Antersley Aviation AN-2/6 Curlew

[Knightflyer]

Antersley Aviation had grown from small beginnings. As a sub-contractor for several of the big aviation concerns of Northern England it had it had progressed steadily. The war of course had seen further growth building parts for bombers, and the capabilities of the company set up by Arthur Antersley were respected. The post-war years saw a leaner period of time, but Antersley Aviation survived in the general aviation field, producing a steady stream of moderately successful designs that sold in moderately successful numbers.

When Harry Antersley took over from his father in 1950, he had big plans for the company that his father had built, and saw his chance towards the end of that same decade. He had spent some time in the United States, and was impressed by the recently launched Hercules transporter. Whilst he knew that something the size of the Hercules was beyond the capabilities his company, he also felt that a smaller two engine transport aircraft with some of the features of the Hercules was something that could take the company's fortunes to a new level.
So the Antersley AN-2/6 Curlew was born. It had some primitive looking features such as the rounded wing-tips and tail-planes, and the distinctive Antersley triangular fin was familiar to anyone who knew the companies earlier aircraft. However for modernity it did have the low floor and beaver tail of the Hercules to allow for ease of loading and that was its selling point when the RAF began to look for a new medium tactical transport.
The Curlew performed admirably in trails against the competing design from Avro, and was pronounced the winner. There were concerns about Antersley Aviation's capability to produce aircraft, but Harry had planned carefully and won his detractors over.
Curlews were a common sight in all parts of the world where-ever the RAF had a presence, and the Curlew served well as a little companion to the Lockheed Hercules when that aircraft was also purchased by the RAF

[chrisonord]

That looks very right in those colours, what kit did you use for it? Can't be an Amodel one as it would take you at least 5 years to get your head round it 
Chris.

[NARSES2]

Definitely works for me. Can see that in various European AF markings as well

[McColm]

Great work

[Knightflyer]

Thank-you Gentleman for you kind words

As I said this was a brief toe-dip into the 'murky'   world of kitbashing. I don't think I'll ever have the skill to emulate some of the wonders you see on this site, but I enjoyed the tentative step I made  

chrisonord the model is actually the Toko 1/288 scale version, and for comparsion, a picture of the pre-alteration model is below, with the 'finished' Curlew again for comparison

[Captain Canada]

Looks great like that !

[Cobra]

Awesome Build it looks like it belongs in the Thunderbirds Universe,with the Way it Looks! Any plans to build one as a World Air Force Transport or For Emergency Response Use? Keep up the Superb Work Dan

[Knightflyer]

Awesome Build Any plans to build one as a World Air Force Transport or For Emergency Response Use? Keep up the Superb Work Dan

Thanks for the very positive feedback Dan (how much do I owe you again?  ) As generally all my models end up with 'roundels' (specifically UK armed forces) it won't appear as a World Air Force Transport or For Emergency Response Use just yet, but feel free to take the basic idea yourself and run with it.

As for Antersley Aviation - I have the 1/288 An-32, An-71 and An-74 in the stash, so Antersley Aviation WILL fly again 

[b29r]

Very nice, and great concept, execution, and backstory.