jRatz Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 OK, mulling over my choices, I went with the Contrail 1/72 vacuform kit of the Blackburn Iris III. With a span of 97', length of 67-1/3', and a height of 25-1/2', the Iris III was the largest aircraft in the RAF during its service period, approximately 1930 to 1933. Powered by 3 675 hp RR Condor engines, she had a cruise speed of 97 mph and a range of 800 miles. Crew appears to be about six, armament of 3 Lewis guns and 2000lb of bombs. If you look quickly at the production stats, there would appear to have been 12 total Iris built, but in fact, several underwent conversion to later marks. There were only 5 serialed aircraft, 4 of them built as the Iris III, the first operational version and the subject of this kit. The only unit to fly them was 209 Squadron (Flying Boat), which never had more than 3 on-hand. This will be the biggest vacuform-kit I have attempted. I've got a Part PE set for the Roden Felixstowe that might help with some details. Two references: -- Blackburn Aircraft since 1909, A.J. Jackson, Naval Institute Press, 1989 -- British Flying Boats, Peter London, Sutton, 2003 Actual start may be a bit, as workbench is crowded right now. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrallman Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quite the ambitious undertaking! good luck, looking forward to it! I think this GB has the most vac kits I have seen in a GB so far! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
I-16 Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Boy, lots of struts, hanging engines, and no locating points! This will be quite a model when finished. CH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I can only echo the sentiments of Jay & Chris and look in awe at this undertaking. It will be an impressive sight John and really look forward to seeing it take shape. Cheers Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew A. Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 All I have to say is just damn! If you hadn't nailed the Stranraer with such style for the Matchbox GB I would have my doubts as to anyone pulling this one off- but you're the man for the job! Will love to watch this build. Andrew, shuddering while looking over his Strannie... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bennygmanuk Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 John, you are a brave man sir, and I salute you :) I'll follow this one with interest. Steve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erwin Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Sucses with your build. Looking forward to see more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 OK, my three cohorts in vacu-form crime have gotten off to fast starts so I thought I better do something to show participation. I have cut out all the parts - no sanding down yet - that probably won't start until after the holidays. And, no the broad red smear on one wing is not blood ... I did have a couple "oops" with the knife, but can repair then ... John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erwin Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Great work. You make it look easy to build a VAC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zdenko Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 you're right Erwin. <_< Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 Looking good John Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ted Barrett Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 (edited) Hi John, Just in case you weren't aware, if you go to the Seawings website you will find some shots of the Iris including the cockpit area and instrument panel. I've got an Iris as well as the Perth, but don't seem to be able to get myself to work on either. Ted Barrett OK, mulling over my choices, I went with the Contrail 1/72 vacuform kit of the Blackburn Iris III. With a span of 97', length of 67-1/3', and a height of 25-1/2', the Iris III was the largest aircraft in the RAF during its service period, approximately 1930 to 1933. Powered by 3 675 hp RR Condor engines, she had a cruise speed of 97 mph and a range of 800 miles. Crew appears to be about six, armament of 3 Lewis guns and 2000lb of bombs. If you look quickly at the production stats, there would appear to have been 12 total Iris built, but in fact, several underwent conversion to later marks. There were only 5 serialed aircraft, 4 of them built as the Iris III, the first operational version and the subject of this kit. The only unit to fly them was 209 Squadron (Flying Boat), which never had more than 3 on-hand. This will be the biggest vacuform-kit I have attempted. I've got a Part PE set for the Roden Felixstowe that might help with some details. Two references: -- Blackburn Aircraft since 1909, A.J. Jackson, Naval Institute Press, 1989 -- British Flying Boats, Peter London, Sutton, 2003 Actual start may be a bit, as workbench is crowded right now. John Edited December 24, 2006 by Ted Barrett Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted December 25, 2006 Author Share Posted December 25, 2006 Ted, Thanks, I've got those pix already and will wing it from there ... I had the option to pick up a Perth when I got the Iris and passed, knowing I had only one of these in me ... John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 I will be interested to see how the strut material works. I have a copy of this kit in my stash of several dozen vac kits. Luckliy vacs require sharp knife blades - sharp blades leave nice clean cuts on fingers that heal quickly, even if stitches are required (not like I have any experience with stitches) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
I-16 Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 I'll be interested in seeing how he does the struts. Thats always been a stumbling block for me and bi-plane vacs. I've done little ones, but nothing of this magnitude! I love watching other builders techniques in these builds. I have a Contrail B-7/ O-35 which has a whole bunch of struts that I've been too chicken to start, hope to get some inspiration here. CH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 I too have the contrail B7/O-35 kit. I also have a resin B-7 kit. One will be in "yellow-wing" with blue or OD fuslage, the other will be in 1935/36 camo of purple/grey/green tops surfaces. Reference the struts for the wings, they might be avoided as actual structural items by using some wing spars. Just my initial thoughts - haven't started the kit. The Iris top wing mounting is a completely differnt story Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted December 29, 2006 Author Share Posted December 29, 2006 (edited) You guys are obviously confusing me with someone who knows what they are doing ... John Edited December 29, 2006 by jRatz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nev Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Wow, some serious modelling going on with this kit *doffs his cap* Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miduppergunner Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Sensing some rustling in the undergrowth - is this kit still available anywhere b y any chance??? Contrail are long gone I believe. Have had a brief look of course but I know ther are geniuses out there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted December 30, 2006 Author Share Posted December 30, 2006 Sensing some rustling in the undergrowth - is this kit still available anywhere b y any chance??? Contrail are long gone I believe. Have had a brief look of course but I know ther are geniuses out there. I guess try eBay. I got mine from a lucky stop in a LHS who just got some stuff on consignment. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 I picked up mine on Ebay. There are frequently several different versions of the large British biplane flying boats by Contrail on Ebay. I find them using a search in the models section with search words, "vac, vacform, and vacuform". DOH!!!!!!!! Now there will be more competition!!!! :( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miduppergunner Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Many thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck1945 Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 (edited) During the mid to late 80s I went on a vacform kit binge and built several from Rareplanes, Esoteric, Vacwings, Contrail, and some others. The most ambitious were a Contrail Manchester and a Westland Welking, along with several smaller biplane types such as the Loening OL-1A. As part of this binge, I acquired all the Contrail vac kits of the 'tween Wars British flying boats. Still have them stashed away awaiting further inspiration - this looks like it may be that sourse There used to be metal airfoil strut materials by Strutz (I think that was the name) - I got mine from Aeroclub, but no idea if those are still available. Edited January 4, 2007 by Chuck1945 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 .........There used to be metal airfoil strut materials by Strutz (I think that was the name) - I got mine from Aeroclub, but no idea if those are still available. I got a packet of the metal "strutz" at the 2006 IPMS Nats, from Roll Models. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jRatz Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 No pix, just a quick update to show life ... I previously reported cutting all the parts out -- as of today, I've made the first sanding of everything except the fuselage and wings. Appears to be an issue where the nacelle halves don't align well and it appears that I will have to cut off the main supports and remount them. Got to figure that out and find time to sand down the remaining parts ... John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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