First off, I would like to thank everyone who participated in my last “What Should I Build” thread. You know, the one between the XF-11 and the Skypirate? The final tally gave the skypirate the egde, if I am correct.
Well, I’ve made a decision. However, it may not be what everyone thinks. Reason being I got my refund today, and it was quite a bit smaller than I thought it was going to be. Therefore, right now my decision between the two of them is… neither. Resin is just too expensive right now.
HOWEVER!
This has allowed me to look toward vacufrom kits. These are quite a bit cheaper, and also allow me to pursue subjects more my style- multi-engined behemoths. [8D]
In this case I have narrowed my choices down to three, and (once again) I’m asking your opinion. (All are 1/72, BTW.)
FIRST: Martin Mars in either blue Navy or red firebomber scheme, not sure which.
Pros:
Largest subject.
Wingspan of a B-36 w/ only four engines.
Intersting history (still flying)
High aspect ratio wing (always a plus)
Cons:
Where am I going to put it?
Vac flying boat… another Spruce Goose boondoggle?
Kit is VERY basic.
SECOND: Dornier Do X
Pros:
They MAKE one of these in 1/72?
Mmmm… twelve engines…mmmm
Many color posibilities (including Italian options)
Historically significant.
Cons:
ANOTHER vac flying boat.
Beyond its size, it’s really quite… ugly. Wings too broad, tail too small, etc…
Ah, glorious repetition.
Made by same company as the Mars
No idea what parts look like… probably basic (same company as Mars).
THIRD: Vickers Windsor
Pros:
The Vickers What-now?
Something really rare- a large prototype British heavy bomber.
Last in a line of geodesic bombers begun with the Wellesley (which I have).
Big ol’ thing with a little-bity canopy… kinda cool.
Kit definitely the best shape, for the least amount of money.
DECALS INCLUDED!
Cons:
My curse with British subjects… have only finished one so far.
The smallest contender.
It’s a Sanger vac… could be a bad thing.
So, once again, what do y’all think? I’m leaning quite heavily toward the Windsor right now, but your opinion still matters (I know I said that last time, but this time I REALLY mean it!). Let me know what you think.
Thanks again everybody. Hopefully this time this thread will end with a kit! I can only hope…
Go with the Do x, no question. She’s actually pretty elegant, I would say. Revell reboxed the Matchbox one in 1/144. White topsides with gold trim; whats not to like.
Well, the Mars is up by two votes right now, but the Do X is certainly coming back…
Try this on for size. SAY I get the Martin Mars. What would you think if I tried to, oh, I don’t know… backdate it to the prototype?
Discuss…
On a related note, I read that during one flight of the Do X, Dornier himself invited all of the guests to the rear of the aircraft for a toast. It turns out that the reason for this was to help the plane make a turn… [#oops]
The reason for the twelve engines is interesting as well. Higher powered engines were available, but Dornier preferred to use tried and true powerplants. Even if he had to use 12 of them. (Incidentally, the motors of the Do X changed three or four times. The Matchbox kit has later inline engines; it began life with exposed radials)
Naw… this one would be the ol’ yellah-and-silver… quite nice, actually.
This would require some extensive research to see how different the fuselages actually were between the XPBM-1 and the JRM Mars aircraft. If it’s just the nose and tail, fine. If there was modification of the planing bottom (which I’m afraid might be true) as well, that could be… problematic.
But who knows? I may not be getting the Mars at all…
Here’s one vote for the Windsor, nice looking plane, one of those interesting also-ran’s. What if the windsor was the main brit bomber instead of the Lancaster? Or how about a Dambuster Windsor…
