Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on October 22, 2012, 01:37:26 AM

Title: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 22, 2012, 01:37:26 AM: While iconic aircraft such as the Spitfire are practically household words, far lessor known, in fact practically forgotten, are their progenitors.

One mis-step along the way to creating the Spitfire was the Supermarine Type 303.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire001.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire002.jpg)

Designed in 1934, the Supermarine Type 303 so impressed the Air Ministry that they ordered a test squadron right off the drawing board.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire009.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire004.jpg)

The new monoplane was armed with 8 machine guns, an astonishing amount of fire-power for the time and was powered by the new Rolls-Royce Irwin inline engine.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire005.jpg)

Unfortunately, the new Rolls-Royce Irwin engine was so beset with gremlins that mechanics took to calling the Supermarine Type 303 the "Stupidmarine Misfire", a phrase which would be inevitably followed by even more colorful phrases not to be repeated in front of mixed company.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfireuppers.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfireunders.jpg)

Even when the Type 303 could get off the ground, its Rolls-Royce Irwin engine often cut out or failed to deliver the power needed. One embarrassing example of this was when Misfires failed to intercept the off-course French Polar airship Nordique as it over-flew the British coast.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/BWmtnswmisfiresmall.jpg)

The Air Ministry sent Supermarine back to the drawing board after this scandal and the "Stupidmarine Misfire" was withdrawn from service, much to the relief of mechanics and pilots alike.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire006.jpg)

While forgotten today, the "Stupidmarine Misfire" nonetheless played an important (and impotent) role in the development of the famous Spitfire.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire007.jpg)

The basis for this project is the 1/72 Airfix Spitfire Mk. 1a from 1980 or so, but with a twist. While going through my spares box, I noticed that an engine left over from a DH-4 was a pretty good fit. After a little sawing, shimming and gluing, here's the result:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfirenose03.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfirenose02.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfirenose01.jpg)

I'd originally intended to use a Spitfire prop, but that made the whole thing look nose-heavy to me:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfirenoseprop05.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfirenoseprop01.jpg)

So instead, I added the prop and spinner from a CR-42.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire008.jpg)

I hope you enjoyed this tale of a Supermarine mis-step along the road to the Spitfire.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Stupidmarine%20Misfire/Misfire009.jpg)

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 22, 2012, 02:19:28 AM: You're not right...I like that! :)
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Frank3k on October 22, 2012, 02:41:59 AM: It looks just right...with a twist of "this ain't right!" It reminds me of the Schoenfeldt Firecracker, only with the engine upside down.
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on October 22, 2012, 03:31:11 AM: That is so awesome in its' wrongness.
:)

Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Daryl J. on October 22, 2012, 03:44:42 AM: ;D ;D ;D. I love it!
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: deathjester on October 22, 2012, 05:04:04 AM: Wonderful wrongness old chap - but I really thought it might have spats...!
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: raafif on October 22, 2012, 05:20:38 AM: Oh so Steam-punk !! :)
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: taiidantomcat on October 22, 2012, 06:02:34 AM: Very nice job :-*
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Queeg on October 22, 2012, 07:00:28 AM: Ohhhhh I'm liking this ......... :icon_beer: :icon_beer:
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: apophenia on October 22, 2012, 09:47:39 AM: Quote from: Frank3k on October 22, 2012, 02:41:59 AM
... only with the engine upside down.

And a 'Misfire' Mk.II with inverted Liberty might look kinda cool ;)
Title: Re: 1/72 "Stupidmarine Misfire" from the classic Airfix kit
Post by: Doom! on October 22, 2012, 10:52:37 PM: Very cool!. Oddly enough I think this would make a great automobile too. Remove the wings and tail and extend out some big spatted wheels and it could be another pretty cool whif.