What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Thanks for the info, what book is that? I've got to get a copy.
I was looking at the canopy glazing from the B-29/B-50. I think that there's a paint blanking glazing set in 1/48 scale.
There's an uncanny resemblance when you look at the Boeing Model 348 penned in April 1941 and the B-36, whereas the Model 385 has an six-engine tractor arrangement using four  blade propellers.

[NARSES2]

Thanks for the info, what book is that? I've got to get a copy.

Sandie references it "Magnesium Overcast" by Dennis R Jenkins. Not cheap

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781580070423/Magnesium-Overcast-Story-Convair-B-36-1580070426/plp

[McColm]

Thanks for the info, what book is that? I've got to get a copy.

Thanks
Sandie references it "Magnesium Overcast" by Dennis R Jenkins. Not cheap

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781580070423/Magnesium-Overcast-Story-Convair-B-36-1580070426/plp

[McColm]

Tuesday 21st August 2018

And now for something completely different, whilst doing my laundry.
We know that the RAF flew the Lockheed Neptune and they also flew the Avro Shackleton.
Combine the two and you get, well I tried this before and got in a right pickle.
All I've done so far is to change the wings on the 1/72 Hasegawa Lockheed P-2H
(P2V-7) Neptune kit number JS-082. As I noticed that the ailerons were missing.
The glazing minus one of the nose side windows have been glued in place. I will keep the vertical tail fin and horizontal tail wings from the kit.
I also removed the radome from under the fuselage.
Most of the interior parts will come from the Revell Avro Shackleton and spare parts bins.

Part 2. Avro P-45 Gryfin
The Gryfin sports the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2 cockpit seats and wings.
I blanked over the kit recess for the wings with half a Shackleton MR.3 fuel tank.
Work has been split between the Avro Carlton with four turboprop engines taken from two Grumman E-2 Hawkeye kits. I managed to find a vacform clear canopy that fits.
The main landing gear is now glued in place on the Boeing EC-97 Wyton AEW.1.

[McColm]

Wednesday 22nd August 2018

I have a copy of " American Secret Projects", fighters, bombers and attack aircraft, 1937 to 1945. Written by Tony Buttler and Alan Griffith. Crecy publishing limited.
On the front cover and on one of the inside pages is some concept artwork of the Convair tailless twin engine patrol aircraft that was proposed in 1943 as a contender to the Lockheed XP2V-1 Neptune.
This design is also featured in the book by Robert E.Bradley: Secret Projects from San Diego 1923-1962.
Although the proposal doesn't have a name/model  of reference prefix the use of the designation P5Y is doubtful.
All I have done is to remove the horizontal stabilizers from the 1/72 Heller Lockheed Constellation Super G and square the wingtips before gluing them on.
I might keep the vertical tail fin where it is and trim the stubs flush with the fuselage.
I've also moved the nose wheel to the rear.
I'm still going to keep the name 'Curtiss Starlight', as the lines from the Constellation have changed.
With the rear vertical tail fin removed this could make an interesting bomber project.

[McColm]

Thursday 23rd August 2018

With the arrival of the 1/72 pre-painted Monogram Convair RB/B-36H. I set to work on the engines. There was one part missing but fortunately I had a spare, so it solved that problem.
The right wing now has three facing engines. I haven't glued the propellers on and will leave that until the decals are applied.
I might put F.O.D. covers on the rear exhaust pipes.

[McColm]

Sunday 26th August 2018

As you know I have always wanted to build a jet powdered Avro Shackleton. After various attempts I think that I have cracked it by using the jet pods from the 1/72 Monogram Convair RB/B-36H kit.
These fit in the main landing gear wheel wells on the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2.
The Avro Shacklebolt differs from the model with the addition of a through weapons bay from the Airfix Avro Shackleton MR.2. There's a rear gun turret fitted where the retractable radar would have been housed. At the front a pair of cannon from the Hasegawa B-47E with the flat nose. The radar is located above the fuselage and the rear glazing blanked off with a ECM fairing.
For this build the landing gear will be stored as I have a suitable stand.

Getting back to the Convair B-36C Gunship. The new J57 turbojets have been adapted to fit the B-36 pylons.
I'm in the process of fitting a floor to the interior of the fuselage.

