Bristol 170 Freighter

[Balsabasher]

Whilst the Avro Tudor wing roots are drying out I decided to start cutting wood for the 1=200th scale Bristol Freighter,so as I left the workshop earlier this was what was achieved a set of blanks all ready for carving.
The 'U' shaped Ureol synthetic wood component is the start of the engines which are semi carved on this tree then sliced off at the last minute,such techniques with these miniatures is essential as the parts can be fiddly to hold.
Barry.



http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_FREIGHTER_BLANKS.JPG

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_FREIGHTER_BLANKS_2.JPG

[lastvautour]

What a great idea to make the nacelles and be able to conpare the both of them as they emerge. I saw Garet do the same with an entire model.

Lou

[Balsabasher]

Well the shaping of the Bristol Freighter was easy peasy,a basic square fuselage with a bit of rounding of the edges and a nice round nose profile,the Atlas 1=144th  Diecast Halifax is there to steal engine detail from while I carve the Bristol Hercules powerplants,well the cowlings that is.
Barry.



http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_FREIGHTER_CARVED_1.JPG




http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_FREIGHTER_CARVED_2.JPG

[Balsabasher]

The wing needs to be detachable in order to be cast in two pieces ie fuselage and wing section,a membrane of polythene was inserted between the fuselage to wing joint and Milliput was pressed between the joint in order to get the exact shape of the lower surface of the aerofoil,then where the top of the fuselage meets the wings milliput was fashioned slightly proud for sanding later,the temporary screw holds things together whilst the putty sets,the screw hole can then be sealed later.
Although tiny a lot of thought has gone into the assembly in order to get the best from these working models.
Barry.




http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_FREIGHTER_WING_JOINT.JPG

[lastvautour]

Nice going Barry.

Lou

[Balsabasher]

Today the undercarriage legs were added,the strut cross braces from the fuselage sides to the main legs will be added from wire terminating to the wheel axles.
Barry.




http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_170_LOWER.JPG




http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/BRISTOL_170_UPPER.JPG

[Mothman]

Nice work, Barry.  I remember these lovely old kites growling over Paglesham struggling for lift from Southend airport.
Silver City Airways, wasn't it?

Martin

[Balsabasher]

That is correct Martin,Silver City airways ran their unique car/air service,the vehicles were loaded up under Automobile Association supervision and clamped down into channels within the aircraft,the passengers had seating in the upper deck,the highly successful service ran many years until the Bristol Freighters/Super Freighters ( longer nosed version) ran out of hours,this left a big void in available aircraft and a company called Aviation Traders Ltd came to the resue and developed the Carvair,this was basically a DC-4 with a large front clamshell door much like the Bristol Freighter for loading the vehicles,doyan of air travel Sir Freddie Laker was behind the lucrative scheme.
The idea was well liked because people wanted to take their cars with them on holiday,today the trend is to simply hire a vehicle the other end and deposit it when finished,how times have changed.
Barry.

[Mothman]

I used to watch them loading up.  Freddie Laker was nobody's fool. He also bought all the remaining RAF Prentice trainers. I went up in one for my first flight. 7/6 for a flight over the Roach and back. Sitting sideways  like a London bus!  The very 'plane is still flying, too!!
That's a plane I must model.

Martin

[Balsabasher]

And here it is Martin,G-APJB based at Coventry airport and still giving pleasure flights,built like a tank and one was converted to carry five people.
Barry.




http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10005/new_VR259_GAPJB_PRENTICE_30052010_BTN.jpg

[Mothman]

That's the old girl, Barry!  pity about the inevitable RAF livery. I preferred the off white and blue with a red stripe she wore when I was in her. 
When I flew in her she was converted for the multiple sideways seating.

Thanks for that.
Cheers,
Martin

[Balsabasher]

Martin we believe that G-APJB could have been the second 7-seater Prentice conversion but there are no signs in the cockpit today to confirm this,the scheme is as she appeared as an RAF trainer based at Halfpenny Green near Stourbridge,UK.
Yes I remember the pale blue scheme, she arrived like that at Baginton when purchased by the late John Coggins who had three Prentice aircraft G-AOKO and G-APIU which were used as spares ships on the rebuild of G-APJB.
The original idea was that the instructor and trainee pilot were overlooked by a third person ie another trainee pilot in the rear seat,the idea never took off.
Most of the Prentice aircraft that were acquired by Aviation Traders Ltd were damaged in the severe gales at Stansted and Southend,the delivery flights were frought with engine failures from the RAF maintenance units,in the end three good engines were used for the delivery flights being constantly fitted and removed for the next machine ! Freddie did not pay a lot for them and probably made more money from the full fuel tanks than the actual aircraft,then the scrap value,a shrewed man who was certainly one of aviations more colourful characters.
Barry.

[Mothman]

Barry, thanks for all the info. It's certainly one on my to do list. I love Percival aircraft.
I read somewhere that Laker paid a fiver each for the Prentices.
Shrewd as they come.  What happened to him after the cheap trans-Atlantic scheme?

Martin

[Balsabasher]

He left for the high seas enjoying his life to the fullest with his beautiful sea going vessel.
Incidently the story based around Sir Freddie which was shown on British television as the series 'Airline' will shortly be released as a DVD,it covers his early days flying Dakota's on the Berlin airlift.
Barry.