Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: CSMO on April 08, 2017, 11:03:55 PM

Title: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: CSMO on April 08, 2017, 11:03:55 PM

In my Whiffer World, The disasters that doomed the U.S Navy's rigid airship program never happened.

In December, 1941, after Pearl Harbor, the great leviathans and their Sparrowhawk scout fighters are patrolling the Pacific coast of North America, searching for the Imperial Japanese Navy.


(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5016_zpsjjojwuti.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5016_zpsjjojwuti.jpg.html)

The Williams Brothers 1/32 kit is a real bugger due to all parts need cleanup and fettling. The motor and main gear are real pains-in-the-arse.


(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5011_zpspomk0ozn.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5011_zpspomk0ozn.jpg.html)

Construction is actually OOB.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5010_zpsr3oxpp11.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5010_zpsr3oxpp11.jpg.html)

I brush-painted it White Ensign Colorcoats USN early-war colors of Blue-Gray over Light Gray.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5014_zpshaqrfuxw.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5014_zpshaqrfuxw.jpg.html)

Markings are a mix of kit and  sparesbox decals.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5015_zps4krjoqh2.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5015_zps4krjoqh2.jpg.html)

I got the idea from reading Kevin Anderson's "Destroyermen" SF novels. Different elements from different periods and locations in history get time-warped into a different Earth that is populated with different species that all interact to make a very wild and wooly milieu.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5013_zpsrw9hxn3v.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5013_zpsrw9hxn3v.jpg.html)

Adios, Larry.

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on April 08, 2017, 11:43:01 PM

LTA Leads the way!  :)

Airships have always been a favorite with me.  Flaws and all.

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 09, 2017, 02:38:10 AM

Nice work

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: Brian da Basher on April 10, 2017, 06:45:57 AM

I really like your version of whiff world, Larry and the Sparrowhawk sure looks great in a 1941 scheme!

Kudos for your insights into the kit. I've got one lurking in the stash I might tackle one day.

Brian da Basher

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: finsrin on April 10, 2017, 01:49:09 PM

Nice - Sparrowhawk matches presumption well and looks good anyway. :)

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: jcf on April 11, 2017, 12:37:28 PM

Nice Larry.  :)

As to the landing gear, ya coulda left them off as it evidently it wasn't unusual to operate them
with the gear removed and a drop tank mounted, improved speed and range.
 ;D

See the last four photos in this Macon article:
https://news.usni.org/2015/08/19/photo-gallery-uss-macon-the-navys-last-flying-aircraft-carrier

Title: Re: Curtiss Sparrowhawk at War.
Post by: CSMO on April 12, 2017, 02:36:26 AM

I thought about no-gear and droptank, but then I'd have to stand mount it or build a space hog of a rig to mount a trapeze.

I think it looks good in its Blue Suede Shoes)spats). 

Adios, Larry.