Lindberg 1/48th Winnie Mae

[Chappie]

I found one of these kits on oldmodelkits.com and I've got two questions.

Have any of you guys ever seen this kit in the box or built up?

Could it be converted into Roscoe Turner's Gilmore Air Express?

Chappie

[BOC262]

Yes, I have seen this kit "in the box" (I have one in the stash), and built up--both in person and pix. My impression is that it is a decent kit--keeping in mind its age. By today's standards it is somewhat crude and very basic, but I've seen it built up into an impressive model at a show many years ago, and if you do a Google search you should find at least 1 or 2 posted on various modeling sites--I know I've seen 'em, though I can't recall where.

Regarding your other question--could it be converted into an Air Express--without my references in front of me I'll go out on a limb and say "yes". I recall reading many years ago, not sure if it was FSM or some other pub, an article about converting the 1/48 Vega kit into a Sirius. If I recall correctly, the author of the Sirius conversion article touted it as a good first time major conversion project. I also vaguely remember seeing somewhere an Orion conversion based on the Vega kit.

I still have hopes of building mine someday, and if I ever come across anymore at a decent price I would pick them up for conversion fodder--love those classic old Lockheeds!

HTH!

Karl

[BOC262]

Here's a link to a Sirius converted from the Lindberg Vega:

http://www.percongrp.com/pelikan/aircraft/sirius_cl.htm

Finding the Orion may take a bit more searching, but I'm fairly sure it's out there somewhere.

[Chappie]

Thanks Karl. I'm going to look for that Orion conversion.

Chappie

[jeff briner]

You're stirring the cobwebs of my memory here. I distinctly remember sitting across the kitchen table from my father as he lovingly assembled this very kit, well over fifty years ago now. I recall the two tone blue stripes on that white aircraft and all the neat decals. A beautiful bird for sure.

I've been out of the modeling game for twenty five years, but I kind of think if I ever return I might try to recreate some of those models dad and I built together so long ago. The Winnie Mae would have to be one of those for sure.

Whatever you wind up doing with it, I hope you post the pics here for all of us to see.

Jeff Briner

[Skyking]

Hi Chappie,

Yes you can accomplish the conversion. All of the Vega derivatives (Vega, Air Express, Explorer, Sirius, Altair, and Orion) shared, with relatively few modifications, the same wing and fuselage. Lindberg also made a Vega seaplane in 48th. I have several of both kits in the stash, one was for the same reason you have in mind. GMTA eh?

If you want to save some work you can always go this route:

http://www.orionminiatures.com/model.php?mUID=1006

It's a bit pricey, and I've never seen one built up, but it has decals for Turner's aircraft. I've thought of getting one and saving my Winnies.

HTH

Cheers

Mike

Edited January 2, 2008 by Skyking

[majortomski]

. Lindberg also made a Vega seaplane in 48th.

Actually the float equipped Vega was the AMT issue, it is a completely different kit than the Lindberg kit.

HTH

T

[Chappie]

Mike,

Wow. Thanks for the link to the Orion website. There are a lot of airplanes on there I'd like to have on my shelf. Yeah the are pricey, but I've got 5 Collect-Aire kits in my stash.

Chappie

[Hawkeye's Hobbies]

Chappie

Call Lindberg and ask them the expected release date of the kit. I know they are going to be doing it soon if not already. Don't lay out the bucks for a 'vintage' kit unless your collecting it rather than using it for a build.

http://lindberg-models.com/

[vjhl2000]

this information I got in October 2003 from IPMS Racing & Record Aircraft SIG

( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ipmsairrace/ )

*****

EXCLUSIVE HobbyVisions Show Report for Meteor Customers

And don't forget the news from Williams Bros and their long

awaited Lockheed Sirius kit.

"Williams Bros. Inc.

Displayed 1/48 Lockheed Sirius test shots with an expected

mid-2004 release schedule. This kit will include both floats

and normal wheeled landing gear. At this point, decal subjects

have not been determined. The model has been engineered

so that later Williams Bros. will be able to release the Altair,

Orion and Vega, all of which share common parts with the

Sirius. No release dates for these later kits is available,

and will certainly depend on sales of the Sirius."

******

Unfortunately this kit was never finished and in December 2004 the company

ceased all production. New owners relocated the company later to Texas

http://www.williamsbrothersmodelproducts.com/

Hope they will someday finish the kit