Vickers Vimy (Eastern Express 1:72)

[Squiffy]

My Roden D.VII, in the group build, is on hold until I get the lozenge for the wings. So...

I've started a Vimy. I suppose it's not strictly WW1 as they never saw action but as one was in France with the IAF before the Armistice then it counts in my book.



A question for the experts...

The box art, and the pictures that I have found of Vimys on the interweb, all show windows in the nose. The kit however does not have any nose windows and there is nothing in the moulding to even suggest them. Is this just a poor  kit, or did some Vimys not have windows in the nose?



Holes drilled for rigging and some filling needed...

[coyotemagic]

Excellent choice, Squiffy!  Some Vimy's had one window, but many had 3.  I recommend the Datafile.  Excellent photos.  I've never seen a photo with no windows.  Check refs and match with the S/N if you can.
Cheers,
Bud

[Alexis]

Don't think I have ever seen a Vimy built before so I'm looking forward on this one .




Terri

[RAGIII]

Squiffy,
Wow you are building machine! I am looking forward to your build. I once owned the Old Frog Vimy but never built the kit!
RAGIII

[Des]

Great subject Squiffy, I'm looking forward to seeing how you tackle this beast.

Des.

[Squiffy]

Hmmm... It's not going to be the straightforward build that I imagined.

I've already mentioned the lack of windows in the nose and I had been wondering about other aspects of the fuselage but wasn't sure. I've since been informed that there are some serious issues with the fuselage, namely that it's modelled on the transatlantic Vimy and is quite different from the beast shown in the box art.

I'm not sure my skills are up to altering it, and the fact that I've already assembled the fuselage and lower wing don't help matters, but I'll have a go because I want a standard RAF version (such as these things are ever standard) and now I know it doesn't fit that it will annoy the hell out of me if I build it as is.

I'll detail the changes later.

[Nigel Jackson]

Good luck with the changes, Squiffy. I have no doubt that your modelling skills are up to it; it may just require some patience on your part as the builder and the rest of us who can't wait to see how you progress.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Squiffy]

Thank you, Nigel, but I think that, perhaps, you overestimate my skills.

I have had the changes confirmed and those that I will make are as follows:

1)The dorsal gunner/observer's position needs to be moved forward.

2)The long hump (which housed extra fuel tanks) that extends from behind the cockpit to the existing dorsal gunner's position needs to be cut off and a replacement, shorter one, be constructed and fitted.

3)The nose requires alteration to fit windows.

There are other faults but I'll be satisfied if I can do the above and at least give the outline of an RAF service bomber and not Alcock and Brown's transatlantic Vimy.

I've discovered that F9569 was the number of the sole example to reach the IAF in France, so I'd like to paint it as that one if possible.

If it all goes wrong I can always model it as Alcock and Brown's Vimy after landing in Ireland. 

[Squiffy]

I've taken advice from Old Man and lone modeller about the changes but I've been waiting for the book shown below, and the 1:72 scale drawing contained inside, before I start.


Let the cutting commence!

[Squiffy]

No going back now. 



I've filled the gunner's position with a backing made of thick plasticard and a piece of plasticard filed circular to plug the hole. I'll sand this flush with the top, once the MEK has allowed the plastic to harden.

I've also filed down the nose gunner's gun ring as it looked too thick and as I'm going to have to make one from scratch for the dorsal, I may as well do the same for the nose.

[lone modeller]

That is looking good. There is a great deal to do to make this into something that resembles an RAF machine, but you have certainly started to address the major problems. Don't forget the ventral hatch for the rear gunner - although that got left off mine as I did not know about it at the time.

[Des]

Some major surgery happening here bu you seem to have it all under control Squiffy, looking forward to seeing how it shapes up.

Des.

[Squiffy]

Further progress on the fuselage.

The flat area has been extended with a piece of plasticard and the hole for the gunner's position drilled in. It still needs opening out further. The hump, having been cut off, has been shortened, widened and replaced and the whole smoothed in with milliput.
The side windows have been filled and new openings are yet to be cut in the correct position.


Cutting the nose window aperture.

[mgunns]

Hello Squiffy:

Quite an undertaking.  I am enjoying seeing what you are doing to make the corrections.  It all looks good to my eyes.  I am looking forward to seeing you progress and reading your comments regarding your corrections.

Best

Mark

[lone modeller]

You have clearly found a good solution to the fuselage problem but at least I did not have to cut out the window aperture in the nose - just replace the windows. This is turning into a good representation of the real thing - I am following with interest.