Bristol Superfreighter - Airfix 1/72

[CedB]

Well, the mojo seems to be back, if somewhat diverted from time to time by stressing about contracts and surveys and packing for the house sale. Ho hum.

 

I selected some kits from the stash to build until 'the spring' when the new house will be ready. We'll be staying with our daughter but I will have some space for modelling so:

 

 

Old Airfix, old kit, what could go wrong?

I did say I was going to build this in a GB back in June 2021 here where you can see the part trees and an admission that I don't usually do GBs. Well, there you are then.

 

One problem was, of course, the transfers. They were in the window for ages and I think the sun has done its job. Before and after:

 

 

 

I've also been encouraged to build this as a diorama thingy. I was pointed at Oxford Diecast for cars and I've ordered a couple. I've also got out my Airfix WWII RAF Personnel set to use some figures.

Some people never learn.

 

More later. Packing to do.

[The Spadgent]

Ha!    I’m in. 🙌😀
 

I was really intrigued by the box when you posted in your last build so I’m really happy this one’s on the bench.

 Diorama too?   You do know that’s wheels down twice in so many builds? Cor!!!!   Please sort can we have some more? 😀

 

 Johnny

[Hamden]

 

I'll take a seat for this one if I may? 

Looking forward to watching this come together 

41 minutes ago, The Spadgent said:

You do know that’s wheels down twice in so many builds?

 

No choice with this one Johnny @The Spadgent it has fixed under carridge! 

 

                  Roger

[MOK61]

Wow, that really is a blast from the past. I'll grab a comfy chair quick!

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Always up for a Ced build.  I'll grab the seat next to you Mok61.

Colin

[silverfox63]

Yayyy! Build on Ced.

[CedB]

2 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

Ha!    I’m in. 🙌😀
 

I was really intrigued by the box when you posted in your last build so I’m really happy this one’s on the bench.

 Diorama too?   You do know that’s wheels down twice in so many builds? Cor!!!!   Please sort can we have some more? 😀

 

 Johnny

I have no choice Johnny - the new man cave ceiling will be too low

Thinking about stands though 🤔

 

Welcome Roger, MOK61, Colin and Chris  

 

These have been washed:

 

 

Looks like I've used some of them before:

 

 

So the plan was to clean up the flash and prime them all. This ONE took AGES:

 

 

… so I'm just going to select some to use. Unless my patience improves. I mean, look at this:

 

 

For you lot shouting at the screen you're right - you can't sand them. I had though sanding off the caps would 'look like hair'. A ha ha ha. It doesn't.

 

These guys are ready though:

 

 

I'll choose a couple more and clean them up.

I may be gone some time.

[Biggles87]

I’m in too, with a Superfreighter story.

My first job in ATC was as an Assistant in the tower at Liverpool Airport where the ( basic ) approach radar was operated from a ‘ tent ‘ within the VCR.

One day one of our trainee controllers, who later rose to be no 3 in the whole organisation, was doing practise radar approaches with any aircraft which agreed, one of which was a Superfreighter. One of the check calls was  ‘ check gear down and locked ‘ at 3 miles from touchdown which our hero duly made and received the immediate response of ‘ gear down and riveted! ‘
Disregard if I’ve told you this before.

 

John

 

[hendie]

5 hours ago, CedB said:

I've also got out my Airfix WWII RAF Personnel set to use some figures.

 

are they going to have legs 'n' feet 'n' stuff?

 

 

ah... some will be headless then?

 

2 hours ago, CedB said:

 

One thing about a Ced build - you can never tell what's coming next.

 

 

[TheyJammedKenny!]

Three down and welded!  I'll be following this.  Yes, I too have decapitated several Airfix pilots for various nefarious purposes.  The sculpting is quite good.

[CedB]

4 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

I’m in too, with a Superfreighter story.

My first job in ATC was as an Assistant in the tower at Liverpool Airport where the ( basic ) approach radar was operated from a ‘ tent ‘ within the VCR.

