forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Chris Johnson on July 25, 2012, 11:42:33 PM

Title: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Chris Johnson on July 25, 2012, 11:42:33 PM

I hope you fellows won't mind something a little off topic but I just finished my latest project, Trumpeter's 1/32 Swordfish Mk.II. I chose to mark her as a Coastal Command, rocket equipped version, wearing D-Day identification bands.

As you can see, she's a fairly big model and for that reason, in conjunction with adding some additional interest, I folded the right side set of wings. Ordnance is only attached to the left side wings, and all PE rigging was replaced with brass tubing and Maxima Chameleon 2lb test monofilament. The engine was detailed with plugs made from brass tubing, the ignition leads were made with lead wire, and I used Eduard pre-painted seatbelts for the crew stations. I took one liberty in slinging a torpedo under her belly, which is technically not accurate. I just thought it looked good.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-033.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Cockpit-23Jun12-003.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Cockpit-23Jun12-002.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Cockpit-23Jun12-001.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-027.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-013.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-009.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-017.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Finished-24Jul12-025.jpg)

Thanks for looking and now I'll get back on topic with something from WWI.

Cheers,

Chris

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: GAJouette on July 25, 2012, 11:44:50 PM

  Chris,
Just one word my old friend AWESOME.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: bobs_buckles on July 25, 2012, 11:56:15 PM

A model to be proud of  ;)
Nice one, Chris

BVB

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: lcarroll on July 26, 2012, 01:18:35 AM

Chris,
   You are forgiven! A pleasure to view and your engine/cockpit detailling, especially the shading and hiliting, are impressive to say the least. (and she is, after all, a Stringbag, not entirely out of place here!)
Very nice build.
Cheers,
Lance

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Des on July 26, 2012, 07:42:37 AM

An excellent job Chris, she is a beautiful looking model, your paint work and detailing is second to none, your builds continue to get better and better, extremely well done.

Des.

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: pepperman42 on July 26, 2012, 08:45:14 AM

Great looking machine!!! Perfect colour scheme too!!!!

Steve

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Whiteknuckles on July 26, 2012, 03:35:14 PM

That's a great looking beastie Chris!!

Andrew

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: gcn on July 26, 2012, 04:48:02 PM

Very nicely done Chris, I especially like the engine.

Even though it's not WW1 I'd ay it counts as I recently did the Tamiya 1/48 version which is also a superb kit.

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Jose Chaica on July 26, 2012, 06:57:04 PM

I like it very much!  :)
BTW, does this Trumpeter version (or any) lets you build the floatplane version?

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: IanB on July 26, 2012, 11:47:24 PM

Lovely Stringbag! I'm tempted to get the new Airfix remould, I've heard it's pretty good.....

Ian

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Pete Nottingham on July 27, 2012, 01:13:45 AM

Stunning build Chris, well done mate, one question, how do you do your highlighting on parts of the engine?

Cheers

Pete.

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Chris Johnson on July 27, 2012, 11:12:09 PM

Thanks everyone for dropping by and having a look. Very much appreciated!

Jose: To build the floatplane version, you'll have to move to 1/48 scale and pick up the Tamiya kit. I have plans for that build too.

Pete: I pick out all of the detail areas by hand painting and then apply an old-fashioned wash made from Humbrol enamel flat black mixed with cheap, hardware store varsol, followed by dry brushing with various shades of lighter shades of Humbrol enamels until I get the effect I want. There will be further weathering to follow on the exterior of the airplane after it languishes in storage for awhile. I still haven't worked up the nerve to tackle that job yet for fear of ruining what I have now. My thinking is that if I wait long enough to lose interest in the model, I won't be so adverse to experimenting on it.

gcn: It's an exact copy of the Tamiya kit, which is why I took a flyer on it.

Cheers,

Chris

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Pete Nottingham on July 28, 2012, 01:56:52 AM

Thanks Chris.

Cheers

Pete.

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Trackpad on August 06, 2012, 03:47:30 AM

Hey, Chris!

Almost missed this one. Excellent work on your Stringbag: very well done!  :D

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Dave W on August 07, 2012, 08:23:05 AM

A outstanding model Chris and huge thanks for posting this build. I have this kit and have been mustering the motivation to tackle it. Your build shows what can be achieved with it and the results are jaw-droppingly impressive.

Your engine weathering effects are show stoppers- just brilliant work.

Cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: mike in calif on August 07, 2012, 12:38:11 PM

Nicely done Chris. I have this one in the stash, and seeing builds like this bumps it up the ladder a bit.

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Chris Johnson on August 08, 2012, 06:42:54 AM

Thanks again fellows for your comments. Maybe the old girl ain't that bad after all!  ;D

Dave and Mike: All in all, it's a pleasure to build with the notable exception of mating the right and left outboard wings to the centre section if you're going to have the wings extended. If I was to build the kit again, I'd glue the outboard wing halves together using their corresponding centre section wing stubs as forms. That should ensure a good tight fit when mating the outboard wing sections to the centre section later in the build. The image below might make this a bit clearer.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Wing-01.jpg)

Colour callouts are lacking so a set of Tamiya instructions will be very handy for detail painting. Lastly, be careful when installing the pilot's seat legs as the instructions aren't of much help in positioning them and the correct angle is critical.

Other than those points, the kit is a gem.

Cheers,

Chris

Title: Re: My Latest Project. It's Not WWI, But At Least It's A Swordfish Biplane.
Post by: Dave W on August 08, 2012, 08:24:11 AM

Thanks Chris. One of the big benefits of a forum like this is the chance for modellers to show their work and share build tips to others yet to start the same project. Your advice is warmly welcomed and removes a potential headache.

cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia