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Amodel's Rutan Voyager

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  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Huntington, WV
Amodel's Rutan Voyager
Posted by EZSnapes on Friday, September 19, 2008 7:38 PM

Here are several pictures of my recently completed Amodel Rutan Voyager in 1/72 scale.

Even though it is in 1/72 scale, the wing span is more than 18" wide.  Since I have limited display space, and since I wanted to display the craft in flight, complete with damaged wings, I decided to use a stand.  Not only does this allow me to display several 1/72 bi-planes under the wings, I didn't have to contend with the landing gear which is the poorest moldings that I have ever seen.

Overall the kit is crude.  The parts are poorly molded with rough surfaces and poor fit.  I have never spent so much time filling gaps and sanding a 1/72 model.  The kit is also inaccurate in many ways.  I corrected several small errors, most notibly the front prop.  Even though the fuselage is too flat, there is no mistaking the craft for what it is.

The decals are also poor.  Although they are in register and look good on the sheet, they fell apart when applied, some of them are too long and there are several missing ones.  I had to patch the markings on the left boom together so they are a little out-of-line but that was the best that I could do.  I stopped and sprayed the balance of the decals with gloss enamel and that solved the problem. 

I used photos from the National Air and Space Museum (available on the Internet) to duplicate the damage and worn paint on the bottom.

Bitching aside, I really like the model and the spirit of Ms. Yeager and the Rutan brothers.

 

100_0762.jpg picture by EZSnapes 

 100_0755.jpg picture by EZSnapes

100_0764.jpg picture by EZSnapes

100_0766.jpg Bottom (with stand) picture by EZSnapes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
Posted by mfsob on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:07 PM
I had been eyeing that kit, but yeah, the sheer size puts me off because I too have very limited space. I like the way yours turned out, though - especially since it sounds like it was a real dog. I think you have a winner here.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:16 PM

Looks good from here.  Thanks for sharing.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Friday, September 19, 2008 8:25 PM
Looks great.  And nice to see something different. JOHN

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Friday, September 19, 2008 9:10 PM
Al,

You did a very good job with the Voyager. The results look like it was worth all the work. I like the stand too. A plane like that needs to be displayed in flight!

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: A Computer in Adrian, (SE) Michigan.
Posted by Lucien Harpress on Friday, September 19, 2008 9:10 PM

Very nice.  Having built the kit I know exactly what you mean.  The fuselage is pretty much the wrong shape entirely.  On the plus side, though, it doesn't need any nose weight!

 

Definitely an eye-catching model should you be able to finish it.  I'm especially liking the up-swept wings of your in-flight display.  I got around the natural droop of the kit wings by building it wheels-down.  You pulled the effect off nicely.

Good job!

That which does not kill you makes you stranger...
-The Joker
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Saturday, September 20, 2008 8:35 AM
Nicely done!  After seeing the real thing up close, I was stunned by how cramped the crew compartment really was.  Thanks for the photos, great job! Thumbs Up [tup]

Frank 

 

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