What if

Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:08:56 PM

Title: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:08:56 PM
Recently Sqaudron was having a fire sale and let some kits go real cheap. I took the opportunity to add a few to the stash, including a 1/144 Boeing 377 which should look like this:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitkrazy.com%2Fimages%2Fitems%2Fminicraft-boeing-b377-strat.jpg&hash=75c86ed15eca69e92422213911cbc38d80ca7a30)

Of course, mine would come out a little different...

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:14:09 PM
I replaced the kit wings with those from two 1/32 Piper Cubs and the tail is leftover from an Airfix Boeing Clipper flying boat. The engine nacelles were cut from three spare 1/72 drop-tank halves and the cowlings were from two 1/144 DC-3s. Toothpicks were used for the struts and the props and spatted landing gear are white metal from Aeroclub. Here's a couple of shots after the first coat or two of paint.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: thedarkmaster on December 05, 2009, 12:17:18 PM


I don't know what it is about your builds mate but they all look so good, you really inspire me with the way you bash those kits together.  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:27:29 PM
During the late 1920s, Stout Airlines grew to become one of the largest carriers serving the Detroit-Cleveland-Chicago run and by the 1930s was in need of a larger aircraft to replace its aging fleet of Fokker Trimotors.

Sikorsky Aircraft came to the rescue and came up with a revolutionary new design which could carry 80 passengers. The new aircraft was powered by six engines and after successful flight tests, was christened the SXL (Sikorsky Extra Large). As the new aircraft required a total of 68 spark plugs, salesmen for the Champion Spark Plug Co. called the new airliner the "Meal Ticket".

An aside to this story is a bit of industrial spying on Sikorsky by Boeing, who stole plans for the revolutionary new fuselage and twin-rudder tail. Unfortunately for Boeing, Igor made those plans in his native Russian and it took them years to translate them and put them to use.

The SXL entered service in 1933 and was even pressed into military service during W.W. II. After the war, all SXLs were replaced by newer aircraft and scrapped. The only one to survive is this travel agent's desk model.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:30:23 PM
The entire model was brush-painted by hand with acrylics, Model Masters Primer Gray mostly. The Stout Airlines livery is from a sheet for the classic Ford Trimotor kit. Rigging was done with some of this wonderful plastic wire courtesy of Jeffry Fontaine.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Brian da Basher on December 05, 2009, 12:32:22 PM
With work entering the busy season, this project took me the last three weeks to put together. I hope you enjoy it and get a chuckle from the pics and backstory.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: GTX on December 05, 2009, 12:35:05 PM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Regards,

Greg
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: beowulf on December 05, 2009, 12:43:26 PM
mad as a box of frogs!..........i like it  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: nice job
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: PR19_Kit on December 05, 2009, 01:11:55 PM
For a while you had me worried there Brian......

It took EIGHT photos before I saw signs of a spat, but at last sanity was restored.  :lol:

What an inventive brain and well tuned hands you have, love the SXL to bits!
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: kitnut617 on December 05, 2009, 02:03:43 PM
It looks so right BdaB, and the backstory is right up there.
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Stargazer on December 05, 2009, 02:06:46 PM
What an amazing project! You make it sound so simple to build, yet I'm sure you're being modest here...  :thumbsup:

The story behind the SXL is wacky but very enjoyable... Makes me appreciate the model even more!
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Weaver on December 05, 2009, 02:11:56 PM
Ha! Another excellent one - well done sir!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Maverick on December 05, 2009, 02:48:11 PM
Brilliant Stuff Brian,

Looks so as it was rather than if it was.

Regards,

Mav
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: chrisonord on December 05, 2009, 03:13:05 PM
I like this Brian, very nostalgic,
You will have to do some black and white pics of it, on a dio.
That would look very cool
Chris
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: tanktastic43 on December 05, 2009, 03:46:33 PM
Brilliant. 'nuff said!  :thumbsup:

tt43.
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: John Howling Mouse on December 05, 2009, 03:59:19 PM
I think about the most complimentary thing I could tell you, Brian, is that I wish I could build models the way you do!    :bow:  :bow:  :bow: 
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: CAO 700 on December 05, 2009, 05:19:30 PM
How strange! ;D
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Tophe on December 05, 2009, 09:13:20 PM
Weird and pleasant: another master piece from you! :thumbsup: :bow:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: jcf on December 05, 2009, 09:38:17 PM
At last the S-29s long forgotten big brother has been revealed to a new generation.  ;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1000aircraftphotos.com%2FTransports%2F6560L.jpg&hash=22484426942ba3324fb5fdb5cf59d30fbbbc9a5b)

Brilliant Brian, just bloody brilliant.
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: batmancustoms on December 05, 2009, 09:52:41 PM
 :thumbsup:

I dig it the most buddy!
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: NARSES2 on December 06, 2009, 02:16:28 AM
Great stuff Brian  :wub:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: pyro-manic on December 06, 2009, 02:32:21 AM
Quote from: John Howling Mouse on December 05, 2009, 03:59:19 PM
I think about the most complimentary thing I could tell you, Brian, is that I wish I could build models the way you do!    :bow:  :bow:  :bow: 

I think that about sums it up. When I grow up, I want to be able to build like you! :bow: :wub:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Dork the kit slayer on December 06, 2009, 08:17:29 AM
Oh you silly twisted boy........................................no wonder I keep comming back .  Another winner.
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: frank2056 on December 06, 2009, 09:17:57 AM
That is an incredibly silly and incredibly awesome looking plane, Brian!

Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Ed S on December 06, 2009, 12:37:06 PM
Another winning kitbash.  Looks good, Brian.  Very creative and well done.

Ed
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: bluedonkey99 on December 07, 2009, 12:49:06 PM

Excellent it looks more *right* than the original boeing!

  it also looks like a   Vickers Vimmer Commerical on Steriods!
  http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/vickers_vimycommercial.php (http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/vickers_vimycommercial.php)

Bd99
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: ysi_maniac on December 07, 2009, 07:24:15 PM
Hi BdB,
You always amazes me!
Five stars indeed!  :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: Captain Canada on May 12, 2015, 06:49:00 PM
Sorry I missed this one when Brian was still around. That's a neat idea and makes for a pretty cool and thought provoking airliner. Where is the Basher anyway ?

:blink:
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: NARSES2 on May 13, 2015, 07:26:04 AM
He's over at BTS
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: PALG on May 15, 2015, 03:42:01 AM
I missed this as well and am awe of it. I love all kinds of pioneering airline whifs - especially anything that looks remotely like a Tarrant Tabor! This is that and more.

What is BTS ?
Title: Re: Sikorsky SXL
Post by: PALG on May 15, 2015, 04:09:44 AM
Quote from: PALG on May 15, 2015, 03:42:01 AM
I missed this as well and am awe of it. I love all kinds of pioneering airline whifs - especially anything that looks remotely like a Tarrant Tabor! This is that and more.

What is BTS ?

just worked it out myself - Beyond the Sprues of course