Supermarine Stalwart GR.I of RAF 205 Squadron, Ceylon, Summer 1945 (pics@p.6)

[Thorvic]

Yes, that's the intention. I'll keep the basic airframe, but many add-ons will be changed. I guess that the gun turrets I plan to install will make the Stalwart rather look like a Martin Mariner in RAF colors - but that's not the worst result.

I also plan to scratch a beaching gear for display, but there's no idea yet how to tackle this... 

Later I will also post a comparison pic of the OOB engines and the PM Fury Centaurus cowlings. The difference is dramatic!

Go with the bolt on legs and tail wheel as per the Sunderland rather than full trolley, and I guess the nature of the plastic put you off a Catalina style integrated undercarriage - cutting holes of the fuselage is just more trouble than its worth !

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, I considered an amphibian solution (à la Catalina of Be-12) at some time, but rejected it - it will become something like the Sunderland solution, which is also similar to the original Be-6 arrangement. But I guess this challenge will be tackled once the hull is closed, and for that I need/wait for donation parts that are on delay due to the ongoing postal service strike... 

Anyway, there's a Soviet X-20 "Kangaroo" missile in the stash that cmoes with a trolley - parts from that thing could probably used for twin-wheeled main legs, and the rest will unfold.

I also consider hanging some ordnance under the inner wings - maybe four scratched FIDOs? I have some modern cluster bombs somewhere, they look like a good basis. 

[Dizzyfugu]

So, just in case that there are skeptics left: the OOB Shvetzov-things vs. the PM Fury Centaurus (thing):

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

"Houston, we have a problem." But nothing that a mini drill and putty could not mend...

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Even the Connie engines are a tad too small in diameter, so I decided to chisel the upper flanks of the covers and fill them with 2C putty. The good news is that the height of the Connie engines is fine, so I can use the upper section as an extension for the new engine air intakes (to be documented soon).

Meanwhile, work on/in the front fuselage makes progress:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The nose has been cut away for a weapon station (plus a bulkhead), some round windows have been drilled, and the cockpit is in place.

[Captain Canada]

I like the idea for the engine fix. Thanks for the update !

[Dizzyfugu]

More progress on the wings/engines - the new fairing solution looks really good. Cockpit has been painted, too, and I added more windows at the front: there'll be a "bubble" behind the cockpit glazing for obserbation/navigation, and a window pane for the bomb aimer will be placed under the nose turret, just as on the real Be-6 (the kit is blank there, with the spray dams running all around the nose section).

Still hoping for donation parts delivery...  But I used the to work on the ordnance: trying to improvise/scratch four FIDO mines. But I have no idea how to paint them? I have seen a yellow test specimen - maybe dark grey?

[Dizzyfugu]

News from the wings! Rough fitting of the resin engines:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

And after some fine tuning we have this:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Plus propellers from a PM Models Sea Fury - these are considerably smaller than the OOB four-blade props, but they look more massive. I hope I can stick with these, since I have a pair ready. 

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

It's looking better already. 

[Captain Canada]

Great stuff....really looks good lile that !

[Dizzyfugu]

Good news from the work bench: yesterday the long-awaited donation parts arrived, and I could continue with the fuselage bodywork.
The dorsal framed "cupola" at the wings' trailing edge will give way to a full-fledged turret, the OOB tail gun station has been chopped off (and be replaced by another turret, too), and the nose weapon station is also in the house for further work.
Furthermore, there will be teardrop stations with guns on the flanks, which could also be used for observation (so the make sense AND look menacing  )

[Captain Canada]

Cool. She's gonna look awesome with all of those turrets and guns !

[Dizzyfugu]

Progress... progress... progress! Small steps, though.

A look into the cockpit - simple, but I assume that only a hazy glimpse will be left once the canopy is in place:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Part of the crew has also been recruited:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The modified nose with the implanted bulkhead:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

After initial turret trials the lower "lip" might need some extension. We'll see when we seriously get there.

The scratched Mk. 24/FIDO mines. Not 100% exact, but as underwing ordnance IMHO enough. Need some attachments/pylons, though. 

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The navigator's cupola - actually leftover from a Matchbox Beaufighter...

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

...and the dorsal turret, dry-fitted:

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

Getting better by the day, or minute in your case Thomas. 

How big is it compared to a Sunderland?

[Dizzyfugu]

Uh, not certain - actually haven't built a Sunderland so far. It's huge (for my standards), but I think both machines/kits would be almost the same size.
Box says the Be-6 kit has 46cm wing span, a Sunderland should have ~48cm.

[Dizzyfugu]

More to see: the side weapon stands (from a Matchbox PB4Y-2 Privateer, as all the gun stations around the hull). Took some time to figure a way out how to cut the stands out from the donation panels, and how and where to attach them to the thick fuselage.

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


And a final look into the fuselage, before the halves will be glued together. With the photo shootings in mind, I decided to add an adapter for an improvised stand, a 4mm metal (steel or brass) rod that will be held by the vertical styrene tube.

Making of 1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[buzzbomb]

This looks good so far.
Loving you work