forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: lone modeller on May 28, 2013, 08:20:21 AM
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Evening All,
Like many others (it seems) I have returned to modelling after 30+ years break. I restarted about 15 months ago and while rooting around in the roof last summer found two unfinished models: one was a Vickers FB5 Gunbus and the other was a derivative the FB 9 or Streamline Gunbus. These were conversions from the Airfix DH 4 (wings, wheels, struts, gun,) with engines and props from the Airfix Avro 504, and moulded fuselages. I found them in an advanced state of construction, ie I had to put on the booms and tailplanes, top wings and undercarriage and paint and rig them. Having completely forgotten that I had ever started them I decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to finish them. Having looked at the quality of work on this site I am not sure whether these are up to the mark, but as I have had positive responses elsewhere I am taking the plunge here. The FB 5 build recently appeared on Modelling Madness if anyone is really interested in modelling masochism, or just wants an different challenge from super-detailing. These models are in God's Own Scale and are rigged with copper wire - just a foible of mine - I prefer it to other media especially on models as delicate as these where thread would probably put too much strain on them.
This is how I found the FB 5 except that I had made the skids just before I took the image:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4149/35351022890_1a768c3197_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VRReuE)
These are photos of the completed model:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4258/35608286281_cc243d4aa9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WfzLWn)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4076/35351025670_066cea2a84_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VRRfjA)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4216/35608284221_e6be3dd6cb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WfzLjR)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4290/35571612692_95ec32daf7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WckPa7)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4233/35609775171_256c459084_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WfHpwT)
These are images of the much less known Streamline Gunbus: I have not seen images of any models in any scale of this particular aircraft but perhaps I have not looked hard enough. There is no serial because the photo on which based my model had the rudder obscured. It was a two-seat trainer - hence the two control horns on the nose. This model was in a similar state to the FB 5 when found except that I had attached the lower wings to the fuselage and fixed the booms to the wings.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4286/35351024350_c287d2781d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VRReVQ)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4129/35738785905_54f1e8f326_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ws7BVT)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4051/35738790235_ed81f0edb1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ws7Ddx)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4285/34897521534_309e3c43bc_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VaLVkL)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4263/35738780155_849d045bc1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ws7AdK)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4055/35353062940_675181bbb3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VS2FVW)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4117/35353065360_fc9bbeae8a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VS2GDE)
The FB 5 represents a machine from 5 Sqdn at Abele in the spring of 1915: I am not sure of the camouflage colour as it could also have been earth or PC 8: the pattern is representative because this too was unclear in the photo that I used. The underwing roundels should probably be inboard of the alerons but I had painted them before I realised my error and I was not going to try to correct them. Apart from the serial on the FB 5 everything was hand painted. There are some minor errors on the FB 9 too but this is the best that I can do and I am pleased with the results - in fact I am now going to have a go at some more RFC/RNAS pushers.
Thanks for looking.
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They are two very impressive looking models, and being in a small scale makes them even more impressive. The colours you used appear to be correct and your rigging skills are superb. Congratulations on finishing these two "old" models and I look forward to your next build.
This forum caters for all levels of modelers, there is no discrimination at all so please feel free to post whenever you like.
Des.
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Those are great looking models all the more impressive in the small "I cant see it to do it" scale.
Steve
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Now, that is NEAT! Very nice and definitely a real find!
Cheers,
Lance
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Very nice pair of FB's - finishing them after so long had to feel good! I have the Pegasus FB5 in my stash and still haven't had the b***s to start it and I've been back into modelling (after 30 years) for 3 years....Great job!
Ian
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Two outstanding models LM. Very impressive work my friend . What other gems in the making did your attic hold?
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Welcome aboard, LM -
Two great looking models there which are rigged up really well.
Regards
Dave
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Hello Lone Modeler:
Well........after 30 years, you must feel a sense of accomplishment! I think they turned out great and are two very interesting models, no doubt; especially significant in 1/72nd.
Welcome aboard, and looking forward to more of your pusher models.
Best
Mark
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Thanks for the compliments everyone.
I am in the process of making an FE 8 from the Airfix Avro 504 at the moment and will post pictures when it is complete. I have another recent build, and some conversions (from over 30 years ago) in the roof in boxes (to keep the dust off and protect them), - will try to get those down and photograph them too.
All of them are inn God's Own Scale of course.
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I can't be;ieve you said you were not sure they were good enough comparedd to the work on this site! They are outstanding Scratch/kitbashed builds that wouldn't be recognized as such, a true mark of outstanding work! By the way, just for the record, I believe God has switched scales to 1/32nd....... ::)
RAGIII
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Brilliant pair of Gunbuses, Lone Modeller. A tribute to your modeling skills that you were able to pick up where you left off 30 years ago and create such gems.
Cheers,
Bud
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Thank you all again for the very kind words and complimentary remarks which I found very encouraging. I think that I suffer from a common problem which is that I know where the errors are on my models and feel that they should not really be there. But then I suspect that most of us probably feel the same - no model is ever perfect, although some of those that I see on this site come pretty close. Will return with more pictures later.
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Fabulous! I haven` t seen many Gunbus` models yours are trully great!