Johnson Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 1/13/2023 at 9:27 PM, Brigbeale said: I think I’m beginning to get the hang of this modelling lark! You certainly seem to! Excellent work, the restored Firefly looks great, one of my favourite camouflage schemes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 (edited) Right then, the Firefly is all but done! The undercarriage doors were stained and matt varnished to match the rest of the undersides. Measurements were taken for the arrestor hook - which needs to be 3D printed, but at the moment, the room is being changed about, so the 3D printer is temporarily out of commission. I decided to add an antenna wire which required two masts. One through the canopy and into the radio for security and another short one on the starboard side of the nose just behind the propeller. I could only think of pins for stiffness as the thread would probably pull anything else out of line. Once the pins were superglued into position, the smoke coloured nylon thread was glued to the nose, over the sort mast and then the long mast and finally into a pre drilled hole in the tail fin (which broke two small drill bits). The aerial masts were painted with Dark Sea Grey and a couple of areas touched in. So, apart from the fitment of the arrestor hook, the Firefly is complete and I’m very proud of how it turned out. So just to recap, the Firefly went from this to this. And finally, the Fairey family so far…… Edited January 16 by Brigbeale 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerazzurri Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Definitely my favourite of the Fairey's this far Brian, great job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 I managed to get the 3D printer set up temporarily and produced the arrestor hook for the Firefly. With a little trimming to the mounting points on the fuselage, the hook was fitted with superglue. Once the glue was set, it was painted with NATO black paint. The hook end was painted red on the sides and then silver was added to denote scratches/wear. It’s surprising how much adding the hook adds to the detail. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Oh wow, great work Brian, a stunning model, I love ghe look ofvthe Firefly and you certainly have done this justice. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 I thought this would be the best place for my extra bit of news, rather than place it randomly in the Whitley build. I found a Frog Barracuda for sale locally and bid for it. I eventually won it for £10.50 and my son is picking it up tonight for me. Looks like the Fairey’s are going to need a second shelf in the cabinet 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galligraphics Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Ooh I think I had a nibble at that one... sorry if that bumped your price up a bit... . We're going to have to call you the Fairey godfather... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Nice :). I remember picking that one up when it first came out and built the SEAC markings Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Not SEAC but British Pacific Fleet. The FAA did have specific roundels for Indian Ocean operations but even these were not true SEAC roundels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 My son picked up the Barracuda for me last night. I unpacked this evening and it looks complete and reasonably well moulded, although the Firefly has set a precedent, so some extra work will have to be done to bring it up to the same level of finish. I did have to chuckle though when I unfolded the instructions though. The blue ruler is 30cm (12inches) long. They could probably be read from space! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Nice with the extras like on the Firefly, it's gonna be awesome. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galligraphics Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 I'm looking forward to see what you do with this... . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Super Firefly with interesting decals too, and a sound next choice to follow. There are lots of options for adding detail to the cockpit, depending in how much time you want to spend on it. I'm not sure you would ever see anything through the windows under the wing, so you could just put a compartment roof in between pilot and observer. And in a row - they were all three the only kits of their types for ages (the Airfix Firefly being a late mark, and rather more dainty as a kit!). FROG certainly made some brave choices of subject, perhaps too brave. Regards, Adrian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted March 4 Author Share Posted March 4 While perusing E-bay, I came across this. It started at £5 so I put a £6 bid on it. I was the only bidder - so either I was lucky or people stay well clear of vac form kit So now it’s mine!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Nice Purchase Brian , looking forward to seeing what you do with that one. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted March 4 Author Share Posted March 4 55 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Nice Purchase Brian , looking forward to seeing what you do with that one. Chris Thanks Chris. it’ll be a voyage of discovery as I’ve not built a vac-formed kit before. It’ll be good training for when I build the vac form Valiant though 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 5 minutes ago, Brigbeale said: Thanks Chris. it’ll be a voyage of discovery as I’ve not built a vac-formed kit before. It’ll be good training for when I build the vac form Valiant though Me neither, I have cut the fuselage of an Aeroclub Anson off the sheet and need to pick that up again , hmm. I was using it as practice for my aeroclub DH89. I am afraid I can't offer much advice as a vac virgin too really, just draw around tge parts on the sheet will make itceasier to cut out and cut at angle which will make sanding easier and take your time. Good luck with it Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 You've don a great restoration on your Firefly! Look forward to see the Barracuda and I wish you all the best with the Albacore! It'll be fun and a new experience! Some time ago there were several Vac form builds over a short period, so you might find some tips which will help you. Ciao Massimo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galligraphics Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Brian - I've got (somewhere in the archives of my PC) pdf copies of the issue of SAM in which Alan Hall builds the FP Albacore, and also the relevant Warpaint issue with plans etc. Ping me a PM if you'd like/need copies... Nige 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinneko Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Thanks for sharing this restoration. I really enjoyed following along. It helps change my attitude about modelling! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted March 9 Author Share Posted March 9 The Albacore arrived yesterday. The fuel tank will need replacing as it’s been crushed at the top and has split. Overall though, I was pleaded with it until I realised the cockpit canopy was missing. i checked, double checked and triple checked the boxes it came in to see if it had fallen out when I was unpacking it. No such luck. It wasn’t on the table or floor either. I’ve contacted the seller to see if they’ve still got it and it was inadvertently left out when it was re-packed for shipping. No response yet 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigbeale Posted March 9 Author Share Posted March 9 I’ve just received a message from the seller. She cannot find the canopy anywhere apparently. But she did say I could send it back for a refund. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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