1/72 Martin Maine OSM-1 (ex-Matchbox Wellesley)

The Big Gimper · March 01, 2014, 05:11:46 PM

Folks:

Next in line is my Martin Maine OSM-1. It is a Vickers Wellesley licensed built by Martin to provide very long range reconnaissance and over water navigation support in the pacific theater. It was used by the USN as lead ship for fighters transiting from San Fransisco to Hawaii.

I stripped out the cockpit and replaced it with a TBF cockpit. It has two pilots and a wireless operator / gunner. The 2nd pilot is also the navigator. The engine is a Wright R-2600 borrowed from an Airfix B-25. The canopy is also from the TBF. The drop tanks are from a F-84. They have a nice 1940s look to them.

sandiego89 · March 01, 2014, 07:00:00 PM

Looks promising

The Wooksta! · March 01, 2014, 07:30:07 PM

I'd go for a less powerful engine - the weight and power would probably overload the airframe. Something like a Cyclone or the engine from a Maryland would be in the right category for the aircraft. Right timeframe too.

Captain Canada · March 01, 2014, 08:39:54 PM

Wow....that looks awesome ! Love the new canopy.....really accentuates the sexy lines of the old bird !

PR19_Kit · March 02, 2014, 02:29:49 AM

It's amazing just how Whiffable a Wellesley is, yours must be the 15th different version we've had on here, astonishing.

NARSES2 · March 02, 2014, 02:45:08 AM

What a good idea

The Wooksta! · March 02, 2014, 03:49:21 AM

Now I remember what I was going to do with the Wellesley I gave to Kitbasher - far east torpedo bomber to replace the Wildebeestes.

Weaver · March 02, 2014, 04:04:54 AM

Splendid stuff!

My Wellesley is earmarked for Wellington wings to make a three-engined version....

McColm · March 02, 2014, 09:48:06 AM

Great work.

Dizzyfugu · March 03, 2014, 01:13:22 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 02, 2014, 02:29:49 AM
It's amazing just how Whiffable a Wellesley is, yours must be the 15th different version we've had on here, astonishing.

Yes, the Wellesley has a lot of potential. Lots of aircraft to work with - and this one looks good! Looking forward to see how the area between cockpit and C stand ends up, as well as the eventual livery of that thing? USN Atlantic colors, maybe?

Joe C-P · March 03, 2014, 03:59:03 AM

Interesting start there.

Captain Canada · March 03, 2014, 06:04:32 PM

I like the idea of the torpedoe bomber ! Would take up a lot of deck space but could probably get aloft in a short space !

The Wooksta! · March 04, 2014, 12:07:10 PM

It would be landbased RAF as opposed to a navy aircraft, with the same squadrons that flew the Vickers Wilderbeestes.

The Big Gimper · March 04, 2014, 02:14:23 PM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on March 04, 2014, 12:07:10 PM
It would be landbased RAF as opposed to a navy aircraft, with the same squadrons that flew the Vickers Wilderbeestes.

Hmmmm .. I have an Airfix Beaufighter TF-X which is in the parts bin. The decals are in good shape.

The Big Gimper · March 05, 2014, 05:21:25 PM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on March 03, 2014, 01:13:22 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 02, 2014, 02:29:49 AM
It's amazing just how Whiffable a Wellesley is, yours must be the 15th different version we've had on here, astonishing.

Yes, the Wellesley has a lot of potential. Lots of aircraft to work with - and this one looks good! Looking forward to see how the area between cockpit and C stand ends up, as well as the eventual livery of that thing? USN Atlantic colors, maybe?

I'm going to do this one in USN Blue-Gray over Light Gull Gray.