Martin Marlborough

[The Rat]

In the mid 1950s it was becoming apparent to the Government of Canada that the longest coastline in the world was seriously undefended and under-patrolled, and purchasing the aircraft to fulfil the role of maritime patrol necessitated either a large quantity or something with the ability to cover more area in less time.



A delegation was sent to the United States to investigate the newly developed Martin Seamaster, which had the virtue of a high-speed jet combined with the versatility of a flying boat. Studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of using the Orenda Iroquois in place of the P&W J75, and when these yielded favourable results the decision was made to purchase seven of the aircraft, four being used by the RCAF and three by the Coast Guard.



A substantial portion of the wings and tail were built at the Avro facility near Toronto, and various other subsystems by Canadair in Montreal. Martin also retained these manufacturers as sub-contractors once the aircraft had reached successful sales levels around the world, and in all a total of 87 units were produced, with 43 of them utilizing the Iroquois option.



Those in service in Canada were given the name Marlborough, and served for almost forty years. The airframes are currently in storage and may be converted into firebombers by the Government of British Columbia.

[Jschmus]

SWEEET!!!

Are you entering this in the "Floaty Things" GB?

[The Rat]

The Build

This is one bear of a kit. There are huge gaps between the wing and fuselage that have to be filled, raised decal placement markings that need to be sanded off, and a canopy that refused to fit properly even after assorted sandings, filings, and scrapings. To make matters worse I ran into some trouble with the red paint, Model Master Guards Red from a rattle can, and up close it doesn't look very smooth [/understatement]. But I wasn't up to stripping it down and starting over, I just wanted to get the thing finished. The white was also, predictably, a pain, but after a gazillion coats it finally seems almost nearly kind of in a way acceptable. The black edge to the white band was added with a fine tip Sharpie marker. Canadian Coast Guard fans will notice that I placed the white stripe ahead of the wing rather than the more traditional place behind it. I reasoned that the pronounced sweep of the wing would bury the stripe, so I moved it to make it more prominent, which is exactly what the CCG would have done (if I were running them...)

The decals were courtesy of Todd 'Captain Canada' Pomerleau (again), and I managed to stuff a couple up which is why the starboard side is off-limits for viewing. I didn't bother getting registration numbers, as trying to find some would add even more time that I didn't want to spend.

Would I tackle another? Certainly, I invented a lot of new words during this project and I want to see if I can refrain from using them next time. If I could get some more CCG decals I would even redo this concept and hope to get it right, I like the overall look as long as I don't look closely. I believe our very own Shasper/Vesper/Bud is working on the same kit, I wish him luck.

[The Rat]

SWEEET!!!

Are you entering this in the "Floaty Things" GB?

Nah, it was already almost done by the time the GB started. Thanks for the comment!

[kitnut617]

That's brilliant Rat, wonderful job and it certainly looks just right in those colours 

[Dork the kit slayer]

Nice version of a  real classic kit. One observation:I think she will look more "the part" if you paint the cockpit framing rather than have a "wrapround windshield".
As they say "its your kit" what ever floats yer boat.

[The Rat]

One observation:I think she will look more "the part" if you paint the cockpit framing rather than have a "wrapround windshield".

Yeah, I'll probably get around to that soon. Couldn't face it today.

[JayBee]

Is this the old Revel kit?

[Sisko]

Yes it is the old fit the box scale Revell kit and what a dog it is to build. Everything he says is true.

Anybody who builds that kit and finishes deserves a toast!!!!

It is one of the most challanging kits I have ever completed!

And you did a great job on the finish.

[cthulhu77]

It needs it's own word : BEAUTIMOUS !!!!!  Great work.   

[Captain Canada]

Wow....what a stunner ! Love the way it looks all red like that, it really sets off the jet nozzles. Just imagine that thing blasting across the ocean at you, spewing fire and smoke !

[kitnut617]

Yes it is the old fit the box scale Revell kit and what a dog it is to build. Everything he says is true.

Anybody who builds that kit and finishes deserves a toast!!!!

It is one of the most challanging kits I have ever completed!

And you did a great job on the finish.

I thought Dave was using the 1/72 Anigrand kit     or is that someone else on the forum ?

[Tophe]

congratulations...

[Doc Yo]

 I started one of those in the last century, and yes, its very much of its time...it sat idle until the group-build started, and now, well, I used a lot more putty than I would have finishing it in a conventional fashion. I hope
to have pictures before the end of the GB, but my current photographic connection is proving a bit unreliable...

Striking and beautiful build, Rat! I especially like the bit about them going on to the Fire-bombing trade.

[Mossie]

But don't let that stop you!