Airco De Havilland 1/72 conversions

[stevehed]

These are all conversions using the Airfix DH4. The DH9 was the first and my first act was to try and locate Alan Hall’s article. I’d already come across a couple of builds posted on the web and they looked alright but I have to admit I wasn’t too keen on balsa and the cellulose/dope mixture. I’d got an Aeroclub Puma and Scarff/Lewis set up and having realised it was possible to reposition the front cockpit decided it was a going project.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/67216-airfix-dh9/

The DH1A was a modification of the DH9 build and used a similar method to create the nacelle. This was the build that removed any lingering doubts about building pushers. Since then I’ve built an FE8, FE2 and Voisin III but the kit I was wary of remains unbuilt, namely, the Pegasus Vickers Gunbus. But it will be that I promise. At the time I didn’t have any proper plans and installed a very definite non standard radiator. I’ve managed to convince myself that it was a very necessary field modification with the added bonus that the extra water would come in very handy for making large quantities of tea.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=31539

Next to the Avro 504 the DH6 was one of Britain’s main primary trainers. It came about quite logically as I wondered if there were many structural similarities within the DH family of aircraft. The inspiration was a fellow modeller who was reducing his stash and I was lucky enough to get some kits and a few spare fuselages which included the DH4. Surgery would be required but the DH4 fuselage looked promising so another project was born.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=39858&p=578270#p578270



Regards, Steve

[lcarroll]

   That's some pretty ingenious Kit Bashing, Steve, you've got some really nice results from spares and scrap. Very well done and unique, thanks for posting these.
Cheers,
Lance

[IanB]

Very nicely done, a great looking trio and fine additions to the collection. I'll be taking the easier route as I managed to find vacform kits of the DH1 and DH6, and the Blue Rider conversion for the DH9. Just call me lazy... 

Ian

[stevehed]

Thanks Gentlemen. Well said Lance, " spares and scrap" is a wonderful summary of the methodology. I might have to borrow the term in future.

Ian B  Can't say I've ever come across vacs of the DH1 and DH6, certainly not when the builds were started. As for the Blue Rider conversion kit I tried for one on eBay for it went for silly money. Then I got the DH4 kit for a fiver +p&p. Had to build it then.

Regards, Steve

[Des]

Three beautiful looking models Steve, you certainly have a talent for making use of spare parts.

Des.

[Borsos]

I just can congratulate you for all your great kit bashing projects, they are exciting little gems made out of the same raw material. Very nice!
Borsos

[RAGIII]

Three more really creative and outstanding conversions!
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

As a fellow modeller who started his conversion career with a DH 9 using Alan Hall's method, and having also converted a DH1A from the DH 4, I fully appreciate what you had to do to build these. They are wonderful examples of what can be done with a little patience and ingenuity. More please!

BTW the Vickers Gunbus is not so difficult - if you can build a Fee and a DH 1 you can certainly build a Gunbus.

Stephen.