Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on October 24, 2012, 07:51:04 AM

Title: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 24, 2012, 07:51:04 AM: We all have "Holy Grail" kits. Usually they're hard to find items that we covet like misers when we finally get our hands on them.

I went on vacation this past July. Unfortunately, my flight arrived late:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/B29underwraps.jpg)

Anyway, when I was at Skyway Hobbies this summer

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/SkywaySign.jpg)

visiting Emil the Enabler

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/EmiltheEnabler.jpg)

(everyone wave hi!)

And these dubious characters:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/BillJeffRobert.jpg)

I finally found one of my "Holy Grails" and for less than $10!

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/airfix-whirlwind-boxtop.jpg)

The 1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind! I've wanted one of these since I was a kid and never had one until now! I always thought the Whirlwind was a sleek, sexy looking airplane.

Mine, however, will be a little different...

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose01.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose04.jpg)

Starting with a new nose:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose02.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose03.jpg)

This took me a couple hours' work. I used half of a left-over Walrus engine nacelle for the bottom.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose05.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newnose06.jpg)

I'm also going to try to add a different canopy. This one's a vacform Zero canopy. I think I might have a 1 in 3 chance of making it work.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/newcanopy.jpg)

I sure hope they don't kick me out of the Airfix Modellers' Club for this.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/airfixmodellersclub.jpg)

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Doom! on October 24, 2012, 07:55:24 AM: Ah, the begginings of something wonderful. :)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: ed s on October 24, 2012, 08:02:27 AM: Interesting. I have one of those kits in my stash, I found a year or so ago. Haven't decided what to do with it yet. I'm looking forward to some inspiration here.

Ed
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: kitnut617 on October 24, 2012, 08:39:56 AM: It's a great little kit, even built OOB Brian -- :P

Mine was built some time ago and recently I got hold of the Special Hobby (or was it MPM, or --- ) offering, the one with the 37mm cannon in the nose.

Anyway, I'm going to watch this one closely --- ;)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: finsrin on October 24, 2012, 09:05:38 AM: Bought one yesterday. Reported with others in oopps!!! thread.
Will be watching for progress posts.
Should we all be thinking triplane ?
Should we all be thinking spats ?
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: TerryCampion on October 24, 2012, 08:02:32 PM: Oh the visions I'm having right now.... :icon_fsm:
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Mark Aldrich on October 24, 2012, 08:37:14 PM: Liking it so far and I know most of those guys!!!!!
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Frank3k on October 25, 2012, 12:56:41 AM: Wow, this is going to look good, Brian. This kit is rare? I have the exact same boxing kicking around somewhere, if I didn't give it away.
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 25, 2012, 02:22:36 AM: Quote from: Brian da Basher on October 24, 2012, 07:51:04 AM

And these dubious characters:

([url]http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/BillJeffRobert.jpg[/url])

Very dubious indeed... ;)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: taiidantomcat on October 25, 2012, 02:31:52 AM: Good concept!
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: kitnut617 on October 25, 2012, 03:45:24 AM: Quote from: GTX_Admin on October 25, 2012, 02:22:36 AM
Quote from: Brian da Basher on October 24, 2012, 07:51:04 AM

And these dubious characters:

([url]http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Seattle%20July%202012/BillJeffRobert.jpg[/url])

Very dubious indeed... ;)

Hey! I resemble that remark ----- :P
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: sotoolslinger on October 25, 2012, 04:40:08 AM: See what happens when you hang out with a bunch o weirdos :) ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: apophenia on October 25, 2012, 05:06:54 AM: I love the idea of single-engined Whirlwinds. But, knowing BdB, this'll be a trimotor ;D
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 25, 2012, 05:55:05 PM: Quote from: apophenia on October 25, 2012, 05:06:54 AM
I love the idea of single-engined Whirlwinds. But, knowing BdB, this'll be a trimotor ;D

With spats!
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Dr. YoKai on October 26, 2012, 01:20:41 AM: and gas!

I remember building one of those when I was in High School. ( and mastadons roamed the plains )
Nice kit of a wonderful plane.
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Tophe on October 26, 2012, 01:34:36 AM: Quote from: apophenia on October 25, 2012, 05:06:54 AM
I love the idea of single-engined Whirlwinds. But, knowing BdB, this'll be a trimotor ;D
No, no, no! Let's be serious: Whirlwinds are twin-engine aircraft, no matter what their nose look like...
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 26, 2012, 06:23:53 AM: That's a great idea and I wish I'd thought of it, Tophe!

Your concept is like an improved version of the Blohm & Voss BV 141 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blohm_%26_Voss_BV_141).

