Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Dr. YoKai on March 10, 2014, 03:33:40 AM

Title: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Dr. YoKai on March 10, 2014, 03:33:40 AM: Something I had been wanting to try since I saw an excellent photoshop on Hyperscale.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/13040401275_0e0f772723_c.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/13040764094_5dd9db40b3_c.jpg)

Here's the inspiration: Charles Knell's
F. Mk V (http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/singleseatfireflyck_1.htm)

I can't really add anything to Mr. Knell's excellent speculation. It probably would have been a better bet than the Firebrand, though I do wonder about the 'aircraft in the Seafire class' assertion...Even with the second seater
and equipment removed, the Firefly would have still been a bit heftier, methinks. The build is the venerable,
but quite nice Airfix kit that I picked up at a show for about five bucks three or four years back. I misplaced
the kit decals, so used a some from an old Heller Tempest V...I may go back and re-do the whole paint at
some point - I really didn't have anything suitable for the underwing roundels...so it doesn't have 'em. :-[
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: kitnut617 on March 10, 2014, 04:23:41 AM: Hmm! I like that -- :)
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 10, 2014, 04:58:32 AM: :)
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on March 10, 2014, 05:23:54 AM: Very nice Firefly you have created out of that Airfix kit. A single place Firefly is one of those things that I often wondered about why it was never pursued in real life.
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Volkodav on March 10, 2014, 05:28:51 AM: Beautiful work, that really re-imagines the flight deck of a post war RN Light Fleet Carrier!
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: The Big Gimper on March 10, 2014, 06:55:50 AM: Beautiful work Dr. Y.

I'm going to check the Canadian archives and see if the RCN flew this model of the Firefly. ;)
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 10, 2014, 07:56:20 AM: Absolutely wonderful, Doc! The paint looks great to me! You really have a nice take on the classic RN scheme.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: FAAMAN on March 10, 2014, 11:54:41 AM: I could've sworn I worked on one of these at the museum at Albatross back in the 1980's!! :D
Brilliant Whiff mate!! 8)
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Rickshaw on March 10, 2014, 02:10:51 PM: Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on March 10, 2014, 05:23:54 AM
Very nice Firefly you have created out of that Airfix kit. A single place Firefly is one of those things that I often wondered about why it was never pursued in real life.

His link indirectly supplied the answer - the Sea Fury removed the need. The Firefly was quite a able dogfighter, accounting IIRC for several Japanese fighters over Borneo when the RN Pacific Fleet visited in early 1945 on their way to Australia and thence north to Japanese waters. That was of course the twin-seater so one can only imagine an up-powered and lighter aircraft would have been quite manoeuvrable.
Title: Re: Firefly F. Mk VI
Post by: Dr. YoKai on March 11, 2014, 10:02:48 AM: Thanks for the kind words, friends - Its not the sort of build I do too often, but its just one of those whifs that just 'looks right'.