Short S.23

[109ROAMING]

While doing some research for a future build I've come across this kit

CMR 1/72 Short S.23 C-Class Empire Flying Boat

Admittedly its a very impressive kit indeed but ....$165 US like $300 bucks NZ for one kit? are you f%$% kidding me?

I'm hoping to come across some contrail and airframe vacform kits

What is this world coming to when a kit costs this much? (I'd have to work like a week to get this thing) I'm thinking it be easier to buy a Airfix Sunderland for $40 bucks and spend a week at home converting it!

What'das reckon? possible conversion? Thoughts/comments welcome!

 

[Graeme]

 

[Airframes]

Not too bad. I reckon you could do it Daniel. It would help if you had a scale drawing of course, but, at the risk of sparking off the 'rivet counters', as long as it looked the part, in outline and relative accuracy, it would be ok. The hardest part would be blending in the tail end of the hull, but this could be done with something like Milliput over a plastic ard former.
The question is, can you obtain the Airfix Sunderland?

 

[109ROAMING]

as long as it looked the part

Thats good enough for me! the Airfix Sunderland is easily obtainable ,is it rare over there mate? I'd like to do a few of these (love flying boats 8) ) Conversion doesn't look tooooo hard -thinking about it -just did a currency conversion and 165 US works out at $280 NZD .So I could buy 7 airfix Sunderlands for the price of one of these resin kits! Gotta source me some plans -Man I'm looking forward to building a few of these

Thanks Graeme ,love the illustration! 8) so theres no real difference in the canopy? its just moved forward? hmmmm sounds like fun!

 

[Wayne Little]

Go for it Daniel...with Graemes highly technical drawing you're in!

 

[109ROAMING]

I seriously love that illustration its both funny and highly useful at the same time

Where could I find 1/72 plans for one of these? such a cool looking duck

 

[Wayne Little]

I was thinking the same thing!

plans? start typing mate there must be something somewhere....Terry most likely will have something or a direction to go...?

 

[109ROAMING]

Searching now ...this may take a while

Found a few sites to go through.....

 

[109ROAMING]

JACKPOT

Untitled Normal Page

Alright now wheres the printer.....

 

[A4K]

Great info Daniel!

Looks like a bit of work, but feasible...you could maybe carve a new tail and nose from a block of balsa wood, and seal with a coat of sprue melted in liquid cement, or build up the profile with plastic formers (in two halves) then cover with thin plastic sheet or margarine containers...

 

[Airframes]

Good find Daniel. I'd looked for you, but the old 'MAP Plans Service' seems to be defunct. I've got some line-drawing profiles of 'civilian' Sunderlands (and RAF) if they'll help for future projects. As for the balsa, if you use that, Evan's idea of using melted sprue is OK, but, no disrespect Evan, the old-fashioned way is easier, more accurat, quicker, and gives a superb finish. Basically, once the shape is cut and formed, the balsa grain is sealed by progressive coats of gloss varnish mixed with talcum powder, Rub down between coats, when it's fully hardened, and finish with a coat of straight gloss varnish. The end result will be as tough as armour, and as smooth as glass. It's the way balsa modellers used to do it, and is also used for making moulds for canopies etc.

 

[109ROAMING]

Many thanks for your help Evan and Terry although I'm a little confused with the methods

Please excuse my drawing abilites

 

[A4K]

(double posted!)

 

[A4K]

None taken! Yours sounds much better (thanks!)

Daniel, the next step is just sanding and prepping for painting. Untreated balsa remains grainy and porous, so needs to be coated to provide a smooth paintable surface.
I can send you an article on the second technique I mentioned - it's similar to the method used in balsa flying model construction, or vacform modelling.

 

[Graeme]

G'day Daniel. Just another thought, and no comical drawings this time, but would the S.25 or S.26 be an easier choice? The S.25 in particular, being a Sunderland conversion. Got your heart set on the S.23?
Lacking modelling knowledge, why would this S.23 kit be so expensive, more to do with the rarity of the aircraft or the manufacturing process?

S.25...



S.26...

 

[109ROAMING]

Unfortunately yeah I do mate , I was inspired by the article in 'Aeroplane monthly' of Short S.23 'Corio' being shot down in late january 1942 .Which I've scanned (not my magazine) for future purposes -if you'd like a copy (Or you Evan/Terry) just let me know

S.25 and S.26 look interesting birds -may have to model them too!

None taken! Yours sounds much better (thanks!)

Daniel, the next step is just sanding and prepping for painting. Untreated balsa remains grainy and porous, so needs to be coated to provide a smooth paintable surface.
I can send you an article on the second technique I mentioned - it's similar to the method used in balsa flying model construction, or vacform modelling.

Ah that clears it up! wow! article sounds bloody good -I'd love it! Thanks mate!