Airspeed AS.68 Imperial

[63cpe]

Finally finished:

The Airspeed Imperial was developed in response to a requirement identified by the Brabazon Committee for a four-engined long-to-medium-haul airliner. Airspeed assembled a design team in 1943, which initially worked on a smaller proposal powered by Bristol Hercules radial engines; this was quickly superseded by a larger capacity design aimed at better fulfilling the expansion in postwar civil air travel, although several figures doubted Airspeed's projections. While outfitted with the older Rolls Royce Peregrine engines, the Imperial was designed to accommodate four Napier Eland turboprop engines, a then-recent innovation. Its fuselage was compatible with pressurisation, this being an optional feature offered to customers.

On 10 July 1946, the first prototype Imperial conducted its maiden flight; a total of three prototypes were built. Early on, British European Airways (BEA) emerged as an key customer for the type, having placed a £3 million order for 20 aircraft in September 1947 opting for either the Imperial or the Ambassador. In the end the more modern Ambassador was chosen  being introduced to service in 1951. In the end the three prototypes were sold to the RAF for service in the Air support command and gave excellent service. Imperials were known for being comfortable, stabile and fast.

The Imperial was quickly outperformed by the turboprop-powered Vickers Viscount, Moreover the spareparts supply for the ageing Peregrines was getting a bigger problem year by year. The last Imperials were grounded in 1958 and sold for scrap in 1963.

IMG_20210705_203749584 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_20210705_203826697 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_20210705_203900987 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_20210705_204019189 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

More pictures of the build here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetsonsspecial/albums/72157712632879918

Hope you like it.
David aka 63cpe

[PR19_Kit]

Now they're some SERIOUS wings! 

I love it, but what did you use to build it? Cockpit from a Jetstar perhaps, and engines from a Mossie or a Hornet?

[Later] Ah, it is a Lockheed canopy, but not a Jetstar. 

[63cpe]

It's made of mostly 1/144 and 1/100 parts. My goal was to make something with as much as possible 1/100-144 parts and minimal 1/72 parts, but still make it recognizable as 1/72. It's made from: 1/144 Monogram Constellation, outerwings from 1/94 F-27 Friendship, nosecone is from an 1/144 B-47, 4x RR Peregrine engines from 1/72 Westland Whirlwinds and a 1/72 Lockheed Hudson canopy. Maingear is from an 1/94 F-27 Friendship, nose gear is from spares box (can't recollect what donated it).

Cheers,
David aka 63cpe

[kitbasher]

Gosh, that's a complicated cocktail of components 

[Pellson]

Fascinating, and almost anorexic, in a way. I'm not really sure what to make of it..

[JayBee]

Brilliant 

[buzzbomb]

Very effective cocktail though.

Nice work melding that together

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That incredible mixture has produced a beauty - well done!

[Scotaidh]

That's a whole nother level of kitbashing!  Well done!   

[zenrat]

Good job Dave.

[comrade harps]

So sharp 

[Dizzyfugu]

Sleek, I like it. 

[NARSES2]

That incredible mixture has produced a beauty - well done!

Couldn't have put it better 

[63cpe]

Thank you all, I appreciate you comments very much!

@Pellson, yeah, it is looking a little like Twiggy if you'd put it next to a 1/96 Brittania. I guess the peregrines add to the sleek lines.

Cheers,
David aka 63cpe

[Tophe]

Elegant!
And looking so "right" I asked Google if this airplane was true, but Google directed me only to this page here, so: inventive (geniusly)