Roger Holden Posted August 27, 2023 Share Posted August 27, 2023 The rather grandly-named Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca) was formed in 1928 by a group of Cincinnati, Ohio businessmen hoping to profit from the recent boom in US civil aviation. With initially no product to sell, they settled on the ultralight monoplane designed by Air Corps engineer Jean Roche, which was productionised as the Aeronca C-2 ‘Flying Bathtub’ and became the World’s first successful major-production ultralight aircraft, largely down to the reliability of the 2-cylinder engine Aeronca also manufactured to power it. By 1935 however, the writing was on the wall for the Flying Bathtub line (after over 500 had been produced), as the CAA banned the production of light aircraft with wire-braced wings, which required careful maintenance, seen as a potential safety hazard. So Aeronca had to create a more modern successor and hedged their bets by designing two.... First was the model K, which was effectively an updated replacement for the bathtub, with slimmer lines, strut-braced high wing and the same 2-cylinder 36 h.p. engine. The other was the model L, an altogether more sophisticated affair, with a low-mounted cantilever wing and very 1930s-looking trousered undercarriage. Although the prototype had the usual 2-cylinder engine, that proved adequate only for a single circuit of the airfield to determine much more power was required. This was found in the shape of the locally-produced 5-cylinder Le Blond radial, with 85 hp, which gave the hoped-for performance. Although it was well-received, it was comfortably outsold by the cheaper model K, which evolved into the popular Chief when fitted with 4-cylinder engine. The Aeronca factory was flooded in 1937 and some of the model L tooling destroyed, so the management decided to cease production after 66 had been completed. Only a handful survive, with only one currently in airworthy condition, as shown in this very informative video with vintage lightplane test pilot extraordinary Andrew King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEtvvrJjHqQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkVZjyX7jro It’s one of my favourite 1930s lightplanes and I built this model almost exactly 30 years ago and it won the 1/72 scratchbuilt and vacform class at the 1993 IPMS UK Nationals. Model is 100% scratchbuilt from plasticard using my take on Harry Woodman’s techniques, including the Le Blond engine and Sensenich prop. 60 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted August 27, 2023 Share Posted August 27, 2023 A stunning build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celestialsphere Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Oh my, that is a winner ! Everything about your model hits the spot. And I like the subtle serifs on the numbers. That adds period character. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilneBay Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 That's absolutely superb. A real gem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Oh, that is sweet! Your model really captures the prototype's look. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Absolute masterpiece- and not that I didn't believe you, but that last shot really drives home the scale! I picked up so many subtle details that reminded me of a "real" aeroplane, that could so easily have been missed/ let slide on the model. I'm not worthy! bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Exeptional nice result! Congrats J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitriy1967 Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Building from scratch, in such the highest quality and detailing is admirable! And the last photo, where it became clear how small this plane is, just stunned! Museum exhibit. I take off my hat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 That's beautiful, such a neat job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHaa Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Roger, This is really a beautiiful, scratchbuild jewel ! And in 1/72 ! I understand you build this gem years ago, but can you explain how you managed to build that complex curved fuselage ? I think, you carved a solid form to vacuform later ? Anyhow, thanks for showing the pictures. Kind greetings, JohnHaa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXANTOMCAT Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 Utterly delightful and a superb model well done 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share Posted August 28, 2023 10 hours ago, JohnHaa said: I understand you build this gem years ago, but can you explain how you managed to build that complex curved fuselage ? I think, you carved a solid form to vacuform later ? Thanks John ! I wish my scratch building was as prolific as yours ! Yes, the fuselage sides were vacformed over carved wooden patterns . Because the bottom of the fuselage was stretched too thin, that was made from sheet plastic, as was the internal structure to hold the sides in place . Regards, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 What a charming little aeroplane. Your build and finish is exquisite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 A lovely GA model there buddy. Fantastic stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieW Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Stunning work, that is a wonderful, inspiring scratchbuild. I've really enjoyed seeing your little masterpiece. Richie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toniosky Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 This is beautifully done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Did you by any chance do a WIP with this, I'd love to see it and learn from it. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Little beauty! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 14 hours ago, cngaero said: Did you by any chance do a WIP with this, I'd love to see it and learn from it. Chris. Not with this one, as it was from the film camera era, when I struggled to take any decent WiP photos. But some of my more recent models I've posted here have some WiP photos, which give you the general idea: Regards, Roger 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 16 hours ago, RichieW said: Stunning work, that is a wonderful, inspiring scratchbuild. I've really enjoyed seeing your little masterpiece. Richie Thanks Richie. Looking forward to seeing your Levasseur take shape, although it's at the other end of the size spectrum to mine ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieW Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 1 hour ago, Roger Holden said: Thanks Richie. Looking forward to seeing your Levasseur take shape, although it's at the other end of the size spectrum to mine ! Much appreciated, I need the bigger scale due to a lack of the necessary finesse for 1/72! I would dearly love to see more of your work Roger. I've been scratching my head and wondering how it is possible to make such a detailed model in 1/72. It really is breathtaking! Richie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Thank you Roger for sharing some of your previous models, together with your WIP's. They are all delightful models which emphasise, for me, the charm of the era. These are all enhanced by your detailed back story of each type If I had to pick a favourite though, it would have to be the Travel Air 5000. They are just simply, stunning. Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Holden Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 43 minutes ago, RichieW said: I would dearly love to see more of your work Roger. See my earlier message just above yours..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkoZG Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) Amazing and truly fascinating work! Could you please describe your technique for wings surface? And most of all how did you scratchbuild the engine and propeller? Edited August 29, 2023 by MarkoZG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 Absolutely stunning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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