Porco Rosso
This is the Savoia S21 Seaplane from the 1992 Japanese Animated Adventure Film Porco Rosso.
The film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story is based on an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace, Porco Rosso, now living as a freelance bounty hunter chasing air pirates in the Adriatic Sea. After being cursed, he was transformed into an anthropomorphic pig.
Below is a link to Wikipedia.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porco_Rosso
The kit is by FineMolds and is in 1/48th scale. The seaplane and trolley were painted with Tamiya Acrylics. The panel lines on the seaplane are black gouache, and the beaching trolley was grained using a brown gouache.
The figure is not the same scale as the seaplane (1/48th), being nearer 1/35th scale.
He was painted the same as the rest of the model.
I’ve included a couple of photos showing the internal detail, which includes the guns and fuel tank.
13 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Rob Pollock said on September 23, 2017
Actually have seen this film with my grandsons a couple of years ago.
Julian Shawyer said on September 23, 2017
Hello Rob, I hope you and your grandsons enjoyed it. I have the DVD and think it’s a great film.
Editor said on September 23, 2017
I bought the movie on DVD, too. Like in many Miyazaki’s films the story is a bit quirky but the visuals are simply beautiful. That hypothetical Savoia looks every bit like a plane that could have flown (in a Schneider trophy?), and modeling it is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing – your work is a good inspiration and does justice to the original π
Julian Shawyer said on September 23, 2017
Thank you very much Martin, that’s kind of you to say. It’s a beautiful little kit which goes together really well with no filler required. I built it in sections (I have a photo I could post should you wish to see one), then glued it together with PVA glue the fit was so good. I have the Curtiss from the same film waiting to be built. π
Hongseob CHOI said on September 23, 2017
‘Non flying pig is just a pig’ simply nice shaped sea plane. how lucky that Hayao is going mad for aircraft and produce many great movie of that
Julian Shawyer said on September 23, 2017
Thank you Hongseob, how right you are,
Craig Abrahamson said on September 23, 2017
Well, now….THERE’S something different. π
Julian Shawyer said on September 24, 2017
Hi Craig, I fancied making something a little different π
Jeff Bailey said on September 23, 2017
I am SOOOO disappointed.
What? I hear you ask, Julian? I think the floatplane looks awesome and I was disappointed to find out it’s imaginary!
Seriously, I would say this imaginary Italian aircraft model is Magnifico!
Jeff Bailey said on September 23, 2017
PS – I doubt the figure of Porco himself could ever fit in that cockpit, but what do I know … this is the first time I’ve heard of this. Now I have to find and watch the movie!
π
Julian Shawyer said on September 24, 2017
Hello Jeffry, I think it was based on a real aircraft.
Porco is way oversize, but it did come with a pilot figure of him that fitted the cockpit. Let me know if you enjoy the film.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on September 23, 2017
That is unusual, but looks like something that’d be around at that time. I saw the film, and enjoyed it. Neat little model!
Julian Shawyer said on September 24, 2017
Thank you Bernard, I’m glad you enjoyed the film.
Robert Royes said on September 24, 2017
This is really nice!! and as said above, something different.
Julian Shawyer said on September 24, 2017
Hello Robert, thank you very much.
Greg Kittinger said on September 25, 2017
A fun little project, nicely executed!
Julian Shawyer said on September 25, 2017
Thank you Greg, glad you like it.
Peter Klin said on September 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this animated movie (IMO one of the best Miyazaki’s creations) and I must admit that your model is an excellent representation of the fictitious Savoia S21 – even the internal detail follows the Miyazaki style!
I guess the difficulty (and fun!) with this kit was in making its look cartoonish instead of realistic… π
Julian Shawyer said on September 26, 2017
Thank you Peter, I really enjoyed making it. Like you, I also think Porco Rosso is one of Miyazaki’s best films. I thought The Wind Rises was a great film as well.
Peter Klin said on September 27, 2017
Does it mean you are planning to build a Mitsubishi A5M Claude? (There is a kit by Fine Molds dedicated to this anime, too)
Julian Shawyer said on September 27, 2017
Hello Peter, is this the one you mean?
Peter Klin said on September 28, 2017
Gasp! Evidently …nothing happens by chance!
Carmelo Rodrigo said on September 27, 2017
It brings back memories of the movie a very beautiful piece.
REGARDS
Julian Shawyer said on September 27, 2017
Thank you Carmelo, I think the movie has a big following.