Quiet Mike Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 I'll start this with a disclaimer. Those hoping for a quick build with regular and informative updates will be disappointed. My model building mojo has exited the building stage left, without even a by your leave! But I still dip in here regualry to get my fix, so the spark definitely hasn't gone out! Just waiting ... Some of you have already seen I managed to pick up this Contrail kit of one of my favourite aeroplanes, the locally built Supermarine Southampton. I cycle over the Itchen Bridge daily on my way back from work, which goes over the part of the old Supermarine factory where these venerable flying boats were constructed! It's an aeroplane that doesn't have a lot of options regards to kits. There is the resin option from Silverwings, and the vacform offering from Contrail. I think that's it? Slightly surprising given it's long life as a production aircraft, and it's good looks, but the fate of a lot of interwar designs. Now, I am a novice to vacform. I have dipped my toe in the water building large Guillows balsa kits, but I'm going to assume they are in a totally different league to something like this. Vacform would not be my first choice, but beggers can't be choosers. I was disappointed to see it arrive today in just a paper envelope with a little bubblewrap around it. The hull has unsurprisingly been damaged in transit, but as the kit was bought to be built, and the damage will be the least of the headaches in the build, no big obstacle. Now, a few photos. Make the most of them! Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr The damage - it's the same on both the hull sides, the weakest and thinnest part of the sheet. Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Blooming' Nora it's basic 😱 Apparently there are the engine casings here. 🧐 Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Instructions Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Looks simple enough to me? Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr Supermarine Southampton vacform kit by Mike, on Flickr And not forgetting the all important jigs Jigs by Mike, on Flickr Anyway, wish me luck ... 17 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 And a lovely ship she is! Enjoy. Apparently vacforms are an acquired taste, but there's lots of help available herein (not from me, btw - I have yet to start any of mine). As for the damage- it seems to be par for the course with vacs, a few of mine have the same sort of thing, and a couple of them arrived in boxes. Most of them have been around the block a few times... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beekeeper Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 As a Contrail fan, I do appreciate the effort necessary to extract a Southampton out of the proposed kit parts… I guess you have enough skills to go through that journey, starting with the filling of the torn plastic… as far as duration of construction is concerned, a trio of Contrail Victoria/Valentia models has been on my bench for more than three years now ! Good luck ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Hi Mike, Pen and Sword books has a great volume on the Southampton. ISBN 978-1-52678-494-0 authered by Jo Hillman and Colin Higgs. It's available as a regular book or as an ebook download. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Also check out the Seawings website to see what they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malpaso Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Mitchell’s most beautiful creation, a true galleon of the skies. I have one of these vac forms too, to be honest it looks like carving from the wood may be easier. My vac form is in slightly better condition, but other flying boat vacs have similar issues at the side of the hull where the plastic is drawn very tight. From my library of the ancients of modelling; a Southampton carved from wood seems to have been de riguer as a rite of passage. I look forward to seeing yours come together. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Well some people really do like a challenge! Never have, never will( built a vac formed) so you have my upmost admiration. Will keep an eye on this one. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinneko Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 6 hours ago, Quiet Mike said: My model building mojo has exited the building stage left, without even a by your leave I find that a great mojo restorer is to expect the worst, then enjoy every surprising moment it doesn't happen. The idea is to surprise myself with good moments, rather than expect them and feel disappointed. Perhaps a vacform could do that. I've picked up a couple flying boats and for some reason feel an urge to collect more. I love the interwar years designs. Hope to see your kit bring you some moments of rejuvenating surprise 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Wow. I see some quiet expletives in your future! Although it is a beautiful aeroplane. Looking forward to following your build, at whatever pace you care to build at. Good luck, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Fantastic, Mike! I have Contrail's closely-related Supermarine Scapa which is equally basic. So far I've spent ages not making any obvious progress on it! The fuselage halves were of different lengths, one half needed about 4mm shaving off the keel and I've made a start on filling all the drainage-ditch panel lines. One day it will look good, but there's a huge amount of mileage to cover yet! Probably unsurprisingly, there seems to be a lot of commonality between the two kits. Watching with interest! Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 Slow and steady Mike. I have built several Contrail kits including the Scapa and Southampton. Don't be in a rush to start building until you are 100% happy with the sanded parts. Good luck. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 If you can track a couple down, Aeroclub did do a very nice Napier Lion engine, which would help things along no end. Following with great interest. Martian 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 Looking forward to seeing this one progress Mike. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 Thanks everyone. All your replies are very much appreciated. 16 hours ago, marvinneko said: I find that a great mojo restorer is to expect the worst, then enjoy every surprising moment it doesn't happen. The idea is to surprise myself with good moments, rather than expect them and feel disappointed. Perhaps a vacform could do that. I am very much in agreement with that Marv, sage advice, thank you. I have a very bad traight of setting bars too high for myself, which usually leads to disappointment, or not even starting a project. Probably why the recent Guillows kit was a breath of fresh air, as I went in with no/low expectations. 3 hours ago, Martian said: If you can track a couple down, Aeroclub did do a very nice Napier Lion engine, which would help things along no end. Following with great interest. Martian 👽 Thanks @Martian I wasn't aware of these little gems! Although they look like they may be hard to aqcuire, I'll keep a look out 👀 I do have a surplus 1/48 Napier Lion from the S5, which will be useful as a guide at least. The headache of getting these parts to fit together by Mike, on Flickr 6 hours ago, ColinChipmunkfan said: Slow and steady Mike. I have built several Contrail kits including the Scapa and Southampton. Don't be in a rush to start building until you are 100% happy with the sanded parts. I know this applies to modelling on general, but it would seem even more pertinent to vacform. Most of the work is in the preparation. Thanks Colin. 20 hours ago, europapete said: Hi Mike, Pen and Sword books has a great volume on the Southampton. It's available as a regular book or as an ebook download. I got the hardback a few years ago Pete, and very glad I did. You are right it is a great history on the Southampton. I will dig it out of the library soon to help get motivated. 12 hours ago, Jonners said: Fantastic, Mike! I have Contrail's closely-related Supermarine Scapa which is equally basic. So far I've spent ages not making any obvious progress on it! The fuselage halves were of different lengths, one half needed about 4mm shaving off the keel and I've made a start on filling all the drainage-ditch panel lines. One day it will look good, but there's a huge amount of mileage to cover yet! Probably unsurprisingly, there seems to be a lot of commonality between the two kits. Watching with interest! Jon I see from the replies a couple of you have the Scapa! Without consulting the library, or googling, wasn't that initially called the MkV Southampton? Another lovely boat design from Mitchell. Hopefully the Southampton isn't as far out as the Scapa kit is @Jonners! I have heard the scale is a little off, it isn't true 1/72. We'll see when we compare the removed parts with the plans. Right, sorry for the rather scrappy replies, I'm a little bit overwhelmed with all your lovely responses! Thanks for the encouragment everyone ❤️ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted September 20 Author Share Posted September 20 While 'bench time' has been very limited, I have managed to bash out this little number for the missus. It's a little reminder of her own M20 she sold earlier this year, that she bought way back in 1996. She's always been a biker, ever since we started hanging out in our teens, over 30 years ago. Tamiya BSA M20 by Mike, on Flickr Pretty much out of the box, apart from making her number plate for the front mudguard. I'm home alone this weekend, so if I get my act together I should be able to get some quality model time in! 🤞 I have the dilemma of finishing what's already on the bench, or giving into the temptation to get stuck into the Southampton! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 1 hour ago, Quiet Mike said: I have the dilemma of finishing what's already on the bench, or giving into the temptation to get stuck into the Southampton! We are all hoping you have no will power Regards, Adrian 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 On 9/20/2024 at 3:47 PM, Quiet Mike said: home alone this weekend, so if I get my act together I should be able to get some quality model time in! 🤞 I have the dilemma of finishing what's already on the bench, or giving into the temptation to get stuck into the Southampton! Go on, you know you want too. You could do lots of modelling andcrun round at the last minute doing any chores before she gets home, modelling and an adrenaline rush, what a buzz. Enjoy your quality bench time Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 On 9/21/2024 at 8:20 PM, bigbadbadge said: Go on, you know you want too. You could do lots of modelling andcrun round at the last minute doing any chores before she gets home, modelling and an adrenaline rush, what a buzz. Enjoy your quality bench time Chris She always tells me when she's on her way home, that's my cue to run around like a headless chicken in a mad scramble to pick up everything and put it back where it belongs ... I have to keep up appearances of being a domestic goddess 😇 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 On 9/20/2024 at 5:15 PM, AdrianMF said: We are all hoping you have no will power Regards, Adrian Thank the modelling overlords that we have @tomprobert here for our vacform fixes 🙌 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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