Fairey Flycatcher
Here's my recently completed Fairey Flycatcher on wooden floats by Armory Models in 1:48. For an interesting history of this aircraft, I refer you to Tom Cleaver's article and build of his Flycatcher on this forum. This is a very nice kit, but not for the faint of heart or if you're in a hurry to get it done. It has a nicely detailed 14-cylinder Jupiter IV engine with 28 tiny little PE rocker arms. The builder needs to make the pushrods from wire. The kit has resin intake tubes and exhausts, but I made exhaust stubs from .015" solder because the resin parts broke apart just trying to remove them from the stubs. The cockpit is quite detailed with lots of tiny little PE parts, which can't be seen so I didn't bother with anything but the seat belt, instrument panel, control stick, and engine control quadrant. I rigged it with RB Products flat wire and .008" brass wire for the ailerons, rudder and elevator cables. Paint was Alclad II Duraluminum on the metal panels and struts, and Tamiya Flat Aluminum on the fabric surfaces with a couple of coats of Alclad Aqua Gloss Coat . The kit decals went down very nicely. I used HGH Wood Grain Decals on the floats, my first try at this. I wish I had used a lighter shade, they look too dark. I finished it as N9892/5 of the 403rd Flight aboard the HMS Hermes, China Station, circa 1926.
Very nice! Precise, intricate work on this one.
An excellent little Flycatcher, Chas. You did really well with the kit and I wouldn't worry about the woodgrain decals. The finish on wooden parts particularly floats varied quite significantly depending on what was in the water at the time and what varnish was available. Very well handled rigging as well and your work with the engine makes all the difference.
A neat looking Flycatcher, the detail and rigging set it off nicely.
What an excellent Outcome! That ist an real and overhelming convincing Interpretation of this attraktive airplane. What a modelling gem!
Excellent Flycatcher, Chas!
Congratulations!
A great looking Flycatcher, Chas @chasbunch
Beautiful detailing and good looking rigging.
Absolutely amazing build, Chas @chasbunch. It is stunning!
Great work! Love your often more rare subjects
A beautiful job Chas . I always admire the work that goes into rigging biplanes.
Beautiful work!
Excellent work. The wood stain to the silver lacquer is very well done.
That is truly stunning, Chas @chasbunch! 🤩 Wow! 🏆
Nicely done on a very busy looking build. Well done, Chas
Fantastic Flycatcher, Chas.
Gorgeous, Chas @chasbunch. Is that Alclad Aqua gloss coat slightly sticky to the touch after it drys like their Klear Kote lacquer is?
Thanks, Eric. The Aqua Gloss dries nicely after a short time, never had any problems with it, never sticky. I've been using it since the demise of Future. And you can overcoat it with dull coat or just about anything.
All that rigging! beautiful job!
Excellent build, and the rigging and floats both look wonderful. Well done!
Really great job. He is gorgeous. Both floats and ropes look very good.
I almost missed this one Chas (chasbunch). Truly excellent result here. Super detail and paintwork.
What a cool looking build! Thanks for sharing.
Rod