Morane Saulnier MS-3801

[chris46]

MS-3801
This is the second standard fighter aircraft used by the Swiss Air Force during World War II. ZIP58 and I designed, constructed, and built two models of them from scratch. It has a sliding canopy and shows extensive signs of aging. The wingspan is 22 inches. Unfortunately, the total weight is a bit high, so the model does not have very good flight characteristics.

Chris

[TheLurker]

Very nice model.

[ZIP.58]

And here are pictures of the second Morane, the D-3800. Built by ZIP.58. Partially with 2 and 3-blade propellers.
Currently, the model is only flown with the 3-blade propeller.

Pete

[gravitywell]

I love your finish details.  Are they painted or printed?  Really nice.

[chris46]

Hello Gravitywell
The colors are painted on, or rather applied with an airbrush. All lettering and symbols are homemade decals.
Chris

[ghostler]

Congrats, those are very nicely finished MS-3801's. Heavy? The nice thing about these is another one can build another using a lighter finish.

Back in my adolescent days in the mid 1960's, I found the Comet kits flew better because they were lighter framed than Guillow. Best flying was an 18 inch (460 mm) wingspan North American P-51B Mustang. I was a happy camper as a 12 year old with it. Used to R.O.G. it off our front porch.

[ZIP.58]

It is certainly possible to build it lighter, but both Chris and I would then have to cut back on the details. And a sliding cockpit canopy that allows a view into the cockpit and of the pilot is also not to be sneezed at. Building to scale has its disadvantages, in addition to the accuracy of the model.

ZIP.58

[ZIP.58]

Chris and I each built a model of the Morane, so the plans were drawn up so that both versions could be built afterwards. I built the D-3800 version and Chris built the D-3801. You can see the differences in the photos of both models. While Chris built the landing gear, mine is "only" painted on. The D-3800 also has two shades of green paint on top, while the D-3801 is painted in one shade of green. The underside of both versions is light blue.

[ZIP.58]

D- 3800 / 3801