Introducing the Tulate Valeo!

seavixen · September 03, 2006, 09:03:06 AM

Brainchild of Swedish commercial pilot Bjorn Tulate, The Valeo was born out Tulate's love for flying and
in particular aerobatics. Using contacts he had made during his time in the Swedish military, Tulate managed to raise funding to build a one-off prototype Valeo and even managed to attract interest from the Swedish Air Force in whose markings it flew. First flown in 1946, it proved to be a demanding aircraft, totally unsuitable for aerobatic flying, much to Tulate's dismay. However, it was given a second lease of life, it's solid construction being perfect for use as a flying test-bed for Tulate's later project, a radical new lightweight propellor aero-engine.

Back in the real world, the kit is based on the archaic Airfix Aichi Val with engine and cowling from a Matchbox Heinkel He70, cockpit fairing from a spare droptank, prop, spinner and decals came from an Airfix Mosquito, the windscreen came from the spares box and the pilot's seat was made from milliput! To make the aircraft appear smaller, I plan to use a 1/48th scale pilot figure. The prop is still wet from painting and thus yet to be fitted!

Chap · September 03, 2006, 09:50:24 AM

seavixen,

That is absolutely fantastic!

I love the paint scheme. Very original, well done!

~Steve

seavixen · September 03, 2006, 10:02:27 AM

Cheers Steve!

Prop now fitted.

John Howling Mouse · September 03, 2006, 10:17:22 AM

Absolutely stunning: what a great eye-opener this would be amongst drab military airplanes!

Ahem, the obligatory comment on behalf of one Brian da Basher:

"Man those spats are sweet!

Have I mentioned that I just LOVE spats?!"

retro_seventies · September 03, 2006, 12:38:32 PM

love it - looks sturdy and shiny enough to be a solid resin desk model!

AeroplaneDriver · September 03, 2006, 01:08:53 PM

That sir is a thing of beauty.

Beautiful design superbly executed. I love it!

(and I'm not even that fond of spats)

lancer · September 03, 2006, 01:13:30 PM

That is superb Seavixen. You have created a beautiful aircraft

wolfik · September 03, 2006, 01:19:05 PM

oh yeah....thats oryginal!

the painting schema is great!

seavixen · September 03, 2006, 02:05:55 PM

Thanks people, your kind comments are deeply appreciated!

The Rat · September 03, 2006, 07:24:19 PM

That is definitely a 'must see'! FANTASTIC!!!

Can't believe nobody has commented on the name Bjorn Tulate yet.

seavixen · September 04, 2006, 01:05:37 AM

QuoteCan't believe nobody has commented on the name Bjorn Tulate yet.

B)

NARSES2 · September 04, 2006, 05:01:10 AM

That's some kit-bash and some scheme

Ian the Kiwi Herder · September 04, 2006, 11:03:02 AM

Sprechenloss !

Ian

Brian da Basher · September 04, 2006, 05:12:31 PM

Thank you for filling in for me in my absence Mr Howling Mouse.

Seavixen, this one is soooo wonderfully beautiful I am having trouble finding the words. This model demonstrates not only your amazing modelling skill and talent, but the ability of spats to enhance the coolness factor of any aircraft by 1000%!

Returning to see this sweet little spatted aircraft is a GREAT welcome home!

Did I mention that I love spats?

Brian da Basher

P.S. Loved the "Bjorn Tulate" backstory, too!

Sisko · September 04, 2006, 08:29:25 PM

Bloody well done there!!!

The best part about it is that you can't tell what kits "died" to make it.