I'm a fire starter, twisted fire starter!

The Wooksta! · February 19, 2026, 04:00:50 AM

It's a horrible fit, I can say that and the plastic is awful. I may scrap this one and dig out another Novo example - IF I can find the box they're in. I know there's at least three up there.

NARSES2 · February 19, 2026, 05:32:36 AM

Quote from: kitbasher on February 19, 2026, 03:59:03 AM
Quote from: zenrat on February 19, 2026, 03:29:21 AM
The radial engine makes it look a bit Kingfisher.

I saw hints of Su-2 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-2) and SAAB B-17 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_17).

Certainly got a pugnacious look about it. As a single seater I can see it in BPF markings as a TFB ?

The Wooksta! · February 19, 2026, 07:59:51 AM

Not without widening it. The wheels are very close to the centreline. Firefly was always intended as a night fighter/fighter bomber. Sea Fury fuselage with a Tempest wing is a better option as a quick shortcut TFB. I have two to complete.

There was a single seat version offered.

NARSES2 · February 20, 2026, 07:03:25 AM

Cheers Lee

The Wooksta! · February 25, 2026, 09:39:46 AM

"That was my idea!"

Having had conversation with Kitbasher re P.1030 and Furies, there was a tentative suggestion for an Eagle Firefly. TBH, I'd really rather not do one - I have way too many Eagle engined things on the go at the moment as it is (plus several more waiting in the wings, not least being a P.1030 scratchbodge) and finding enough Wyvern props for what I do have will be...interesting - but purely in the interests of science, I dry fitted an Eagle cowling to the chopped Firefly I have to hand.

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So, it will work - the Frog kit is somewhat more portly than the Airfix, so the cowling fits, but it's not deep enough. What I think could work is put the radiator underneath whilst bringing it forward and the oil coolers either side, albeit a bit bigger. What to do with it? Night fighter with the ASH pod or built into a wing tank? Engine test bed, with the dude in the back having measuring gear and test rigs? Or do I swerve left field and use one of my Magna AS7s? A three tone scheme to hide the chop work would be crucial.

NARSES2 · February 26, 2026, 01:15:28 AM

Could be made for each other Lee

kitbasher · February 26, 2026, 03:25:42 AM

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The Wooksta! · February 26, 2026, 05:37:51 PM

"Wahheey!"

I've managed to locate the box of Novo Fireflies. It's odd, because whilst there's parts of four airframes, I can only assemble 3 and of those I only have one set of u/c legs. So this is now quite possible, I just need to cast an Eagle cowling.

I did consider using one of the two Magna Firefly AS.7s - I do have an Airways vac form - but I think reworking the kit fin to an AS7 profile might be a better option. I have some resin lumps that comprise Magna's 1993 conversion, so I could rework the wing too.

The Wooksta! · February 28, 2026, 02:25:57 PM

"Pour the hot oil down it's beak."

Had to happen, didn't it? Airframes to hand and at a loose end, so idly cut off the nose of a second Firefly. There was one in the box that had been part started and I've no idea where it came from. But anyway...

One of the other ideas I had recently was Firebrand related. What if the Air Ministry had been a bit more savvy, knowing that there were a lot of projects on the go that were planned to use Napier Sabres as engines and handed out contracts to other engine manufacturers to ensure continuity of supply? So Firebrand isn't redesigned to take Centaurus, but does get the cut down rear fuselage. I mean, I have a couple of Magna TF.Vs and I'd use one of them to do that. So I cleaned up the engine cowling from the Magna Firebrand TF.II that arrived recently with a view to moulding it for use elsewhere.

Conversations with Kitbasher re engine swaps and he mentioned that he was thinking a Sabre Fulmar. I liked that idea but then as the Sabre was to hand - as I'd done the mould boxes earlier today in anticipation of the rubber arriving soon - I fitted it to the already chopped Firefly...

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The fit is almost, almost perfect. The oil cooler bits line up with those for the Sabre, the radiator with the wing underside (that just needs a bit of fettling) and the width is easy to fix with some filler on the fuselage.

So that's Firefly number 3. If I do the Eagle engined one, but that may end up looking more like an AS7, certainly the tail. It requires a bit more thinking anyway. I mean, I'm really, really tempted with wing radiators and I', not sure where the wreckage of the Airfix one is...

kitbasher · February 28, 2026, 03:11:42 PM

Have PM'ed regarding Firefly bits.