Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Hi All, My latest completion is Special Hobby's Fairey Fulmar. The Fulmar was a carrier-borne reconnaissance & fighter aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm during the earlier years of the war, eventually being replaced by single seat aircraft such as the Sea Hurricane, Seafire and Martlet. Despite being slow relative to these aircraft, the Fulmar acquitted itself well in combat throughout the Mediterranean theatre, and at its peak equipped 20 squadrons of the FAA. The SH kit allows for 5 schemes. I have chosen to complete as N2015 of 805 Sqn, which flew from HMS Eagle during 1941. Here's a link to a photo of N2015 (kindly added to the WIP by @Grey Beema - thanks GB!): https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205046496 Here is a link to the WIP if anybody is interested: This scheme was notable for a few reasons: - The white sunscreen applied to the pilot's glazing - The lighter covers for the wing machine guns (which I mistakenly omitted) - Most notably, the locally applied 'spaghetti' camouflage applied to the leading edges and lower surface of the cowling. This was applied in order to confuse enemy troops during ground attack sorties This was one of my most complex paint schemes to date - sadly, it is almost certainly incorrect! @iang supplied some information during the WIP (thanks very much Ian!), which strongly suggests that N2015 had a Sky underside, rather than the B/W & Sky as I've depicted. Furthermore, the leading edges would have been painted in Sky, and the 'spaghetti' elements applied with paints which would have been in store onboard Eagle, such as Roundel Red and Dark Slate Grey. If anyone is considering this scheme I would strongly recommend that you have a look at Ian's very credible advice. I did briefly consider respraying to the correct colours but decided that I would likely make matters worse so pushed on regardless. The kit is the usual SH fare, with vague fit and engineering, but lovely surface detail. The resin cockpit, whilst beautifully detailed, was a woeful fit so much cursing and sanding was expended in getting the thing to fit. With all that said, I'm not displeased with the overall outcome. Anyway, on with the photos: Here's a final shot with another FAA Merlin-powered stablemate: I'm glad I've given this kit a bash - although it's a little frustrating to have knowingly finished the scheme incorrectly, I still think it looks pretty good, and it's good to have the type in my collection! Thanks for looking, Roger 36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh G Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Great job on my favourite British fighter. Did you have trouble with the observer's compartment? I sure did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 1 minute ago, Josh G said: Great job on my favourite British fighter. Did you have trouble with the observer's compartment? I sure did. Thanks for the kind words Josh. The observer's compartment was indeed an absolute PITA - worst fitting lump of resin I have come across! Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Great job Roger, a fine looking Fulmar. The Fulmar was the top scoring type of the FAA destroying more e/a than all other types. Don’t be too disappointed over the colour scheme. I have the same problem and I was involved in the debate where Sand and Spaghetti was discussed. History is dynamic. When eventually I get around to it, I will replace my old builds with newer ones.. I have built the SH Fulmar twice now (three more to go). Basically grind out as much of the fuselage sides (and especially in the spine of the aircraft) as you can then as much of the resin as you can. A power tool is you friend.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Thanks GB - your support has been much appreciated along the way. I think you're right about the scheme - even more difficult when precious few photos exist of the a/c in question, Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 The Fulmar looks wonderful Roger, you have done a great job on this. It was a brave decision to do the spaghetti scheme and it looks splendid. I have enjoyed watching it come together on your WIP . I have not got one of these in this scale, only 72nd scale, may have to look at getting one when funds allow. Great work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Just now, bigbadbadge said: The Fulmar looks wonderful Roger, you have done a great job on this. It was a brave decision to do the spaghetti scheme and it looks splendid. I have enjoyed watching it come together on your WIP . I have not got one of these in this scale, only 72nd scale, may have to look at getting one when funds allow. Great work Chris Thanks for the kind words, and thanks as ever for your support! Despite all the dramas with the resin it does build into a nice-looking model, and a man of your talents will certainly deal with the fitment issues. Cheers, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatesy64 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Lovely job, looks the part. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 14 minutes ago, Gatesy64 said: Lovely job, looks the part. Thanks for the kind words - much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 It's a lovely Fulmar and one I must get around too at some point! Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The west wing Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Lovely job and now confirmed to be on the build list, only hope I have the patience to come close to yours. Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Well done with that, Dunny. Great looking paintwork. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 30 minutes ago, 85sqn said: It's a lovely Fulmar and one I must get around too at some point! Well done. 11 minutes ago, The west wing said: Lovely job and now confirmed to be on the build list, only hope I have the patience to come close to yours. Ian 10 minutes ago, Vinnie said: Well done with that, Dunny. Great looking paintwork. Thanks for the kind words gents - much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Ian- Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Well done, looks great. I'm a sucker for unusual schemes and this one definitely fits the bill, sadly my airbrush skills aren't yet up to freehand spaghetti camo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 (edited) Lovely job Roger,...... and it looks great with the Sea Hurri! I`m not totally convinced about the colour of the `spaghetti scheme',..... I did one of my 72nd Fulmar`s in the same colours,..... but later repainted the `spaghetti' scheme colours later on using a silver background and blue and purple squiggles after reading a description of the colours by a wartime Hurricane pilot and learning that the scheme was designed to break up the outline of the aircraft from the front to enable it to get closer to Italian bombers before being seen..... as they would otherwise pour on the coals and outrun the Fulmar! Just for comparison,.... here is the model before; And after; The real aeroplane; Nobody can say what is right and what is wrong though pal,..... and you have done a great job,..... just thought I`d pass on my train of thought with this one. Cheers Tony Edited June 28, 2021 by tonyot 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick b Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Excellent result Roger Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 8 hours ago, tonyot said: Lovely job Roger,...... and it looks great with the Sea Hurri! I`m not totally convinced about the colour of the `spaghetti scheme',..... I did one of my 72nd Fulmar`s in the same colours,..... but later repainted the `spaghetti' scheme colours later on using a silver background and blue and purple squiggles after reading a description of the colours by a wartime Hurricane pilot and learning that the scheme was designed to break up the outline of the aircraft from the front to enable it to get closer to Italian bombers before being seen..... as they would otherwise pour on the coals and outrun the Fulmar! Just for comparison,.... here is the model before; And after; The real aeroplane; Nobody can say what is right and what is wrong though pal,..... and you have done a great job,..... just thought I`d pass on my train of thought with this one. Cheers Tony Thanks for that Tony - clearly a can of squiggly worms! Lovely Fulmar (before and after!) Appreciate the kind words, Cheers, Roger 3 hours ago, mick b said: Excellent result Roger Mike Thanks Mike - much appreciated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 13 hours ago, -Ian- said: Well done, looks great. I'm a sucker for unusual schemes and this one definitely fits the bill, sadly my airbrush skills aren't yet up to freehand spaghetti camo. Thanks for the kind words Ian - much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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