Bristol Superfreighter: The BIG Reveal!

[The Rat]

The Fenwick Freighter

The manager of the airport in Pontarlier, France, stared in disbelief at the government official who sat across from his desk. "They have an air force now?!" "They certainly do," replied the gentleman from the Direction générale de l'aviation civile, or DGAC. "Apparently it confers certain obscure international advantages in transport of taxable goods, so they decided to establish one. It will also be operated as an airline, mostly for freight, as their wine exports are becoming much more profitable. Tourism may follow, but whether they will use the same aircraft is unknown at this time. But since they don't have enough land, flat or otherwise, on which to build a suitable airfield, our government has allowed them the use of this airport as it's both close enough, and has a runway long enough, although just barely. Your extra costs will be covered by the DGAC, and the government will probably get a lot of wine at a good price. They should be arriving today, sorry for the short notice..."





As if on cue, a heavy rumble of two Bristol Hercules engines interrupted the conversation, and they both sprang to the door, rushing outside to witness the largest aircraft ever to have landed on Pontarlier's 1,000 meter runway 20/02. The simple shape of the aircraft intrigued the manager, and he asked the old joke "Is that an aircraft, or the box it comes in?" Within minutes, the Bristol Superfreighter, the only aircraft in the Duchy of Grand Fenwick Air Force, was tied down, and a crate of the finest Pinot Grand Fenwick wine was presented to both men. Honor was satisfied, international relations buttressed, and the airport immediately closed for the day in order to celebrate in style.

[Wardukw]

That's fantastic Ratty mate ...I like the big ol birds and this is one ...this is a beauty 😍 

[McColm]

Well done 

[kitbasher]

Great build, great back story 

[Old Wombat]

      

[Gondor]

I'm surprised that you don't have a mouse painted on it somewhere. Looks good. 

Gondor

[zenrat]

I love those movies.
And this is excellent.

Well done.    

[NARSES2]

Brilliant Ratty   

[The Rat]

Thank you all. This was a bit of a fight, but I'm pleased with the result.

[loupgarou]

I know well Pontarlier, even went to model railway convention there, but where is Fenwick? I only know Fenwick forklift trucks.

[The Rat]

I know well Pontarlier, even went to model railway convention there, but where is Fenwick? I only know Fenwick forklift trucks.

Fictional country, first appearing in the book The Mouse That Roared, by Leonard Wibberley

[Rheged]

Thank you all. This was a bit of a fight, but I'm pleased with the result.

You have every right to be absolutely delighted  with both a magnificent backstory and a superb model.  I agree with Gondor that a roaring mouse would certainly gild the lily.

[loupgarou]

I know well Pontarlier, even went to model railway convention there, but where is Fenwick? I only know Fenwick forklift trucks.

Fictional country, first appearing in the book The Mouse That Roared, by Leonard Wibberley

Thanks. I remember a movie (late fifties, early sixties) with that title. It had been done from the movie? But I think to remember the country had access to the sea. Quite far from Pontarlier. IF your Fenwick is enough near to Pontarlier so it can use its airport, must be a mountain top between France and Switzerland. 

[Scotaidh]

The books were excellent.  I did, alas, see ''The Mouse That Roared'' - I thought it a typically Hollywood trashformation of an excellent book. 

IIRC, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick was founded by an English knight on his way home from the wars who decided he had travelled enough.  He claimed all the land he could see - namely a valley and the mountain slopes facing it.  No-one disputed his claim, so the deed was done.  He believed that while the Pen may be undoubtedly mightier than the Sword, the Sword speaks louder at any given moment.

Well done, with the model, sir, and with bringing back to my mind the Duchy. 

[The Rat]

Info here, including speculated location.: Duchy of Grand Fenwick