1/32nd scale Short Sunderland MkII - ID Models (Tigger) vacform

[tomprobert]

Evening all,

 

I took advantage of my time away from the classroom last week and finally finished this two-and-a-bit year project: Tigger Models' (the old ID Models' vac kit) of the Short Sunderland in 1/32nd scale. This has been a really rewarding project, and despite a setback when I knocked the completed fuselage with its interior off the table, making a rather messy contact with the kitchen floor, it's been great fun and relatively straightforward - despite its size. 

 

 

Kits like this come as a blank canvass for the builder to work his/her magic - 'bumps in plastic' is quite apt, but the shapes are reasonably accurate if not a bit primitive (picture borrowed from Tigger's webpage):

 

 

The kit provides a the correct hull shape for a MkI or MkII, but with some mods the more adventurous builder could easily convert it to a MkIII/V, etc. All panel lines and surface details need to be added and the parts are devoid of any real detail, but the plastic is lovely to work with and scribes/sands beautifully. Due to the size of the parts, home-made interior bulkheads are needed, and any visible parts of the interior need to be made from scratch:

 

 

Strong wing spars are also essential to keep the structure of the model sound - thick plastic card spars were made and added:

 

 

The flightdeck interior, bomb room and nose section were all made from scratch and detailed with some aftermarket seatbelts:

 

 

All the aerials were made from sprue and thin wire - markings were mix of home-made masks and decals:

 

 

The engines were made from spare HK Models' B-17 cylinders coupled with Revell Beaufighter parts to make a reasonable representation of the Bristol Pegasus. The early-style exhausts were made from Evergreen tube bent slowly over the toaster!

 

 

Landing lights were home made from some of my daughter's diamante play/craft jewellery (for the lights) and the covers were clear acetate once again heated over the toaster. Rigging for the floats came for EasyLine and reminded me why I'll never build a biplane!

 

 

The kit's transparencies were used  throughout - all turret interiors were scratch built. Beaching gear was also made from scratch with a friend helping out with some 3D printed wheels:

 

 

 

Bomb racks were again made from scratch with some rather lovely depth charges coming from Tim Perry - thanks, Tim!

 

 

 

I used Xtracolor enamels throughout the build - 6 tins were used in total!

 

 

I don't like to go too mad with weathering on my models so kept it relatively clean - however you can't build a Sunderland without the distinctive water marks on the hull:

 

 

A bit of exhaust staining and some fading with post-shading completed the upper surfaces:

 

 

And for some generic pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm often asked how big a 1/32nd Sunderland is. I'm sorry to inflict my ugly mug on you but you can see that it is a massive model with yours truly holding it!

 

 

My model represents a Sunderland MkII of 201 Squadron during 1942 in the lovely temperate sea scheme. Painting white gives me nightmares (especially something of this size) so I took the easier option. W4001 (ZM-V) was only on strength between February to October 1942, before hitting an underwater rock and being written off, thankfully with no loss of life. 

 

Thanks for those who took an interest along the way - I'm off for a long lay down in a darkened room to contemplate the next project!

 

Best wishes to all,

Tom

Edited June 12, 2022 by tomprobert

[Out2gtcha]

Just AMAZING man!

 

Let me be the first to say cograts! We all know what an ongoing odyssey this has been and it is super nice to see it come to fruition. Well done!  

[geedubelyer]

Epic build that turned out beautifully. 

Even more remarkable given the humble beginnings. 

Quality 

[LSP_Kevin]

A monumental build in every way. Congrats for finally getting it across the line in such fine style, Tom. This one belongs in a museum!

 

Kev

[Ali62]

Tom that is absolutely fantastic, exceptional work, well done. ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALL TIME MODELS.

[fab]

The 2022's build .

 

Amities

 

Fab

[Panzerwomble]

Holy bananas!!!! - that is completely awesome and 350% beyond my skills. Great job Tom .

Edited June 8, 2022 by Panzerwomble
can't spill

[wingman777]

Just the fact that you stayed with it and never gave up says a great deal about your tenacity.  You also made a fantastic, huge, beast of a model.  Great detail…congratulations!!

[LSP_Ron]

Very nice,  congrats on its completion!

[brahman104]

Stunning effort Tom! I still don't know if I'd ever take on a vacform, but you certainly show how good they can come up!

 

Craig

[Trak-Tor]

Congratulations!
Really great job done all the way to a fantastic model!

 

Juraj

[dodgem37]

Remarkable.

 

Sincerely,

Mark

[Jeff T]

Just unbelievable work Tom!

 

That is a Masterpiece of modelling,...and I knew it would be big, but that pic of you holding the model really surprised me how big it is.

 

Simply stunning!

 

Cheer's,

Jeff.

[Jaro]

Truly an epic build. Lovely monster!

[blackbetty]

THIS is modelling!

Stunning!