’m pretty sure the hole in the fuselage is a moulding flaw. I blanked it off and filled it. I think I'll do the same, Eric. There's no sign of it doing anything. Yet on the inside it's a perfect circle. But I noticed that on the starboard half at exactly the same point there's an ejection pin mark, very light. So may be an issue with the port ejecters? Anyway, no real harm done 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Probably an ejection rod has seized, used to get that with the older moulds when I worked for games workshop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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