Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 I call this a nostalgia build, but really it is anything but. I am exorcising some deep rooted modelling demons from my dim and distant past. I remember badgering my poor mother to get me this kit, on the fortnightly Friday shop at Tescos in Eastleigh. I was very young, and this must have been around 1979, the kit couldn't have been out long. She had obvious reservations that the modelling skills of her 6 or 7 year old son would not be up to the task, and she was of course correct. Getting the top wing on was way to much for me, and I remember - still with a shudder - the mess being chucked in the bin. When I look back now, and realise how little money my folks had back then, I cringe in shame. Anyway, fast forward 40 years and my interest in local aviation has grown 10 fold. Back then it was Roy Huxleys artwork that had me sold, now I know this magnificent flying boat was designed and built just a mile away from me and flown from the Solent. When I started dipping my toe in the modelling waters again a couple of years ago one of the first kits I made was the little Revell rebox of the Walrus, which triggered long buried memories of the aborted Stranraer build, and an original boxing was soon acquired for under a tenner. I've been happy enough looking at it on the small stash shelf but a recent photo has rekindled interest enough to bump it to the top of the pile. I am rather partial to the 1938 temperate camouflage applied after the Munich crisis, so this photo that popped up on facebook piqued my interest. I've yet to discover where this flight of Stranraers was based, but the photo shows them flying up the Solent, escorting the RMS Empress of Australia back into Southampton on the 22nd June 1939 after her Royal Tour of Canada. RMS Empress of Britain escorted by three Supermarine Stranraers by Mike, on Flickr A quick search for K7297 brings up the sad news that she was lost in bad weather over the North Sea just two months later, with the loss of all hands. According to the official Air Ministry announcement in 'Flight' magazine (August 31, 1939 page 205 - see link #4): "FLYING ACCIDENTS With reference to the disappearance on August 19 of an aircraft of No.209 Squadron, the Air Ministry announces with regret that, as extensive searches have failed to find the aircraft and its occupants, it must now be accepted that the following personnel lost their lives on that date:- F/O (Acting Flt Lt) Frederick Ernest Royston King; F/O Arthur Frederick Barber; L./AC Donald Fulcher; A/C.1 David George Poeten Ash; A/C.1 Walter Joseph Jeckells; A/C.2 Leslie Samuel Freshwater. F/O (Acting Flt. Lt.) King and F/O Barber were the first and second pilots of the aircraft and LA/C Fulcher, A/C.1 Ash, A/C.1 Jeckells and A/C.2 Freshwater were the other members of the crew." http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/208561 One of the reasons I had held back making this kit was I was struggling to to choose what livery/markings to paint it, especially as there are some colourful post war civil options. This information made my mind up for me, I'd represent K7297. Now to find out exactly how she was painted. I'm assuming Dark Earth and Dark Green, but I'm not sure about the undersides atm. Silver? There are a few excellent builds out there, feel free to copy any links to help me! I'm aware the kit has a few flaws and I'd like to fix them if it's within my skills. And as this is a nostalgia build I make no apologies for the photo dump! PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr PK-601 Supermarine Stranraer by Mike, on Flickr 12 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 I'm been fairly busy, if you call google searches 'busy', rather than the more common 'avoiding the issue'. No actual modelling has commenced yet. These threads are a goldmine of information. I'm leaving them here just as a quick reference for me. A good gallery of images here, including several RAF examples. Understandably the RCAF examples are much more common, they built and used twice as many as Supermarines did. I am struggling to find images of RAF examples in prewar camouflage, the one in the post above might be all I have to go by. http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/flyboat/stranraer/ And while I revisit @Vulcanicity masterclass WIP thread, I'm taking notes on scratch building interior details, something I haven't really tried before. I have bought a selection pack of different thickness plastic sheets, but I don't have any of the pre-cut strips or rods. Is it fairly easy to cut my own strips out of sheet? And another new skill I need to learn is adding panel lines and riveting, for this rather sparsely detailed kit. After watching a few different youtube how-to's (This Plasmo one was good) I've bought a cheap Trumpeter scriber. I'd like a razor saw as well but I'm a bit dazzled by the selection of different CMK ones on Hannants website. 6 Link to post Share on other sites
