Revell 1/72 Stearman RAF

Mossie · October 12, 2016, 07:27:11 AM

This one:

Dates back to the early sixties I think. Without taking a micrometer to it, it looks pretty good for it's age and a dry fit shows it goes together pretty well, not bad for a fifty-odd year old kit.

I had grand plans but the mojo's been off so I thought I'd start with something light. Plans are simple, paint it up in RAF early war trainer colours, the idea being that part of the BCATP was based in the UK for expediency and Stearmans were brought over to supplement the Tiggy and other types in use. The Stearman saw use with the RCAF in the BCATP so wore the same markings, the only real difference will be a smattering of camouflage over the yellow to get the cogs going.

Dizzyfugu · October 12, 2016, 07:52:53 AM

Reminds me that I have a couple of Peregrine engines somewhere (from an Airfix Whildwind) - I wonder how the Kaydet would look like with a British liquid-cooled engine?

Mossie · October 12, 2016, 08:46:05 AM

I did think about sticking a Ranger inline on it from an Airfix Grumman Widgeon, for a biplane PT-19 lookalike. I came to the conclusion they were too narrow for an aircraft designed for a radial, however the Ryan ST did use both types and dealt with it with a fattened fairing. I'll have a think about that again (probably won't as I want a quick build), but the peregrine engine seems like a nice idea, might be a little large for the Stearman though, unless you're planning something special???

kerick · October 12, 2016, 06:24:04 PM

I have an old Matchbox Swordfish in the stash. This makes me think of what a US Navy version would look like.

Your idea looks promising.

Mossie · October 12, 2016, 11:30:28 PM

Strangely enough that was another kit I looked at, with the idea of turning it into a monoplane, too much work for rhe current mojo.

A USN Swordfish would look strikeing, pre war or camouflaged. If you go with it I'll be following that one wholeheartedly!

dogsbody · October 13, 2016, 10:33:26 AM

Quote from: Mossie on October 12, 2016, 08:46:05 AM
I did think about sticking a Ranger inline on it from an Airfix Grumman Widgeon, for a biplane PT-19 lookalike. I came to the conclusion they were too narrow for an aircraft designed for a radial, however the Ryan ST did use both types and dealt with it with a fattened fairing. I'll have a think about that again (probably won't as I want a quick build), but the peregrine engine seems like a nice idea, might be a little large for the Stearman though, unless you're planning something special???

Perhaps a nice Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah?

Chris

Mossie · October 13, 2016, 02:15:26 PM

Sounds good, although the only kit I know of that I could source them from is the Airfix Anson and I don't have one. The cowl of the Anson might make for a nice difference.

TheChronicOne · October 13, 2016, 02:21:17 PM

This sounds cool!! I'll be happy to see it finished.

Mossie · October 21, 2016, 01:52:02 AM

I've got a bit more done on this, a lick of paint on the interior, I mixed my own version of US cockpit green, had a little trouble with it as the Vallejo paints weren't stable when mixed, but I used a little of their thinner medium and it helped bind them together.

I stuck the fuselage halves together last night, I was thinking about adding instrument panels but I just want to knock this together quick. Checked the fit of the lower wing (surprisingly good for a fifty year old kit, after a light sanding) and painted up the engine, which again, comes up quite nice for it's age.

I'd like to try rigging it, but I don't have anything suitable and again, I just want a quick and dirty build.

jcf · October 23, 2016, 07:26:02 PM

A variation on the Boeing 'Stearman' Model 75/PT-13/PT-17/N2S etc, an Argentine Model 76SD1 (armed-trainer seaplane export version of the Model 75 with 400hp P&W Wasp Jr.)

Mossie · October 24, 2016, 02:42:03 PM

That's nice John. I've got some S.6B floats that might work and it's got me wondering where I might pick up a suitable cowling for something similar.

jcf · October 26, 2016, 03:50:23 PM

Mod a Macchi C.200 cowling perhaps and use the R-985 from a Harvard for the engine?
The 14-cylinder A.74 was only slightly larger in diameter then the 9-cylinder Wasp Jr/R-985.

63cpe · October 27, 2016, 12:38:32 AM

This style cowling is also found on the Arado 196. Diameter of the cowling is slightly larger than the MC 200 cowling (if you want to I can measure both) and the model supplies the floats...as a plus it comes cheap as there are plenty around....

David

Dizzyfugu · October 27, 2016, 03:14:43 AM

A Hs 123 is another option. The Airfix kit is pretty cheap.