Sopwith 'Swallow' 1:32 scale

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The engine cowl and after market ‘CMK Master Models’ Le Rhöne 9J (110 hp) has been fitted, which is the correct engine for the 'Swallow'.
The next step is to create cowl plates that were fitted to replace the 'Camel' strap type fasteners at the top of the cowl.
The bottom strap fasteners were retained.
Then final fit the two 'Vickers' guns and feed chutes.

Mike

[RAGIII]

The Engine looks great in the cowling! Looking forward to your further progress!
RAGIII

[Alexis]

That does look nice 




Terri

[PrzemoL]

Great modelling, all around. As usual. A joy to behold!

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Both 'Vickers' guns are fitted along with their ammunition feed belts.
The 'Swallow' did not have ammunition ejector chutes, as fitted to the 'Camel'.
My assumption is that the ammunition was fed to each weapon from inboard of the breech blocks and spent rounds were ejected outboard over the fuselage sides.

Next is to sort out the wind screen and 'Aldis' gun sight.
None of the available data show an 'Aldis' sight fitted, other than the information supplied with the resin conversion set.
As the 'Swallow' was a 1918-19 design, it's quite possible that this sight was fitted,

Mike


 

[RAGIII]

Guns and ammo belts look Awesome!
RAGIII

[kensar]

I believe you are correct about the spent cartridges, if they used the discentigrating belt.  I had to figure out how all that worked for the Pup I'm working on.  Before the discentigrating belt, they used a cloth belt, which went straight through the gun breech and the spent cartridges came out of the cloth belt and were ejected out the bottom of the gun.

[Bughunter]

Mike, that is a great real looking macro shot of your model! I like the belts.

Cheers,
Frank

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Thanks guys.

Ken:
Thanks for your information. The two weapons were widely spaced weapons and the fact there are no ejector chutes fitted does seem to suggest they were fed from inboard,

Mike

[lone modeller]

I have been catching up on this thread - really good progress and very impressive modelling here. The guns and cowl are super. This is going to be a great conversion.

Stephen.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The forward fuselage and cockpit area is nearly done.
It included a fair bit of modification, no surprise there.
It includes adding the two machine guns, wind screen and 'Aldis' gun sight with cockpit support frame, adding access holes in the front decking panel and side plates in the decking panel cut-outs.
Also nail lines up the fuselage side panels and changing the retaining straps at the top of the engine cowl to those for the 'Swallow', which were metal retainer strips.

Next is to add the twin pitot-static pipes onto the forward right cabane strut and the cross bracing rigging between the cabane struts and across the forward two struts,

Mike

[AndRoby67]

Hi!
Transforming a Camel into a Swallow is one of my next desired projects. I'm a 1/72 modeller so I will use the old Revell or the new Roden kits.
Your fantastic WIP for sure will guide me. You put attention in every little aspect of this nimble plane/model.
Everytime I see your forward steps I remain with my mouth open...
First class work!
Roberto

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Roberto,
Thanks for your kind comments.
I hope to finish this model in the next few weeks.
Once I do I will as usual post a full build log in PDF format on my site (link below) for anyone to download.
It will contain step by step chapters with all of my modifications, illustrations, photos and what research data I could find,

Mike

[RAGIII]

Continuing to be a superb piece of work Mike! Really taking shape now!
RAGIII

[Gisbod]

Wonderful work Mike 


Guy