Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on August 17, 2013, 11:57:41 PM
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Propaganda posters of the Soviet Union's airship program in the 1920s & 1930s have become popular among collectors.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RedAirshipPosters.jpg)
However, there was more to this than just colorful pictures and slogans.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/USSR-V6-Osoaviachim-airship-1935-II.jpg)
While not widely reported on in the west, the Soviet Union built many airships during this era, some were even at the cutting edge of technology, such as 54.126 otherwise known as Comrade Airship.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_001.jpg.html)
Launched in 1930, Comrade Airship was hoped to be a solution to the vast distances of the Soviet Union which would enable Communist Party elite to travel quickly and safely anywhere in the vast Workers' Paradise.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_003.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_004.jpg.html)
An immense crowd watched Comrade Airship ascend on its inaugural flight. Even General Secretary Stalin was in attendance.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_002.jpg.html)
Comrade Airship continued to thrill passengers and crowds alike as it spent the next six years ferrying the Party's chosen few around the country. Then came that fateful day in August, 1936. The Peoples' Commissar for Creampuffs was going to the ribbon cutting for Peoples' Pastry Bakery #206 in Omnibirsk Oblast. He eagerly awaited departure aboard the huge airship.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/MooreasPCC.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/MooreasPCC.jpg.html)
Weighing in at over 300 kilos, the Creampuff Commissar was a larger-than-life figure in more ways than one. Despite throwing every bit of ballast and loose cargo overboard, the crew could not get Comrade Airship airborne until the Creampuff Commissar left in frustration. To add insult to injury, the moment he stepped out of the gondola, the airship shot skyward like a bullet. The crew would regain control, but the writing was on the wall for Comrade Airship.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_005.jpg.html)
After a quick call to Comrade Stalin, Comrade Airship was no more. A wrecking crew led by armed NKVD security troops invaded the air dock and dismantled poor 54.126. The parts were then hauled away as scrap.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_007.jpg.html)
Nothing exists of Comrade Airship today except for one grainy poster (used as packing in a gift of borscht sent to FDR at Yalta) and this children's model. Opinions of historians on the subject of Comrade Airship are mixed.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/Archie.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/Archie.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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I began this back in July and then it stalled out. Thanks to all of your help here (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3392.0), I was finally able to finish this project.
It all started with some submarine hulls Mr Jeff Fontaine generously sent me a while back. There were a couple of things I needed to fix. One was this bit of piping that ran all the way along one side of the hull. I decided to add another similar length on the other side which would end out being windows for the passengers.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_01.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_02.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_03.jpg.html)
There were also a few gaps I covered with bits of sheet to make cargo doors. A lone shell collector from a 1/72 P-36 was used as the gondola.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_07.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_07.jpg.html)
A little bit of Putty-Sand-Repeat was used to cover up more of the engraved sub features.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_06.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_06.jpg.html)
The fins and rudders were cut from card stock. I wanted to do something a little different, so I cut them in what I hope look like 1930s advanced, streamlined shapes.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fins.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fins.jpg.html)
The tip of a 1/144 drop tank replaced the sub prop on the tail.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fin_detail.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_fin_detail.jpg.html)
So here things sat until I got your input.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_04.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_04.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_08.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_08.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_09.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_09.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_05.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_build_05.jpg.html)
Your response to my plea for help got me inspired and a few days later, Comrade Airship was completed.
I had some markings left over from a 1/72 I-1 monoplane which seemed perfect. I also scrounged up some Cyrillic text (which probably translates as "No Step") that were a nice compliment.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_01.jpg.html)
Of course, it had to have a big red star on the nose.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_nose_02.jpg.html)
The windows were made with thin black stripe decals that I went back over and lined with gray paint.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_under.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_under.jpg.html)
The prop discs were cut from clear plastic and the other red stars, codes and the stripes were from spare decals.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_008.jpg.html)
Thanks again to Jeff for sending me the sub hulls and to the rest of you for your great ideas!
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Rodina%20Airship/RA_final_006.jpg.html)
I couldn't have done it without you!
