Popular Post dr_gn Posted January 28, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2023 I built the Matchbox Swordfish in the '70's with my Dad, and IIRC also the Novo (Frog) floatplane version, and always had a soft spot for the type. I seem to gravitate towards re-making subjects that I built as a child, maybe from different manufacturers, but they still hold some fascination for some reason. This is another model that took me a long time to complete. The fuselage chevron decals were asymmetric, and I only noticed after applying them, so they needed correction afterwards. Also the upper wing has sink marks around the spar elements (where there's an abrupt section change around the spar pockets). Again, this only became apparent after painting and weathering, so it all had to be stripped, filled, and...you get the idea. I'm still not 100% happy with the pre-shading of the fuselage. Anyway, the judges were kind at Scale model World in 2021, and it won a Gold medal and the Jim Howard Trophy. Modifications included: Scratch-built cockpit details such as: Eduard p/e Plastic road and Milliput leather crash pads Brass tube compass mounts Paper maps Eduard p/e airframe set Brass tube tail aerial mount Brass tube torpedo sight rails Brass tube pitot tubes Brass tube fuel tank vents Brass tube grab handles Brass tube tail skid assembly Brass tube cockpit step Brass tube starting handle Lead wire engine de-icing ring (I think that's what it is) Lead wire upper wing details (dinghy lines) Resin engine Elastic thread rigging CAD modelled & 3D printed bombs CAD modelled & 3D printed contra-rotating torpedo screws Brass torpedo fuze/cover Twisted lead wire mooring ropes/lines & torpedo lashings Oil paint woodgrain and p/e screw heads on trestle Cheers! 87 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 We are our worst critics. It looks absolutely fantastic! Superbly done all around. Congratulations for the award ! Miguel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_gn Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 12 minutes ago, Mig88 said: We are our worst critics. It looks absolutely fantastic! Superbly done all around. Congratulations for the award ! Miguel Indeed we are our own worst critics (at least in some aspects of life!). Thanks Miguel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spad Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Stunning work and superb attention to detail. I really like the way you add the list of materials used - inspirational! ATB Rick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrés S. Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 It doesn't look 1/72 scale at all. It would be believable if you said that it is in 1/32 scale. Congratulations on the award, it's totally fair. Andrés. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joao Augusto Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Great! Absolutely wonderful work. Congrats! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Well I thought it couldn’t get any better than the Bulldog. What do I know? It’s good that you’re back, Garth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred piket Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 fantastic model! I'm really jealous at the result. It's complete with torpedo and wooden benches. Great result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_gn Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 11 minutes ago, Fred piket said: fantastic model! I'm really jealous at the result. It's complete with torpedo and wooden benches. Great result! Thanks Fred - the torpedo and trestle are included in the kit. BTW I think the trestle would have been painted in reality, but I thought it might look more interesting in "woodgrain". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 An absolute masterpiece. There’s no other way to describe it. Realism to the highest standards. I`m jealous that it`s not in my display cabinet. Every award is richly deserved. I am not worthy Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred piket Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 22 minutes ago, dr_gn said: Thanks Fred - the torpedo and trestle are included in the kit. BTW I think the trestle would have been painted in reality, but I thought it might look more interesting in "woodgrain". It is indeed. those are the extras which add so much to the entire picture. Great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slowbuild Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Garth, that is absolutely superb ! So much I could rave on about, but I particularly like the rigging, so fine as to almost vanish…. but not quite. Looks so realistic in the photos. This thread now bookmarked for when I have a bash at this kit later this year! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 If someone had told me it was a 1:32nd scale model, I wouldn't have been surprised but still admired a perfect build and finish. But 1:72nd? Are you sure that the '7' isn't a typo? Congrats on the Gold. Well earned, and then some. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberDaveToo Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 ...Perhaps more of an honor bound duty to recognize outrageously outstanding achievement than kindness. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dric Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Woa another little big gem 👌 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Mig88 hit the nail right on the head. We are our own critics and that is a stunning Swordfish. I can see why it won that trophy. Highly deserved. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberDaveToo Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 8 hours ago, UberDaveToo said: ...Perhaps more of an honor bound duty to recognize outrageously outstanding achievement than kindness. Pardon my southern accent but that was my attempt to impart the idea that your Swordfish model was a might gooder than you thought it was... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_alfisti_ Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 Congrats to the award, you absolutely deserve it. I will call this the best 1:72 Swordfish I see so far. Personally I'm a fan of the camouflaged ones but the silver livery also suits the plane excellent. Daniel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATRICK FROM THE SANDS Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 Fabulous! congrats for the award! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 Another stunner! Your skill and patience are inspirational, good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 What a beautiful model, looks fantastic. Great work on this lovely kit and congratulations on your awards. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 That is simply stunning. Superb work. Cheers, Alistair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinism Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 Wow, fantastic work - it looks like the real thing! Congratulations on the awards. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Well deserved award on a brilliant model Regards Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 I am always astonished when I see a plane built this well and then see it is 1/72 scale. Such wonderful detailing, paint and finish, it's just spectacular. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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