De Havilland DH.88 Comet “Grosvenor House”, 1/72 Airfix
I'm glad to present my new build, the "Grosvenor House"!
"Grosvenor House" G-ACSS, the winner of MacRobertson Race (England-to Melbourne) in 1934.
Today you can find brand new SBS model's nice detailed 1/72 kit for this Comet, which is I never knew until I unboxed this surprising Airfix's of 1954. with no detail at all, no cockpit instead of molded two pilot head, canopy with T1.5mm... un total problem.
but I saw in here Gábor Szabó's extremely fine build of same kit in 2015 and I could start with courage.
DH.88 is famous all wooden body racer specially made for MacRobertson Race in 1934. the race starts from Mildenhall to Melbourne acrossing half of world.
This "Grosvenor House" G-ACSS was the winner with 71h of time record.
I am quite surprised because this aircraft never looks like 1930's thing. the Design is still modern to see now. I can imagine how this was futuristic shape for the people of that era.
For the build,
I cut of for having cockpit place (it was bit sad for cut of two pilot's head away...) and scratch builded the interior. but we all know that it never viewable in 1/72 scale after closing canopy...
Putty is everywhere. I newly engraved panel lines, added rivets. I'm not sure these rivets are the original or it was added only in restored version. I colored rivets silver paint like I founded on pictures of restored aircraft.
Ah, I used homemade heat-pressed canopy. original one is never fits with fuselage and too thick to be clearly transparent. It was first time I tried to make heat-press part, I used Electrical Heat oven in the kitchen and It was an easy process.
Tamiya red acrylic paint is only color used for coloring, still brush painted. I didn't finished with clear coat because I thought paint in 1930's was may not shiny like that. and this comet has wooden body, not metal.
Thanks for watching!
Hope that I can finish 2~3 more in this year 😉
34 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Johannes Gerl said on December 8, 2017
I love the pics with the dark background. Cool project!
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Thanks Johannes, I found this photo trick just by accident. I wrote about it in my last article on Red Arrows Bae Hawk.
Jeff Bailey said on December 8, 2017
Outstanding model, Hongseob! I, too like the dark pictures.
I agree with you that this aircraft looks modern ... especially in 1934! It must have appeared (to 1934 viewers) like something from outer space. The original must be on the small size, especially considering it has 2 engines.
Another winner, Hongseob Choi!
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
I really think so! It may was much bigger shock for them than we are looking at a new stealth fighter now...!
Thanks for encourage me Jeffry!
Rob Pollock said on December 8, 2017
Great set of skills on show. Well done!
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Thank you Rob!
Craig Abrahamson said on December 8, 2017
Nice-lookin' job, sir...a real eye-catching build if ya ask me. 🙂
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Thank you Craig..!
by the way I noticed that you changed your profile pic. It's your cat? I really like to have a cat but I still cannot imagine the coexistence of cat and scale model... your picture is so mysterious
Greg Kittinger said on December 8, 2017
Fantastic! You make a convincing model out of that old kit!
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Ooould kit it was..
Scale model is started from late 1980's here in S.Korea.
It's hard to believe that you guys has built it from 1950's..!
Robert Royes said on December 8, 2017
Beautiful!
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Thanks Robert, It's really beautiful bird
Allan J Withers said on December 8, 2017
Nicely done Hongseob, good looking red Comet, much improved Airfix kit !
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
Thanks Allan,
but you can find here in I modeler Gábor Szabó’s the best build ever!
George Williams said on December 9, 2017
It looks every inch a racer, and it's got to be red, great work.
Hongseob CHOI said on December 10, 2017
It's got to be red! I agree. the early three comet had red, black and green color. but this winner's plane is coolest
Gábor Szabó said on December 16, 2017
Wow! A stunning replica! It'shard to beleive that this is from the ancient Airfix kit. Your skills are amazing; I especiallay like the finish, the canopy frames and the petit rivet details also. Big thumb up!