Well, I'm almost done. Just about to get working on the decals. Here's a taste of what the camo scheme is like:

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/leftwing.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/rightwing.jpg)

The decals are older than most of my co-workers. Keep your fingers crossed.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: apophenia on October 26, 2012, 11:05:39 AM: Liking the camo :)

Quote from: Tophe on October 26, 2012, 01:34:36 AM
No, no, no! Let's be serious: Whirlwinds are twin-engine aircraft, no matter what their nose look like...
[/quote]

Bah! How about two engines on the port wing, one in the nose. Like I said, a trimotor ;D
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Tophe on October 26, 2012, 11:52:10 AM: ;) ;) Good ideas, Brian will decide what to do...
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 27, 2012, 02:53:47 AM: The years between 1920-1935 could rightfully be called the era of the tri-motor. Many famous three-engine designs took flight during this time, including the Fokker tri-motor, the Ford tri-motor, the Ju-52 and the S.M-79 among others.

Some thought three engines to be optimal, offering both greater power and safety, but it was far from a panacea as would be proven by the Twistland Aero Co. when they attempted to fulfill Air Ministry requirement NF 23/32 in 1932. Their prototype was indeed very striking in appearance.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_001.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_002.jpg)

The R.A.F. was practically salivating at the thought of wings of tri-motored night fighters able to defend British skies against any incursion. A small production batch of 3 Twistland Twirlwinds were ordered right off the drawing board.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_003.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_004.jpg)

Painted in a special NCRS or Night Camo Research Scheme called "Knickers" by ground crew, the new Twirlwinds certainly looked capable.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_uppers.jpg)

Armed with four 20 m.m. canon, they were also well equipped to meet any foe.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_005.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_006.jpg)

On the night of July 31st, 1934, the Twirlwinds were given an opportunity to prove their value. An unknown aircraft was spotted headed towards London.

Unfortunately the new tri-motor night fighter was unable to catch the off-course Andorran research balloon. While the Twirlwind struggled to reach altitude, the Andorran balloon drifted majestically over St. Paul's Cathedral, completely unmolested by the R.A.F.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/StPaulsatnightwithballoonBTS.jpg)

In what would be known as the Andorran Incident, heads rolled at the Air Ministry and the Twistland Aero Co. went into receivership, their Twirlwind utterly and thankfully forgotten.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Twirlwind/Twirlwind_007.jpg)

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: kitnut617 on October 27, 2012, 03:19:20 AM: Bulls-eye !! great stuff Brian :)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 27, 2012, 04:33:48 AM: :)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Tophe on October 27, 2012, 07:25:46 AM: Wonderful! I like the 1932-like canopy too... :-*
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: deathjester on October 27, 2012, 08:04:04 AM: Wonderful work mate! And I can see one more problem / distinguishing feature with it: The fact that all Twirlwind pilots have enormously overdeveloped left legs, due to cancelling out the massive torque from those engines (all the props look like they turn the same way!)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: ed s on October 27, 2012, 08:20:59 AM: Bravo! Another brilliant model and story.

Ed
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: apophenia on October 27, 2012, 10:56:01 AM: And I thought I was teasing about it becoming a trimotor ;D

Great concept, backstory, and build Brian :) The RAF may have been glad to see the back of the Twirlwind but maybe they should have kept the 'Knickers' night camo?
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: finsrin on October 27, 2012, 01:30:21 PM: Whatz to say but all the above three times. :) :) :)
Plus I'm thinking "climb rate" is zoom, zoom, zoom.
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 27, 2012, 01:45:30 PM: Thanks for your comments, gents! It was a very fun project.

Quote from: finsrin on October 27, 2012, 01:30:21 PM
Whatz to say but all the above three times. :) :) :)
Plus I'm thinking "climb rate" is zoom, zoom, zoom.

Unfortunately, due to the weight and stickiness of the Bolls-Boyce Wintergreen engines, climbing was a bit of a problem which is why the Twirlwind wasn't able to intercept the balloon.

Brian da Basher

P.S. This model is proof of the lengths I'll go to to save a nice bubble canopy for the spares box!
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: finsrin on October 27, 2012, 02:00:59 PM: oooh! Of course, had those BB Wintergreen engines. I understand.
Be fascinating watch race between Twirlwind and Slowy Jet.
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 27, 2012, 04:50:03 PM: Quote from: finsrin on October 27, 2012, 02:00:59 PM
oooh! Of course, had those BB Wintergreen engines. I understand.
Be fascinating watch race between Twirlwind and Slowy Jet.

My money's on the Slowy Jet for the win!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: The Big Gimper on October 27, 2012, 08:11:37 PM: Just catching up here Brian. Awesome job. :)
Title: Re: Butchering a "Holy Grail" Airfix kit in 1/72 scale
Post by: Diavel on October 28, 2012, 03:33:51 AM: Excellent build Brian, if only the twirlwind went as good as it looked, it would have poked the Luftwaffe in the eye during ww2.
chris