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June 201726 6Volume Issue SUN BR UE
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Above; John Marlin’s Martin Baker MB5 replica.The history of aviation is replete with ‘mightabeens’ - the TSR2, delta F-16 and Me-262 for instance. Some good designs failed because of economics or political interference, or were simply overtaken by events. It was also common to build the right aircraft at the wrong time - witness the fate of Martin Baker’s awe-inspiring MB-5 fighter. See page 5 for Paul’s history of this unique aircraft.
Feb AugMar SepApr OctMay *Jun DecJul Feb (1 )
7 17 54 32 Nov 146 54 6 8
Jan JulFeb AugMar SepApr 2 OctMay NovJun Jan (1 )
31 2528 2928 26
5 3130 2827 30 8
President:
Secretary:[email protected]
Treasurer:[email protected]
Newsletter:[email protected]
Michael Howe 0414 246 523
Frank Spinosa 0418 555 324
Michael Howe 0481 853 633
Ken Noble 0419 560 283
EVENTS & INFORMATION
CalendarJune 10/11/12thModel Expo 2017Sandown RacecoursePrinces HighwaySpringvale Vic. 3171Model Show, Comp. and SwapContact; Laurence Farrugie - 0438 726 176
July 1st - 31st
August 6th, 2017Modellers of Ballarat Show & Swap***New Venue***Eastwood Leisure Complex20 Eastwood Street, Ballarat.10:00am - 4:00pmEntry $5Contact: Dom - 0409 501 [email protected]
Phoenix Park Library Display
July 4th, 2017‘Christmas in July’ESSMC Meeting
2018March 4th 2018Eastern Suburbs Scale Modelling ClubAnnual Swap & SellArbour RoomBox Hill Community Arts Centre470 Station St.Box Hill Vic. 312810:00am to 12:30pm (Sellers admitted 9:00am)For table bookings and further enquiries;Call Roger; 0439 650 800
EditorialLast month I mentioned the planned new rule book project for Eastern Suburbs was nearing completion and suggested a tentative date for it to be put to the membership. Unfortunately, as is the way of such things, it has now been put back a month and will not be considered by the committee until the end of June. We would now envisage it being put before the members for a vote at the August general meeting. Copies will be distributed at least a month in advance for perusal and comment.
More importantly, I’d like to announce the safe arrival of my long-lusted-after Otaki 1:16 Lamborghini Miura P400. $50 from Tim Vickridge in WA.
Michael
Ken Noble
AMT 1:25 Piranha / Super Spy Car (2015 ) Rebox from 1967!!THE CAR: The Piranha was a semi-production model in a series of cars designed by Dan Deaver, with later involvement by Gene Winfield (US Hot Rod & car customizer). This series of cars was unique in that it was the first attempt to build a car with an all plastic body. Initially this was sponsored by plastics companies, then by AMT, before it ceased production. The assembly of the actual kit car was very similar to the assembly of this kit, in that it comprised of a number of prefabricated plastic body shells, that sandwiched together to make the car’s monocoque body. And, of course, the car went on to be featured in the TVS Series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E”. Read more about the car in Nicholas Whitlow’s condensed history: a The plastic itself is quite strange, and a little like a condensed version of the CRV/Piranha story hardened compound of something between cheese &
soap. The finished surface seems as though it’s not THE KIT: I have not built an AMT kit for many years, in quite, err, finished! The quality of the moulds is pretty fact, the last one I attempted was probably around the ordinary, and having seen a number of kits recently, time that this kit debuted – in the Sixties. And there’s from the sixties, the AMT moulds are amongst the the link – this kit was developed in the sixties, when worst. There’s a bit of flashing, and the seamlines plastic model-manufacturing techniques were even have seamlines. So, giving this kit to an primitive by today’s standards, and also when AMT inexperienced modeller would most-likely result in a were behind the average standard of model very poor end-result. I hope to do better.manufacturing. That’s a double-whammy!
