Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on May 27, 2012, 01:01:32 AM

Title: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on May 27, 2012, 01:01:32 AM: I have a thing for JN-4s and DH-4s. Maybe it's because they're the only U.S. produced aircraft that served in any numbers during W.W. I. Anyway, A couple of weeks back, I had a hankering for a DH-4. The only one I could find was a Pegasus version. Pegasus makes ~~short fun~~ err short run kits of some interesting subjects. To say they take work is an understatement. If you look up "rough" in the dictionary, you might see this:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/Pegasus_DH4.jpg)

Being inspired by old photos of some DH-4s converted to mail planes in the late 1920's, I started work on this last Monday. Here's what it looks like now. The upper wing & prop aren't glued yet, just tacked there for these pics with poster putty.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_prog_01.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_prog_02.jpg)

The Pegasus kit doesn't come with struts exactly. Thin "strut material" is provided which you need to cut to size. It seemed too flimsy to carry the load, so I dug something stronger out of the spares box. I also added scratched exhausts to the engine, a headrest, the tailwheel off a 1/144 DC-3 and a lovely pair of spats courtesy of Aeroclub.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_prog_03.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_prog_04.jpg)

I still need to attach the cabanes, but I did sort out the livery and paint. I'm hoping to have this finished before the Memorial Day weekend is over.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_prog_05.jpg)

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: taiidantomcat on May 27, 2012, 01:31:06 AM: Better than the original!! By far!! :-*
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 27, 2012, 06:01:40 AM: Interesting...
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on May 28, 2012, 09:34:13 PM: After a few decal issues, I managed to get this finished last night.

Decals are from spares and rigging is courtesy of this great plastic wire Mr Fontaine sent me a while back. The long exhausts pipes are made from 1/144 KC-97 refueling booms.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_01.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_02.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_08.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_03.jpg)

more to follow...

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on May 28, 2012, 09:43:02 PM: Just in case you're not familiar with mailplanes of the 1920s & 30s, here's a picture off Pemberton & Sons Aviation website (http://home.comcast.net/~biplane0/):

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/DH4_40C.jpg)

I had a lot of fun with this project which also helped reduce the kitstash pile.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_05.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_06.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_07.jpg)

One last shot of those lovely spats:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/SMB_04.jpg)

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Litvyak on May 28, 2012, 10:31:26 PM: Nifty!

Gotta love early aviation of all sorts. What's the "TAT" of your model? "T... Air Transport"?
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: taiidantomcat on May 28, 2012, 11:07:41 PM: Nice finish!! :-*
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 28, 2012, 11:16:51 PM: Kind of has a CR.32 look to it. Outstanding as usual Brian.
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 28, 2012, 11:23:15 PM: Damn it Brian! Now you have me contemplating turning a CR.32 or CR.42 into something similar. Give them a slight fuselage stretch and an enclosed cabin up front for a couple of passengers...
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: kitnut617 on May 28, 2012, 11:42:05 PM: Brilliant as usual Brian :)
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on May 28, 2012, 11:57:58 PM: Cheers, gents. Glad you like it.

TAT is Transcontinental Air Transport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_Air_Transport) which was an early airline that later became TWA.

Here's a better picture of their logo:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/SMB/tatl1.jpg)

Next up, something horrible happens to a B-47, inspired by Mr Chicken!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Daryl J. on May 29, 2012, 12:28:03 AM: The DH-4 mail planes are among my favorite of flying machines. And that includes swans like the Concorde, F-106, bulldogs like the Beaufighter, the lithe Mustang and Spitfire, and sweethearts like a Ryan PT-20. The DH-4 is right in there. It's great to see one Whiffed! :)
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: ChernayaAkula on May 29, 2012, 02:02:43 AM: Sleek!
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: finsrin on May 29, 2012, 12:42:20 PM: Quote from: kitnut617 on May 28, 2012, 11:42:05 PM
Brilliant as usual Brian :)

And looks correct for the roll and looks faster. :)
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: deathjester on May 29, 2012, 05:12:01 PM: Wonderful work mate - might even tempt me into making a biplane!
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: ysi_maniac on May 31, 2012, 12:41:16 AM: I love that you Brian return to the true faith: spats!

I like your model :-* :-* :-*

BTW I have confusing blur ideas around 2 spat projects:

- Spad XIII going to something similar to Spad 510
- Couzinet 70 or 71
Title: Re: The Spats are Back! In 1/72 Scale
Post by: Frank3k on May 31, 2012, 10:53:10 AM: It looks fast (for a biplane) and the decals look great!