Fairey Barracuda

1
August 18, 2022
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
2
August 18, 2022
The interior detail is very nice
3
August 18, 2022
4
August 18, 2022
Have scratched built the VHF receiver as I’ve seen on some larger scale Barracudas
5
August 18, 2022
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
6
August 21, 2022
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.
7
August 18, 2022
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!
8
August 19, 2022
Some light panel line accents and the cockpit is good to go
9
August 19, 2022
Last look before closing the fuselage halves
10
August 20, 2022
11
August 20, 2022
With the fuselage halves glued together will focus on the wings next
12
August 21, 2022
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
13
August 21, 2022
It went together better than expected, but will need some putty and sanding
14
August 21, 2022
This thing put together looks even longer than before
15
August 21, 2022
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
16
August 22, 2022
Made some progress today...
17
August 22, 2022
But the fit of these air intakes are atrocious. They don’t even have any guidance as to where to place them.
18
August 30, 2022
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.
19
September 2, 2022
Well, this is a kick in the nuts. The fuselage came apart here somehow and just noticing it now, while painting
20
September 4, 2022
Only recently discovered this masking putty and using it for the second time but absolutely love it.
21
September 5, 2022
A bit sceptical about the wheel supports. Not sure it’ll hold the weight of the plane
22
September 5, 2022
Finally made some significant progress. A coat of pledge and she’s ready for the decals
23
September 7, 2022
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
24
September 7, 2022
One of my favourite parts of the project. Making some serious headway
25
September 9, 2022
The metal mesh I ordered from ebay came just in time.
26
September 9, 2022
Not too long now. Just some details to be added. Hopefully gonna finish it today.
27
September 9, 2022
Getting a last coat of matt varnish
28
September 9, 2022
I painted the recognition lights with gloss varnish so that they look like lights
29
September 10, 2022
30
September 10, 2022
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
31
September 10, 2022
Tried my hand at rigging for the first time- you can (not) see the result for yourself. Yeah... not for me
32
September 10, 2022
Care to guess how many times these aerials were knocked off until all was said and done?
33
September 10, 2022
34
September 10, 2022
35
September 10, 2022
36
September 10, 2022
37
September 10, 2022
38
September 10, 2022
I went with the mk I exhaust. Couldn’t help it, looked too cool.
39
September 10, 2022

Comments

46 18 August 2022, 18:40

Andy Ball
And…..watching

18 August 2022, 18:44

Carlo
Watching on with interest as I was looking at the 'Pacific Fleet' version of this kit.

19 August 2022, 17:42

Guy Rump
Watching too 👍

19 August 2022, 22:07

Cuajete
Me 4!

23 August 2022, 17:47

Cuajete
Good progress 👍

30 August 2022, 20:21

Skyhiker
Nice

6 September 2022, 06:16

David Taylor
Got the 48.That looks a challenge.

7 September 2022, 14:25

Oleg Smilyk
Very nice detailing and paint job, watching!

7 September 2022, 15:43

Sebastian Peter
Hi 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
Thanks Oleg

7 September 2022, 16:50

David Taylor
Nope.

7 September 2022, 19:41

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

David Taylor
LOL.

8 September 2022, 16:02

Phil Atkinson
Lovely 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 Peter
Thanks 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

Rui S
Excellent 👍

10 September 2022, 21:47

Guy Rump
Great build, I'll be using your build as a reference when I eventually get round to building mine. Congrats! 👍

10 September 2022, 21:55

David Taylor
Very smart for a Barracuda.

10 September 2022, 22:34

Sebastian Peter
Thank you guys!

11 September 2022, 08:45

Neuling
Clean, careful, beautiful! 👍

11 September 2022, 09:04

Sebastian Peter
Thank you, Neuling!

11 September 2022, 09:35

Bas Tonn
Interesting aircraft, seems to share it's role with the Swordfish and the TBM Avenger.

Well built !!

11 September 2022, 10:09

Mark Broughton
Very 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 Peter
Thank you. Agreed, she's a very interesting subject, i like the oddness of it

11 September 2022, 12:44

Carlo
I hope to do this one and the Fairey Fulmar one day.

11 September 2022, 12:51

Michael Kohl
One cannot see the hardships you encountered anymore. Good result.

11 September 2022, 13:15

Oleg Smilyk
Very well done, the Barracuda is simply amazing!

11 September 2022, 14:02

Sebastian Peter
Thanks guys

11 September 2022, 16:50

Cuajete
Wow... so beautiful. Very nice job.
Congrats!

11 September 2022, 18:22

Sebastian Peter
Thanks Cuajete!

11 September 2022, 19:10

Project info

Fairey Barracuda

39 images

1:72

Completed

1:72 Barracuda Mk.II "Home Fleet" (Special Hobby SH72306)

Fairey Barracuda Mk.II

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (1937-now)
No. 829 NAS 4A / LS550 HELL'S BELLS
May 1944 World War 2»Operation TungstenAttack on Tirpitz - HMS Victorious
FS36118 FS34096 FS34583

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