Brian da Basher
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I also scrounged up some Cyrillic text (which probably translates as "No Step") that were a nice compliment.
УЧЕБНАЯ ?
According to Google translate, it means TRAINING (although some fine points of grammar or semantics may well be lost in googleations)
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Very nice, Brian! Well done!
Cheers,
Logan
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Nice one Brian!
(I think the Russian says "tasty hot dogs", personally..... ;) )
It's ironic you using these submarine hulls as airships, because the first "tubular" nuclear submarine hulls were actually based on airship shapes: it was the only body of fluid dynamics research available for bodies of suitable size and shape.
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Brian, I am always glad that the parts I send to you manage to be turned into such excellent little works of art. The finished model sporting all of those red stars is very nice and just reinforces the statement that one modeler's extra parts and pieces can become another modeler's incredible model project.
I have a few more 1:350th scale submarine hull halves set aside for you that were extra parts from a couple of the same USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) Class boats that I know will receive similar treatment in your very capable hands.
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:)
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looks great. will have to give that a try for some airships myself.
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looks great. will have to give that a try for some airships myself.
The HobbyBoss 1:350th scale USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) Class kit (http://www.hobbyboss.com/a/en/product/ship/1_350/2012/0302/826.html) comes with two upper hull halves so you can build the model with or without the Tomahawk launch tubes in the bow section. It was a nice feature that left me with a couple of surplus upper hull sections for the Flt I/II boats that I certainly did not need. So knowing that Brian likes airships and they do look like submarines out of the water it was easy enough to figure out where the spare parts should go.
In order to emulate what Brian has created you have the option of acquiring one kit to create your airship and have an extra hull section for a waterline model of a submarine or you can get two of the kits and make two submarine models and one airship :)
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Iz good !! :)) DA!! ;D
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That turned out really nice Brian!
Even if it is a damn dirty commie airship.:P
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Extra Vodka rations for you comrade! Great job!!!! 8)
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In Soviet Russian, you lift airship!
Awesome work Comrade Brianski!
Alvis 3.1
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Beautiful, Brian. I'd love to see you do it again, but in PaRR markings like their maroon GG1's.
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Brian - your sovietski airship in all its glory be the envy of western capitalists.
Is so sleek. Another fine build comrade. Sorry to read of its politically instilled fate.
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Fantastic stuff.
In fact this build inspired me to buy the 1/720 Graf Zeppelin kit at the local Swap and Sell yesterday.
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Great work on that airship, Brian!
That dieselpunk kind of look is just "spot on"!
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Beautiful mate, just beautiful !! :) :)
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That's an awesome looking Airship, Comrade! I didn't realize that the fins were scratchbuilt - they look terrific.
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Xорошая работа товарищ! Hашa партиa очень счастливaя :)
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Xорошая работа товарищ! Hашa партиa очень счастливaя :)
Большое спасибо, товарищ! Рад, что вам понравилось!
Brian da Basherski
Народов Дирижабль комитета
(Peoples' Airship Committee)
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Is beautiful job, Comrade Basher!
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Hey Brian! Seen these? Potential airship shapes from RC scale drop tanks.....
http://www.scaleflying.com/Drop-Tanks-_p_1894.html (http://www.scaleflying.com/Drop-Tanks-_p_1894.html)
http://www.scaleflying.com/Drop-Tanks-_p_1893.html (http://www.scaleflying.com/Drop-Tanks-_p_1893.html)
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Many thanks, Weaver! Those would be perfect for model airships. I didn't know they made RC scale drop tanks.
Brian da Basher
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You're welcome. I found quite a few, some of which were breathtakingly expensive, but those seemed very reasonable, bearing in mind of course that they're vac-forms.
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I know it's the wrong type of "ship" but I keep hearing the opening theme to "Hunt For Red October" when I see this. Good job, Brian!
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Hi Brian, you did it again. Just a perfect model with only a spare drop tank. Certainly your best tool is your imagination.
Five stars! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Belated congratulations. :)
It is nice to see an airship with hundreds of passengers at last...