Popular Post tomprobert Posted June 7, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted June 7, 2022 (edited) 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 150 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Apologies, mods - this should be in Ready for Inspection! @Mike any chance this could be moved across? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenko Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 That is something else. Absolutely fantastic. Looking forward to seeing it at a show Cheers Dick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Astonishing! The detail you have incorporated is just superb. You possess awesome modelling skills Tom. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 That’s stunning Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Simply outstanding! 👍 Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Fabulotastic modelling! Pure museum quality throughout. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilj Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 This is the most amazing thing I have seen... in years. Well done ilj 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Absolutely awesome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 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! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted June 8, 2022 Author Share Posted June 8, 2022 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dric Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 You're the master of flying Porcupine. You made an impressive work on this spectacular model. Bravo ! 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 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 👏👏👏 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandros Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 It is stunning. Congratulations!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 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... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Absolutely sensational, Tom! Has your daughter forgiven you for the raid on her diamanté stash?🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 11 hours ago, tomprobert said: Fantastic effort Tom. I have followed your build and marvelled. I knew that picture reminded me of something........... 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Oustanding modelling, well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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