Tigerausfb 10 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Gosh, that brings back some memories. Matchbox kits were pretty exciting back in the day. Yes easy to cut strips from plastic card, the trick is to stop the strips curling Thanks for sharing the sprue piccies, I'm feeling all reminiscent. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AdrianMF 20,914 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I would concentrate on doing the best build of the kit that you want to do rather than trying to incorporate things that you “should” do. It’s a hobby; make yourself happy! Don't pick up baggage. Regards, Adrian 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 28 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: I would concentrate on doing the best build of the kit that you want to do rather than trying to incorporate things that you “should” do. It’s a hobby; make yourself happy! Don't pick up baggage. Regards, Adrian Wise words Adrian! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TheyJammedKenny! 1,769 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 37 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: I would concentrate on doing the best build of the kit that you want to do rather than trying to incorporate things that you “should” do. It’s a hobby; make yourself happy! Don't pick up baggage. Regards, Adrian Totally agree, and looking forward to seeing this progress. Leave the lost baggage with Alitalia! I'll follow this, because I once turned down a friend's "generous offer" of one of these for free. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Tweener 550 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Following with interest, as my own build is on hold until I can source some depth charges, belts, engines, and more silver spray paint. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 Quick shout, does anyone have a pair of A1 style roundels for the top wings? They need to be 30mm across. I'm a long way off needing them but thought I'd get in early ... I've checked my meagre stash but drawn a blank. Link to post Share on other sites
Marklo 7,246 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Hmm lots of roundels in the decal box definitely that size but I doubt any have the yellow border. If they works pm me. Link to post Share on other sites
bbudde 4,629 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 (edited) Hello, in here for some nostalgic reasons. Never got a finger on this one as a kid, although I could have had one as a Revell classic later for a reasonable price. But it would be never the same as the original old one for me. Space reasons and other things aren't allowing it furthermore for me now. So I just watch at it now. Cheers Edited February 19 by bbudde 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Vesa Jussila 923 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I will take my popcorn too and watch this. In my long list of future projects I have plan to make civil version of Stranraer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Vulcanicity 2,256 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Hi Mike, Many thanks for the mention and kind words, I shall be following! I have a pair of 84 inch Type A1 roundels with the yellow rings which you are welcome to - PM me your address and I'll pop them in the post.. I'm very interested by that photos of the camouflaged pre-war machines - never seen it before anywhere! Interesting to note the unfaired DF loop which doesn't seem to have been fitted when the aircraft were first built, and the fact that the nearest machine has an (uncamouflaged aluminium) underwing fuel tank fitted, which is just visible behind the trailing edge of the lower wing. As Adrian says don't feel the pressure to go crazy - much more important to enjoy yourself! If I was to recommend three things out of everything I did to that poor kit it would be to reshape and thin the cowlings, replace the engines with aftermarket and sand off the freight door - all of which make a massive visual difference in accuracy to the result. I'd also encourage you to give rescribing a go even if you just do the hull - most of the panel lines are straight lines and therefore fairly easy. The single longitudinal line which Matchbox provide is pretty much correct (I think it's slightly wrong at the aft end under the gunner's position) and gives a good datum to work off for the rest. As for plasticard strips, I would thoroughly recommend them for building internal structure. It's easy enough to cut your own strips out of sheet if you have a steel ruler and sharp blade. but it's hard to do them as neatly as pre-cut strips, and it's a tedious and time-consuming task which might put you off! I used 0.5 x0.5 mm square rod for nearly all the longitudinal stringers in the