Shorts Sunderland

[mattviatura]

Hello

Does anybody on here fancy building and painting one for a small fee? Doesn't have to look like some of the artwork you see on here but has to look good, ideally I'd like it to be carrying accurate markings but I haven't got the full details of those yet.

Thanks

[Eric Mc]

I presume you are talking about the Airfix Sunderland?

[mattviatura]

Yes indeed I already have the kit. I'd like to give it to my father as a present but don't have the talent to do it properly.

[Eric Mc]

It is a difficult kit to put together. It was originally released by Airfix in the early 1960s and shows its age rather a lot now. Apart from being to early 1960s moulding standards, the moulds are also a bit tired and a lot of fettling is needed to get the thing together without too many gaps showing.

I have seen it made up and, with a huge amount of effort and care, it can be very impressive.

[kenny Chim 4]

Go on Eric, rise to the challenge and build this kit for the op's father- you know you can do it.

Last Friday I was commissioned to buy, build, paint and base this 70mm Highlander: http://www.eliteminiaturas.com/Paginas/Catalogo/Fi... by a bloke in my local pub.

It is currently pinned, primed and the base enamels are being applied.
Oh, and he paid upfront which certainly inspires promptness!

[Eric Mc]

I prefer to build to my own timetable - it's a hobby after all. If I start taking commissions (not that I would consider myself good enough), it would start turning into another job.

[Evangelion]

Know what you mean Eric. I have about a dozen car kits waiting to be built and sold, for no other reason than I need the money. But I can't raise the enthusiasm to start. Had they been for my own collection they'd have been completed by now.

[Eric Mc]

I struggle to complete my own kits so would be lousy working to a custometr's timetable.

Having said that, I have just produced two finished models for a display at the FAST Museum Farnborough - so I suppose I can do it if aI put my mind to it.

[Morf]

If you want to commission somebody to build it, you could get in touch with this guy: http://philmodel.blogspot.com/.

I don't know him and I don't know his prices, but I've been following his blog for a while and the quality of his work is very impressive.

[dr_gn]

mattviatura said:

Hello

Does anybody on here fancy building and painting one for a small fee? Doesn't have to look like some of the artwork you see on here but has to look good, ideally I'd like it to be carrying accurate markings but I haven't got the full details of those yet.

Thanks

Have a look here to get an idea of what you,re dealing with:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showt...

If you put your request on Britmodeller, perhaps under WW2, someone might help you out. There are at least 2 people I know on there build for commission, and their work looks excellent. Trouble is, unless you know someone can build, (and scratchbuild well for your kit) it may well turn out looking like a dog. Have you considerdéd getting a die cast model? I think Corgi do a reasonable Sunderland that could be re-decalled (type ´corgi sunderland´into google images - there are several versions avaialble).

[mattviatura]

Thanks for the answers everyone. The thing is I don't need a build to the standard shown on some of those sites, it just needs to look okay. I could probably build it myself it's the painting I'd struggle with.

My dad used to fly these things.

[Eric Mc]

mattviatura said:

Thanks for the answers everyone. The thing is I don't need a build to the standard shown on some of those sites, it just needs to look okay. I could probably build it myself it's the painting I'd struggle with.

My dad used to fly these things.

Dio you know what specific colour scheme and markings you would want for the aircraft?
When did your dad fly in them?

The RAF used Sunderlands from 1938 right through to around 1958.

[kenny Chim 4]

Eric Mc said:

I prefer to build to my own timetable - it's a hobby after all. If I start taking commissions (not that I would consider myself good enough), it would start turning into another job.

Apologies Eric, I should have placed a smilie in my post. I do think that you underestimate your skills though ()

[dr_gn]

mattviatura said:

Thanks for the answers everyone. The thing is I don't need a build to the standard shown on some of those sites, it just needs to look okay. I could probably build it myself it's the painting I'd struggle with.

My dad used to fly these things.

If you can´t find anyone else to do it, I would have a go F.O.C. if you bought the paints for me (probably 3 colours), and supplied any aftermarket decals (or decal paper if it was for a specific aircraft). I have no idea of the quality of the kit - I have never built one before, and it would be completely unmodified/uncorrected ie "out of the box". Plus yoú might have to wait a while for it, and you´d have to get it to and from Sheffield. As I said - a last resort!

Do you have a photo of your Dad´s aircraft?

Cheers.

[Eric Mc]

There was a very good article on building the Airfix Sunderland in Scale AIrcraft Modelling a couple of years ago. I can dig out the relevant issue if you want. The modeller did do a super job in improving and rectifying the model so, even if you didn't want to go as far as he did, the article would provide very useful pointers as to where the kit could be improved.

There was also an "In Detail" series of photos of the Sunderland in another recent modelling magazine. I'll dig that one out as well.

I built the Sunderland way back in the 1970s. At that time I built it as an Antilles Air Boats Short Sandringham airliner so didn't quite follow the normal construction method.

And, of course, a visit to the RAF Museum will give you the chance to actually get inside the preserved example on display there.

[mattviatura]

Dad flew them in 44/45, the only thing I know is that it would have been Coastal Command.

I've been in touch with the Sunderland Trust at Pembroke and am in the process of finding out details about specific aircraft. Unfortunately the only picture of my father in the Air Force shows him fast asleep in a Catalina.

Dr that's kind of you, Sheffield you say? Hmmm Snake Pass...

I may well be in touch when I have the specifics thank you.

[Eric Mc]

Did he serve in Catalinas too?

[mattviatura]

Eric Mc said:

Did he serve in Catalinas too?

I believe so, unfortunately I don't have too much information.

[The real Apache]

Are there any after market parts for em?

[mattviatura]

The real Apache said:

Are there any after market parts for em?

Not sure what you mean by this.