With the demise of my Comte AC4 ('Shelfgate') I have no model eligible for the AeroModeller/Model Aircraft Designs contest that, weather allowing, will be held within the wider flying only contest at Lodge Farm on 3rd May. So, with just under four weeks to rectify that, I've just started this Ron Warring designed Auster Alpine, in its rather fetching AA spotter-plane scheme, the plan for which is on Outerzone. Originally it was in the Sept 1957 edition of 'Model Aircraft'. Span as designed is 18" but I've enlarged it 150% to a more useful outdoor size of 27". I'm hoping that by starting this thread I'll stay motivated and get it done in time. (It's not a complicated model, but I'm easily distracted!)IMG_3413.jpeg
Nice project pete. I do like that scheme as well.
Intrigued by the AA scheme, did they really have a spotter plane that's amazing. "where have you broken down ?..ok ...don't worry we'll send up the spotter plane, can you wave your hanky when you see it " I went off looking for more photos and found a couple but Ron Warring has been very thorough with his MA article and even given full scheme details too so you probably don't need them and you may well have found them already anyway. Great find in 'Model Aircraft'. shame the side windows are painted on but then I'm just being picky
Lodge Farm is on the 10th May as well so you even have an extra week ;D . I know because it clashes with a car event so I can't make it... I wish it was may 3rd
I hadn't realised that Ron Warring had designed any scale FF models. It looks like a rugged model - with the side glazing replaced with balsa sides to support the wing and all those riblets.
Good luck with it.
John
Thanks both. Yes, lots of good photos of G-HAAA. Not sure I'd found all of those yet, so cheers! There are probably enough to make a properly documented model in fact, should anyone want to.
I agree with you Chris about the painted on side windows, and was tempted to cut them out and do proper ones. However, on balance, I think an extra tough model might be a handy thing to have in my windy day fleet. (And I don't like doing glazing much anyway!)
As to all those riblets John mentions, the plan actually gives two wing options (see attached): the very ribletty-ailerony one, and a simpler lighter one with much wider (nonscale) rib spacing.
I may compromise and do scale spacing but no riblets. I might make them knock-off too.
Here's my progress so far. The second former was a very poor fit and needed altering quite a lot, but otherwise the parts have come together quite nicely so far. I did need to correct things for symmetry though.
Nice subject Pete.
Thanks- I just can't resist a yellow high wing monoplane!
(Correction:I should have said G-APAA, not G-HAAA)
If the description AeroModeller/Model Aircraft includes Model Aeroplane Constructor (which was incorporated into AeroModeller in late 1938), then there are some plans which FF scale modellers might find interesting in that publication. Among the issues that I have added to the Plan Gallery in the last few days are:
- Hawker Hurricane - Jan 1937;
- Leopard Moth - March 1937; and
- SE 5 - November 1937,
The plans may need to be redrawn to use them, but it would be great to see these old birds fly again!
This looks like it'll build into a nice model.
A.