Airfix Beaver RNZAF Antarctic Flight NZ6001

[follasha]

I've had a go at the 're-popped' Airfix DHC Beaver. I decided to use some vac bits left over from several Czech "Lift Here DHC Turbo-Beaver (long story). In the process of fitting the windshield I found an error in the original kit...it would seem that the wings are about 2mm too far forward on the model...I checked this detail first with the Hobbycraft Beaver and then a few drawings and photos of the aircraft...oh well the changes appear to have improved the look some, while still 'festooned' with some rivets I sanded them back some to try and reduce the effect (I didn't feel like re-scribing) 

Heres the finished model in RNZAF Antarctic Flight markings as NZ6001. I'm also working on a floatplane Beaver in local "Flying Dolphin Services" markings  carrying out the same mods.

 

 

IMG_8194 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

 

IMG_8212 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

 

IMG_8202 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

 

IMG_8174 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

 

IMG_8176 by Harry Follas, on Flickr

Edited November 14, 2022 by follasha

[stevehnz]

I've got an Airfix Beaver tucked away somewhere but can't remember the shapes in that area. Other than what you needed to do to move the wing back, could you use the original screen molding on this. It looks very good to my eye, very right in fact. 👍

Steve.

[Rabbit Leader]

Very nice and beautifully modelled. The additional ski rigging adds to an excellent example of this nostalgic kit. Well done. 

Cheers.. Dave 

[follasha]

6 minutes ago, stevehnz said:

I've got an Airfix Beaver tucked away somewhere but can't remember the shapes in that area. Other than what you needed to do to move the wing back, could you use the original screen molding on this. It looks very good to my eye, very right in fact. 👍

Steve.

I think you'd struggle with the original screen parts...they barely fit the unmodified model.  If you have vac-forming skills I have the resin pattern provided by Lift Here to make additional vac-form canopies 

[follasha]

here is the model prior to painting Steve...you can see how much I needed to remove to fit the vacform windscreen

 

beav by Harry Follas, on Flickr

[stevehnz]

I think I should pull mine out & compare it to what you have there. Vac forming is a skill I'm hoping to develope now I've retired, it seems endlessly useful. 

Steve.

[LDSModeller]

Very Nice

 

I find it also interesting, that the Beaver is wearing the same RNZAF serial

as the RNZAF's first Jet, the Gloster Meteor Mk III, who was also allocated

the RNZAF Serial NZ6001, circa 1946.

 

Thanks for sharing your build with us

 

Regards

 

Alan

[stevehnz]

Right, I found some Airfix instructions on Scalemates, which has me thinking you trimmed a couple of mm from the front of the top fuselage panel. Does the vac form have the cabin skylight windows in it, not that you needed them for this one? I reckon (famous last words), I could make up a windscreen shape to either crash mold or vac a replacement screen, or borrow your resin shape to make one.  Male or female shape?

Steve.

[follasha]

Yes I had to from the front ‘lip’ off the wing to accommodate the vacform (which was also trimmed down). The rear roof also had 2mm shaved off to move whole assembly aft. The resin pattern I presume is a male mould…it’s quite long as the glazed forward section on the turbo beaver is somewhat longer 

(I’ll see if I can attach some photos at some stage).  I could lend it to you if you’d like to have a go…providing you might be able to do a few spares for me 😉

[stevehnz]

The first 3 are yours Harry, I should have it sorted by then.   I'll PM you soon to discuss this further.  I could see in the Gypsy Queen one you did on WoNZ just how low browed the kit screen is, this mode definitely improves the look. 👍

Steve.

[follasha]

No worries 😉 

[TheyJammedKenny!]

This is handsome work and most inspiring!  I just picked up a Beaver, and your cautionary tale about the kit's windscreen is most welcome.  I'll do my homework.

[Epeeman]

Very nice work on the ancient Airfix kit - well done!

 

Regards

 

Dave

[stevehnz]

1 hour ago, follasha said:

RNZAF Antarctic Flight markings as NZ6001.

 

1 hour ago, LDSModeller said:

Very Nice

 

I find it also interesting, that the Beaver is wearing the same RNZAF serial

as the RNZAF's first Jet, the Gloster Meteor Mk III, who was also allocated

the RNZAF Serial NZ6001, circa 1946.

 

Thanks for sharing your build with us

 

Regards

 

Alan

I just stumbled across this which leads me to suspect it should more correctly be NZ6010.  It did wear 6001 for some time though so both are obviously correct for display

Steve.. The later overpaint of the tail & wing tips with dayglo orange (?) would make for some interesting difference too.

[follasha]

Very interesting 🧐 

[TonyOD]

[binbrook87]

Beautiful work on the old girl. Top marks 👍👍

[kapam]

Awesome work!

I love the well-used look, which you have depicted so expertly.

The whole thing looks very realistic.

👏👏

[Paul J]

A very nice build and deserved mod. I saw the real one dismantled and under wraps at Wigram during my visit there in 2019.

[Wulfman]

Beautiful Beaver !

 

Wulfman

[follasha]

On 11/14/2022 at 9:35 PM, stevehnz said:

The first 3 are yours Harry, I should have it sorted by then.   I'll PM you soon to discuss this further.  I could see in the Gypsy Queen one you did on WoNZ just how low browed the kit screen is, this mode definitely improves the look. 👍

Steve.

Actually I’ve got somebody who’s managed to vacuform some more beaver windscreens if you or anyone else might be interested in acquiring one or some? Would be interesting to perhaps see a ‘show of hands’ 😉

[stevehnz]

Absolutely, a couple anyway & maybe a spare for the one I stuff up.  Lets know what it comes to.

Steve.

[RidgeRunner]

You’ve her justice, for sure. Very nice

 

Martin

[Bertie McBoatface]

Just the job! Very nice.

[wellsprop]

Beautiful