Jamesmodels Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Hi All, Here we are following on from the 1/32 Malta Gladiator by far my best build so far. With the next build, I've decided to do something more challenging, creating an almost extinct inter-war torpedo bomber in a scale never seen before... I give you the 1/32 Vickers Vildebeest, this aircraft was a design that first flew in the late 20s and managed to cling on until the early parts of WW2. It's a all metal structure bi-plane covered in fabric and from a CAD design point of view a head-scratcher... as very little info remained from that period hardly any drawings survived and only two fuselages both in NZ survived one Vildebeest and one Vincent. so I started designing the fuselage around 2 years ago mucking about with line drawings off Google and managed to get a basic representation of the shape i have now improved this into something I'm happy with, 3d printed resin is great for detail but can warp, it is very fin so that has been something i have had to design around. after already printing my original fuselage and not being happy with the results I redesigned the fuselage and got a 1/72 special hobby kit for reference and to check scales which to my surprize were pretty good!! this image shows the scale of the vildebeest very large for a single-engined aircraft CAD Model of the RH fuselage size prior to being sectioned for printing. Here are the prints of both halfs ready to have supports removed and assembled. first mockup with the engine (Bristol pegasus from Vector resin). First print of the floor. A lot of work is required yet I'm currently trying to get the interior and cockpit complete and fuselage glued before the exterior gets a lot of attention. The fuselage frame is constructed from styrene rod with 3d printed fixings. Some of my hall from Telford included airscale PE and decals which should make it all come together. small prints such as levers and bellcranks are visible from the side windows so I have modelled them this print wasn't perfect but the parts were useable. thanks to a generous member of my local model club (Thanks Simon) for lending me some images and info he had for this aircraft one of the most valuable items was a rare instrument panel drawing which I have modelled will be improved with the airscale goodies, the extra bit at the top is due to the different profile of my fuselage but this should be hidden once the model is complete. If anyone has any questions I'm always willing to try and answer them the best I can. Thanks James 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Animal Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Omg this is incredible! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Oh wow, this is amazing, can't wait to see this one progress further, great work so far and what a cracking project Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Brilliant - I love the Vildebeest and have a 1/72 Contrail vacform, suitably 'tweaked' in my display cabinet. This, however, is in a different league! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on your progress. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrik Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 (edited) Fantastic project. I wish you good luck! Please have a look here and in the associated links for inspiration. Some parts have been repeatedly represented incorrectly by drawings and kits, I hope you can avoid repeating the errors. Edited January 19 by Patrik 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Oh my word!! Awesome! Let me know if I can help....Its a 30min drive but am happy to help if I can! Cheers Anthony 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesmodels Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 (edited) 2 hours ago, Anthony in NZ said: Oh my word!! Awesome! Let me know if I can help....Its a 30min drive but am happy to help if I can! Cheers Anthony Wow, thanks Anthony currently working on the fuselage frame so any photos of the frame would be incredibly useful as trying to find photos and reference photos are really difficult that would be a massive help!! love your work on the phantom btw! thanks James Edited January 19 by Jamesmodels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slowbuild Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 What a fantastic challenge you have set yourself James! I’m gobsmacked by the frame structure with the printed fittings. In fact everything you’ve done so far is amazing….. I will tag along if that’s OK? Best wishes Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 26 minutes ago, Jamesmodels said: Wow, thanks Antony currently working on the fuselage frame so any photos of the frame would be incredibly useful as trying to find photos and reference photos are really difficult that would be a massive help!! love your work on the phantom btw! thanks James No worries James, I will send you a PM Thanks for the Phantom compliment...she's testing my nerves right now LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gondor44 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Nuts, absolutly nust so of course I am following Gondor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 This looks very interesting, think I'll tag along! Is there a reason you mounted all the small parts on a large printed sheet? That must cause enormous suction issues and possible distortion. Maybe some large holes in the sheet between parts to both save resin and reduce suction/increase print quality? Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Great project. This is actually an airframe I considered modeling after I did the Wapiti & 504, but in 1/48 scale, but never got around to it. It's nice to see someone take up the mantle. 1/32 gives plenty of scope for fine detail so this should be a stunner. I'll tag along as soon as Ian gets the beers in 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Wheesht! Beers are in! Ian 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesmodels Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Hi Everyone, Quick update ive been busy designing and printing some of the main instrument panels and radios for the Vildebeest. Resin printed plus airscale photo etch details to finish off ready for paint and decals. Long and short wave radios looking at the cutaway drawing i have which is the most accurate idea of what was inside a vildebeest in period. The pilots and bomb aimers instrument panels were designed using a copy of a original drawing from a fellow modeller from my local club. Location of the short wave radio just behind the navigator/bomb aimer. Thanks James 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 truly epic So many things to love about this build - unbridled ambition, consumate skill and I just get a huge thrill seeing customers enjoying my stuff bravo Peter 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Great work on the Radios and IP, can't wait to see this come together , it will look very impressive. Chris 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Very impressive! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Homewood Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 One of my favourite aircraft types. This model is epic. My friend Kerry Carlyle has been planning to do the same thing, we even measured up the Vincent and got loads of photos. I guess he will have to make his 1/24th now. Haha. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Homewood Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 On 1/19/2024 at 10:35 AM, Jamesmodels said: this image shows the scale of the vildebeest very large for a single-engined aircraft Just a historical point, aircraft in the photo are in fact Vickers Vincents, of the Air Gunners and Air Observer's School at RNZAF Station Ohakea, in 1940. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 What a project! I'll be following along with plenty of interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesmodels Posted January 31 Author Share Posted January 31 On 30/01/2024 at 09:18, Dave Homewood said: Just a historical point, aircraft in the photo are in fact Vickers Vincents, of the Air Gunners and Air Observer's School at RNZAF Station Ohakea, in 1940. It was only a picture to illustrate what the aircraft will look like, still unsure on the final scheme. I’ve been chatting to Anthony on here who also knows Kerry, the vildebeest/vincent family is quite under represented in the model world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Homewood Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 It sure is under-represented, and under-appreciated. They were superb aeroplanes. I have had the privilege to interview a number of RNZAF aircrew who flew in them and groundcrew who serviced them... all now long since dead. They loved them. Pilots all described them as flying "Just like a big Tiger Moth". Most do not realise they were capable of aerobatics. I am friends with Steve Subritzky who owns and has been restoring the Vincent. Back in March 2015 he invited me to sit in the cockpit, what a privilege that was! I took a load of photos. It's probably a lot more complete now, nearly nine years later, but these details may help you with your model, hopefully. Me in the cockpit. Me in the Vincent and Steve Subritzky on the stand beside it. And to finish off, a photo I colourised a few years back showing No. 3 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron Vildebeests over the Canterbury Coast, New Zealand. 7 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 @Dave Homewood, I don't think it would be possible to get better reference pictures of such an obscure type! A real treasure trove of information. Thanks for sharing the pictures. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesmodels Posted January 31 Author Share Posted January 31 23 minutes ago, Dave Homewood said: It sure is under-represented, and under-appreciated. They were superb aeroplanes. I have had the privilege to interview a number of RNZAF aircrew who flew in them and groundcrew who serviced them... all now long since dead. They loved them. Pilots all described them as flying "Just like a big Tiger Moth". Most do not realise they were capable of aerobatics. I am friends with Steve Subritzky who owns and has been restoring the Vincent. Back in March 2015 he invited me to sit in the cockpit, what a privilege that was! I took a load of photos. It's probably a lot more complete now, nearly nine years later, but these details may help you with your model, hopefully. Me in the cockpit. Me in the Vincent and Steve Subritzky on the stand beside it. And to finish off, a photo I colourised a few years back showing No. 3 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron Vildebeests over the Canterbury Coast, New Zealand. Wow thanks Dave you NZ folk sure are awesome the amount of help I’ve received between you and Anthony has been amazing. hope I can do you guys proud with the completed model!! James 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 What an outstanding project, more power to you James! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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