Thorvics'Blog

[Hobbes]

interesting Robert, hadn't realised they now did interiors but a bit pricey and will be a while for delivery for this build, where as I already have the F27 on-route and should get it by weekend. I can then do the F27 closed up or as a freight version.

or maybe as a Maritime Enforcer?


https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%201888.html

[Thorvic]

Now that's a potential idea, thanks Harro 

[Thorvic]

Building the WG11 reminded me that I was first aware of this Design from Project Cancelled, and I did check section in the Helicopter Chapter about it when I started the build. It also highlighted that I could do with a 2nd working copy to hand in the workroom and was surprised to find some at good prices on ebay. Discovered I won the with my opening bid whilst I was at SMW and received the book yesterday 

Only danger is flicking through it  reminds me of builds I have done, areas that have been covered better elsewhere but also projects that I have probably wanted to do for over 30 yrs so must be cautious less build plans go out the window if inspiration strikes.

Project Cancelled got me for the TSR2, the P1154, the P1121, the AW681, the P139 and lately the WG-11 so it really was inspirational and very influential on my builds.

On the modelling front I'm awaiting on the Fokker F27 to appear so I can work on my Merlin Heliliner cabin layout as would be nice to crack on with that this weekend if I can.

[kitnut617]

The Airfix F.27 I have has the maritime option, the earlier version. Might be something to do to source some different engines for it. They look like they're like the engines on a C-27

[PR19_Kit]

The later Fokker 50, the one with the tiny windows, had P&W Canada PW125s, and the ones on the Enforcer look just like them.

[Hobbes]

The second image is the 'Enforcer Mk.2' which was based on the Fokker 50. The F-27 Enforcer had the standard Darts, by the looks of it.

[Thorvic]

A nice quiet weekend, no commitments, no plans and no build schedule after the building for and then participation in SMW the previous weekend. So what did I do I ended up modelling instead  , couldn't be arsed doing catch up TV and my fingers were fidgeting to get back to the model bench so that's what I did.

I finally managed to paint the RN Merlin HMA1 I had on the go for SMW but cancelled, this is real world as I'm also doing the real Helicopters the FAA flew/Fly as well as the projects, which is why it was dropped from the SMW to finish list when I had to consolidate builds into a more practical schedule. That's now on its wheels and ready for decaling although some bits still to sort out.

I also had the Esci Fokker F-27 passed over on Friday night which was probably the real driving force as that meant I could crack on with the Merlin Heliliner, so spent most of the weekend assembling and painting the interior of that. Looks ok and will be able to see the seats through the windows so that's why I needed them. Still find it hard to believe that Italeri marketed the US-101 as a VH-71 without doing a VIP interior !!!
Anyway I managed to get the fuselage buttoned up last night before settling in to watch Guy Martin's WW1 Tank program on C4 (very interesting viewing  ), tonight it I get chance I will need to add the windscreen and the side door to button up the fuselage before getting on with the rest during the week - nose cone, engine cowlings, rear fuselage, wheel sponson's and tail. So this should keep me busy into next weekend and beyond.

Oh I did pop out yesterday to go down to the bottom of the hill to our local Aldi and picked up a pair of the Airfix Jet Provost T4s 'Red Pelicans' gift sets that went on offer there yesterday with some other gift set models. No idea what I will do with them now I have them but a handy pick up anyway.

On a side note I noticed the Airfix Phantom is now saying January 2018, now this could be the 2nd batch with the first due in December being sold out, but I fear not and as predicted their flagship model for 2017, one planned to build in the Christmas period has now slipped again back into January 2018. The slippage is made worse by the fact no attempt has been made to address the defects identified in the test shots months ago which is very annoying 

[Thorvic]

Well did a bit last night on the merlin Heliliner build, I attached the windscreen and taped it in place to cure and did the same with the rear fuselage and that was about it as felt somewhat drained and sneezy which is not so clever when modelling  .

