1:48 Fairey Fulmar

[Dunny 2,700]

Hi All,

 

My next project will be Special Hobby's 1:48 Fairey Fulmar. This aircraft was introduced into service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1940, and continued the tradition of two seat aircraft employed by that service, the act of navigation whilst flying considered beyond a mere pilot. Powered by the Merlin III, the Fulmar MkI was underpowered compared to its single seat RAF equivalents. Nevertheless, the aircraft saw combat in a variety of theatres and at its peak equipped 20 FAA squadrons. Here's the box art:

 

 

And the sprue shots:

 

 

 

 

There's also a couple of frets of PE:

 

 

And a quite extensive collection of resin parts, mainly pertaining to the cockpits:

 

 

The decals look to be in good register and are highly glossy (and a little bright to my eye?):

 

 

5 schemes are catered for in this boxing. I'm going to complete as N2015 of 805 Sqn FAA, HMS Eagle, which was operating in the Mediterranean in February 1941:

 

 

I can find no photos of this aircraft, but have no reason to doubt the efficacy of the scheme. It is quite interesting as the leading edges and underside of the cowling are painted in a locally applied 'spaghetti' scheme, which was apparently employed to cause confusion during ground attack sorties. In addition, the pilot's upper canopy had a white sun shade installed. I have also seen a version of this scheme with a straight 'Sky' underside - does anyone have any definitive references for this scheme? I may choose to omit the night/white elements to simplify the scheme, but would appreciate any input on the accuracy as presented.

 

Anyway, onwards and upwards with the build!

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roger

 

 

[Grey Beema 3,207]

I’m in.  First seat at the bar I think.

 

The Fulmar is the top scoring type of the FAA.  Apparently if you add the victories of all other types together they still do not equal victories in the Fulmar.  I have two built, three in the stash, all will be modelled as a machines flown by an FAA Ace and most of the top aces flew them.

 

I hope you have your Dremel charged up.  Lots of grinding needs to be done to fit the cockpit tubs but it finishes up as a really lovely model.  I do wish the control surfaces were separate, it would save a lot of work.  If, of course, you want to fold wings, then there is even more  cutting and sanding involved (I never got that brave).

 

Good luck there..

 

 

[Dunny 2,700]

2 minutes ago, Grey Beema said:

I’m in.  First seat at the bar I think.

 

The Fulmar is the top scoring type of the FAA.  Apparently if you add the victories of all other types together they still do not equal victories in the Fulmar.  I have two built, three in the stash, all will be modelled as a machines flown by an FAA Ace and most of the top aces flew them.

 

I hope you have your Dremel charged up.  Lots of grinding needs to be done to fit the cockpit tubs but it finishes up as a really lovely model.  I do wish the control surfaces were separate, it would save a lot of work.  If, of course, you want to fold wings, then there is even more  cutting and sanding involved (I never got that brave).

 

Good luck there..

 

 

Thanks GB. I've been studying your WIP as a starting point and you certainly did it justice - I hope mine turns out half as well!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Grey Beema 3,207]

19 minutes ago, Dunny said:

Thanks GB. I've been studying your WIP as a starting point and you certainly did it justice - I hope mine turns out half as well!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

No problem Roger.  I sure yours will be much better than mine.  Though I do see a lot of sanding in your future.

 

Another thing, you need to decide before you attach any part of the Observers canopy whether you are going to have it Open.  If not, no problem, but if you are you will need to make a new (thinner) front section and a new mid section that will fit under the front section (if that makes sense).  It is an easy shape though, so not too taxing..

 

 

[mahavelona 274]

Looking forward to watching this progress

[Dunny 2,700]

12 minutes ago, Grey Beema said:

No problem Roger.  I sure yours will be much better than mine.  Though I do see a lot of sanding in your future.

 

Another thing, you need to decide before you attach any part of the Observers canopy whether you are going to have it Open.  If not, no problem, but if you are you will need to make a new (thinner) front section and a new mid section that will fit under the front section (if that makes sense).  It is an easy shape though, so not too taxing..

 

 

Hmmm - I do normally favour an open canopy and had already eyed up the pilot's. I see some frightening razor saw action ahead...

[Grey Beema 3,207]

56 minutes ago, Dunny said:

Hmmm - I do normally favour an open canopy and had already eyed up the pilot's. I see some frightening razor saw action ahead...

 

So do I TBH..

 

Pilots canopy is just careful cutting.  The Observers is where you need to do some building..

 

My first attempt, in which I did build a new canopy part

 

My second where I forgot until it was too late

 

 

 

[Dunny 2,700]

1 minute ago, Grey Beema said:

 

So do I TBH..

 

Pilots canopy is just careful cutting.  The Observers is where you need to do some building..

 

My first attempt, in which I did build a new canopy part

 

My second where I forgot until it was too late

 

 

 

Sage advice - I'll definitely look at crash moulding the observer's canopy. What could possibly go wrong?! Both lovely looking Fulmars by the way,

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Grey Beema 3,207]

9 minutes ago, Dunny said:

Sage advice - I'll definitely look at crash moulding the observer's canopy. What could possibly go wrong?! Both lovely looking Fulmars by the way,

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

Thank you Roger.  

[bigbadbadge 8,981]

Hi Roger

Been looking forward to this following your announcement of it, will tag along as always .  Nice scheme too.  Just got to nip out for some snacks and drinks.

Chris

[Jeff G 286]

Consider me strapped in to the observers seat! Here on BM, anyway. I'd rather be up front in a real Fulmar.

[Dunny 2,700]

7 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Hi Roger

Been looking forward to this following your announcement of it, will tag along as always .  Nice scheme too.  Just got to nip out for some snacks and drinks.

Chris

 

6 hours ago, Jeff G said:

Consider me strapped in to the observers seat! Here on BM, anyway. I'd rather be up front in a real Fulmar.

Welcome aboard gents - the resin rollercoaster starts today!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[The west wing 129]

I will be following this build with interest, as I can see this might be a project for the future.  I talked to my father (just had his 99th birthday) and he talked of an incident while in training with the Fleet Air Arm at Lee on Solent. He had never been close to a Fulmar before so was interested in how many guns it had, so had just ran his hand along the leading edge counting the guns when the guns fired a 2 second burst.  A second trainee had climed into the cockpit and tried the gun button. The aircraft had been returned to the hanger ARMED! a very big mistake. A second error saved lives as the aircraft had not been raised at the tail and an oildrum inserted under the tail wheel as usual. So the gunfire just went upwards through the hanger doors.

 

Ian

 

 

[bigbadbadge 8,981]

OMG, crikey your Dad was lucky there!!!