Glencoe 1/144th Martin M-130 China Clipper
The Clippers were first flown in 1935. In 1936 the China Clipper made the first ever commercial double crossing of the Pacific Ocean. Trans-Pacific flights spanned 5 days and 60 hours of actual flying. By 1940, two of these aircraft had accumulated 12,718,200 passenger miles. In 1942, two aircraft were impressed into the US Navy as transports.
The Hawaii Clipper was lost in 1938 (cause unknown), the Phillipine Clipper, in 1943 (crash into mountain), and the China Clipper, in 1945 (hit object while landing/crashed).
The ancient Glencoe model has held up well over the years, and is still available. It is very basic, consisting of 6 steps, and 1 step for it's base. There are decals for 3 schemes, including a U.S.Navy camoflage scheme, and all 3 Clippers. To be on the safe side, it's best to clear coat them, as mine cracked, and I ended up painting the orange on the wing top. It was a quick build, of a famous, history making aircraft.
Sweet! I always wondered how this kit built up, looks fantastic!
I can see you really enjoyed building this and making the most of a "basic" kit.
I like your subject matter here. The early days of Pan Am have always interested me. I've read a biography on Juan Trippe & like a lot of successful men he was rather ruthless to say the least.
Very nice presentation. Did the base come in the kit?
I'm glad you all enjoyed it, Yes, Al, the base comes with the kit. Craig/Simon, it's about 9 in. long, with about a 12 in. wing span. It fits right in with my odd scale Revell Mariner, Tradewind and Seamaster. Dwarfs the 1/144th P-3. It could carry 24 passengers, but usually carried 12 on overseas flights, so it was of good size.
Alright! I really like these big ol flying boats! That's one fantastic job you did on that, too!
Sigh, ... oh for one in 48th scale! The Boeing one, too!
Bo
Without anything for reference in the photo, it's hard to tell just how big it is. What's the kit's wingspan, Joe?
Nice Joe, as Craig said, a little something would of given it a size perspective,
Still a nice build Joe as ever.
Well done mate.
I built this when it was offered by Strombecker in the 1950's, it's an old kit for sure! Nice job, Joe, clean build.
great to see that build;...i know it was a fight
Joe,
I love it. I think the old Pan Am boats are beautiful to look at. For a very old and very basic kit you did a masterful job.