Fairey Barracuda
Right, here we go. I read some rw’s about this kit and it suppose to be challenging, so has been on the shelf for sometime but I like the odd shape of this one plus i’m a sucker for large single engine bombers so I’m gonna give it a go. I have been mentally gearing for it
The interior detail is very nice
Have scratched built the VHF receiver as I’ve seen on some larger scale Barracudas
Have added some 3d printed seatbelts from my spares. They are usaaf for the keen eye but they all look the same to me at this scale
Now these side windows have been giving me nightmares. The kit included ones are not even close to the shape of these, so ended up pouring clear resin into the holes and it will have to do.
In the meantime have painted the torpedo using the new Vallejo metal acrylic line for the first time, and boy, what a finish, i’m blown away!
Some light panel line accents and the cockpit is good to go
Last look before closing the fuselage halves
With the fuselage halves glued together will focus on the wings next
Now that the signalling lights are sorted will need to focus on the trickiest engineering issue of this project. The large wind break that has no guidance holes on the wing and will probably be knocked off a few times before the end of the project
It went together better than expected, but will need some putty and sanding
This thing put together looks even longer than before
My least favourite part of any project. The hook assembly left some gaps between itself and the fuselage so used some plastic goo to fill it up
Made some progress today...
But the fit of these air intakes are atrocious. They don’t even have any guidance as to where to place them.
Progress is slow. After loads of putty, plastic goo and sanding, all gaps and misalignments have been corrected and after some masking it is finally ready for primer.
Well, this is a kick in the nuts. The fuselage came apart here somehow and just noticing it now, while painting
Only recently discovered this masking putty and using it for the second time but absolutely love it.
A bit sceptical about the wheel supports. Not sure it’ll hold the weight of the plane
Finally made some significant progress. A coat of pledge and she’s ready for the decals
Did the barracuda have recognition lights? Not sure but seen this on another forum and decided to go with it, as there are some raised surfaces under this wing that could be those
One of my favourite parts of the project. Making some serious headway
The metal mesh I ordered from ebay came just in time.
Not too long now. Just some details to be added. Hopefully gonna finish it today.
Getting a last coat of matt varnish
I painted the recognition lights with gloss varnish so that they look like lights
Finally completed. A very difficult kit with poor moulding quality parts that turned out really good. Happy with how this turned out, but not a kit for the faint of heart
Tried my hand at rigging for the first time- you can (not) see the result for yourself. Yeah... not for me
Care to guess how many times these aerials were knocked off until all was said and done?
I went with the mk I exhaust. Couldn’t help it, looked too cool.
Comentarios
46 18 August 2022, 18:40
CarloWatching on with interest as I was looking at the 'Pacific Fleet' version of this kit.
19 August 2022, 17:42
Sebastian PeterHi David. Yes, indeed the kit is not for the faint of heart. Maybe the 1/48 is a bit better
7 September 2022, 16:50
Sebastian Peter😂 in that case arm yourself with a lot of patience and have a hasegawa on stand bye to mentally recover after completion
7 September 2022, 19:47
Phil AtkinsonLovely build. Well done.
Anything Special Hobby has "challenges", filler and sanding rapidly becoming your friend. I have the 1/48 version in the stash that will be finished as one of the aircraft in the attack on the Tirpitz in 1944.
My father was trained to service Barracudas in WWII along with Seafires and was being prepared for the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands servicing aircraft just behind the invasion beaches.
You might want to reconsider the armament. For offensive operations I think they were used more as a bomber / dive bomber with a 500lb SAP bomb on the fuselage rack, than a torpedo bomber.
10 September 2022, 08:11
Sebastian PeterThanks Phil. They are challenging but build into a nice kit at the end.
That is very cool about your father, you must know some interesting stories I bet.
I am aware of the fact that they used the bombs more than the torpedoes, especially this example that actually landed a hit on the Tirpitz, thanks for pointing it out, but I'm more leaning towards looks and cool factor in my builds rather than historical accuracy.
10 September 2022, 09:09
Guy RumpGreat build, I'll be using your build as a reference when I eventually get round to building mine. Congrats! 👍
10 September 2022, 21:55
Bas TonnInteresting aircraft, seems to share it's role with the Swordfish and the TBM Avenger.
Well built !!
11 September 2022, 10:09
Mark BroughtonVery nice build, you don't see many Barracuda's, it has the looks only a mother could love, which makes it all the better modelling subject
11 September 2022, 11:42
Sebastian PeterThank you. Agreed, she's a very interesting subject, i like the oddness of it
11 September 2022, 12:44
Michael KohlOne cannot see the hardships you encountered anymore. Good result.
11 September 2022, 13:15