I had to go for a Blood Pressure Check at the local health centre after work, not a great time as spent up to an hour travelling back in heavy traffic which can make my blood boil at times, got in there early and was winding down and relaxing, then get told when I went in to see the nurse that I'm due a blood test and the flu jab. Thankfully I knew the nurse as she used to be one of the district nurses who dealt with my dad last year, I was also able to warn her that they generally have fun finding a suitable vein so with a bit of persistence she managed to track one down and tap it first time then gave me time and four attempts to get chilled out for a normal BP reading before finishing off with the flu jab. Not complaining as given I'm working at the Uni now the chances of catching the flu have increased, but it did trigger the sneezes last night so I retired to bed with a Lemsip to sleep it off.

Hopefully things should be back on track for the rest of this week as trying to keep the momentum going on the current builds, know we wont be building Phantoms this side of Christmas, so will carry on with the Helicopters I think and try and clear the work bench for the next builds. After seeing Gondor's Lynx build I realised that whilst I have Lynx kits I no longer have any built so will be doing some of those both real and projected.

One thing that's clear however is that I'm probably going to have to start doing some with rotors blades and tails folded on some of these RN helicopters  !

[Thorvic]

Just in the PSR routine now with the Heliliner cleaning up seams and getting a decent tail join seam. The wind & rain the last couple of days means that the workroom window has been kept closed so no chance to prime and paint the additional parts such as wheels, rotors etc, but I can live with that, just means more painting over the weekend period if suitable. It looks a bit odd at the moment in Olive Drab and grey plastics with kabuki windows and may look more suitable once a white primer is applied.

Decided to get these two Merlin's finished as the normal RN ASW HMA1 is ready to decal so I will do that once the PSR work on the Heliliner is done, got plenty of builds to follow including a couple stalled before SMW so I should really crack on with those next so I can line up something for the Xmas period.

On a side note I received a request to confirm my postal address from ModelCollect so may have a new and tasty kit delivered by Christmas. I reserved and paid for it in September Last Year so it may well become a Xmas pressie to myself. Seeing the Airfix Phantoms are now back to Jan 2018 its now more a Birthday treat rather than Xmas  , and I still wouldn't put it past them to slip another 6 weeks into mid Feb.

On a more positive aspect the 1/700 HMS Ark Royal mid 70s era is due in the next week of so  , and the 1/700 plastic kit of its predecessor is due towards the end of the year along with the Graf Zeppelin carrier 

[Thorvic]

Well that was a bit of a dead loss last night I did manage to get the PSR done on the Heliliner and gave it a coat of white primer as a base but that was about it. Whilst the rain had eased off it left it very cold and in opening the window to vent the spray booth, what heat that was being generated was being lost to the cold so gave it up as a bad job and closed the window.

Will try again over the weekend as need to get the paints sorted out and hope the weather is not as cold or windy !

[Gondor]

Oh I did pop out yesterday to go down to the bottom of the hill to our local Aldi and picked up a pair of the Airfix Jet Provost T4s 'Red Pelicans' gift sets that went on offer there yesterday with some other gift set models. No idea what I will do with them now I have them but a handy pick up anyway.

Silver with Yellow trainer bands perhaps as lead in trainers for the RN in the late 60's to mid 70's?

Gondor

[Mossie]

FRADU?

[JayBee]

Or how about a fully carrier capable one with folding wings. 
I would leave the colour scheme up to your fertile mind.

Jim

[PR19_Kit]

Or how about a fully carrier capable one with folding wings. 
I would leave the colour scheme up to your fertile mind.

Jim

Yes, a Sea Provost, just the job. 

Why DIDN'T they do that anyway? 

[Thorvic]

Or how about a fully carrier capable one with folding wings. 
I would leave the colour scheme up to your fertile mind.

Jim

Yes, a Sea Provost, just the job. 

Why DIDN'T they do that anyway? 

The scrapped the Training Carriers, they could have carried on with the light fleets into the 60s and the replaced Triumph with Centaur as our Equivalent of the USS Lexington, and then then of course cancelled the carriers.

But I do like the thinking as its so me so may well do one like that :-)