Jimmy Buffett's "Hemisphere Dance" Albatross

[fuzznoggin]

This is Jimmy Buffett’s “Hemisphere Dancer” Albatross. This was an old Monogram kit, chock full of rivets that needed to be sanded off completely. Decals custom made from an old friend who is no longer with us. Paints by Tamyia and custom mixed for the striping. Some actuator scratchbuilding done in the wheel well area. The “Hemisphere Dancer” lettering done with dry transfers by Woodland Scenics. Reference photo taken at Universal Studios City Walk, Orlando. Enjoy !!

[gregbale]

Excellent!

[keavdog]

Nice job! Looks good by the pool and makes me want a Margarita.

[Tanker-Builder]

Hmmm!

I do like this version of my all time favorite plane. I think the S.U.16 A and B models are some of the prettiest Seaplanes around. Great Job on that model!

[missileman2000]

Great job! Love the photography.

[MR_TOM_SCHRY]

Excellent job on such “Vintage” kit. I remember those countless rivets over this kit. This and the classic PBY are my all time favorite seaplanes.

ths

[CrashTestDummy]

I have the 1:48 scale Trumpeter kit in my stash which I plan to use to recreate the Hemisphere Dancer. I have aftermarket decals and several pictures of the interior so I can hopefully replicate the interior and display it with the door open.

Nice work on yours!

[fotofrank]

Ya know, fuzznoggin, I’ve looked at that kit off and on for years but I just didn’t know what to do with it. Your “Buffet Build” has inspired me I think. I’ve seen the airplane in real life and your model is a good representation of the real plane. Good work! Thanks for sharing.

[Tanker-Builder]

Hi!

I was just reviewing old tapes of Jacque Cousteau and the “Underwater World” The Albatross that was used by someone that came out to the boat(The Calypso) besides the Catalina, had the Nose Bump removed and it was all white and had a blue stripe. I build a lot of them without the Radome Nose anyway! The “Cat”( in which I believe his son Passed in) was strange looking with the Hump on the nose.

[fuzznoggin]

I’m about half way thru with the 1:48 Trumpeter. It has it’s issues but they’re workable.

[MR_TOM_SCHRY]

That is looking so cool especially that interior detail! Definitely want to see more of this build as you progress with it.

[Tojo72]

This is really progressing nicely,great detail.

[Cbowling]

The interior is definitely unique, (in a great way). It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

[fuzznoggin]

The sections of the Hemisphere Dancer are under primer right now. I should have my paints for the final coat shortly. Until those arrive, I have started on a portion of the diorama, constructing the Lone Palm Airport Tiki Hut. All of this is scratch made from wood and left over photo etch materials.

Couldn’t find small cups for the anemometer, so I found some small sea shells instead
which I think really adds to the feel of Margaritaville.

I added a line, just to the left of the windsock, that travels down the pole and ends up at the FCM…the Frozen Concoction Machine.

I will put the signage up using styrene stock and my own custom decals. All I need is a Pelican to sit on top of the other post.

[fuzznoggin]

Paints for the Hemisphere Dancer will be here on Monday so I have one more day to complete the Lone Palm Tiki Hut. Chairs are now completed and I got my decals made for the Lone Palm Airport roof mount signs. I will be painting the chairs and installing the sign decals tomorrow. That should just about do it for the Tiki Hut. Commentary under photos…

The foot rail (metal) was made from stock styrene rod and bent at 90 degree angles in a vise with a little heat treatment. The white rectangle receives the decal.

This is the decal for the roof signage. Not a good photo since it’s in the package. You’ll see after I get this installed.

I made a total of 12 chairs. Tomorrow they get painted an assortment of tropical colors. The Pelican was hand sculpted using sculptor’s air drying clay. That also gets the airbrush treatment tomorrow.

[Tojo72]

I’ll have a margarita,the pelican is a nice touch.

[fuzznoggin]

Done with the Tiki Hut. Back to work on the Hemisphere Dancer tomorrow.

Actual position of the aircraft in relation to the Tiki Hut. It will be sitting on it’s landing gear
as it did prior to 2024.

Decals really turneed out rather well. Laser printed.

[fuzznoggin]

This morning I airbrushed the stripes onto the Hemisphere Dancer. Quite a chore with masking and custom paint mixes. Captions under photos where necessary….

The tail logo is a “paper proof” taped on for perspective. Decal goes on last.

Rotating beacon will be replaced with a slightly larger one from a piece of clear red sprue that I found in my parts stash. I added the ILS g/s antennas to the top of the tail. By the way, the cabin doors will be open on so the interior is semi-viewable when illuminated. This is going to look sweet.

I did a test fit of the left stabilizer just to see how this is going to look.

Brought the build in from the shop to allow it to sit in the A/C overnight. The positions of the plane and the Tiki are exactly how the diorama will be set up, we’ll turn the tiki 1/4 turn counter clockwise. This is going to look good!!

[Tojo72]

Those are some really beautiful markings.

[Demolition]

This is pretty amazing.