DONE +++ (Nighthunter's) Avro Swallow Mk. II, 'JX-M' of RAF No. 1 Squadron

Dizzyfugu · November 04, 2015, 12:54:41 AM

Hmmm, recent posts from Nighthunter and a check of the kits/parts stash make an Avro Swallow feasible (as #11):

It's basically an Avia B.(1)35 with a Merlin, a ventral radiator and a retractable landing gear (of uncertain design, though). I should have all ingredients at home, so, maybe... But at the moment, the Bonxie still needs attention and a "normal" whif is on the bench. but the Swallow in simple RAF markings is earmerked for the hardware stage.

Captain Canada · November 04, 2015, 05:01:49 AM

Looks HurriSpit from those profiles. Looks good tho !

nighthunter · November 04, 2015, 07:56:57 AM

This is a build I will be watching with interest, lol!

Dizzyfugu · November 05, 2015, 11:35:03 PM

Quote from: Captain Canada on November 04, 2015, 05:01:49 AM
Looks HurriSpit from those profiles. Looks good tho !

It is, and even more so if you have the parts together. From above, I am even inclined to say that the B.35 has en evne more beautiful wing shape than the Spitfire, and in the profile it has a more "racy" look than the Hurricane.
First tests indicate that a Merlin should fit onto the nose of the KP B.35 almost perfectly - taken from an AZ Model Spitfire I/II/V from a Joy Pack I recently bought without a serious plan. That kit will will also donate the landing gear, whioch has to be added from scratch. I think about an arrangement retracting inwards, but with Spitfire parts.

This could result in a VERY pretty aircraft, I think!

nighthunter · November 07, 2015, 10:26:25 PM

I thought so, when I threw it together! I love where you're taking this, Thomas, keep it up, and hopefully pictures soon?

Dizzyfugu · November 08, 2015, 01:33:00 AM

We are already at the hardware stage (while I take pics of another build beyond the GB right now), but I decided to invest into a decal sheet (the white code letters, which are non-regulatory for the time) that will take some days until it pops up here on the bench. After two days (started Friday evening), the Swallow is already standing on its own legs and the prop is spinning.

Dizzyfugu · November 08, 2015, 04:56:59 AM

On popular demand...

Work started with the wings where the atachement points for the B35's spats were filled - I could have skipped this, since it later turned out that most of them would be drilled away for the new landing gear, anyway...

1:72 Avro 675 'Swallow' Mk. II, aircraft 'JX-M/J3955', mount of Flight Lieutenant Killian Murphy, of Royal Air Force No. 1 Squadron; Tangmere, August 1940 (Whif/KP Models Avia B.35 conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

...as we can see here, where I treid to find a good place for the Spitfire landing gear.

1:72 Avro 675 'Swallow' Mk. II, aircraft 'JX-M/J3955', mount of Flight Lieutenant Killian Murphy, of Royal Air Force No. 1 Squadron; Tangmere, August 1940 (Whif/KP Models Avia B.35 conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

And after some more body work, things look like this - reminds in this form a lot of an early Yakovlew fighter?

1:72 Avro 675 'Swallow' Mk. II, aircraft 'JX-M/J3955', mount of Flight Lieutenant Killian Murphy, of Royal Air Force No. 1 Squadron; Tangmere, August 1940 (Whif/KP Models Avia B.35 conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

JasonW · November 08, 2015, 07:12:44 AM

Out of curiosity, are the cockpit parts (seat etc.) from the B.35 kit or are they upgrades from another kit/set?

Dizzyfugu · November 08, 2015, 08:27:18 AM

No upgardes used, I rather scratch and improvise. The seat and the dashboard (not to be seen yet) are OOB. The kit also comes with V-shaped struts that are placed behind the seat, but I lost them somehow to the carpet monster while painting the cockpit. I added "something" behind the seat, though, in order to fill that void, and added a head rest to the seat, which also connects with the scratched new V struts. The lower pic shows the final arrangement.

Captain Canada · November 09, 2015, 03:27:04 PM

Looking good !

Dizzyfugu · November 09, 2015, 11:34:49 PM

Can confirm that. From certain angles (esp. from above, with the slender, eliptical wings) the thing look great. In hardware form the profile reminds a lot of a Yak-1, though, much more than the original bitmap design. Strange!

Dizzyfugu · November 10, 2015, 09:34:25 AM

Time for some news on this one - basically finer body work, e. g. filling the ventral gap between engine and wing section. The canopy was cut into three pieces. The radiator was fitted, too, it is another Spitfire donation, as well as the carburetor intake. Retrospectively, the landing gear wells are a little far apart - maybe 2-3mm closer to the centerline would have been better? But, nevertheless, it is still amazing how good the Merlin fits onto the B.35 and how sleek the result looks.

1:72 Avro 675 'Swallow' Mk. II, aircraft 'JX-M/J3955', mount of Flight Lieutenant Killian Murphy, of Royal Air Force No. 1 Squadron; Tangmere, August 1940 (Whif/KP Models Avia B.35 conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

nighthunter · November 10, 2015, 11:23:51 AM

Looking fantastic, Thomas!

JasonW · November 10, 2015, 04:58:57 PM

Looking very British now. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Dizzyfugu · November 11, 2015, 12:02:56 AM

With RAF colors it looks even better/convincing! Still waiting for white code letters (yes, these are non-regulatory, but I want to stay close to the initial profile, despite building a Mk. II), but painting already made good progress.