An old Walrus coming to life...Matchbox 1/72 kit.

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys,

The recent picture of a Kingfisher on a catapult at the Cosford show has made me revisit the build I did nearly two years back. Many here have not seen it while those from the past forum may have. I'll start off by showing what was completed followed by the build blog.



This isn't the latest image because the hatches haven't been added yet but it gives an idea of what the build becomes.



The box was nearly disintegrating when I took it from the stash...with a set of reference printouts I took a big gulp and delved into the build.



The parts weren't the typical multi coloured plastic pieces you would normally find in a Matchbox kit. This was a Chinese reboxed version but it did have three types of coloured plastic in grey, pearl and white. Panel lines were raised so I sanded them down to rescribe.



These were mu tools for the scribing, dymo tape for contoured surfaces, draftmens aluminum template and a scriber.





Lucky for me most of the panels were straight so it was easy. Scribing is best done while the parts are still in their halves so their flat sides anchor them to the mat.





With the scribing completed I proceeded with the interior ribbing then scratching the seats and cockpit and radio compartment not before cutting the windows for the radio compartment. I made the floor walkway with the side of CD covers.



More later.

Cheers,
Richard

[Allen Dewire]

Hi Richard,

It's nice to see this build again and it is one to be proud of. I'll be watching it and I hope you still have the picture of the figures after you painted them. I loved the poses and how they are all dancing to the Village People's song "In The Navy"...….Hope all is well on your side of the world my friend.

Prost
Allen

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
I remember this but I'll enjoy seeing it again. That scribing template looks useful. Was there no interior at all in the kit?
Jim

[rtfoe]

Thanks Guys,

Allen... :tears-of-joy: they're still dancing on the deck.
Jim...the kit only came with L shaped seats, crew and locating pins like most old kits of the day.

I'll continue with more photo's soon.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

The Walrus gets more furniture...

Besides the cockpit and radio room, the rear compartment recieved a bit of work too...



The board walk was extended and since I ran out of CD cover edges I replaced with scribed sheets of thick plastic. Made some oxigen bottles and the steering wheel.



Added the co-pilots foldable seat and some levers on the right side of the fuselage. I don't know why I bothered with the paddles...cxan't see them unless I peer through the opened canopy from an acute angle from above.



After a light coat of primer the chaos doesn't look too bad.



Posing the left wing folded needed some thinking. Exposed areas needed reworking with flaps cut out as they were folded as well...



Interior green and some extra panels attached on the ceiling . Everything is attached so painting them individually would be in areas which could be seen and not the full monty.



Wing root painted in insignier chrome yellow...



Below is a process I wasted time on thinking the flaps had rounded edges at the wing mounts. Later I found they weren't flaps at all but were just part of the wing that needed to be flipped up for the wing to be folded and had a flat edge with hinges.



Next interior painting and weathering...

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Now where am I...oh yes... colours for the interior



Before and after a coat of dark wash and cleanup.



Put in the raised pilots platform and mucked around with seatbelts...



I cut a piece of acetate for the windows on either side of the radio operators section.



From this angle you get to see the flight controls made from different sized cut discs.



The rear gunners seat wasn't forgotten either and had a painted cussion and belts too.



Did the machinegun support ring and added a stowage box to the rear to block off anything else from view of the rear.

Next up will be the engine.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Excellent modelling Richard :smiling3:.

[rtfoe]

Thanks Ralph...more images and construction to digest...did I say engine next...my apologies, its the wheel well and side floats...



Seriously it was empty and I thought some simple gyzmalogy would suffice until I saw the reference...Gee Whiz...turned out to be some honey combed thingy. Solved it with two layers of cut squares.



Before the wing halves could be glued together I had to secure the rigging for the floats. Cyano and rigging thread were used.



Both sides done.



Even before I glued the halves I still had to pre-drill the holes for the other rigging from the upper wing. That will be shown later.

Cheers,
Richard

[Fernando N]

Great to see this one again Richard :thumb2:, when you get to the catapult part can you show the drawings again?

[rtfoe]

Hi Fernando...sure no problem. I have a pdf file I think if you need it.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Ok engine for real now...

Some minor details like the lip on the nozzle using very thin tubing. The kit part was just flat with no hole.



On looking at the build sequence something told me I had to tackle the engine first. I was surprised that Matchbox had gotten the characteristic angle of the engine pod slightly off to the left after all the struts were assembled on. At first I was wondering why some of the connecting holes were off center and proceeded with correcting them as you can see the gapping hole. The struts fitted the existing hole and not the one I made. On looking at actual plans the engine pod was mounted at an angle. Thumbs up for Matchbox.



After all man made holes were plugged up I drilled inserts for the rigging and added the filaments with extra lengths as a precaution and to ease work later.



On fitting the cylinders they looked too simple...



I added exhaust manifolds out of thick lead solering wire flatted at the curve with a plyer.



Before gluing them down I marked each spot as there was no room for error when using super glue.



They fit thankfully...



As this assembly will be difficult to get at, pre painting was necessary so that will come up next.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

I see some have arachnophobia :tears-of-joy: ...the engine sure looks like a spindly spider.

Anyway some little bits like the rope winch attached to the front cabin before I close the fuselage halves....



The winch goes just behind the front crows nest or front gunner position. I used wire for the rope which was easier to create the loop I needed later.



While the halves were being clamped I attached the lower section of the upper wing to the enging strut. I also cleaned up and assembled the propeller blades and the wheels.



Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Coming along very nicely Richard :smiling3:.

[rtfoe]

Thanks Ralph.

Cheers,
Richard

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Great improvements to the interior. Working out where all the rigging goes must have taken a lot of studying.
Jim