Contrail 1/72 Vac-form Handley Page HP-42

Resurrected thread from 2010.Recently posted pics on the Vac form group on Facebook.Very well received! 

THanks!

That looks great mate!!! In the home strtech!!

OK! Mounted up the engines and props.I still need to glaze in the nose and add some aerials but she is almost complete!          

Thanks! Its really cool and unique.

Looking good Philo!!!! Really taking shape now!!!

I mounted up the lower engines today and placed the props for the photos. I won't up the upper engines until all of the other work is done.      

Painted and installed the tail wheel today.Man this is one heavy model!    

Now its starting to come together!    

I attached the tail unit today using 5-minute epoxy.The extended set time allowed me to adjust the fit.  

I finally was able to resume work on this beast.I mounted up the wheels.Next up:Prepare the tail assembly for installation     

Had to make the fender braces out of thin brass strip!Came out pretty well.  

I still have to make the fender mounts but I stuck the wheels on and propped the back with a Lego brick.Lookin' good! 

landing gear lunacy! I had to make,prime and paint 2 more braces for the landing gear out of brass tubing.I swear Handley-Page built this thing like a tank!     

i decided to use heavy gauge,solid core wiring for the exhaust pipes.The wire is the right diameter and when I stripped off the insulation on the end it plugged right into the hole that I drilled in the engine block.      

Gettin'there! Next up i have to install the landing gear after i make the exhaust pipes.

Looking good philo, on th ehome stretch now!!!

Ok after a long delay I've re-started this project.I painted and black washed the engines and painted the props to represent mahogany. Here is a pic.  

I was also able to make all of the struts touch the top wing!    

Ok after a long delay I've re-started this project.I painted and black washed the engines and painted the props to represent mahogany. Here is a pic.  

It flew great!Look on youtube and type in Handley Page HP-42.They have take-off footage that shows it leaping into the air!That huge top wing really made it stable!

My God in heaven. This thing actually ... flew???

This thing has 20 stuts! THe wing feels as solid as a rock!  

Today I started the process of attaching the top wing.I used 2-part epoxy to attach the outer wing struts as well as the engine to lower wing struts.I will have to obtain more strut material to custom fit the engine to fuselage struts as well as fabricate some extensions to allow the shorter struts to reach the top wing. Here is a pic  

Added a couple more decals.Decided to call it Heracles!  

Added decals to the top wing.Luckily they are still good!       

Philo she's coming along nicely!!! Looking better all the time!!!

Took off the masking tape today,Sure looks like the waterline of a ship,does it not?