[:D]I just returned from the IPMS Seattle spring show and between the vendor tables and raffle picks I came home with a !/72 Matchbox Supermarine Stranraer (bi-plane flying boat 1930’s) a 1/72 Matchbox Handley Page Heyford (bi-plane bomber 1930’s) and a 1/72 Airfix Sunderland flying boat. Beleive it or not I passed over Hasagawa and Tamiya kits to get some of this. Yes, I do like the strange and the odd.[:)]
Now for the [?]part. In looking over my squadron and VP products catalogs I see nothing for these kits, no p.e., no resin. Hannants in London has some white metal lewis guns in 1/72, and the engine and props (airfix and matchbox props are kinda “blobular”) I think. Anybody know of anyother after market stuff? I;m trying to figgure out how much I gotta scratch build. (which I like anyway).
[?] When I built a 1/350 King George V ship I was able to get photo’s from the Imperial War Museum and the Admirality. Do any of you guys know about contacting the air ministry or whatever??? (more scratchbuilding). I’d love to see in the cockpit of a Hayford (it’s open cockpit)[:)]
[?] I’ve tried to do bi-plane rigging using .008 brass wire and haven’t been all that great with it in the past. What I really need is a fool (that’s me) proof method of rigging THAT LOOKS GOOD and accurate. YO! FSM article oppertinuity. Now if I could only spell check this… G.L. [8D][?]
Hi,
White Ensign Models from the UK makes some PE detail sets for the 1/72 Airfix Sunderland.
They make a exterior detail set, cockpit set and a dephtcharge-detail set.
www.whiteensignmodels.com
I’m going to order them.
Some reviews of these PE-sets on Hyperscale.
Cheers,
Jürgen
Thanks Jurgen, I have in-laws in England[^] it’s time to “get in touch”, G.L.
The Air Ministry as you call it will not be able to help with the Heyford details for example - probably never heard of it. The Magazine “Aeroplane” have some of the rather wonderfull cutaway drawings I think of the Heyford. Some of the “BOMBER” books have pictures of close ups of the Heyford - I have built the kit you mention and can email you a pic if you send me your address. Otherwise I am afraid it is a bit hit and miss!! I have some rather muzzy pics of the interior but do not think they will reproduce very well - but can try if you wish. One thing about the Matchbox kit - the “stringer” down the side of the fuselage is missing - it is rather obvious on the original and can be easliy emulated by scoring a pice of plasti card on the “inside” - putting a crease in it and then applying it to the fuselage side.
Have fun. The White Ensign am set is good by the look of things - but I have not yet used it on the model. I have a Stranraer half started (or finished) ?? Nothing odd to report!
miduppergunner, please E-mail whatever you got to dazyduck.weeks@verizon.net
I’m in the good ol’ USofA.
thanks
G.L.
HIya GL, those are great aircraft you have there. there are some white metal engine and props available from aeroclub models (could someone post a link, can’t find it on mine for some reason) i think they also do guns too.
Greg
found it, its http://www.aeroclub-models.com/index.html
Greg
miduppergunner:
I’d also like a copy of the Heyford material, if possible.
I have the kit clamoring for attention.
My email button is below.
glweeks:
I have the Sunderland & the WEM P/E, but I’d decide what you really want to do before springing for all 3 sets. I think someone posted reviews of same. There is nothing wrong with the WEM PE – it is beautiful – but may not be all that visible or useful depending on what you are doing.
Stranraer is an all-time favorite. I had a great article/3-view from the old Aeromodeller from 60’s but lost it (and a lot more) in a move.
John
Hannants do vacform canopies and the Aeroclub resin engines, but it looks like you’ll have to get the White Ensign PE direct from them.
As jratz says, how much will actually be visible once you close the fuselage up is debatable. The full review is here http://hsfeatures.com/features04/sunderlandbt_1.htm, and you’ll be able to see what we mean. Saying that, the detail in the cockpit is absolutely fabulous, and something you’ll be proud of if you spring for it.
Good luck!
Look for PE sets for the 1/72 Walrus and Stranraer from us in the reasonably near future. And yes, you can order the Sunderland sets direct from us.
Cheers,
John Snyder
White Ensign Models
http://WhiteEnsignModels.com
The RAF Museum at Hendon have a Stranraer and should have loads of info.
They also have a Sunderland.
As far as the Heyford is concerned, thats where Matchbox got their drawings and information from.
Their library is extensive to say the least, so try them.