Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr, here be the traditional opening shots.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51910274562_0e1a043458_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n68J6Q)Sky Pirate Morane Saulnier 01 (https://flic.kr/p/2n68J6Q) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51911339923_2b5172da58_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n6ebN8)Sky Pirate Morane Saulnier 02 (https://flic.kr/p/2n6ebN8) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Both kits are unmolested as you can see.
This will be a simple case of sticking the Kawanishi floats on the Morane Saulnier followed by a bright paint job and some colourfull transfers.
Interesting... :thumbsup:
Interesting box art for the Morane. Those in-line engines certainly give the SB in the background a different look (I forgot there was an in-line version) mind you the canopy makes it look like one of the Pe designs
"And where does Captain Fat Hamster fit in all this?" one wonders! :unsure: ;)
Quote from: Old Wombat on March 01, 2022, 06:24:20 AM
"And where does Captain Fat Hamster fit in all this?" one wonders! :unsure: ;)
Certainly not in the Morane. Unless you grease him up first
As the leader of the Sky Pirates of the Nullarbor Coast Captain Fat Hamster swans about in his flagship* directing the action from the rear.
I started construction today. I glued fishing weights into the front of the floats and then joined their halves. And then when the glue was dried this evening I dropped one and the weights came loose and now it rattles. Which I like because should anyone other than me pick it up they will be worried as you don't expect that in a model aircraft.
I also assembled the cockpit and found a pilot from the appropriate box. i think he's an Airfix RAF WW2 figure. She won't be when i've done a head swap and painted her.
So far, from the limited dry fitting i've done the Morane looks like a nice kit. I think i made the right choice.
*Kawanishi H6K5 in the post war period.
Pilot: Plan B. Complete new figure frankensteined from model railway passengers. Legs from one, the rest from another.
Thus is created a much more satisfyingly female figure.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51914344982_006f0aefeb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n6uA6u)Morane WIP 03-03-2022 (https://flic.kr/p/2n6uA6u) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Your SWAT officer seems to be getting a decent eye-full. :wacko:
Quote from: Old Wombat on March 03, 2022, 05:43:39 AM
Your SWAT officer seems to be getting a decent eye-full. :wacko:
Big Brother is watching
Quote from: Old Wombat on March 03, 2022, 05:43:39 AM
Your SWAT officer seems to be getting a decent eye-full. :wacko:
Meticulously checking for any imperfections in the surface detail ;) :angel:
Here she is now...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51933558459_ae34c68334_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n8c4Ak)Pirate Morane WIP 12-03-2022 02 (https://flic.kr/p/2n8c4Ak) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
...and the airframe.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51933558489_762486d9e9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n8c4AR)Pirate Morane WIP 12-02-2022 01 (https://flic.kr/p/2n8c4AR) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
And now (mocked up) on floats.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51937998915_80dbca33ee_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n8zPzV)Sky Pirate Morane WIP14-03-2022 (https://flic.kr/p/2n8zPzV) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Good! :thumbsup:
long live floatplanes ! :thumbsup:
Thank you Eric.
Although this one will not be primary colours. I am currently toying with cream and green.
First coat of primer has been carried out followed by first application of putty.
This is looking good !
Mog
>^-.-^<
Thanks Mog.
Base colour done. Adding some contrast.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51962775552_85644bb2fb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2naLNPj)Pirate Morane WIP 27-03-2022 (https://flic.kr/p/2naLNPj) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
great! go on! :thumbsup:
Becoming very interesting
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51982778987_fafec3557b_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ncxk98)Pirate Morane WIP 05-04-2022 (https://flic.kr/p/2ncxk98) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Captain Fat Hamster had spent the war salvaging the air-conditioning and refrigeration systems from crashed Luftwaffe aircraft while being constantly confused by the odd chevrons, pluses, and squiggles that appeared on their fuselages.
Post war he decided that applying meaningless abstract designs to the aircraft of his pirate band would bamboozle his enemies and cause them to waste resources trying to work out his system.
Nice...! :thumbsup: (but evil, ahem...) :-\ ;)
Looks strangely Soviet to my eyes, but then we all know what they are like :unsure:
I like the colour scheme :thumbsup:
Comrades, today I joined the part that flies to the part that floats.
All Hail the Elite Fred! :bow: :bow: :bow:
:wacko:
Tah dah!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51994441623_30d9c4aa9f_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ndz734)Sky Pirate Morane WIP 10-04-2022 (https://flic.kr/p/2ndz734) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Wow! :thumbsup: :bow:
:o ;D :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Duck feet! ;D
Uh, an idea: keeping the swab in the nose (instead of spinner and propeller) would make it very what-if, no? ;) ;D
Quote from: Tophe on April 10, 2022, 08:07:25 AM
Uh, an idea: keeping the swab in the nose (instead of spinner and propeller) would make it very what-if, no? ;) ;D
Could say it was either a "stand off" weapon or perhaps for this GB a rammer ? ;D
Quote from: NARSES2 on April 11, 2022, 06:19:22 AM
Quote from: Tophe on April 10, 2022, 08:07:25 AM
Uh, an idea: keeping the swab in the nose (instead of spinner and propeller) would make it very what-if, no? ;) ;D
Could say it was either a "stand off" weapon or perhaps for this GB a rammer ? ;D
Spar torpedo. ;D :wacko:
Looks as if it was made to wear floats, and that paint scheme is beautiful! :wub: :thumbsup:
Open cockpit, or enclosed?
