Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on January 02, 2013, 02:46:34 AM
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In 1936, feeling that Douglas was overcharging for its DC-3s, the head of Continental Air Lines approached Consolidated Aircraft asking them to design a new passenger liner with trans-continental capability.
Continental was thrilled at the incredibly modern, aerodynamic design Consolidated proposed and on March 13, 1938 the new airliner was rolled out for flight testing.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_001.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_002.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_003.jpg)
Named the Consolidated Continental in honor of the new partnership, the new transport seemed to be all that and a bag of chips and Continental announced the new airplane would inaugurate their profitable new Dallas to New York route.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_004.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_005.jpg)
There was great excitement and the media of the day were all on hand to film the flight for the newsreels.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Dallas-NY_map.jpg)
The Continental revved its two Harmon Super Sixteen inline engines and shot skyward to much applause.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_010.jpg)
Unfortunately, those Harmon Super Sixteens weren't all that and a bag of chips. They were more like a bag of busted parts and the new airliner was forced to an emergency landing outside of Texarkana, black smoke pouring from both engines.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/DallastoTexarkanaflightpath_map.jpg)
When the board of Continental Air Lines found out what the debacle had cost, heads rolled and the President was ousted. He was later discovered working as a baggage handler at Love Field, constantly babbling on about how he was "once a contendah".
Fortunately for Consolidated, their Continental blunder was forgotten and nothing remains of it today as the worthless aircraft was scrapped in 1940.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_top.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_under.jpg)
Like most things, this project started off simply with a simple kit, the famous 1/72 Airfix Aichi Val.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Airfix_Val_box.jpg)
I tossed around a few ideas, but once I discovered I had a spare Val fuselage in the spares box, it all seemed to come together almost by itself.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_007.jpg)
I noticed the fin and rudder from the spare fuselage would make nice streamlined horizontal stabilizers and added them.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_002_zpsc7baccd0.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_001_zps3ea6f097.jpg)
Then I found an old nose I'd smash-formed and grafted it on.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_004_zps268b42d3.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_003_zps316971bd.jpg)
Finally, I covered up the cockpit opening with blister-pack from AA batteries and added some engines scratched from spare drop tanks.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_005_zps2432c567.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Cont_prog_006_zps8785468b.jpg)
Then it was off to add paint and figure out decals. With airliners, the decals really make the project and I had some nice Continental livery that seemed a nice fit.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_006.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_008.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Consolidated%20Continental/Continental_009.jpg)
I had a blast putting this together and I hope you got a laugh out of the story of the failed Consolidated Continental.
Brian da Basher
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That looks brilliant! Much better in the images than I could have imagined from your description given over the phone to me last night.
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BdB, I always like your creations, but something about this one is just dead on in my book.
As for the backstory, I bet it was a bitch to land with all that wing!
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I was so not expecting this little gem from what you made it from. I read Val and immediately thought, Japanese ww2 aircraft...? nah can't be.
Cool.
Chris
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Delicious transformation. Congratulations once more! :-*
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You actually made me laugh out loud with that sudden change of flight plan! It's a cutie, though, reminds me of a white dove. Nice job!
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BdB, I always like your creations, but something about this one is just dead on in my book.
As for the backstory, I bet it was a bitch to land with all that wing!
Scooterman and others said it well. Golly Gee BdB this is Swell.
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Ha! Brilliant work!
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I did not spot the "Val" at all! Nice job! :)
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BDB, I always enjoy your creations, the backstories as well as the build. :)
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Also, I would like to see the landing gear which accommodated that prop span! ;)
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That is one freaking awesome scaleorama right there.
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Hee hee.
You need to put all of these Golden Age That Wasn't creations together into 'book' form,
from Great Auk publishing of course.
;)
One question, if I may, how did it get from San Diego to Dallas? By truck or rail? ;D
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Brian: you do realise what you've done, don't you? You've taken an aircraft with spats, and taken them off....... :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised:
There's hope for you yet.... ;D
Nice build BTW! :)
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Brian: you do realise what you've done, don't you? You've taken an aircraft with spats, and taken them off....... :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised:
There's hope for you yet.... ;D
Nice build BTW! :)
I know I am hanging my head in shame...
:-[
The horrible truth is that with the demise of Aeroclub, my spat stash has shrunk terribly, so now I'm hoarding as many spats as I can get my hands on!
Thanks for the comments, gents. You spur this madness on to no end!
Brian da Basher
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Pure genius or complete bonkers! I guess it's about the same. Great model and another fine story.
Ed
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Brian: you do realise what you've done, don't you? You've taken an aircraft with spats, and taken them off....... :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised: :icon_surprised:
There's hope for you yet.... ;D
Nice build BTW! :)
I know I am hanging my head in shame...
:-[
The horrible truth is that with the demise of Aeroclub, my spat stash has shrunk terribly, so now I'm hoarding as many spats as I can get my hands on!
Thanks for the comments, gents. You spur this madness on to no end!
Brian da Basher
Perhaps we should have the "Unspat My Ride" GB originally proposed on What If Modellers, moderated by yourself, with a condition of entry being that the unused spats are sent to you in compensation.... On the one hand, you'd have to endure the sight of the de-spatting process, but on the other hand, you get your spat stash built up again...... ;D
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Perhaps we should have the "Unspat My Ride" GB originally proposed on What If Modellers, moderated by yourself, with a condition of entry being that the unused spats are sent to you in compensation.... On the one hand, you'd have to endure the sight of the de-spatting process, but on the other hand, you get your spat stash built up again...... ;D
I find your ideas intriguing and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter...
I'd try this if I thought I could get away with it.
But continue to let me know when you have great thoughts like this!
Brian da Basher
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Walt Mooney's Miles Sparrowhawk 'Peanut' plan includes a flat pattern for the trousers:
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_files_1/1193/Miles-Sparrowhawk-1.pdf (http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_files_1/1193/Miles-Sparrowhawk-1.pdf)
No reason the pattern couldn't be used to make plastic card rather than paper trousers.
While you're there have a browse around the outerzone site, while the plans are for fying
models, there's loads of possibilities:
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/index.asp (http://www.outerzone.co.uk/index.asp)
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Thank you, Mr JCF! That's a great suggestion and that site will make for some excellent reading!
I think I need some time alone with it....
Brian da Basher
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Hmmm, "black smoke pouring from both engines". Were those Super Sixteens built by the same Harmon folks who now build pellet stoves?
Wonderful stuff! A pity about the engines. I'm imagining a radial-engined version with a longer nose. Any chance of a Continental Mk.II? Remember, if you take the plunge, you'll be gleaning another pair of spats! ;D
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:)
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you sir are a genius!!