One day one of our trainee controllers, who later rose to be no 3 in the whole organisation, was doing practise radar approaches with any aircraft which agreed, one of which was a Superfreighter. One of the check calls was  ‘ check gear down and locked ‘ at 3 miles from touchdown which our hero duly made and received the immediate response of ‘ gear down and riveted! ‘
Disregard if I’ve told you this before.

 

John

 

Good story John!

 

1 hour ago, hendie said:

 

are they going to have legs 'n' feet 'n' stuff?

 

 

ah... some will be headless then?

 

 

One thing about a Ced build - you can never tell what's coming next.

 

 

Thanks Hendie. They've had their caps removed  but nothing else.

 

56 minutes ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

Three down and welded!  I'll be following this.  Yes, I too have decapitated several Airfix pilots for various nefarious purposes.  The sculpting is quite good.

Thanks TJK  

 

OK, three figures and a cart chosen:

 

 

Wait a minute, wait a minute, what's that guy on the right got around his neck?

Ammunition belts?

Hmmm.

OK, two figures chosen and everything primed with Citadel Ratskin:

 

 

Sticking well.

Drying now. Watch it if you like…

[perdu]

2 hours ago, hendie said:

ah... some will be headless then?

 

'tis but a scratch...

[Coors54]

Oooo, a Superfrightener! Count me in.

 

When I worked at Atlantic many years ago a couple of the old hands were discussing the good old days and the problems with the Hercules, as they has flown and maintained the Enstone Airlines example.

Our manager at the time, a seasoned ex South African AF veteran (I've killed a man you know!} tried to join in with his tales on the Hercules, not realising that it wasn't the C-130 they were discussing. They let him chunter on for some time before embarrassing him when he queried where the sleeve valves were on the Herc....

 

Dave

[The Spadgent]

6 hours ago, CedB said:

Thinking about stands though 🤔

I can highly recommend the ikea stand called “KLINGSBO” I’d pop a link in but not sure if we’re allowed. I have three, all second hand. I think I payed about £25 each.  
Nice choice of figures. Could gun belt guy maybe have a snake? You know how they like planes. 🐍🛫🛬🛫🛬

 

Watching with joy and wonder. 😀

 

8 hours ago, Hamden said:

No choice with this one Johnny @The Spadgent it has fixed under carridge! 

That wouldn’t stop our Ced. You know what he’s like with cutting off legs. 😂

 

 Johnny

[Terry1954]

I'm in on this one too Ced, and look, well within page 1. Must be getting wise and practised in my old age?

 

I recall making the Superfreighter many moons ago as a lad. I guess we all did.

 

Carry on sir.

 

T.

[perdu]

9 hours ago, Terry1954 said:

I recall making the Superfreighter many moons ago as a lad. I guess we all did.

 

Sadly it is not one I could ever afford, as a lad, although I harboured wishes to obtain one in later years to convert into a New Zealand Bristol (Not Superfreighter) Freighter.

 

Consider me glued to my perch, back here by the bar.

[Max Headroom]

Never seen one of these built up, so if you don’t mind I’ve pulled up a chair.

 

Trevor

[Mr T]

 

I built one in my early teens, and was going to build another on later on as a Mk31 with a Magna conversion kit. Eventually I bought the Fly kit and built that instead. Even home printed my decals including the Roundels, which thankfully the Fantasy Printshop white backing discs matched. On here in a GB somewhere (Bristol?) 

[81-er]

Pulling up a pew for this one as well, Ced

 

James

[CedB]

18 hours ago, perdu said:

'tis but a scratch...

 

18 hours ago, Coors54 said:

Oooo, a Superfrightener! Count me in.

 

When I worked at Atlantic many years ago a couple of the old hands were discussing the good old days and the problems with the Hercules, as they has flown and maintained the Enstone Airlines example.