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on April 11, 2022, 10:24:45 AM
Spar torpedo. ;D :wacko:
(https://today.duke.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_body/public/Figure1_Hunley_0.png?itok=-gwXF-aM)
Quote from: perttime on April 11, 2022, 11:19:20 AM
Open cockpit, or enclosed?
Open. Apart from the fact I prefer the open look I spent too long modifying the pilot to hide her under a canopy.
Model finished (although a beaching trolley would be nice - maybe I should scratch up a multi purpose one?), words written, just need photos.
I thought "congratulations : just in time, only 2 days remaining" but no, after checking, "one month + 2 days remaining" ;)
Morane-Saulnier M.S.407. Sky Pirates of the Nullarbor Coast post WW2.
The Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 is a French fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Morane-Saulnier starting in 1938. It was France's most numerous fighter during the Second World War and one of only two French designs to exceed 1,000 in number. At the beginning of the war, it was one of only two French-built aircraft capable of 400 km/h (250 mph) – the other being the Potez 630.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52041962501_c2b5b57768_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLEkx)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLEkx) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
In response to a requirement for a fighter issued by the French Air Force in 1934, Morane-Saulnier built a prototype, designated MS.405, of mixed materials. This had the distinction of being the company's first low-wing monoplane, as well as the first to feature an enclosed cockpit, and the first design with a retracting undercarriage.
From this was developed the M.S. 406 which included a new wing structure which saved weight and a retractable radiator, underneath the fuselage. Powered by an 860 hp Hispaniel Suiza 12Y-31 engine, the new design was over 5 mph faster than the earlier M.S.405 model. Designed to reach speeds of 304 mph, examples were tested without encountering any difficulty in reaching up to 454 mph in a dive. Armament consisted of a 20 mm Hispanio Suiza HS.9 or 404 cannon with 60 rounds in the V of the engine, fired through the propeller hub and two 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns (one in each wing, each with 300 rounds). A weakness of the MAC 1934 was its operation at high altitudes. It was found that at altitudes over 20,000 ft, the guns had a tendency to freeze. Heaters were added to the guns for high-altitude use.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52042012313_a11dfc8184_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLV9n)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 12 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLV9n) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
The entry to service of the M.S.406 to the French Air Force in early 1939 represented the first modern fighter aircraft to be adopted by the service. Although a sturdy and highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, it was considered underpowered and weakly armed when compared to its contemporaries and the M.S.406 was outperformed by the Messerschmitt Bf 109E during the Battle of France.
By this stage, the weaknesses of the M.S.406 were already apparent, such as the lack of armouring, frequent gun-jamming, inadequate firepower, slow responsiveness of the guns, unreliable radio units, very high rate of engine wear, corrosion of rudder components, cabin glazing breaking under air pressure during certain manoeuvres, loss of exterior panels due to screws deteriorating rapidly, and the lack of rear-view mirrors.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52042470410_8c04ea933f_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgjA)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 13 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgjA) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
While the aircraft was very manoeuvrable and could withstand high amounts of battle damage, potentially giving possible advantages during combat against Luftwaffe fighters, the M.S.406 was overall outclassed by the Bf 109.
The M.S.406 holds the unfortunate distinction of being the least effective French fighter in service during the Battle of France, possibly due to its relatively low firepower. It would be pointless to pretend, as was often done during the war for propaganda purposes, that the M.S.406 was the finest fighter in the world but it was certainly a pleasant machine to fly with no vices and great manoeuvrability.
Adding floats, as was done to produce the M.S.407, didn't improve its effectiveness but added no vices and affected manoeuvrability less than was expected.
The 407 was intended as a Scout for Richelieu Class Battleships and for service in Indochine Française but the fall of France put an end to the planned production run with only a few prototypes being built.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52040914687_016538f87a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhFhRM)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 4 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhFhRM) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Penelope Jaquard never intended to become a pirate but in the circumstances she wasn't left with too many options. Swearing vengeance on the shipping businesses who contrived to bankrupt her family's fledgling air-freight service causing both her mothers' suicides, she took the aircraft maman Nicole had tucked away at the back of the boatshed and headed off for a life outside the law.
