Rabbit Leader Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 All, I’ve been playing around with the Matchbox Wellington of late, however have now cast my eyes on ‘possibly’ converting the new tooled Airfix Mk.1c into an Aussie crewed Mk.IV. My research has uncovered that these 220 Wellington examples were powered by P&W 1830 Twin Wasps and Curtiss Electric C53D2-16 propellers. Now I’m sure I can source these popular engines from a DC-3 kit, however I know little about the props - although they kinda look like something you’d find strapped to a Wildcat? The exhaust layout is also a tad odd with what appear to be twin extractors from each engine. Any additional information and a possible suggestion as to what props I could use would be much appreciated. Here’s an image I’ve found online. Cheers and regards.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 (edited) Dave, I think the Martin 167 Maryland used the same Curtiss Electric prop. The 187 Baltimore used Hamilton Standards, so those won't work. P-40's used CE props, but the diameter would more than likely be smaller. I would think any props of the correct diameter and rotation would work- you would just to need to cobble up the distinctive pointed hub found on the Curtiss Electric prop. Maybe, just maybe, the R-1830 powered Beauforts that used CE props might supply what you need for your Wimpy, but I'm thinking the blades wouldn't be as long for a Wimpy. The blades in the photo you posted sure look like DH blades to me, but those are clearly Curtiss Electric hubs. The R-1830 rotated in the opposite direction from the British radials. Not much help, I'm afraid! Mike Edited January 26, 2021 by 72modeler added text, corrected spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 (edited) Hi If you are buying a kit for the engines why not buy this https://www.scalemates.com/kits/mpm-production-72555-vickers-wellington-mkiv--102049 And get some decals as well Cheers Jerry Edited January 26, 2021 by brewerjerry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 Thanks Mike and Jerry. Well I already have the Airfix kit, although do have plans on getting another to make a Mk.1c or even an VIII. Perhaps it’s wise to invest In this MPM kit after all, although something tells me it won’t be as easy a build or as detailed as the new tooled Airfix job. I’m still procrastinating things, so will keep looking into it. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Looking at the spruemap for the Revell Merlin Wellington, It's got 6 unused props (4 different engines?), and some unused engine parts and cowlings. And spare stabiliser. I'll have to open the kit, and consult the book, to see just what's for which versions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 That’s very interesting Tim @theplasticsurgeon, so many parts on offer which is always nice to see. Great price on that Haynes book as well. I keep reading about your local bargains and am always envious at the good deals you UK folk can usually find. Cheers.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossm Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 2 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said: Looking at the spruemap for the Revell Merlin Wellington, It's got 6 unused props (4 different engines?), and some unused engine parts and cowlings. And spare stabiliser. I'll have to open the kit, and consult the book, to see just what's for which versions. Looking at Scalemates the Revell kit is based on the MPM one - hence all the spare bits for different versions. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-04903-vickers-wellington-mkii--629429 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Well so far from the book: Pegasus Left-hand tractor prop 12'6"diameter Hercules Left-hand tractor prop 12'6"diameter Merlin Right-hand tractor prop 12'9"diameter Twin Wasp Right-hand tractor Curtiss electric 12'3"diameter 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 (edited) Much bigger than any Wildcat prop. A C-47 prop, incidentally, is 11'6", some say 11'6 and a bit. The C-47's engines are pretty narrowly spaced and the prop tips close to the fuselage which limits prop size (and thereby some aspects of performance) but does make it easier to wrangle in the single-engined case. B-17 props are about 11'7" so they're a bit undernourished for a Wellington too. A-20 / Boston props are also too small at 11'3" A-26 props are 12"7' so the right size, though you would need to make the tips a little pointier as well as the hub (not hard though, glue on a little bit of sprue and file it down) The other source, if you are up for some trimming and blade reshaping, is a 13"1' Hellcat prop. I've done this kind of work and it's really not that hard providing you are handy with your files and wet & dry. Edited January 26, 2021 by Work In Progress 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 15 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said: Thanks Mike and Jerry. Well I already have the Airfix kit, although do have plans on getting another to make a Mk.1c or even an VIII. Perhaps it’s wise to invest In this MPM kit after all, although something tells me it won’t be as easy a build or as detailed as the new tooled Airfix job. I’m still procrastinating things, so will keep looking into it. Cheers.. Dave Hi If you are like me you will assemble all the necessary parts and start building Then someone releases a kit In this case an airfix Mk IV Cheers Jerry 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalea Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Just had a look inside my MPM Wellington IV. Yes there are 8 props, only 3 sets of engines, though. R-1830s , as advertised, quite decent representations and some, I presume. Hercules for their Mk.10. Cowlings look alright. The 4 engine exhausts are not identical. Three of them look like the starboard outer in the photo above, but their port outer is different. (Hangover from the MK.I ?). Also one of their decal options, Z1392/UV-G is supposed to have spinners, which makes the Curtiss Electric props question moot. Edited January 27, 2021 by dalea can't tell left from right 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 Thanks to all of you for the additional information and keeping this thread ticking over. Now @dalea are you saying that the MPM kit is missing one proper exhaust? That’s a shame if that’s the case. I’m also wondering if the spinner equipped props were Hamilton Standard units? My references say that these were replaced by Curtiss Electric propellers in an effort to reduce cabin noise at high revs. Having said that, I cannot seem to find any photos of this mark Wellington with spinners installed. Now I’ve just been looking at other Wellington IV / 460 squadron images and some show the starboard rectangle nose window (blanked over) whist other photos show no evidence that this window existed? I was also surprised to see that UV:T (last photo) still has the early two gun FN5 rear turret, were I thought the Mk. IV was equipped with the latter four gun FN20? There’s definitely quite a few differences in what was a relatively small production batch of only 220 examples. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalea Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 3 exhausts with flame dampers. one without. Will check again tomorrow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad's lad Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Instructions for the MPM Mk.IV can be found here https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Wellington-Mk.IV-R-1830-Engines.html#gallery_start if it helps to understand the fit of exhausts. It suggests that 3 of the pipes are completed using supplied resin "hedgehog" extensions. Clive. Edited January 27, 2021 by dad's lad incorrect info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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