More thoughts on the Italeri Short Sunderland Mk.III

[McColm]

Some of you have noticed that I have the 1/72 Italeri No.1352 Short Sunderland Mk.III in my stash. My first thought was to build a Hythe version as flown by BOAC during World War II.
The kit does come with a few parts for the later models,namely the Mk.5 and I have discussed what if the USNAVY had used the Sunderland for anti-submarine warfare and SAR.
Other whiffers have changed the engines, I don't know if four Rolls-Royce Griffons would be powerful enough for the Sunderland but it would look good especially with the Vipers.
I don't know if any Sunderlands fell into the hands of the Germans, which would be another interesting twist..
Heritage Aviation used to sell the resin Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop conversion set but I don't know if anyone else still does or is going to.
I have come across one of the Alleycat turboprop engines for the Dakota, so I'm hopeful of producing a mould which with a bit of tweaking can look like the Allison T56s.
Four turbofan engines wouldn't look too out of place either although the option of a landing gear would greatly benefit the build.
There was a Short Sandringham conversion set but that too is no longer in production and sells at ridiculous prices on the secondhand market. Balsa wood being an alternative solution.
I've been on board the one that Kermit Weaks owns in Florida and the one at the RAF museum at Hendon,  looks massive on the outside but once inside where's all the space gone?

Italeri has gone to great lengths to detail the inside of the Sunderland but you won't get to see it unless you use a few clear panels in the fuselage .
This build is going to have to wait until I have cleared some space and completed most of my current builds.

[Beermonster58]

Interesting idea.
My own thoughts are the R R Griffons would provide a significant increase in power over the original Pegasus (I think?) engines?
My spares box contains the 4 engines salvaged from a FROG Shackleton and, I reckon the Sunderland would look uber cool with contra props! 😊
How about the Merlin 85 as used on the Lincoln? If I recall there is a resin/white metal Merlin 85 set available from Flightpath

[McColm]

Interesting idea.
My own thoughts are the R R Griffons would provide a significant increase in power over the original Pegasus (I think?) engines?
My spares box contains the 4 engines salvaged from a FROG Shackleton and, I reckon the Sunderland would look uber cool with contra props! 😊
How about the Merlin 85 as used on the Lincoln? If I recall there is a resin/white metal Merlin 85 set available from Flightpath

That's if you can get onto the David J.Parkings website and get through the security checks , Shackleton kits are reasonably priced so a few more wouldn't hurt.

[Mossie]

How about the Merlin 85 as used on the Lincoln? If I recall there is a resin/white metal Merlin 85 set available from Flightpath

Aircraft in Miniature do several sets for the Canadair North Star, cheaper than the Lincoln set:
https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=309417&product_type_id=all_aircraft_accessories&code=&scale_id=956&keyword_search=Canadair+exhausts&setPerPage=100&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=

Hannants also have the Flightpath Lincoln set to back order if you have trouble with the DJ Parkins site.

[perttime]

Build one as an ekranoplan. With some sort of jet engines.

[Rheged]

Have a look at the Solent Sky Museum website.   https://www.solentsky.org/exhibitions?msclkid=f69c5d02a6e011eca96d5657c1e6c0bf   they have a real live Sandringham in the place.

Rheged Major (No.1 son) used to volunteer at the museum until getting married, and later the arrival of our grand-daughter, got in the way.   It's well worth a visit!!

[McColm]

Thanks for the information guys