A slightly different Short Stirling!

[albeback]

I did mention some time ago that another product of my fevered/febrile/demented (delete as required) brain was a sort of improved Short Stirling. With the known (and probably avoidable) design deficiencies if the original,the Short Stirling IV was the result. Naturally, I just HAD to make it look substantially different!! Lol!

This monster is not only much larger ( 38m wingspan) but heavier and more powerful. I was going to combine parts from 2 Lancaster kits to produce a completely redesigned bomb bay ( without the longitudinal beams) but, laziness got in the way!!. Additional defensive firepower - a second upper gun turret. Powered by 6 Bristol Hercules XVI engines. I'm using 2 Stirling kits for this project.

Anyway - some progress pics. Still a long way to go. The biggest problem was the tapered wings. Although, after a bit of though, it wasn't as difficult as I feared. The shaded areas are where I originally decided to cut. The result was pretty ugly but workable.   I had originally decided to cut out new recesses for the ailerons & scratch build new ones but, laziness got in the way again.. I will scribe new control surfaces.
The second picture shows the partially finished wings. The biggest job was getting a reasonable trailing edge but, fortunately the plastic was thick enough  to tolerate the work involved & I got a fairly decent result. In the 3rd photo, the fuselage mods are clear. I decided not to add any additional detail inside. The transparencies are not of the best quality so not much would be clear (no pun intended!!)

I've also boxed in the wheel wells. Not accurate & still shallow compared to the real thing but, I'm not concerned with accuracy - only effect. I'll add a bit of internal structure later . The remaing photos show the current state of play. In case you are wondering, the 1: 1 scale Mog Mk I is NOT part of the project!!

I'm using a pair of Fraser Nash? upper gun turrets from my stash of Revell Halifaxes - I'm going to build them using the alternative mid upper turrets. The nose turret will be from the Stirling kit and, the rear turret is from an Airfix Halifax B.III kit.

For added interest, I'm also going to use the 4 blade props from the Revell Halifax. I thought they might look nice. The model will use the original kit engines. There is also now a distinct lack of surface detail & that is one thing I am NOT looking forward to rectifying!! . I HATE scribing so, I will keep new panel lines etc to a minimum.

Not decided yet how to paint it. I would like a Coastal Command version in the DSG/EDSG/White scheme but. that will depend on the finished article. The standard Bomber Command DG/DE/Matt black will help disguise a multitude of modelling sins!!. I also like the idea of a Middle East scheme. Anyway, I'll worry about that later!! Long way to go yet & I 've got a house move coming up so, I don't know when the next progress report will be

Oh, if any body wants them, I now have 2 tractors &  2 sets of bomb trolleys. Just send me a pm here & I'll gladly send them.

Allan
(1)

[PR19_Kit]

Ultra-creative work with the wings there, I'm most impressed! Looking forward to the remainder of the build. 

[Rheged]

Aha!  a wing span longer than the Wright Brothers first flight.  Like Kit, I am impressed with your creativity.   I'd be interested to see this in Coastal Command colours.

[albeback]

Ultra-creative work with the wings there, I'm most impressed! Looking forward to the remainder of the build. 

As you say Kit - any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings!!

Allan

[NARSES2]

Nice work, especially with the wings   Will go really well with Mike McEvoy's Shorter Stirling  http://www.grumpyoldmodeller.com/bench.html

[McColm]

Great work

[Captain Canada]

Great idea ! Love the way you have integrate the wings...forget laziness, that is just smart ! Same as the other mods, I agree that the wheel wells have a good effect on the kit. Besides, who's going to pluck it off the table and scrutinize their depth anyway ?

[Tophe]

Yes, great!

[Devilfish]

Love it!!!  I've always wanted to do an improved Stirling, as I think it had potential.   Glad to see someone tackling it!!

[Dizzyfugu]

This looks interesting - could evolve into one of those big bombers the RAF was considering before the V bomvers entered the scene. 

[James]

Love the look of this. Going to be keeping a close eye on this. 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

So more of a 'Long' Stirling, then ?? 

Ian

[PR19_Kit]

So more of a 'Long' Stirling, then ?? 

Not quite, that comes later........... 

[Howard of Effingham]

i assume you are installing a very hefty undercart on this one,  as somehow a standard stirling
u/c wouldn't look strong enough.

but a great idea otherwise!

[albeback]

So more of a 'Long' Stirling, then ??  

Ian

Not quite Ian!
Only the wings are longer!

i assume you are installing a very hefty undercart on this one,   as somehow a standard stirling
u/c wouldn't look strong enough.

but a great idea otherwise!

To be honest, I'm using the kit u/c. Being Whif world of course the undercarriage is built out of that super stromg material - Unobtainium!! .  Actually, the kit parts look ok. In fact, I think the modified wings impart a less stalky & awkward appearance to the model. Anyway, progress report. I've dry fitted the wings/engines/undercarriage/upper gun turrets to give an idea of what the finished article will look like. Lot of work still to do. Sme fairly brutal sanding has eradicated most of the surface detail so I now have to attempt my LEAST favourite job ( after filling & masking! )  - attempting to scribe (at least some) surface detail. I will absolutely NOT be attempting to reproduce all the skin panels. I'm aiming for effect only. Am I right in thinking the Stirling was flush riveted & actually quite smooth finished anyway?

Allan