Airfix 1/48 Supermarine Walrus MkI - Silver Wings COMPLETED (finally)

Very nice work. I sure hope they release this thing in 1/72...

Waikong,

Looks like an interesting bunch of floaties in that group build. I'm delighted that my build inspired you to get going on yours ... I'm sure your finished model will be excellent.

You have given me some impetus to get going on my USS Kearsarge so that I can finish her up within 6 months or so. Lots of rigging to get going on. After that maybe back to aircraft - or, for a change, some armor.

BTW, I work in different scales - mostly 1/48 for aircraft, all 1/35 for armor, and various scales for ships. It's all good.

yeah, i know. This thread is over a year old. But Mike, wanted to let you know I started building this kit as part of the floats group build. Wouldn't be doing it without your build as inspiration.

Thanks Toshi and Ezra!

The detail and finish is absolutely amazing!

Your friend's, Toshi & Ezra

Thanks Lawdog!

Coming from you it means quite a lot. Just don't look too closely at all the funky mistakes and sloppiness of my build .

Wow!  That's gorgeous Mike.  You are a braver man than I. 

Brandon,

Thanks!

Dodgy,

There are several minor variations on this French quotation. The one I like the best is:

"Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils".

At 77 I appreciate the quote.

How did I completely miss this? Good lord I love float planes and flying boats. Awesome work, I love it!!

BK

Mike, its good advice about the PE and I will follow it. I will get it and get a couple of other builds for experience first. Like you, when I opened the kit I was hugely impressed. Then I saw all the ejector pin marks. LoL

PS I have to ask, what is the translation of the quote in your post? Sorry, I'm just an ignorant colonial.

Okay:

 Is that the same model I said YIKES about? Is that an older Supermarine Walrus? It resembles One I have But Mine looks chunkier! Forgive me for asking. I went back and read the whole post. Stupid Me!

YIKES !!

Rob (Dodgy),

I can't tell you whether or not to get the PE. It's a matter of both perspicacity and perserverance. I don't have large amounts of either . However, if you're used to working with PE then it might be worth the effort and expense. Since you say you've not worked with PE before, your reserves of patience will be tested but, with determination, you'll get the hang of it. My suggestion would be to build a simpler kit that has PE in it just to get the feel for it before tackling the Walrus.

Thanks for the kind words.

Thanks Steve!

(I'm sure you'll do a much neater job!)

Mike I have this kit to build as well. Sadly I have only noticed your posts when you made the finished post. However I have gone back and read the whole thread and you have given me several heads up, particularly with the PE. I have not used this before and was wondering wether or not to get it.

You have made a superb model mate and faced down a number of personal challenges. Well done. If mine comes up anywhere  near as good as yours, I will be very happy.

Mike,

I think you did a stupendous job on her. Hopefully I can do as well as you when I get around to building mine. Well done sir!

Steve

Thanks Waikong!

It's certainly not an original idea - I saw a similar diorama with the Walrus some time back on the 'net. I'm happy enough with the way the idea turned out.

Now if I could just be neater!

Thanks Chad.

I used Vallejo acrylic metal colors for airbrushing and thought they were just fine.

Well I think it looks wonderful. You've tackled two difficult components. Number one being a biplane with rigging, and number two, the metallic finish. I would say this is definitely one to show off and be very proud of

Thanks Hoss WA!

The Mongoose,

Thanks.

I learned several things while building this diorama. 1. How to melt hours of work rigging a biplane by getting too close with a soldering iron . 2. On some kits it pays to dry fit several times before gluing. 3. Order of applying paint should be thought through before picking up airbrush or hand brush. 4. When in doubt, think about it some more .

Cool concept and interesting subject. Well done!

Ehh, we learn something new every time and if we continue to improve then be proud! I really like your silver paint. Looks smooth and not blotchy like silver sometimes can. Those big decals on the wings look like they settled down nicely. Looking good!

Here are the final pictures.

I am cursed with being a "sloppy" modeler but even with all the mistakes and sloppy work I like the concept. It did not turn out as badly (nor as well) as I had thought (and hoped). Still, it's been a learning experience and working on it for the last week or so has taken my mind off the hazardous air here in Salem - at one point this last week, the worst air quality in the world!

Hopefully I'll be neater on my next build - Kitty Hawk's 1/48 UH-1D Huey.

I have done little for a while simply because A) I'm lazy in my old age and, B) The weather has been too nice to be indoors so I've been out and about.

I've started on the decals. They always try my patience if there are a bunch a small ones ... and there are! (32 footprint decals to mark, I suppose, the walkable area on the fabric covered wings.)

I should have done some of the decals earlier .. would have saved me some headaches .. but so much for planning ahead .

I've stripped the paint on the mullions of the canopy I'd sprayed because I'd obviously not seated the masks properly. I have another mask set and will do it over. I also have to mask and paint the alternate canopy (open) since I'm not yet sure which I'll use in the end.

Still have the prop to paint and attach along with (maybe?) the tail wheel/rudder. Also have to figure out how to tone down the whole paint job .. and then do some weathering.

I wish we'd get a few days of rain so I would get back to the bench!

bvallot,

No, it's not your standard aircraft for sure. That's partly why I chose it ... it grew on me. It's not a huge aircraft but it seems to have contributed good service during WWII. I'm planning on displaying it picking up a downed aircrew on the water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-2UAXblTUE