Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: The Rat on March 30, 2020, 06:21:49 AM
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Thought I had already started a thread on this. Oh well, better late than never. The Matchbox Wellesley is being turned into what the title said. One bomb pannier has been crudely opened up and a depth charge added. Obviously some touch-up still required.
(https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91310847_10159247349488132_8731574611898007552_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=n10DmbA4ewcAX-QEbVS&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-1.fna&oh=9ae5a66a2bb2a780bb004c7a446ae8fa&oe=5EA83916)
The squadron codes were white, so in my universe (Abandon hope all ye who enter here) the normal placement of the upper surface grey has been moved down to the lower part of the fuselage, otherwise they wouldn't stand out.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91084067_10159233985283132_1982162080374980608_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=5zDXaCe8Xs8AX8LmDs7&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=836480257145476f4cb06be22c23b3e3&oe=5EA3E8DD)
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Good of you to post and keep posting WIP pics. Like following builds.
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What a cool Whiff 8) 8) 8)
I'll wait expectantly for the finished product :smiley: :smiley:
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Outstanding! :smiley: I have long had the same basic idea. Can't wait to see the outcome.
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Sounds like a wonderful use for the ol' Wellesley!
I like the look of it already!
Brian da Basher
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Always liked the Wellesley and an ASW application would suit it's long rage really well. A late war application could use a centimetric radar under one wing and a Leigh Light under the other.
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Are you going with the regular engine cowling or the Long-Range one?
Chris
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Are you going with the regular engine cowling or the Long-Range one?
Chris
Long range, with the Pegasus XXII engine.
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Starting to hang some ordnance
(https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92648501_10159291550573132_8851803073069187072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=c7JVDE71_kgAX8opkyu&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=67522ecd595d06d3e7101a94b9df2b31&oe=5EB3FE6D)
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Are you going with the regular engine cowling or the Long-Range one?
Chris
OOPS! No, my mistake, I had my mind on the Fairey Battle I'm converting. The nose is already on this one, and I'm not going to pry it off to put the Pegasus XXII cowling and nose fairing on.
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Starting to hang some ordnance
([url]https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92648501_10159291550573132_8851803073069187072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=c7JVDE71_kgAX8opkyu&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=67522ecd595d06d3e7101a94b9df2b31&oe=5EB3FE6D[/url])
Hmmm...that view makes me wonder about re-visiting the idea of a glass nose and then a Bristol Pegasus on each wing in minimalistic nacelles a bit like this:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/Vickers_Wellesley_zpsc148c362.png)
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BTW, are you sure this idea is a whiff....
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4363/35691168014_6a539f019e_c.jpg)
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BTW, are you sure this idea is a whiff....
Yep, the RAAF makes it so! The RAF did use some in the ASW role in the Indian Ocean, that picture may involve one of them, or a test.
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Hmmm...that view makes me wonder about re-visiting the idea of a glass nose and then a Bristol Pegasus on each wing ...
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg11302#msg11302 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg11302#msg11302) ;)
And then, of course, there's always a trimotor possibility ;D
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg11593#msg11593 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg11593#msg11593)
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(https://scontent.fymy1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92781345_10159300250003132_6336922579630030848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=OWagfYqAKBMAX8uc8q0&_nc_ht=scontent.fymy1-2.fna&oh=d541653a31f144d7e68520f2eaec57db&oe=5EB51527)
After the successful flight of the three Vickers Wellesleys of the RAF Long Range Development Unit from Egypt to Australia, the Royal Australian Air Force was sufficiently impressed with the type to order six examples. These were pressed into service as long range maritime patrol aircraft, with an armament of one torpedo slung under the fuselage, and one depth charge in each underwing bomb pannier. These could be replaced with 6 x 100lb bombs, or a combination. of one depth charge in one pannier and the bombs in another. The wing walkways were delineated with red lines rather than the 'bootprints' of the British versions. Colours were dark grey top and white on bottom, repeated on the bomb panniers.