I have had what I think is a great idea for a club event. PresitorialNext month a new movie is being released called "Dunkirk" and from the trailer I have seen it looks like a
It's Expo time again and I know a few of you will be fantastic movie about the British evacuation from panicking and racing about trying to get away the France in 1940. Anyway, my idea is this, we book a finishing touches to your latest pride and joy. Good Gold Class cinema to ourselves and watch the movie luck to all those who enter the competition, hopefully a together in style! What do you think? I am waiting to few of our members can bring home some tin-wear finalise details with the people at Village cinemas and show the other clubs that not only are we the about where and when, I expect it will be late July or friendliest, most laid-back club around but we also early August, and the best part is the club will shout have some awesome modellers too! you! Yes a freebie, we might even squeeze in a
choctop and a packet of Jaffa's....As usual, the swap meet is on the Monday morning, this is the thing I look forward to the most. We, the Anyway, once I know details I will let you all know.club, have three tables that will be piled high with bargains so make sure you stop by and take a look. And to continue with tradition our July in-house raffle
will be our MEGA CHRISTMAS-IN-JULY RAFFLE And please drop past the club's display tables in the event as per usual. So save your bucks, you've got a competition area. Our theme this year is a celebration month after Expo, and check out some great prizes we of the clubs 25 years showcasing our members craft will have on the night.and contribution to the hobby for the last quarter of a century. If you have a bit of spare time, don't be afraid Happy glueing;to hop behind the display or have a natter with whomever is manning it at the time.
Ken
Roger’s Sprue Review #3
Continued next page.
Parts which should have “slots” in them to receive “male” parts are ill-formed to non-existent, and the same is true for the “male” parts. So, there is a great need for sanding, filing, cutting, drilling to get part A to fit part B. If the quality of the model kit is this poor, one would hate to have attempted the kit build of the real thing. I could only assume that SCALE would have saved the day!
If I have anything positive to say, it would be about the presentation of the kit, with parts nicely separated in the box, and different types of transparencies, also well separated in seamed plastic bags. You have a choice of “Clear” or “Smoked” glued together, with no hope of detailing that to windows for this kit – The Piranha, or the “Super Spy something betterCar”, I presume. You can also option the kit between these two roles, with the addition of rockets, machine Assembly 3. Puts the tyres (“tires” – uggh American guns, parachute, propellers & weapons panel. spelling!) and wheels together, and these are clumsy
fittings.INSTRUCTIONS: These are, in English, five steps with the combination of exploded parts and many Assembly 4. Adorns the interior, and starts to show arrows. Whilst they do the job, there are a number of the road car/spy car options. The instrument panel parts that are indicated “(to slot)”, without the suitable door concealing the “Spy Stuff” may be cemented in slot at the destination, so that will lead to some the open position – but not without major testing, diversity in assembly. The instructions do stress that modification, testing, modification…nigh on “TEST FIT” is a key part in building before cementing. impossible (another TV Series: Mission Impossible?!)
Assembly 5. Covers the rest of the build – upper Assembly 1. Builds the engine and turbo-charger body, roof & windows, bumpers, lights, boot, hand plumbing. Many parts are chrome plated, so there’s a weapon tray, and other fancy stuff. – I would stress lot of scraping required, and repairing of the chrome again: TEST FIT – TEST FIT – TEST FIT!
THE SPRUES:
Poorly labelled, open ended (in that the parts are not surrounded) so that the parts can catch on each other once out of their plastic bags.
The chrome plated sprue merely adds thickness to everything, including the parts numbering, so makes that job harder too.
There is no “map” of the sprues, so finding parts is troublesome. There’s no ‘order’ to parts, either.
Working on this car has made me re-assess other kits in my collection – fortunately, this is the only AMT kit I have. I wonder why?
after detachment from sprue. Many of the sprue detachment points result in awkward locations where
Brought to you by Roger’s Research!the plating has to be repaired.
Assembly 2. Fits the engine, sandwiches 2 of the 3 (bought at Albury Models “Something Different?”-$45)body components and adds suspension & steering. (Note: The suspension and steering are static – all
Roger’s Sprue Review #3
Martin-Baker MB-3
Paul KrugerMB-2 fighter prototype of 1938 had impressed the “A CROSS BETWEEN A right people with the thought given to its airframe’s simplicity and access to aforementioned aircraft MUSTANG AND A V2"systems. What attracted James Martin to this
challenge was that of building a high performance fighter that embodied those ideals of simplified construction and maintenance. To this was added the idea of arming the aircraft with six wing mounted 20mm cannon. It didn’t take too long for issues to arise with the now named MB-3. The big problem lay with the Griffon II powerplant. Prior to WW2, specifications had already been given for engine weight and size. On 15/9/1939 it was realized that the Griffon would weigh more and was larger
