fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 The golden bird is ready to take to the skies. Instead of building this model following the kit's options, I felt inclined to present one unlikely to be seen: the plane of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst (famously portrayed on Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane"), in one of his various "executive" planes, even before the word "executive" would take the more extensive connotations acquired during the sixties and seventies and beyond (this plane flew in this guise from 1935 until its accident, in 1938). The aircraft promoted on its sides two of his newspapers, the Los Angeles Examiner and the San Francisco Examiner. It crashed on the very same Hearst airfield on landing, carrying guests to the so called "castle". Hearst had two Vultee V-1, the second one (NC16099), for what I can tell, it's the one surviving now in a museum. It was also painted in gold. This clipping was passed top me long ago, I do not recall the source or who sent it: For that adaptation a decal set was commissioned from Arctic Decals, a new interior was fabricated, and quite a bit of research was necessary, not all of it fruitless. Some details were added or changed on the model to hopefully bring it to a slightly higher standard. Some educated guesses were made too. The building process can be queried here: The plane of course landed frequently at Hearst's estate, the Kitsch Galore that is his infamous Hearst "Castle", on the coast of California, the motto of which could be the often quoted "Taste, no object". A motto certain orange EX-president most justifiably deserves. Hearst, besides his megalomania and bad taste, was known by his sensationalist style of news, of populist slant (now, who that reminds us of...). The model changed, by design, a small (but ultimately not so) detail: the Los Angeles Examiner logo had a motto in it: "America First", a short-sighted, falsely patriotic, chauvinistic enough statement to start with, but that has acquired much darker undertones lately. I deleted it from the corresponding image. I think "Humanity First" is a much better motto. May be naive, but nonetheless more desirable as a goal than the infantile "me-me-me". Anyways, enough of digressions. The Special Hobby kit is a starting point, requiring some skill and patience, and it is not a beginners' kit I am afraid. Apparently doesn't abound now, but I got mine from a second hand vendor at a reasonable price. The kit's normal decal sheet has its little inaccuracies, but an excellent replacement sheet exist -for all the kit options- also from Arctic Decals. Hearst also had a Stinson U Trimotor, now that's something I would like to build. It even had that retro-looking, forward-slanted windscreen! (I am sure that kit manufacturers in reading this will get frantic producing and releasing a Stinson Trimotor...) The lines of the Vultee V-1 are a sort of aviation conundrum, because it looks, at the same time, heavy and fast, fat and elegant, stocky and agile. In any case, a pinch of Art Deco is surely infused into its soul. Enjoy. 50 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul I Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Stunning, as always.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 1 minute ago, Paul I said: Stunning, as always.... Very kind, Paul, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Wow! Another beauty. You do this so well, it almost makes me want to stack my stash in the backyard and set it on fire! I'm not going to do that because that would be an environmental disaster. The pall of styrene smoke would be seen from space. Also, it's winter up here and too danged cold to be outside doing stupid things. I know you don't have any concept of a a northern Canadian winter, but trust me, it sucks! Chris 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 32 minutes ago, dogsbody said: Wow! Another beauty. You do this so well, it almost makes me want to stack my stash in the backyard and set it on fire! I'm not going to do that because that would be an environmental disaster. The pall of styrene smoke would be seen from space. Also, it's winter up here and too danged cold to be outside doing stupid things. I know you don't have any concept of a a northern Canadian winter, but trust me, it sucks! Chris Hi Chris Keep it safe! Our plastic stashes will eventually degrade into the oil from which in future eons new generations of modelers will obtain their plastic. It won't be called Neo-Carboniferous, but Modelliferous. 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Well what a spiffy colour scheme, simply outstanding, but someone left the toilet seat up, we are not amused 😃 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prenton Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 WOW! That is great....and I love the political allusions. Very appropriate. Philip 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 2 minutes ago, Graeme H said: Well what a spiffy colour scheme, simply outstanding, but someone left the toilet seat up, we are not amused 😃 Oh, darn, not again! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 1 minute ago, Prenton said: WOW! That is great....and I love the political allusions. Very appropriate. Philip Thanks, Philip, and doubly so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Exquisite ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Graeme H said: Well what a spiffy colour scheme, simply outstanding, but someone left the toilet seat up, we are not amused 😃 But the toilet seat and accompanying roll of toilet paper are among the many little details that set Moa's models apart in terms of accuracy of presentation. The raised seat accurately reflects how the "throne" is used and often misused. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Another of Moa'sMiniatureMasterpieces®! Why, I can almost see Orson Welles waddling off it! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 It's a beauty, C. I'm going to do the one I have like that now that you have done the research! I landed on Hearst's runway once, bringing some people there for a fund raiser of some kind. The instructions were to call ahead so they could clear the cows away before I landed. The hangar where Hearst parked his airplanes was still there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 2 hours ago, jeaton01 said: It's a beauty, C. I'm going to do the one I have like that now that you have done the research! I landed on Hearst's runway once, bringing some people there for a fund raiser of some kind. The instructions were to call ahead so they could clear the cows away before I landed. The hangar where Hearst parked his airplanes was still there. Thanks, J! That's absolutely fantastic! I saw the airfield when we visited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 5 hours ago, Wulfman said: Exquisite ! Wulfman Thanks, Wulfman. Cheers 4 hours ago, SAT69 said: But the toilet seat and accompanying roll of toilet paper are among the many little details that set Moa's models apart in terms of accuracy of presentation. The raised seat accurately reflects how the "throne" is used and often misused. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Space Ranger said: Another of Moa'sMiniatureMasterpieces®! Why, I can almost see Orson Welles waddling off it! Thanks, Michael. Miniature Mini Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 That is just beautiful, a superb model of a most attractive aeroplane, pity about some of it's cargo. I did enjoy the intro to it, we think alike on these things I feel. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 8 minutes ago, stevehnz said: That is just beautiful, a superb model of a most attractive aeroplane, pity about some of it's cargo. I did enjoy the intro to it, we think alike on these things I feel. Steve. Thanks, Steve! I think we do! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Outstanding finish great looking model well done thanks for sharing regards Eamonn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Very nice.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Once again very nicely done model. Just waiting what next? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Pete Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Your elves have been working overtime again. 👍👍When I see your builds I wonder why I bother but I'll keep doing it anyway simply because S/L A.C. Plonk and his various cousins insist on having new toys with which to play. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightpainter Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 That looks stunning as always! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Another stunning beauty Moa. We shall have to call you the "Classic Modeller, who just keeps giving"! Terry 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyGair Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Why do your superb productions always make mine seem like they're built by a five-year old?🤔 Top notch as usual. Davey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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