What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

I'm always recycling my builds, which I'm sure makes those of you that are trying to follow this blog frustrated.
Some it will come as no surprise when I tell you that the 1/72 Heller Lockheed
EC-121 which had the forward cockpit of an Airfix B-29 grafted to it has been replaced with the glazed section from the Academy  KC-97G and to fill in the major gaps the glazed parts of the B-29. The main undercarriage is also from the
KC-97G. With the nose wheel section now filled with lumps and bumps a tail wheel will be fitted.

[McColm]

I finally get around to building the 1/72 Lockheed 1/72 KC-121 tanker; donor kit is the Airfix Super Constellation.
As to the EC-97 AEW & C that's still on hold as the attack version of the C-97 might be a better option for the vacform kit.
As for the rest of my started builds, there's a sudden interest from other groups on Facebook.

[McColm]

The Martin SeaMaster AEW is taking too long to build, however I have a 1/72 Revell HP Victor in the stash. Well I'm going to use the wings on another build, so some of the leftovers will be used on the SeaMaster. Whilst the refueling parts will be added to the Celestial.

[Captain Canada]

McColm :I used nail wraps along the fuselage and poppy stickers elsewhere. It's not mine, 1/48 Airfix Hurricane.

[McColm]

McColm :I used nail wraps along the fuselage and poppy stickers elsewhere. It's not mine, 1/48 Airfix Hurricane.

Wow! I never noticed that my 1/72 Albatross was that good. Thanks Captain for putting the background scenery in.
The Hurricane looks good as well

[scooter]

That's a really purty Albatross

[McColm]

That's a really purty Albatross

Me thinks, that's one of Captain Canada's photos put up by mistake. Although I do have an 1/72 Albatross in my stash!

[McColm]

Having destroyed several 1/72 Airfix HS/BAe Nimrod and Hasegawa Lockheed P-3 Orion kits over the years, I have come up with a compromise.
Using the Nimrod fuselage mated to the wings of the Orion.
The wings are pushed right to the back of the fuselage and almost fit in the curve created by the removal of the Nimrod wings.
I've also done away with the part that represents the weapons bay rack/fuselage floor, fortunately for me the Nimrod was particularly built.
Yes there are gaps that can be filled in using the bomb bay doors or plastic card.
I'm going to use the Orion landing gear and the rotodome from the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye on this build.
I don't doubt that this has been built before, but I always put my own twist to whatever I build.
The parts are going on far too easy for my liking, could be an omen. Or I've chosen two really good models for kitbashing.
We shall see.

[McColm]

I've finally found a Mach2 kit where the two fuselage halves fit together without any gaps. I can't say the same for the rest of the parts but it's looking good for the SE 210 Caravelle I bought on eBay.
Having been disappointed with the previous 2 kits that ended up in the bin.
I'm considering AEW & C version, so I can use the seats for my Northrop Flying wing and perhaps a cargo door.
Kit is right the engines from the Airfix HS/BAe Nimrod are on the large side but are about the same length, as I have had problems in the past with fitting the Mach2 wings.
I'll have to see if the wings are as good as the rest of the other parts.

[TheChronicOne]

I'm amazed!!! 

[McColm]

I've somehow managed to get two 1/72 Consolidated PBY-5 Catalinas that were in RAF service during  WWII. The Mark IIA and the Mark IIIA.
I might just change the engines but the rest will be straight out of the box.

[McColm]

The bench is crowded with 7 started builds, in no particular order;

1) 1/72 Celestial
Two Airfix kits ,the HS/BAe Nimrod and the Avro Vulcan. PSR, continues in 20 minute sessions. I'm going to use decals for the Mach2 Sud Caravelle to recreate the fuselage windows, unless I find decals for the 1/72 Concorde.

2) Mystic
This remains in the ready for painting stage as I have a  sheet of polystyrene to use as the base. 1/72 Revell Dassault Breguet Atlantic anniversary decals.

3) Majestic
Based on the Mach2 Martin SeaMaster kit with the main landing gear from a AC-130 Hercules, V tail and Airfix Avro Vulcan cockpit section. Resin AEW radomes removed. BAe Nimrod engines, not too sure what this is supposed to be, but looks impressive!

4) Sentinel
1/144 Boeing 747 with 1/96 HP Victor wings. Ready for painting. Haven't worked out a colour scheme.

5) Nimion
1/72 Airfix BAe Nimrod fuselage with 1/72 Hasegawa Lockheed P-3 Orion wings.
Amazingly this works. I added a camera pallet from the Victor to fill a gap.

With the leftover parts from the Hasegawa P-3, I tried the BAe Nimrod wings but they don't fit. However the wings from the Airfix/Heller Lockheed Constellation do.

6) Connie Seaplane
I'm using a 1/72 Airfix Consolidated
PBY-5A Catalina with the Airfix Super G and B-29 wings. This combination also works. Still in the dry testing stage.

7) Eric the Viking
No real progress since the fitting of a tracked main landing gear.

Grumman Foxhound
Started this ages ago, 1/72 RVHP Greyhound fuselage with 4 turboprop engines from 2 Hawkeye kits. T-tail from the spares box.

9) Boeing PB-17F Seaplane AEW
Three Rolls-Royce Griffon engines, a pair of vacform floats and an AEW radome fitted to the bomb bay. PSR. Colour scheme black lower fuselage and undersides, brown and green topside.

10) Lockheed King Neptune
3 engined turboprops, Grumman E-1B teardrop radome. PSR.

11) Mach2 Super Frelon AEW
On going build.

12) Pelican AEW helicopter
1/72 Jolly Green Giant with Airfix SeaKing AEW parts. On going build.

[TheChronicOne]

Fantastic, bud!!! Tons of great stuff going on here and you have a right knack for naming these creations!


Tracked landing gear, ay???  Glorious! 

[McColm]

I got the idea from photos of the Blohm and Voss BV222 beaching gear.

[McColm]

My version of the Lockheed Constellation Starliner is based on the Airfix1/72 Super G.
It has had it's engines modified to take the Allison turboprops, I've abandoned the seaplane idea and gone for an early version of the KC-130 'Harvest Hawk' which combines the tanker with a bomber.
The bombs being carried on under-wing pylons and pylons attached to the lower fuselage.
The wings of the Airfix kit have been lengthened with sections from a Airfix
B-29.
I'm considering putting a cannon in the nose.