Stranraer, except for two thicker ones for which I used 1mm x 2.5 mm strip: 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 Thanks Phil, that's very kind of you! I shall take you up on those roundels. Also, I have found another prewar 38/39 photo of a North Sea Fleet Watchdog flight, with two planes in camouflage, and third still in silver. It's in a Supermarine book I have, unfortunately not clear enough to make out the serial numbers, but I'll share it on here when I get a mo. My gut tells me these planes planes would have silver undersides, but I have no proof of that yet. Yes, I'm definitely in agreement about adding external detail, and I have the tools to hand now! I'm actually looking forward to it. The only thing missing is a riveting tool for 1/72. I made one with an old watch cog but the teeth are spaced more for 1/48 scale. I need to find a much smaller cog for 1/72 rivets. Somewhere in a 'come in handy' draw there is an old wind up wristwatch that packed up, that I'm hoping has ideal donor parts. (And I've already scratched off that postwar cargo hatch) As soon as my local model shop is open for business again I'll get some plasticard strips. For now I'll whittle away the sheets I have. It's the first time I've had a go at this, so I'm just feeling my way around the stuff. I've started with the cockpit for now, I'm not decided how far I'll go. I'll see how I get on. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
JWM 14,240 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 2/19/2021 at 8:24 PM, Quiet Mike said: Quick shout, does anyone have a pair of A1 style roundels for the top wings? They need to be 30mm across. I'm a long way off needing them but thought I'd get in early ... I've checked my meagre stash but drawn a blank. Perhaps search among 1:48 decals, could be difficult to get such large roundel with yellow outline Regards J-W Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 Despite my absence, I have been busy! As scratch building is a new skill to acquire for me, I've been reluctant to post 'along the way' photos, as others with much more skill have illustrated this far better than me. I'd hate to share bad habits on here! And when I say 'busy', I mean spending hours scratching my head looking at reference, and minutes whittling bits of plasticard into approximate shapes and sticking it in. Also the mental process of trying to work out what detail can work in 1/72, and then how to actually make it. Previous builds have been invaluable here, but I've tried to avoid blindly copying them. A lot of the reference available is contradictory, so a compromise usually has to be made somewhere. It was reassuring I came to the same solutions as other builders. It was also interesting to note that scratch building is like a kind of model making handwriting! (BTW, is adding detail to a kit called 'scratch building'? Or should scratch building be reserved for someone building a model totally from scratch?) I'm not sure yet what hatches are going to be open or shut. The side door will be open, hence the detail going into the navigators cabin behind the cockpit, and the cockpit of course, even though not much can be seen through the thick canopy. I'm still thinking if there are solutions to this. (Solutions that I can achieve. Cutting hatches into the top of the canopy terrifies me.) Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr As always, the macro ring on my 50mm prime lens shows the detail warts and all, but despite the rough edges I'm happy with progress, and even though it's slow going, I'm enjoying it. This isn't finished by any means, but while I wait for a back copy of Aeroplane magazine to turn up, that has an old feature on the Stranraer I'm hoping may reveal some missing bits of detail, this seems a good place to take stock. The CMK razor blade saw was a very wise investment! Next time I'll buy two. The den. I work in a confined corner in a very small snug off our kitchen. Actually it was originally the kitchen in our bog standard 1930s Semi, to give you an idea. I'm the chief bottle washer and cook in the house, and I can't imagine doing that in the original kitchen! The space is much better served as my study. Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Oh, and followed @vulcanicity advice and purchased a couple of resin Pegasus engines. I dragged my heels a little as I am notoriously tight, but the kit was a bargain at a tenner, so paying the same again for a couple of engines isn't so bad. Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 And in Other News, we are getting on great with our rescue mutt, who was four this week. Happy birthday Skye. Skye by Mike, on Flickr And while I struggle to get motivated to go out on decent bike rides, finding excuses about the weather being to wet, dark, windy or cold far too easily, I've discovered my old Commando comics from the early 80s and I'm really enjoying flicking through them again. I can remember the first one I bought aged 9 1/2, Sky of Flame, and how the artwork really inspired me. (18p, in Bishops Waltham newsagents. The fact I can remember all this stuff probably goes some way to explaining why I was a weird kid at school ) I really looked forward to his stories coming out. I've since discovered the artist was Jose Maria Jorge, who had a 42 year long career with Commando, starting in '69, and he penned 163 titles. The last just a month before he died in Oct 2010. I think his main interest was aviation as well, heady stuff for a warbird obsessed nipper. (Cover by Ian Kennedy) I was very lucky my doting granddad Charlie used to buy me all four, and bring them over when he and nan visited us once a fortnight. I hoovered up any old collections I saw for sale at village fetes and jumbles too. I ended up with hundreds, which the collector side of me carefully archived, in date order. That may be why they survived after I moved out! My comic obsessed youngest is now the custodian of them. To try and bring this tangent back on track, there are a few flying boat stories that Jose illustrated, but with the Catalina or Walrus. I don't think any Stranraer got in print unfortunately, but I'd love to be proved wrong! Probably not the best form of reference for a build, but scores very high for inspiration. http://www.britishcomics.20m.com/jorge.htm https://bearalley.blogspot.com/2010/10/jose-maria-jorge-1941-2010.html 4 Link to post Share on other sites
TheyJammedKenny! 1,769 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Very cool stuff, both with the project and the comic book. As a Yank, I went for Sergeant Fury, Sergeant Rock, and various iterations of superheroes in the 70's. Always a bit far-fetched how the two above-named NCO's managed to destroy Tiger I's using 2.36" bazookas--especially through the front armor! As for the Stranraer, I like the subject a great deal. Scratch-building is loosely defined, and includes the smallest things that you make for yourself. Don't feel compelled to adversely compare yourself with those that build entire aircraft from scratch. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jonners 3,287 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Absolutely nothing wrong with nostalgia, Mike. When I was about 9 years old my friend asked me to build his Stranraer kit as he didn't think he could manage it himself. I completed it for him, unpainted, but I remember struggling to keep the upper wing straight - the concept of waiting for struts to set hadn't occurred to me then! I've often considered getting one for myself and giving it a go again, especially as my current modelling interest is in silver biplanes. I especially like the 228 Sqn scheme - was that a Cerrux Grey fuselage? The interior looks great; I did wonder if your ambitious plans might end up being a mojo-killer, but I suspect the opposite is actually the case! Jon Link to post Share on other sites
Dunny 2,705 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 15 hours ago, Quiet Mike said: Despite my absence, I have been busy! As scratch building is a new skill to acquire for me, I've been reluctant to post 'along the way' photos, as others with much more skill have illustrated this far better than me. I'd hate to share bad habits on here! And when I say 'busy', I mean spending hours scratching my head looking at reference, and minutes whittling bits of plasticard into approximate shapes and sticking it in. Also the mental process of trying to work out what detail can work in 1/72, and then how to actually make it. Previous builds have been invaluable here, but I've tried to avoid blindly copying them. A lot of the reference available is contradictory, so a compromise usually has to be made somewhere. It was reassuring I came to the same solutions as other builders. It was also interesting to note that scratch building is like a kind of model making handwriting! (BTW, is adding detail to a kit called 'scratch building'? Or should scratch building be reserved for someone building a model totally from scratch?) I'm not sure yet what hatches are going to be open or shut. The side door will be open, hence the detail going into the navigators cabin behind the cockpit, and the cockpit of course, even though not much can be seen through the thick canopy. I'm still thinking if there are solutions to this. (Solutions that I can achieve. Cutting hatches into the top of the canopy terrifies me.) Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr As always, the macro ring on my 50mm prime lens shows the detail warts and all, but despite the rough edges I'm happy with progress, and even though it's slow going, I'm enjoying it. This isn't finished by any means, but while I wait for a back copy of Aeroplane magazine to turn up, that has an old feature on the Stranraer I'm hoping may reveal some missing bits of detail, this seems a good place to take stock. The CMK razor blade saw was a very wise investment! Next time I'll buy two. The den. I work in a confined corner in a very small snug off our kitchen. Actually it was originally the kitchen in our bog standard 1930s Semi, to give you an idea. I'm the chief bottle washer and cook in the house, and I can't imagine doing that in the original kitchen! The space is much better served as my study. Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Oh, and followed @vulcanicity advice and purchased a couple of resin Pegasus engines. I dragged my heels a little as I am notoriously tight, but the kit was a bargain at a tenner, so paying the same again for a couple of engines isn't so bad. Tinkering with scratch building interior detail by Mike, on Flickr Some cracking scratchbuilding going on there Mike - certainly doesn't look like a first effort! My avatar is our rescue mutt Muddy - she is a 3 year old kelpie/staffy cross, Cheers, Roger Link to post Share on other sites
AdrianMF 20,914 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 That detailing looks great. And I apologise if my previous advice sounded a bit curt, but it's easy to start doing things because you "should" rather than doing things that you enjoy. Airbrushing is like that for me - proper hairy brushes every time! Regards, Adrian Link to post Share on other sites
alhenderson 642 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 47 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: That detailing looks great. And I apologise if my previous advice sounded a bit curt, but it's easy to start doing things because you "should" rather than doing things that you enjoy. Airbrushing is like that for me - proper hairy brushes every time! Regards, Adrian Ditto! I had a moment of weakness the other week when I was considered how best to paint my Shack. Was teetering on going down the airbrush route, but I had a work with myself and balance has been restored to the force I think experimenting with something like airbrushing on my Shack would have been a road to a very bad place. Just going to get a bigger brush, and better primer! Al. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet Mike 1,178 Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 21 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said: Very cool stuff, both with the project and the comic book. As a Yank, I went for Sergeant Fury, Sergeant Rock, and various iterations of superheroes in the 70's. Always a bit far-fetched how the two above-named NCO's managed to destroy Tiger I's using 2.36" bazookas--especially through the front armor! There's plenty of far fetched action in Commando Comics too! But as a rule those illustrated by Jose have a more realistic feel to them and elevates them above the pulp. When you add his sublime penwork to the mix it's a winning combination for me. 14 hours ago, Jonners said: I've often considered getting one for myself and giving it a go again, especially as my current modelling interest is in silver biplanes. I especially like the 228 Sqn scheme - was that a Cerrux Grey fuselage? The interior looks great; I did wonder if your ambitious plans might end up being a mojo-killer, but I suspect the opposite is actually the case! Jon Thanks Jon. Matchbox list that fuselage as 64 Light Grey, so I assume that's a match for Cerrux Grey 8 hours ago, AdrianMF said: That detailing looks great. And I apologise if my previous advice sounded a bit curt, but it's easy to start doing things because you "should" rather than doing things that you enjoy. Airbrushing is like that for me - proper hairy brushes every time! Don't apologise Adrian, it was sage advice! Scratch building detail no one will see is definitely not something I'd recommend to everyone either. My background as a technical illustrator, low BPM, steady hand and little fingers, mean on paper at least, I have an aptitude for it. I think my main worry, as a very slow builder, is keeping up an interest in the kit over a few months, and this doesn't exactly speed the process up! 14 hours ago, Dunny said: Some cracking scratchbuilding going on there Mike - certainly doesn't look like a first effort! My avatar is our rescue mutt Muddy - she is a 3 year old kelpie/staffy cross, Thanks Roger. We are pretty sure Skye isn't a pure Staffie either, she's more like a miniature Labrador! Still a bit bonkers like all Staffies, but lollops along on her long legs. Our old one was the runt of the litter, and much more stocky. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
rob Lyttle 7,120 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 This looks great, Mike, and the makings of an excellent adventure! Interior is splendid. Rewarding to try these things. When you're into a particular subject it's the time to go the extra mile Link to post Share on other sites
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