The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

So, while I convalesce from a broken leg, my workspace is basically scattered around the couch (where I can have my leg elevated), like so:


At some point I'm going to have to hobble outside to use spray primer......

On the go is a Matchbox Stranraer, being kitbashed to resemble this: http://www.biggles.info/Details/08/Titlepage.jpg



All gun positions will be blocked off and filled so the fuselage is smooth. Mods will include single tail, engine mounting between wings, removal of one of the biplane bays and addition of Walrus style retractable undercarriage (Biggles' aircraft is amphibious) and possible under-wing wheel wells to match. I'm intending to use Walrus engine pods. Should be a fun build with a good bit of bashing but not so much as to get bogged down.

Looks like you're trying to turn a Stranraer into a SARO London-ish!

MerlinJones wrote:Looks like you're trying to turn a Stranraer into a SARO London-ish!

More of a Short Rangoon/Calcutta, particularly when compared with the other drawings. I actually own a vacform London but the effort of building/kitbashing that at this point was beyond me, being so out of practice. I've been trying to snag a Rangoon on ebay but I've more or less given up and am now just hoping Sanger will eventually get around to reissuing it (they own the moulds) so I can do a rebuild later. This was basically a spare Stranraer in the stash and I was looking for something fun to do with it and something that would get the skills and inspiration levels back up. It almost became a Queen Charlotte Airways version but I decided to go this way.

....and I _did_ say it was vandalism.... :P

Broken leg eh? Sounds like a perfect modelling excuse! Hope it mends ok.

You do what you have to if you need some focused modelling time....

Just discovered all my putty is gone and I can't get to a model supplies shop. Darn it!

Welcome Back, Dave!
While waiting for the putty elf, you must turn your attention to other kits in the stash and make a start on several!

cheers,

David

Good news - apparently I had some milliput. It was in a box that got waterlogged but I think it's still usable. On with the show!

Tip for Milliput...

Once you've mixed it and it's ready to use, you can put it in the freezer and it'll last forever.

Thanks for that. I think I'll leave it unmixed rather than risk the wrath of my wife when she discovers modelling putty in the freezer....

I've sourced new putty and the milliput worked a treat:


I've also hacked off the rear turret so it looks a little less odd with the single fin.


In the meantime I pulled out the 1/48 Hughes 500 I bought for my 2 year old when he was mad keen on choppers. It will hang over his cot. Should have it done over the weekend.



It turnsout there's a photo bucket app that allows you to do something useful with an iPad like upload pics. Who'd a thought?!

all looking good

Thanks

I quite like the look of it with a single tail

Hmmmmm....not so sure! I think it'll look undernourished when you add the upper wing.

Regards,
Bruce

MerlinJones wrote:Hmmmmm....not so sure! I think it'll look undernourished when you add the upper wing.

Regards,
Bruce

Now that you mention it, I was looking at it this morning like it is and having all sorts of nefarious what-if ideas for the next Stranraer build....

I agree the tail could stand to be bigger. We'll see how it goes.

Final painting and assembly to be done on the chopper today, while fending off a 2 year old who desperately wants to paint it. I need to grab a cheap kit to throw together for him to paint with his poster paints.

...Or tell him "No", give him a severe spanking and send him to bed without any supper...and he starts up chimneys tomorrow!