Eventually finding a home with Captain Fat Hamster's Sky Pirates, Penny soon proved herself to be a ferocious buccaneer. Her Morane, named égaliseur after her thirst for revenge, was repainted with Captain Fat Hamster's cryptic insignia* before the two 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns were replaced with .303 Brownings salvaged from one of the many abandoned air bases scattered around British North Australia.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52041962431_c1e3401ecc_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLEjk)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 5 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhLEjk) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Penny's career of piracy proved to be a short one lasting a little less than a year. While showing a tenacious ability for shooting up ships she turned out to be less adept at keeping an eye on the sky and was the first member of the Sky Pirates band to fall victim to the Southern Air Patrol**. She survived landing her badly damaged Morane in a sheltered inlet but found that in her first true taste of air combat she had lost her desire to kill. She was last seen running a roadhouse on the Nullarbor plain, searching for nymphs, and dodging space junk.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52042470500_88f07bf779_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgm9)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 16 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgm9) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
*Captain Fat Hamster had spent WW2 in Southern England salvaging air conditioning and refrigeration equipment from downed Luftwaffe aircraft. Failing to figure out the meaning behind the chevrons, squiggles, and other shapes applied to their fuselages he had come to the conclusion they had no meaning and were applied at random to confuse the enemy. Thinking this a good idea he applied (after a brief flirtation with ancient Kmt Hieroglyphics) a random selection to the aircraft flown by his merry band.
**The Southern Air Patrol was an anti-piracy initiative put together by the Southern nations of Australia – the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Each nation provided aircraft to patrol the Sky Pirates area of operations. Tasmanian and South Australian air force aircraft flew with the SAP but the PDRV sent mercenary pilots in the employ of zenrat industries.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52042470330_06107a498a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgid)Morane Saulnier MS.407 - 17 (https://flic.kr/p/2nhPgid) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
The Model.
Hasegawa Morane-Saulnier MS.406 fitted with floats from a Hasegawa Kawanishi Type 94-1.
Nose of floats filled with heavy glue.
Pilot frankensteined together from model railway people.
Home made transfers.
very lovely floatplanization !
Pretty model! And pretty pilot! :wub:
:thumbsup:
It looks very good on floats :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That came out incredibly well, two thumbs up! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
LOVE it! :wub:
And the backstory had me laughing out loud. :thumbsup:
Should we expect some examples of the SAP's anti-piracy aircraft in the near future? ;)
Ooh, very pretty :thumbsup:
Paint job works very well - and the Morane looks better on floats than it does wheels.
Very nice with a striking colour scheme :thumbsup:
Fantastic!
I must say that is the the best looking French WWII era aircraft ever! Well done!
Thanks folks.
Kit, i've built a couple of SAP planes. Both from the PDRV contingent.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4704/26273764868_d0b6c45909_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/G2HUW1)FW190D Souther Air Patrol 3 (https://flic.kr/p/G2HUW1) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=44875.0
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4099/35462221262_e2db776f81_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/W2F9TY)Bf 109G Southern Air Patrol 10 (https://flic.kr/p/W2F9TY) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=43027.msg750506#msg750506
I obviously need t build more including at least one Spitfire and a Sea Fury (possibly from the South Australian contingent).
I will need to figure out markings for the South Australian Free State. I have some for Tasmania - basically a roundel containing a map of tassie...
:mellow:
:thumbsup:
Quote from: kitbasher on May 01, 2022, 10:14:48 AM
- and the Morane looks better on floats than it does wheels.
Certainly does
Quote from: zenrat on May 02, 2022, 04:33:08 AM
a Sea Fury (possibly from the South Australian contingent).
Yes, please! ;D :thumbsup:
Quote from: zenrat on May 02, 2022, 04:33:08 AM
a roundel containing a map of tassie...
:o ;D [childish/juvenile sniggering] :rolleyes:
Looks great! Colours suit it very nicely.
Quote from: Old Wombat on May 02, 2022, 06:41:23 AM
Quote from: zenrat on May 02, 2022, 04:33:08 AM
a Sea Fury (possibly from the South Australian contingent).
Yes, please! ;D :thumbsup:
X 2!! :thumbsup:
Very nice. :thumbsup:
As to your other SAPs, nicely done.
Sea Fury, eh? Perhaps a two-seater on a
single float.
;)
A map of Tassie for the roundel?
Not a "roaring" thylacine?
;)
(https://parks.tas.gov.au/ContentImages/AA193-1-1002%20Tas%20Archives%20June%202019%20flip.jpg)
Great build and back story :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Mog
>^-.-^<
Thanks everyone.
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on May 03, 2022, 11:50:30 AM
Very nice. :thumbsup:
As to your other SAPs, nicely done.
Sea Fury, eh? Perhaps a two-seater on a
single float.
;)
A map of Tassie for the roundel?
Not a "roaring" thylacine?
;)
(https://parks.tas.gov.au/ContentImages/AA193-1-1002%20Tas%20Archives%20June%202019%20flip.jpg)
My current plan is a simple black (or brunette, blond or redhead ;) ) triangle on a white circle. Like Austrian Air Force with different colours.
However, a yawning thylacine would make a good unit badge and that pic gives me an idea for a paint job.
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 01, 2022, 06:53:53 AM
It looks very good on floats :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Totally agree :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Mog
>^-.-^<