(https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92862280_10159300250668132_7092266666817486848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=ILQmeO2hFawAX8X30xl&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-1.fna&oh=2ec2471d1a93aacce51fc1a5a8f423d5&oe=5EB632C3)
At the outset of the war they had few encounters with German shipping, but did claim two merchant vessels destroyed and engaged at least one submarine, with no confirmation of
sinking. Their use was noticed by the RAF which used their last Wellesley Squadron, number 47, in the maritime reconnaissance role over the Red Sea until September 1942. By the start of the war in the Pacific they had been withdrawn from front-line use, with the Lockheed Hudson supplanting them in the role.
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92921468_10159300251148132_5942190784202670080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=QVvDVSZdCTAAX8qdIA_&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=a757664d1bc7e209a34fd4bcaa3d4b9b&oe=5EB453A9)
(https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92704926_10159300251743132_7922849544419672064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=2eBXLYs2KgcAX_-d-08&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-1.fna&oh=25258883e13d33529e1690ecb9bcf21a&oe=5EB706A4)
(https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93246065_10159300252463132_4411787546002980864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=PneWnKlbMVkAX-cKZz2&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-1.fna&oh=2c33868e512d192777898a1bbbd16da4&oe=5EB56BD3)
It goes without saying that this is the Matchbox pressing, the only injection molded kit of this type, and one which Revell might be wise to reissue. The kit has its faults, but the subject has appeal to those with a taste for the esoteric, and although its wartime role was not as storied as other British aircraft, it did play a significant role in Africa, and should be more widely known than it is.
The model is a great base for whiffery, and in the hands of someone with more skill than me (Translation: almost anyone!), it could be turned into a show-stopper. The main faults are a simple interior, shallow wheel wells, and the infamous Matchbox trenches. The gear arrangement is a bit fiddly, and younger modelers may have trouble with it, but it will hone their skills.
The torpedo and mounting racks came from the Matchbox Beaufighter, and the depth charge was cobbled together from a spare bomb, I just carved the pointed nose off and substituted a piece of plastic for the typical flat end of those weapons. Carving open the bomb pannier was not all that difficult if one has patience, but internal detail is lacking. It would be really nice to see an after-market product available for these. Grey was Tamiya XF-54, white was Tamiya XF-2. Decals came from the old Airfix B-25. Might add an aerial wire some day, but it's not a priority.
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:smiley:
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Very nicely done 8) 8) 8) 8)
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@The Rat - Good to see this finished and the pannier dilemma decided.
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:smiley: :smiley:
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Very nice! :smiley:
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That's nice! Really nice! 8) :smiley:
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Such a big pannier for such a small bomb :smiley:
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Love the look, top job!
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Awesome build Dave!
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Very Nice
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Thank you, gentlemen!
Such a big pannier for such a small bomb :smiley:
Yeah, it does look like a 'pimple on a drum', as my mother would have said. But the reasoning is that the aircraft is already set up to have bomb panniers, and modifying it to a different style of underwing hard point wasn't in the cards, so the depth charge itself was modified to hang on the shackles in the pannier. Might put that in a revised back story.
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Great job! The plane itself is so ugly it’s almost French.
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Great job! The plane itself is so ugly it’s almost French.
Then you're going to love what will be appearing soon! ;)
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Great job! The plane itself is so ugly it’s almost French.
Then you're going to love what will be appearing soon! ;)
So the panniers will soon be carrying baguettes? :smiley:
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A string of onion bombs surely. !
Nice build and back story.
Mog
>^-.-^<
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That finished up a real stunner, Rat!
Looks like it was made for the role.
Well done!
Brian da Basher
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With so much wing span looks kit-bashed. Finished well, has lot of Wellesley character. :smiley:
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So the panniers will soon be carrying baguettes? :smiley:
No, but they're been written into the back story for my next finished project. ;)
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Beautiful job with a plausible backstory - Bravo!!