Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on December 30, 2017, 11:16:57 PM
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The 1960's were a golden age for long-distance air travel.
(https://s9.postimg.org/ho8ioqggv/BB_001.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
In 1964 Britannia Airways (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_Airways) took to the skies flying the eponymous Bristol Britannia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Britannia).
(https://s9.postimg.org/rljjhwye7/BB_003.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/xazs21p33/BB_006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
All was well as the inaugural flight from London to Newark, New Jersey pushed off from the gate at 3:17 PM local time on December 29, 1964.
(https://s9.postimg.org/jhbfd3z3j/BB_002.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
However, un-noticed until it was too late, trouble was brewing with the in-flight meal.
(https://s9.postimg.org/yq1cqxxxr/Airplane-_Fish.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
By the time the aircraft was almost across the Atlantic, the entire flight crew and most of the passengers had become violently ill. Extreme measures had to be taken.
(https://s9.postimg.org/3kh8u1ocf/otto_pilot.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The only stewardess who wasn't sick scoured the passengers hoping to find someone who could land the plane.
(https://s9.postimg.org/9y6bxf3jz/boys_life_nun.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
As luck would have it, an Air Force veteran who served in the war was aboard. As he was a religious Pescitarian albeit with a drinking problem, he skipped supper. Immediately grasping the severity of the situation, he took a seat on the flight deck.
(https://s9.postimg.org/vlva7mblb/a_new_pilot.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Guided by Newark Air Traffic Control, the novice airline pilot put the Britannia into a slow, shallow descent, headed for a landing vector.
(https://s9.postimg.org/pkxlanrkv/BB_004.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The Britannia Airways Britannia performed flawlessly despite the clammy hands on the control column.
(https://s9.postimg.org/u83nckru7/BB_005.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
However flying a fighter plane is a lot different than bringing a modern turbo-prop airliner to a safe landing in the heavy weather New Jersey is known for.
(https://s9.postimg.org/b30e2v2wf/chris-christie-beach.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Sleet and high winds lashed the airliner mercilessly but the brave soul in the cockpit pressed on.
(https://s9.postimg.org/xazs21p33/BB_006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Heeding his long dormant instincts at the critical moment, he maneuvered to obtain just the right attitude to hit the tarmac flawlessly.
(https://s9.postimg.org/6v5ltnr1r/BB_007.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The airliner made a perfect three-point landing and it was nothing short of a miracle that there were no injuries on board that couldn't be cured by the Pink Stuff®.
(https://s9.postimg.org/jb2bnluq7/Arthur_Godfrey.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
This would turn out to be the big news of late 1964 and the man who stepped up to the challenge was lauded as a hero on both sides of the Atlantic.
(https://s9.postimg.org/6v5ltnr1r/BB_007.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Unfortunately, within a few years the sleek Britannia Airways Britannias would be replaced by more modern jetliners and this once-iconic aircraft is all but forgotten today despite its brief moment of glory.
(https://s9.postimg.org/g47s48xi7/BB_008.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Brian da Basher
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This all began with a wonderful 1/150 scale IM Bristol Britannia our good friend kitnut sold me for a song along with a Connie and a couple of DC-6s. Granted, the
box card art isn't much to look at...
(https://s9.postimg.org/kemfzvklr/IM_Britannia_bag_front.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ahbf6tczv/)
and the back is not very lively either.
(https://s9.postimg.org/bxmxoh2wv/IM_Britannia_bag_rear.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3s4vqbenv/)
According to the header card, this is only one of many molded marvels offered by this long-defunct maker.
(https://s9.postimg.org/4hno2rmy7/IM_Britannia_card.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The price certainly can't be beat!
(https://s9.postimg.org/erq322ppb/IM_Britannia_price.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And there are some very well-done instructions if one is so inclined...
(https://s9.postimg.org/u0g0fxjen/IM_Britannia_instructions_2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/vs8zavkrz/IM_Britannia_instructions_1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The only model paints I have are acrylics, please don't tell the powers that be at IM.
For a kit that's probably older than I am the styrene was in very good shape.
(https://s9.postimg.org/m7pco20lr/IM_Britannia_main_parts.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The small parts were most considerately bagged separately.
(https://s9.postimg.org/g6rnr08un/IM_Britannia_small_parts_bag.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Let me take them out for you so you can get a better look.
(https://s9.postimg.org/q42ok2o67/IM_Britannia_small_parts_loose.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'm stunned by how well the props held up over so much time and distance.
Unfortunately, the decals hadn't fared very well over the past half-century.
(https://s9.postimg.org/upyssgjzz/IM_Britannia_kit_decals.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Not to worry, I found a work-around. Unfortunately, there was no such luck with those dimpled windows. Mr Tamiya's miracle putty to the rescue!
(https://s9.postimg.org/ipdcre4rz/BB_xprog_001.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Then a bit of clampage...
(https://s9.postimg.org/gxkdwm3gf/BB_xprog_002.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Here's how it all looked before painting commenced. I was half tempted not to tempt fate and leave it like this.
(https://s9.postimg.org/uehcfnljj/BB_xprog_003.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Please note that at this stage, none of the parts were actually glued on. That's some impressive tolerances for such an old mold!
(https://s9.postimg.org/qi40jofzj/BB_xprog_004.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/xy3a5hj4f/BB_xprog_005.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
This kit surprised me with its outstanding engineering. The wings have inter-locking tabs so the dihedral is built in.
(https://s9.postimg.org/qi40jonpb/BB_xprog_006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Undeterred by Fear of Fouling It All Up, I applied the first of a couple of coats of Model Masters Semi-Gloss White Primer acrylic to the fuselage with the old hairy stick.
(https://s9.postimg.org/zd4uucpe7/BB_xprog_paint.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
That went well and I continued with some Polly Scale Silver on the wings & tail planes, Model Masters Steel on the cowlings and Primer Gray and Insignia Yellow on the props. Then I added the Britannia Airways cheatline decals swiped from an Airfix 737 and some spare window frames. The cockpit windows were taken from a Minicraft 707. I was not feeling confident in my ability to paint them by hand.
(https://s9.postimg.org/6c0ikohq7/BB_xprog_paint_001.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/5z94eievz/BB_xprog_paint_002.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Then I screwed up my courage and painted the nose cone black. I was pleased with how it came out.
(https://s9.postimg.org/eu9yp98vz/BB_xprog_paint_007.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/7sc12kcun/BB_xprog_paint_010.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
By swiping the title from that Airfix 737 decal sheet, I was able to make the stand somewhat presentable.
(https://s9.postimg.org/72t8qbucf/BB_stand.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I had a whale of a time putting this all together which took me the better part of a week.
(https://s9.postimg.org/8um7ldb67/P6250019.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'd like to thank kitnut for offering me the fruits of his small-scale collection.
(https://s9.postimg.org/c1gr51dmn/P6250016.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I couldn't have done it without you my friend!
(https://s9.postimg.org/bbxyst2u7/P6250005.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I hope you enjoyed the Britannia Britannia and reading a little more forgotten airliner history even if it does seem a bit fishy.
(https://s9.postimg.org/6eozl1spb/P6250039.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Brian da Basher
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Wow! you've done a terrific job with that kit Brian, fantastic story again too.
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congratulations! :smiley:
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This Brian is a brilliant build of a brainy British brainchild brimming with a beaming backstory of blowfish, barracudas!
Bravo!
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You captured classiness of late prop-liner era well. Classiness similar to last of the biplanes.
Excellent research on fish incident. If airliner was an early jet there might not have been such a happy ending.
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That is special, well done mate 8) 8)
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Beautiful build and backstory.
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"The cockpit windows were taken from a Minicraft 707. I was not feeling confident in my ability to paint them by hand."
If I had your talent Sir Brian, I would fear no kit nor finish. The finished item is a real beauty, and the back story, well, it is worthy of a film!
:icon_alabanza:
Ian
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This one looks great! Decals and painting are superb! I looked up IM and all I could find was this on ScaleMates: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1007500-im-12-bristol-britannia (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1007500-im-12-bristol-britannia)
They say it's in the crowd pleasing 1/166 scale and the original plastic dates to the 1950s and was made by Lincoln International.
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All the International Modeling kits were ex-Lincoln kits except the Constellation which was ex-Hawk. There were 18 models in all different scales, none of which were the same as any other.
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x
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Very entertaining Brian, a great build and a fun backstory. This is why I never eat fish :smiley:
Despite being an old dog and from the USA, I have never heard of these kits. Very neatly engineered for their time, I am impressed. It would be fun to see the entire range built up here. Great job!
Best regards,
Kem
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These spartane kits are perfect for whiffery. Perfect job, Brian. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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looks great :smiley:
does it come with the "Jesus Christ-switch (https://youtu.be/JvU7nQUethw?t=38m57s)"? ;D