Our manager at the time, a seasoned ex South African AF veteran (I've killed a man you know!} tried to join in with his tales on the Hercules, not realising that it wasn't the C-130 they were discussing. They let him chunter on for some time before embarrassing him when he queried where the sleeve valves were on the Herc....

 

Dave

Welcome Dave. Ah, nice engines the Hercules. Some people though eh?

 

16 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

I can highly recommend the ikea stand called “KLINGSBO” I’d pop a link in but not sure if we’re allowed. I have three, all second hand. I think I payed about £25 each.  
Nice choice of figures. Could gun belt guy maybe have a snake? You know how they like planes. 🐍🛫🛬🛫🛬

 

Watching with joy and wonder. 😀

 

That wouldn’t stop our Ced. You know what he’s like with cutting off legs. 😂

 

 Johnny

Thanks Johnny.

Nice stand. I'm dithering. I think I might end up having something bespoke if I can find a reasonable carpenter. The plan is one long wall with glass-fronted display cases on top of cupboards. We shall see. We haven't exchanged yet (don't panic!)

 

12 hours ago, Terry1954 said:

I'm in on this one too Ced, and look, well within page 1. Must be getting wise and practised in my old age?

 

I recall making the Superfreighter many moons ago as a lad. I guess we all did.

 

Carry on sir.

 

T.

Welcome Terry. My first one, I think.

 

3 hours ago, perdu said:

Sadly it is not one I could ever afford, as a lad, although I harboured wishes to obtain one in later years to convert into a New Zealand Bristol (Not Superfreighter) Freighter.

 

Consider me glued to my perch, back here by the bar.

Ah, that's probably why I didn't have one Bill.

 

3 hours ago, Max Headroom said:

Never seen one of these built up, so if you don’t mind I’ve pulled up a chair.

 

Trevor

Welcome Trevor. I can't promise a perfect model but it'll be 'entertaining' I hope!

 

2 hours ago, Mr T said:

 

I built one in my early teens, and was going to build another on later on as a Mk31 with a Magna conversion kit. Eventually I bought the Fly kit and built that instead. Even home printed my decals including the Roundels, which thankfully the Fantasy Printshop white backing discs matched. On here in a GB somewhere (Bristol?) 

Thanks Mr T.

 

56 minutes ago, 81-er said:

Pulling up a pew for this one as well, Ced

 

James

Welcome James.

 

 

Very little done this morning as the surveyor is here. Nervous, me?

 

I did clean up these a bit:

 

 

Bit thick eh and if I'm posing them open they need to be thinned, at the front at least. 

I also need to add some detail.

Out with the Dremel then:

 

 

Regular readers will know I'd lost my accessories so I bought a new set.

Then I found the old ones.

Par for the course  

[Mr T]

Just a thought about using the very nice Oxford diecasts. They are scaled to 4mm/foot (1/76th) which doesn't sound much different to 1/72nd scale, but it is more than you think. I would stick to the larger cars that Oxford do and avoid Minis. 

[Max Headroom]

Re the clamshell doors. Maybe plunge moulding would give you the thinner doors you need?

 

Trevor

[Billy54]

May I tag along?

 

Nice save on the decals, I mean transfers. 

 

I built my first, last and only only Superfreighter in the early 1960's and used Dinky Toy cars to up and down the ramp.

 

Isn't there a scene in one of the James Bond movies where we see a Superfreighter? Diamonds Are Forever? 

[Brandy]

Fixed gear is no guarantee that it won't fail!

 

 

Ian

[TheyJammedKenny!]

2 hours ago, Billy54 said:

Isn't there a scene in one of the James Bond movies where we see a Superfreighter?

Gold Finger!  As for the pranged Cessna 172 in the photo, I'd say there were some, shall we say, added forces at work responsible for the gear failure.  Might poor maintenance and inspection procedures also have been at play?

Edited September 2, 2024 by TheyJammedKenny!
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