In a moment of madness I have started scratchbuilding an interior for a 1:96 Glencoe Vickers Viscount - mostly from scrap plastic card. The details are ‘representative’ rather than accurate as I have no proper references but what is visible even through the open doors will be minimal anyway. I plan to exhibit the model standing on the tarmac
Does anyone have any ideas on how to produce 20 pairs of seats that will look convincing through the cabin windows without incurring hours of work? Only two pairs would need to be really detailed, one each being visible throught the front and rear doors.
Well, if the design is simple, you could always try your hand at casting. Make one or two pair and then cast the rest in resin. It’s time consuming, but it’s easier than scratchbuilding 20 pairs. I believe smooth-on has an online tutorial and I think micromark carries materials for simple casting jobs as well.
Unless your windows are large and crystal clear, the only thing your going to see is basically a shape and color. I would just make some ‘seat backs’ from cardstock. Paint them and the interior, no one will probably notice there is no seat bottoms. Just glue the backs to the floor. If you’re going through the trouble of making complete seats…why stop there, what about the overhead bins?
[2c]
I really just want what can be seen on the interior to look ‘busy’ and give the impression of a fully fitted out aircraft. Trying to produce a perfectly accurate replica is probably a waste of time. I have no references and I’ve never seen the interior of a Viscount but I suspect few people would know enough to fault it. It’s all about illusion really.
The supplied windows are typical of their era, somewhat akin to bottle-ends with the inevitable sink depressions, but they’re also relatively large. Apparently in the prototype all the cabin windows doubled as emergency escape routes and so were large enough to climb through. Although the number of actual hatches was reduced to a more sensible six the fixed windows remained the same size - I understand this was one of the features of the Viscount that made it so popular with passengers. If I stick with the kit windows then just seat-backs would probably do (I have thought about running a strip over the windows to represent a luggage rack) but I’d like to dispense with the kit ‘glass’ and perhaps use something like Kristal Kleer to form new glazing when the model’s finished which may make things all the more visible.
The model railway idea is interesting, I hadn’t thought of that. I’d need high-backed seats though. As to casting, I’ve considered it but I fear the learning process, not to mention the weight and cost, may be prohibitive.
Neat project! I assume you’ve got decals- that would scare me a little. Viscounts seem to have started two and two, then two and three across. The original seats look real square and flat, and for the time would probably have snappy white headrest cloths. I’d make the backs only, in pairs, and glue them to the floor.
I can’t tell the pitch, but I’d guess it was a row per window so you’re going to have 40 to 50 seats. Nice polished wood bulkheads, and I think the hat shelf is way too high to see.
Nice project I’d like to see what you come up with. It’s a good bet you’ll see a fair amount through those windows.
LOL!!!
Seats in a 1/96 airliner!! Go for it man!
I have, in a moment of insanity, fully detailed the interior of a 1/72 Italeri DC-3…galley, toilet, seats, curtains, overhead luggage racks, a radio bay, luggage compartment…and you can see about 0.4% of the whole lot…bugger…
I made a seat master and then a mold from RTV…then cast resin copies.
OR…mate, if you only need to “hint” at an interior, why not get some thick paper or cardboard and make some simple seats from that? Superglue should make then stick together just fine. Save yourself some time and don’t go too crazy.
I’m with the minimalist crowd - even if you can produce windows that have some clarity, all you’re going to be able to see through them is vague shapes. But your idea is saner than mine - I was thinking of doing the same thing in 1/144. A (rare) moment of sanity intervened.
Don’t fall off your chair laughing msfob but my first idea was to fit out the Airfix Handley Page HP42 in 1:144!
This project actually kicked off while playing with scraps of plastic card with a view to fitting a bulkhead behind the cockpit, sort of got carried away and all ambitious….
(Notice the word ‘Hawk’ moulded inside the fuselage? Now I come to think of it I have a very old Hawk DH Comet kit that comes with full seating - it has a removable side so you can see in. Even comes with an airport bus and air-conditioning unit, the latter is used to hold the tail up - but I digress.)
Bondoman, thanks for the photo link, it confirms my guesswork is moderately accurate. The Glencoe kit represents the 700 series Viscount, 40 pax in 2-2 setup with a pitch of 38” (see, I have done some homework!). The 800 series was stretched and took up to 65 pax in the 2-3 configuration. Looks like my forward cabin passageway is a bit too wide but it won’t be obvious in the end. Overhead stowage looks easier than I expected, I might have a go.
Decals for this kit are no problem as long as you choose either Capital, BEA, Aer Linguis, TAA, Alitalia, Air Canada, TCA, Air France, or Northeast – phew! Mind you, you have to buy three kits to get them all but they’re not expensive and are plentiful. The kit’s standard sheet offers BEA and Capital but later kits include a second sheet with a further two or three liveries. My choice for this one will be G-AMAV, the prototype 700 machine which was used in the London-New Zealand air race wearing BEA’s colours and racing number ‘23’.
My next favourite scheme is that of the TAA (Trans Australia) with its kangaroo (similar to Qantas but not on the tail) and red, white and blue paint. I have three kits and I haven’t decided on the third and final scheme though the Air Canada red and white scheme looks great. Later models will NOT have interiors!
LeeTree, card sounds like a good idea – easy to work as well.
You’re tackling one of the things I’ve thought of doing, detailing the interior of an airliner. Hadn’t thought about the HP42, but that’s not a bad idea. And for those who think it can’t be done, check out this model by Don Hinton. Talk about inspiration!
That’s very nice work but once again I wonder how much would be visible after assembling the fuselage.
I love the HP42, always have ever since I built the Airfix kit in 1968. If ever there was an aircraft crying out to be kitted in 1:72 it’s the one! It has an air of stately grace about it, simple straight-forward finishes and almost no rigging (great!).
I baulked at trying to fit an interior though because all the negative comments above apply doubly to the tiny 1:144 scale kit. The windows are, if anything, thicker so they’d have to be replaced and making miniature wicker seats is certainly a challenge.
