DONE +++ Blackburn Bonxie T.I 'NY-B'/‘T1675' of RAF 362 (Faroe Islands) Squadron

[nighthunter]

Looks good to me!

[Dizzyfugu]

In the meantime, ready for painting. I basically keep the Bonxie in classic RN colors, Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 224) and Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 164), while the undersides become Sky Grey - I used Humbrol 166 (RAF Light Aircraft Grey). Floats will become bare aluminum, probably with black and chipped paint under the waterline.

Conservative choice, yes, but there'll be a twist. 

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[ericr]

 
interesting struts, especially the front ones going so far up 

[Dizzyfugu]

Yes, it looks a bit odd. It's the (interesting) result of the transplantation of the Blackburn Shark's struts - the construction is rather unusual! Adapting it was tricky, but looks interesting, nevertheless. 

[zenrat]

Ooh I like it.
Have you thought of using one of those long front float struts to carry a ladder for the crew to climb up?

[Dizzyfugu]

That's been placed at the wings' training edge.  The front end would IMHO be too hazardous, in the proximity of the propeller and the exhaust.

[zenrat]

No no no.  Just put a warning label there and everything will be OK.  Trust me, i'm a Health & Safety professional...

[ericr]

Yes, it looks a bit odd. It's the (interesting) result of the transplantation of the Blackburn Shark's struts - the construction is rather unusual! Adapting it was tricky, but looks interesting, nevertheless. 

yes, right, the original indeed has the same high-up position
(to me "interesting" has  positive meaning anyway  )

[Captain Canada]

It does look good. Colours look good as well.

[tigercat]

It's a cracker.-)

[nighthunter]

Looking fantastic!

[The Rat]

Looking right champion!

[Dizzyfugu]

Thanks a lot! In this wake of enthusiasm. some more progress concerning the Bonxie's paint job.

Black ink wash:

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Panel shading, upper sides:

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Panel shading from below - note the overpainted roundels (with Sky) as part of the whiffing plan  :

bxi00887 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The reason behind this treatment to be revealed soon... 

[Dizzyfugu]

Now the moment of revelation - this was the inspiration behind the Bonxie, the Faroese flag (Merkið) and the islands's role in 1940:




Exotic, isn't it? And this becomes of it on the kit, with scratched national markings (from separate decal strips) in Norwegian style:

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I; aircraft 'NY-B'/'T1675' of RAF 362 (Faroe Islands) Squadron, Sørvágur Harbor/Vágar, during Operation Valentine, summer 1940 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Blackburn Bonxie T.I; aircraft 'NY-B'/'T1675' of RAF 362 (Faroe Islands) Squadron, Sørvágur Harbor/Vágar, during Operation Valentine, summer 1940 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

And there's an official title for the machine:
Blackburn Bonxie T.I; aircraft 'NY-B'/'T1675' of RAF 362 (Faroe Islands) Squadron, Sørvágur Harbor/Vágar, during Operation Valentine, summer 1940

[PR19_Kit]

Magic stuff there! 

Who'd EVER have thought of operations over the Faroes?