[McColm]

Monday 27th August 2018

I spent most of the day stripping down parts and working on two of my long term builds.
Both are in 1/72 scale;
The Grumman Albatross now has a pair of turbofan engines whilst the Heliplane is starting to get it's rotors put in place. It's a bit fiddly as I have glued the rotor head on to the shaft and one of the rotor arms is broken. It looks like the Heliplane has taken some ground fire and has been patched up in places.
I came across the 1/72 Roden An-12 BK Civil kit No.048. I also found some etched parts and a aftermarket tyre set.
I also found a Chinese 1/72 Xi'an JHU-6 which if memory serves me right is the
Tu-16 Badger. It looks like some of the parts are missing from the front fuselage half. It would make a great kitbash. What do you mean 'give it longer wings'!

Changed my mind about the B-36 Gunship as most of the parts will fit the An-12 better.
I'll build the modified B-36 and play around with some radar domes when it is almost completed.

[McColm]

Thursday 30th August 2018
The September issue of Aeroplane seems to have surpassed itself with an article on the BAC TSR2. There's quite a lot of whiffery but I think a lot of it has been discussed or built by fellow whiffers. Including the alternative aircraft and weapons.
Another article focuses on the Belverdere, with a final piece on the CL-44 used to ferry racing cars of the Formula 1 teams.
There might be an issue with finding Rolls-Royce engines as the 1/72 Breguet Br1150 kits are becoming a rare find which is pushing the prices up. However prices for the C-160 are steady. I'm tempted to replace the engines with T56's in a future build using the 1/72 Mach2 kit.

[McColm]

It's manic at work, I'm on the day shift for the next two weeks. I even did a double shift on Sunday night as the management couldn't get any agency cover.
This gives me a two day window at the end of the month to nip down to the Post Office.
I know what you are thinking, I work in Erith and Belverdere is just down the road so the Airfix Bristol Belverdere could be built over a weekend. I have the radar dustbin from the Airfix Sea King AEW in the stash. It's probably been built before but it would look good for the RAF Centenary GB. Or paint it yellow and add parts from the Sea King SAR kit. For reference I can use the photos from Aeroplane Monthly September 2018 pages 32 -39.

[TheChronicOne]

Blitz build??   

I'm big on airliners these days so I also noticed your flying wing idea and like that. You should do that one next or something.      I want to make a kitbash whif airline so bad but my "built schedule" won't allow for it for no telling how long so .. ... .... .....   

[McColm]

Friday 8th September 2018

The two Marx made in Hong Kong toy cars arrived today. One is beyond repair which would have made a good donor but everything is moulded, meaning the body doesn't separate from the chassis. Fortunately I used the wheels on the better one. They both depict the Jaguar E-type three door in 1/25 scale although the windscreen and rear door does look bigger than my Heller model. With the engine bonnet/good being the same size..
It's not primrose yellow but a bright yellow plastic. The driver is way too big as well.
Perhaps a sunroof might be worth while, or  rag top.
Wing mirrors and windscreen wipers will be sourced.

Since buying the 1/72 Hasegawa North American RA-5C the thought of whiffing it as an interceptor did cross my mind.

[NARSES2]

Since buying the 1/72 Hasegawa North American RA-5C the thought of whiffing it as an interceptor did cross my mind.

Could be used with Phoenix missiles I suppose ? There was a proposal for an interceptor for the USAF - NR349 - which would have had 3 J79 engines and be armed with 6 Phoenix's.

[McColm]

Since buying the 1/72 Hasegawa North American RA-5C the thought of whiffing it as an interceptor did cross my mind.

Could be used with Phoenix missiles I suppose ? There was a proposal for an interceptor for the USAF - NR349 - which would have had 3 J79 engines and be armed with 6 Phoenix's.

Thanks Narses,
I did see a piccy of the NR349 and the
XF-108. Both look cool.
Although the Vigilante would look good with Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
I found a 'spares and repair' Vigi which I can convert.

[McColm]

Tuesday 11th September 2018

Whilst undertaking laundry duties, the two pack filler has been out in use on several of my current builds.
The Mighty Thor is looking good despite the tons of filler used so far. And yes the paint is still pealing off the Vulcan wings.
The Celestial still has that wow factor about it. I wonder if those 1/72 Airfix BAC Concorde decals will fit.
  I received a small package from Air-Graphics AC-024 Tornado GR4 update set, well that's what it says on the invoice. They have actually sent me the AC-023 which includes two clear resin 1/72 FLIR Pod  and  LRMTS Pod. This will fit nicely on the 1/72 Hasegawa North American RA-5C which will be converted into a MRCA prototype.