So, after three or four years of modelling “seriously”, I finally got myself to a competition, as a spectator. It turned out to be the IPMS Nationals. The entries were great, some of the best work I’ve seen in person. The real draw, however, were the multiple vendor rooms.
A guy could spend a whole week, and a whole week’s paycheck, in there. I promised myself I wouldn’t go crazy, but it was only a matter of time before I found a few cheap kits I couldn’t resist.
First off, this guy:
Not mine, of course. I didn’t have time to upload the photos of the one I bought. I tell you what, though- the way they have the rivets molded on these things, the kit parts could probably sand themselves! [:P]
Ultimately, I’d like to see if I could motorize this. Big words from a guy who’s tried three times and failed to make a working contra-prop gearbox. It’s going to be unbeleiveably tight in the nacelles, but who knows? Maybe I can make it work.
Second, I got this:
Why, when the Revell Germany kit (one which is unquestionably better in EVERY way) is available, did I buy this? Well, mainly to cannabalize it for parts, of course! I’m planning a conversion to an aircraft that was closely related the He 177, one that doesn’t exist as a conversion kit anywhere (no matter how limited run).
Can you guess what I’m planning? [}:)] It shouldn’t be TOO hard…
That would be the He-274, built in France. Through an act of reverse sabotage it was completed after the liberation and flown, being broken up in 1953 according to William Green. I always thought it was a good looking airplane.
Jeaton got it! I’d like to try and build an He 274, a derivative of the He 177 that (in my opinion) was much prettier than the -277. Of course, I’m a sucker for the high-altitude, high-aspect-ratio winged airplanes anyway.
The good news- I can scavange most of the “extra” bits off of kits that I already have. The nacelles I can get from my Me 264 because I’ll be replacing those with BMW radials. I may be able to scavange the landing gear from my Ju 290s, and the He 177 fuselase is closer to the He 274 fuselage than I could’ve hoped- I’ll have to remove the part from the tail back and replace it with a longer reshaped piece, but nothing too difficult.
The bad- the control surfaces (wings and tail) will need to be built from scratch. No cannabalizing kit parts here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do it.
I still think it’s going to be odd doing up a German plane in French paint and markings, though…
Mike, you’re stronger than I was. I blew about $90 at the vendors. Sure I probably overpaid for my Eduard set, and I didn’t find what I really wanted (1/48 Aeromaster Decals for the Black Widow…), but I got some really good stuff and I replaced a kit I’d given away. It was a lot of fun, I wish I could have gone multiple days. But I was limited to a few hours on Thursday. My money thanks me lol. Wish I could have gotten to meet you down here though!
Geez Mike, how many projects do you have on the go? I struggle to keep going with one or 2. LOL. Stronger willed than I, Gunga din. What was the 1st kit you showed? It looks to be from the Shakleton family?
Yeah, well, I would’ve spent more, except for a few reasons.
-My dad went with me, so if I spent too much I’d have never heard the end of it.
-I have a repair bill of at LEAST $200 (if not more) for my motorcycle coming up shortly.
When I said I couldn’t afford it, I REALLY couldn’t afford it! [:D] The Nostalgic Plastic/Anigrand table was quite tempting, though…
As for projects? I have three or four BIG ones that are in-progress, with two or three more in my head. While this makes for some interesting builds, it also means my volume is VERY low. I think I’ve finished two or three models this year. My Zveno 7 is getting quite close, though…
