Short Sunderland MkII - 1/32nd scale vacform

[tomprobert]

Evening all,

 

I took advantage of my time away from the classroom last week and finally finished this two-and-a-bit year project: Tigger Models' (the old ID Models' vac kit) of the Short Sunderland in 1/32nd scale. This has been a really rewarding project, and despite a setback when I knocked the completed fuselage with its interior off the table, making a rather messy contact with the kitchen floor, it's been great fun and relatively straightforward - despite its size. 

 

Pic 1 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Kits like this come as a blank canvass for the builder to work his/her magic - 'bumps in plastic' is quite apt, but the shapes are reasonably accurate if not a bit primitive (picture borrowed from Tigger's webpage):

 

Pic 2 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The kit provides a the correct hull shape for a MkI or MkII, but with some mods the more adventurous builder could easily convert it to a MkIII/V, etc. All panel lines and surface details need to be added and the parts are devoid of any real detail, but the plastic is lovely to work with and scribes/sands beautifully. Due to the size of the parts, home-made interior bulkheads are needed, and any visible parts of the interior need to be made from scratch:

 

Pic 3 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Strong wing spars are also essential to keep the structure of the model sound - thick plastic card spars were made and added:

 

Pic 6 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The flightdeck interior, bomb room and nose section were all made from scratch and detailed with some aftermarket seatbelts:

 

Pic 7 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

All the aerials were made from sprue and thin wire - markings were mix of home-made masks and decals:

 

Pic 8 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The engines were made from spare HK Models' B-17 cylinders coupled with Revell Beaufighter parts to make a reasonable representation of the Bristol Pegasus. The early-style exhausts were made from Evergreen tube bent slowly over the toaster!

 

Pic 10 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Landing lights were home made from some of my daughter's diamante play/craft jewellery (for the lights) and the covers were clear acetate once again heated over the toaster. Rigging for the floats came for EasyLine and reminded me why I'll never build a biplane!

 

Pic 11 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The kit's transparencies were used  throughout - all turret interiors were scratch built. Beaching gear was also made from scratch with a friend helping out with some 3D printed wheels:

 

Pic 12 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 13 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Bomb racks were again made from scratch with some rather lovely depth charges coming from Tim Perry - thanks, Tim!

 

Pic 14 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 15 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I used Xtracolor enamels throughout the build - 6 tins were used in total!

 

Pic 16 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I don't like to go too mad with weathering on my models so kept it relatively clean - however you can't build a Sunderland without the distinctive water marks on the hull:

 

Pic 17 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

A bit of exhaust staining and some fading with post-shading completed the upper surfaces:

 

Pic 18 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And for some generic pictures:

 

Pic 19 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 20 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 21 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 22 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 23 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 24 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pic 25 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I'm often asked how big a 1/32nd Sunderland is. I'm sorry to inflict my ugly mug on you but you can see that it is a massive model with yours truly holding it!

 

Pic 26 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

My model represents a Sunderland MkII of 201 Squadron during 1942 in the lovely temperate sea scheme. Painting white gives me nightmares (especially something of this size) so I took the easier option. W4001 (ZM-V) was only on strength between February to October 1942, before hitting an underwater rock and being written off, thankfully with no loss of life. 

 

Thanks for those who took an interest along the way - I'm off for a long lay down in a darkened room to contemplate the next project!

 

Best wishes to all,

Tom

Edited June 10, 2022 by tomprobert

[tomprobert]

Apologies, mods - this should be in Ready for Inspection! @Mike any chance this could be moved across? 

 

Tom

[jenko]

That is something else. Absolutely fantastic.

 

Looking forward to seeing it at a show

 

Cheers

 

Dick 

[Mike]

22 minutes ago, tomprobert said:

@Mike any chance this could be moved across? 

Probably Two demerits for putting your thread in the wrong place though

[bentwaters81tfw]

Nice one Tom, been looking forward to this. Rumour has it you have hired the O2 dome to store it.

 

Time now to finish that FM Halifax.

[bigbadbadge]

Good grief, awesome build and awesome size, great work . Where are you going to put it without gaining unwanted attention from the Domestic Authorities ???😉

Chris

 

[Pete in a shed]

Astonishing! The detail you have incorporated is just superb. You possess awesome modelling skills Tom.

Pete

[Glen]

That’s stunning Tom

[keefr22]

Simply outstanding! 👍

 

Keith

[LorenSharp]

Another outstanding example of plastic wizardry from the Probert Ironworks, Ltd assembly line. And when anyone asks where will it go, smile and say "Where ever it wants to"

[Spitfire31]

Fabulotastic modelling!

 

Pure museum quality throughout.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[cngaero]

Now that is seriously impressive Tom. I've thoroughly enjoyed following the progress of this mega build. I can't wait to see what you start next.

[ilj]

This is the most amazing thing I have seen... in years.   Well done

 

ilj

[John_W]

Absolutely awesome.

[Harold55]

OMG, this is simply fantastic.  It would be amazing if it were just a regular plastic model but the fact that it was vacuform coupled with all the scratch building you did make this just incredible!  I love the weathering you did, particularly the underside.  Very nice effect.  Congratulations!

[tomprobert]

8 hours ago, Mike said:

Probably Two demerits for putting your thread in the wrong place though

Ha! Thanks, Mike - and you’ve let me off lightly to be fair!

 

Tom

[Dric]

You're the master of flying Porcupine. You made an impressive work on this spectacular model.

Bravo ! 👍

[Alan P]

Tom, this is a brilliant model for all kinds of reasons: the scratchbuilding, the flawless construction, the amazing, consistent finish...but the big thing is that you finished it! Lots of people start these grand projects with much fanfare but the enthusiasm peters out after a few months and they languish unfinished in a dark corner thereafter 😂

 

Congratulations on a superb Sunderland, exceptional even by your standards 👏👏👏

[sandros]

It is stunning. Congratulations!!

 

[Vince1159]

9 hours ago, tomprobert said:

I'm often asked how big a 1/32nd Sunderland is

 

 

It could be worse,if it was a B-29 we wouldn't be able to see you at all,she's one lovely looking Sunderland...

[Whofan]

It’s difficult to add anything different as it’s all been said, but I’m going to say Tom that this is a build and now RFI that I have gone to as soon as I saw an update.

 

Wonderful modelling, and highly entertaining reading your notes on the build, too.

 

Thanks for this, Tom.

 

 

[Alpha Delta 210]

Absolutely sensational, Tom! Has your daughter forgiven you for the raid on her diamanté stash?🤣

[JWM]

That is an giant work!

Let me confess, that models in size of Sunderland in 1/72 are for me a bit too big handle... Of course Sunderland in 1/72 is significantly smaller then Clipper 314 in 1/72 (my biggest model) but still they all are tiny compare to Sunderland in 1/32!

Congrats

J-W

[Ed Russell]

11 hours ago, tomprobert said:

 

 

 

 

Fantastic effort Tom. I have followed your build and marvelled. I knew that picture reminded me of something...........

 

[Stramash]

Oustanding modelling, well done!