What's on the workbench!

[Captain Canada]

Had to go google that as I'm unfamiliar with the numbers, but that's the Tracer I now know. The search came up with this http://thanlont.blogspot.ca/2011/12/grumman-comes-from-behind-to-win.html which I had never seen, the TB-2F. Click the link above the pic of it for another photo of the Vought design. Now I'm off to google that as well.

[McColm]

Been meaning to do a kitbash of the Tracer and Hawkeye, swapping over radars and engines. The what happened next.
I reckon that the Tracer radar could be fitted to a Lockheed Neptune and Avro Shackleton. As the Constellation had the Warning Star fitted, it could also carry the Tracer radar.
The Connie also lends itself to an MPA as a weapons bay could be fitted using B-29 parts from the Academy or Airfix and sonobuoy launch tubes. Extra weapons carried on pylons under the wings. Tanker project still waiting to be built with single tail fin instead of the triple layout.
.

[Captain Canada]

Nice ideas. I'd like to see a Connie  :tornado:bomber for sure.

[McColm]

Hi Guys,
I've attempted two Mach 2 builds the Br1150 Atlantic and the Valiant. Both fuselages had problems, as they didn't line up and the lack of clarity in the instructions doesn't help either.
There's a range of Convair 440 in 1/72 scale and so far I haven't been able to find any kit reviews, but the Whiffs Real World and in Whiffland intrigue me.
The engine changes to the Rolls-Royce Tynes and Allison Turboprops, plus other engines or a float plane version.
As I know very little of the kit quality, the wings could be salvaged to be used on the " From 4 to 2" topic which would save time instead of reducing the wing. Well thats the theory anyway.

Is it worthwhile to persist in this or is there another kit manufacturer?

[PR19_Kit]

Is it worthwhile to persist in this or is there another kit manufacturer?

For a 1/72 Convair 440?

I don't think so, there's a couple in 1/144, Welsh Models and Sasquatch, but the former is a vacform and the latter is RUBBISH! I have Sasquatch 540 in The Loft and it was advertised as 'new improved mouldings' and it would make a good C-46 maybe, the 440 is a lot worse! 

[McColm]

Thanks Kit.

[Captain Canada]

The Loft and it was advertised as 'new improved mouldings' and it would make a good C-46

LOl that's too funny ! Can you show us a pic or two ?

[PR19_Kit]

The Loft and it was advertised as 'new improved mouldings' and it would make a good C-46

LOl that's too funny ! Can you show us a pic or two ?

I'll see if I can dig it out from the VERY deep hole I filed it in.

[McColm]

I know I've brought this subject up before and various Whiffers gave their replies but I 've seen the derailing of some of the Short Sunderland models, where as the Boeing C-97s have an almost greenhouse effect cockpit.
On the Sunderland, the cockpit area and possibly an open side door. Whilst the C-97 has a loading ramp.
Same goes for the B-17, all that detailling and you can't see it.
Even the Revell A4000M in 1/72 and 1/144 scale, unless you just build one side of the fuselage and dont glue them together
The larger scales warrant detailing.
Another moan is interior seating, can't see that in an airliner either unless the cargo doors are open or it has a rear loading ramp. Must make the windows bigger or align the seats so they take up the window space. Probably why the Monogram 1/72 B-1B rear cockpit hidden-no side windows.
Brainwave!
Cut the side panel off to reveal the interior.

[PR19_Kit]

Yonks ago Revell did a couple of 1/144 airliners with removable sections in their fuselages so you could look inside and see the seats and galleys and stuff. I know they did a 747-200 and a Tri-Star for sure as I had both of them at various times, but there may have been more.

They command HUGE prices on the 2nd hand market these days though, not that they're anything special apart from the removable panels mind you. I may still have the Tri-Star somewhere and I was going to build it as the 2nd prototype which visited East Midlands in the mid-70s for the Rolls Royce staff to visit. I managed to blag my way on board it, thus my interest. 

[McColm]

Sounds like the making of a few Whiffs to my ears.
Gunships spring to mind or the internal details of the Nimrod. Revell have re released the EH-101 Merlin ASW, that has a few internal details in the "office" that I can recreate for the Nimrod. The Airfix Lifeboat is another option.

[Captain Canada]

You could go 'glass' like the Airfix Hovercraft.

[McColm]

The idea of building a scale model of the Lockheed Constitution has always eluded me. Yes there is the Anigrand 1/144 resin model, but what about something in 1/72. Not too sure if a vacform kit was released, as I haven't seen it advertised on line.
EBay has a lot of 1/144 Boeing 747s for sale and the R6V does have that Jumbo look about it. So here goes:
Use the lower half of a C-97 (cut the top off along the seam). Glue the fuselage halves together, depending on what kit the Boeing 747 is tape the fuselage halves together and place on top of the new fuselage. There's some trimming to do to get a good fit but the result should be worth it. Just means hiding the wing stubs as the 1/72 fuselage will have those in the kit.

Its a shame the USNavy didn't fit more powerful engines to the two Constitutions they had.

I'm sure once I've mastered this technique more Whiffs will follow.

I've found a photo of the Constitution parked next to a Constellation and Super Connie in Aeroplane Illustrated, Classic Airliners-Constellation pages 32-33.
It looks to me as though the Super Connie could be used as an upper deck on top of the Strato-thingy C-97.By cutting the tail section off the Connie and revolving it so it slopes downwards instead of upwards and adding the vertical tail from the C-97. This will need reshaping to blend in with the rear fuselage. May need a bit of filler on the nose section to also blend in. Another issue is the USNavy had round windows and the USAF square ones. The Airfix Super G has square windows whilst Heller has round windows. Might be able to find a Heller Super G on line.

There's a good photo of a Allison YT-56 turboprop engine fitted to 049-1961, as a test bed. Four of them would look good. The closest I got was the Turbo Dakota resin kit by Heritage Aviation Models Limited. These can be modified to take the T-56.

[McColm]

I was in Staines on Tuesday checking out the shops that sell model kits. Came across Hobby Craft and they have a limited range of Airfix and Revell kits.
Three large boxes caught my eye all Revell 1/144 scale, two were based on the Boeing 747; Air Force One and the Space Shuttle carrier and Space Shuttle. The third was the Spaceship II and Whiteknight II.
This looks like an ideal candidate for Whiffing. First thought- Floating Wing, or high altitude reccy aircraft
166mm x 297mm .
Seaplane/float plane.

[McColm]

I'm on the move again, for me to get a few documents signed off and to start whiffing again. As my paper driving licence fell apart , I need the photo card one and to go on a few courses. The plan is to become a bus or licenced mini cab driver. There are a lot of jobs around Heathrow for HGV and coach drivers. Been on the web and certain companies will train you to get the required qualifications needed. Been in the security industry since 1995 and I need a change.
On the restoration front, got a couple of small projects. But I'll need to rent out a workshop for larger or bulky items. Seems that there's a few auction houses around Staines. The idea is to buy furniture in need of some TLC and sell it on which I could do when I start earning a decent wage . I miss the sunlight and weekends off.