VV's Biggles aircraft collection

[VickersVandal]

Next one done.
In The Challenge, Biggles unintentionally bombs the wine cellar of a Roland pilot, Lt Von Balchow, who then challenges him to single combat.

The kit has no internal detail at all but the external shape and detail is not bad. The prop and spinner is integral but the blades were a bit shonky so I cut them off then used a dremel to hollow out the spinner. I borrowed a spare Roden Albatros prop and put the spinner over it. The parabellum and spandau mgs are also Roden, as is the Mercedes D.III engine. Interior was scratchbuilt together with some spare seats I had. Windows were made using UV glue. Rigging is Ushi elastic 0.02mm thread.

The colour is Vallejo black green. The story describes it as "dark green". Decals were per the kit apart from the coat of arms, which was from spares. I decided that Von Balchow, being an arrogant Teutonic aristocrat, would have decorated his aircraft with the family crest.... :mrgreen:

[zenrat]

Good job.

 

Which book is The Challenge in?

[NARSES2]

Looks great in that colour scheme. You get so used to seeing the Walfisch in pale blue 

[VickersVandal]

Cheers. Yes, it does look a bit more menacing in dark green I reckon.

The story is in Biggles of 266

[Wardukw]

Looking pretty damn mean in dark green mate and its a another cool build..nicely done 
Question for ya Vandal ..48th scale Lewis machine guns..any ideas if they exist or anything close to it as i need a couple for my Spad.

[VickersVandal]

Looking pretty damn mean in dark green mate and its a another cool build..nicely done 
Question for ya Vandal ..48th scale Lewis machine guns..any ideas if they exist or anything close to it as i need a couple for my Spad.

Uncle Google says yes: https://www.eduard.com/eduard/brassin/aircraft/1-48/lewis-mk-iii-wwi-gun-1-48.html

[Old Wombat]

Yes, you can get Lewis guns in 1/48 & Vickers K-guns, if you want to do a post-WW1 version. GasPatch are your go-to for these;

GasPatch 1/48 Machine-guns: https://www.gaspatchmodels.com/machine-guns-1-48/?sort=featured&page=1

GasPatch Home: https://www.gaspatchmodels.com/

[zenrat]

...The story is in Biggles of 266

Thanks mate.  I think I have that one.  Been a while since I read any of the WW1 stories.

[NARSES2]

The WWI stories were always my favourite 

[Wardukw]

Thanks lads for that..checked out the Eduard ones..not a bad price..bad postage at $21,50US  ive also checked out GasPatch and their prices are better and heres the conversion rates .
In NZ dollars Eduards guns would cost me $44.77 and Gaspatch is in Euros and that would cost me $28.50nz ...so either way ill be paying more than half the price of the original model 
So im gonna  try and make my own from stratch and when that fails ill get the Gaspatch guns 
Orrrrr hunt down a cheap WW1 model plane with a Lewis and steal the gun from it..then i have another plane to play with..hmmm 🤔

[Old Wombat]

The GasPatch stuff (I have 1 set of RNAS Lewis guns, 2 sets of K-guns, 3 sets of .50cal's, 2 sets of .30cal's & a couple sets of different Vickers aircraft mg's)) is exquisite ... but tiny!

However, I've built one of each of the .50cal & .30cal guns & they go together really well.

[Wardukw]

Oh i bet their good Guy..i built a old Monogram B24 Libby for a mate and all the .50s were replaced with resin ones and wow mate..wouldnt call em exquisite but very very good..tiny is my thoughts as ive held a Lewis gun and used .50s many times..theres a bloody big size difference there 
It kinda sucks when ya have as many 35th scale weapons as i do and none are any good at all ..but ya never know 

[NARSES2]

To show their attention to detail Gaspatch do 10 different variations of British WWI wicker aircraft seats, each available in 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32 scale 

[stevehed]

Very nice. Definitely suits dark green.

[VickersVandal]

The 266 squadron tender features regularly in the WW1 Biggles stories. Unfortunately there is no Crossley Tender available in 1/72 (one exists, but is now OOP). Instead, a Vauxhall D-type has been co-opted to the task from former ambulance duties. I think it's pretty conceivable that a Vauxhall D could have done RFC transport duties here and there.

Instead of the stretcher racks in the back I scratchbuilt bench seating as per a Crossley. Other than that, the kit is OOB. Usual Roden - a few niggling fit issues but nothing major. Lovely detail and fairly simple construction. The thing is tiny though!  :shock: