Faust Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I have a problem. I’m addicted, not only to modelling in general, but to Matchbox kits in particular. I’ve tried to quite, really, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. I love their weird subjects and the fact that you can generally get them for very little money. When you combine this with a growing love of interwar European bombers, that means that Matchbox and Heller are going to be the targets of choice! Of course, sometimes I like to get a bit wild; the weirdness of a straight Matchbox kit isn’t enough; that’s what happened when I got a hold of the Wellesley. Looking around on the ‘net, I found that they used the Wellesley for several different tests, including for the Hercules radial! I decided to take my little Matchbox and try and make a test airframe out of it. I guess it worked, because it turned out pretty well, I think. Check it out and let me know what you think; I always value feedback! https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/planes/matchbox-172-wellesley-mk-i-vickers-model-289/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ross blackford Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 :D, G'day Faust. That's a nice little model you have there and a good idea too. My only criticism is that the Hercules was indeed an 18 cylinder engine like the BMW 801. The engine you've used is a 14 cylinder one and not really representative of the Hercules which was a sleeve valve engine hence no pushrods or rocker boxes. The pushrods on your engine are very obvious and perhaps slightly spoil an otherwise great build. However the quality of your work is first class and I do like your paint job. Congratulations on this one mate. , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Nice build, a friend of mine builds a lot of Matchbox kits. He entered a Wellesley in an IPMS contest a few years back and won a major award. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Always nice to see a Wellesley, particularly an unusual one (like there is any other kind :D ). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevehnz Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) Tut tut Ross, 18 cyl Hercules, me thinks you might be thinking Centaurus. The no of cylinders is fine but Ross's point about the push rods is spot on. That apart, its a nicely done model & looks the part. 1600 hp in a Wellesley though, whoops, there go the wings. ;) :D Maybe with the top carb intake repositioned underneath, it could become a P & W R-1830 Twin Wasp engined Wellesly, but heck, if you're happy with it & I would be looking like that, stay with it the way it is. Steve. Edited June 19, 2015 by stevehnz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Here's what a Bristol Hercules two-row 14-cylinder sleeve-valve radial looks like..... I took the photo at a Coventry airshow last month - note the lack of pushrods, the fine finning on the cylinders and the exhausts. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RotorheadTX Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Nice one. Grew up addicted to Matchbox styrene, and I'll never get that out of my system. Great to see ye olde kits getting some TLC and sunlight! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Faust Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 Ken: Great shot of the Hercules! I can indeed see the difference in what it looks like versus my version. I realize now that's quite an "oopsy", but I'm cool with it. I had fun and made an interesting kit that's ALMOST accurate! I am glad that you guys noticed the discrepancy, though; it means people actually pay attention, and that makes me very happy. I will definitely pay more attention next time (well, I hope I will!) I do an engine swap. I blame Germans for not using Sleeve Valve engines on the Ju-88G series night fighters. Yeah, that's it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 As bizarre as it is, I'd LOVE to see a 1/48 Wellesley... It's so veddy veddy British. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ross blackford Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 :D, My apologies Faust. The Hercules is of course a 14 cylinder engine. All my life I've grown up with the idea of it being an 18 cylinder. Well I guess I should be happy that I was half right! Of course it was the Centaurus that was the 18 cylinder Bristol :lol: , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
worldslaziestbusker Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 It's great. I also love a yellow underside on a camo airframe. Lovely build of a very interesting bird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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