Avro Type 690 Leeds - the true story

[PR19_Kit]

I'm running out of steam, what with four models on the go, two for the current GB and two 'normal' ones, plus one GB build still to start.

I've never had to sand a model so much as this Avro Leeds, what with the ZILLIONS of rivets on the Shackleton bits, plus the over size raised panel lines on the York vacform, and I haven't even STARTED on sanding down the inner edges  of the vacform fuselages halves yet, I'm feeling devoid of further will.

I may start on the third GB build as that's NOTHING like anything else I'm doing, as it'll be a car............

[buzzbomb]

I for one, am looking forward to seeing this one eventuate.

[McColm]

I wish I still had my work bench,  I could probably cut a piece of balsa wood and shape it to your fuselage template. Then add the wings,  engines,  tail fins and landing gear. Yes there would be a fair bit of sanding but the end result would be satisfying.

[Old Wombat]

Don't burn yourself out, Kit!

If you need to, cull your builds, especially where you're trying to fit too many into any one GB. We'll understand!


(Well, most of us will, maybe not Dizzy. )

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, I just work on one project at a time...  Helps to focus.

[Scotaidh]

Well, I just work on one project at a time...  Helps to focus.

Me, too.  Some years ago I fell into the trap of trying to do several models "at once", the idea being that whilst that one was glue-setting, I could paint this one, and when that was paint-drying I could do the decals on the other one ... and now I have several models sitting, unfinished, that I really don't like much anymore and have no real desire to finish.  And, why did I do this?  To increase my "through-put" - horrible word, worse idea! 

I do this for fun, so I build at a pace that suits me.  I may not have the production rate of others, but I'm happy with what I do - and isn't that the point of it all? 

Sorry - didn't meant to pontificate.  <embarrassed>

Other than picking one on which to focus, I don't really have any suggestions, Kit.  I dislike PSR, myself - one reason I only do one model at a time is to reduce the amount of sanding. 

[zenrat]

Nah, the more the merrier.  You just have to be Ok with blowing out deadlines.



You do have nearly three months to finish your builds KIt.  No need to rush.

[PR19_Kit]

As I'm still 'marooned' away from home I spend a lot of time ordering stuff to work with, and they all take time to deliver of course.

I started two of the builds at the same time, the PR19 prototype and the Leeds, and I already had two going as well, the Gnat CC2 and the Defiant IV, and ALL of those needed paints that I haven't brought with me. 

So all of them have come to a temporary halt, but I've just come up with some ideas on the car prototype............ 

[PR19_Kit]

Back on the Leeds again today.

One wing's been sawn down and filed to take the Aeroclub aileron, but has yet to be de-rivetted. There may not be enough wet-and-dry paper in the county for that job yet...............

Seen here alongside the non-sawn wing for comparison. I've already glued the #2 engine in position as I needed to sort out the main landing gear. As the Leeds was a tail wheel aircraft and the MR3 is a nosewheel type there'll need to be some mods made to the inside of the #2 and #3 cowlings to take the tailwheel main gear stuff.




I've cut down the port fin to make it less 'chubby looking' and I think it looks a lot better now, certainly more suited to the 'long-thin' look of the Leeds. The slimmed down fin on the right and the standard item on the left.

[Gondor]

I should have a spare set of Airfix main undercarriage if you want Kit?

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks for the offer Alastair, but I have some white metal versions for a Shackleton MR2 en route. Standard Lanc ones are too short by quite a bit as the MR3 nacelles are very deep.

I've just de-rivetted the port wing, and it took over 30 mins and pretty wrecked one my sanding blocks! That FROG styrene is the consistency of reinforced concrete!

What saddens me a bit is some poor toolmaker back in the 60s lovingly cut or drilled every one of those 10500 odd rivets (I counted some and averaged them, yes really.........  ) and I've just cast all of his work into oblivion.

[The Wooksta!]

Really needs the Aeroclub Shackleton u/c which is almost a drop in fit.

I can sort out some spare Airfix Shackleton doors which are vastly superior to ye olde Frog ones and I'll throw in some Lincoln wheels if I can find them.

[PR19_Kit]

The SAC set, which is what I have on order, is rumoured to do exactly that, I hope..................

I've never thought of plastic modelling being an 'exercise', but after all that cardio-vascular sanding I'm knackered! 

[The Wooksta!]

I think the SAC set is intended for either the Airfix of Revell Shattipusses.  I'll bung the Aeroclub one in a bag and get it in the post tomorrow. That one *definitely* fits the Frog kit.

[NARSES2]

The SAC set, which is what I have on order, is rumoured to do exactly that, I hope..................

In my experience their sets are very good, but do tend to just drop into the kit they are designed for. Not sure what they'll do when faced with a different kit. But then your an engineer Kit