than advised. This forced major detail redesign work The Martin-Baker MB-5on the MB-3 to be undertaken. Still in September The history of the Martin-Baker MB-5 fighter aircraft is 1939 the Air Ministry knew full well just how the Griffon actually the chronicle of three consecutive designs by program was progressing (or not) and yet held Martin-that company looking to fulfil the 1939 British Air Baker to the impossible contract completion date of Ministry Specification F.18/39. From within the
timeframe of a pre WW2 1939 to eleven months before its European conclusion in 1945, Martin-Baker were only able to build two of these designs as prototypes, the MB-3 and the MB-5, the latter being praised as perhaps the pinnacle of piston engine fighter design. If the aircraft was that good you ask why did it never enter production? Early on, the reasons that plagued progress were that Martin-Baker, themselves a small company, paid the price of time excessively spent for developing their innovative aircraft. Other factors were the difficulty of securing a suitable engine, not forgetting 15/2/1940 and its allocated budget. Penalties that bureaucracy setting unrealistic schedules. could be imposed were reduced payment for late Specification F.18/39 that had been issued to Martin- delivery and even cancellation should the prototype Baker was for a single-seat fighter aircraft to replace not be delivered on time! Development work for the the Spitfire and Hurricane. It was to have a top speed Griffon II had begun 1/1/1939 under the guidance of of no less than 400mph (647.7km/hr) at 15,000ft Harry Cantrill who had joined Rolls-Royce from (4572m) and armed with either two 20mm cannons or Armstrong-Siddeley. This engine was about 36% eight machine-guns. Also stipulated was that Rolls- bigger than the Merlin, but was able to be installed in Royce would supply the engine, its mounting and the same sized cowling. The engine was first bench cooling system, all to be tested in November 1939 and fitted forward of the firewall. type-tested June 1940. The The engine chosen was the Griffon was put into production G r i f f o n I I . O f e q u a l in March 1942, even though it i m p o r t a n c e w a s t h e powered the 1941 prototypes of turnaround time to refuel Fairey Firefly [#Z1826] and the and rearm the aircraft Spitfire MkIV/XII [#DP845]. b e t w e e n s o r t i e s , Given the timeframe allowed highlighting the necessity there was not much choice for a for easy access to engine, 2,000hp engine other than using guns and other systems. Perhaps Martin-Baker’s the still troublesome Napier Sabre.
Port view of MB-5 shows placement of primary fuselage structure
MB-3. The first Merlin powered ‘Mustang X’ [#AL975-G] flew 13/10/1942.
The MB-4 of 1942 was the middle sibling in this design family and was to be powered by the Bristol Centaurus radial engine. It was also tendered and rejected for the Specification F.6/42 fighter. There was a wide variety of designs submitted ranging from the futuristic Boulton-Paul P.100 pusher mounted Griffon powered The problems Hawkers were having with Typhoon
canard - swept wing proposal to the more practical may have been a reason that saved Martin-Baker Hawker proposals which did reach production. These from having the MB-3 project cancelled. Time was were the Hawker P.1020 light fighter, also Centaurus slipping by. May 1941, with the slow process of powered, becoming the Fury MkI and flown 1/9/1944. design work and the unknown of when flight trials This design was evolved into the Sea Fury. might take place, gave the Air Ministry their first taste Additionally, Hawker’s P.1021, a Tempest flown with of regret for issuing the contract. August saw another the same engine became the Tempest II and was first unfavourable progress report due to the novel flown on 28/6/1943. Like the DH Hornet, it was features being built into the MB-3. Reliability issues at developed for service in the Pacific theatre of war. Napier with the Sabre also just kept escalating. By Other sources state the MB-4 was to be a MB-3 November, despite whatever merits the MB-3
possessed, the decision had almost been made that there would be no chance of production. Finally, after all these delays, the MB-3 [#R2492] finally got airborne 31/8/1942, when Captain VE Baker piloted it from Wing
Griffon engine powered proposal for F.6/42 and with aerodrome, a RAF OTU in Buckinghamshire. The this design rejection Martin-Baker went back to the main defect of the aircraft was engine overheating. drawing board and designed the MB-5. The wings, This was never solved and would subsequently cause tailplane and undercarriage were utilised from the MB-engine seizure, the loss of the aircraft and the death of 3, and in an fine exercise of streamlining, the Captain Baker, when on its tenth flight it crashed on radiator/intercooler/oil cooler was placed in a single 12/9/1942.The sixty-four dollar question is just how laminar flow duct under the fuselage, the Griffon motor
very neatly cowled and attention to detail like utilising the flat feed mechanism for the wing mounted armament eliminated any unsightly drag reducing bulges. With its wide stance undercart and square cut wings the MB-5 certainly looked the goods when it came to aggressive fighter aircraft. The MB-5 [#R2496] first flew at Harwell, Berkshire, 23/5/1944. There were initial stability issues was the aircraft to be produced in sufficient quantity if
which were cured by increasing all the tailplanes accepted for service? During 1942 Captain Baker surface areas. Flight testing at the time vindicated had lobbied both North American and General Motors that performance matched looks and at the Aeroplane representatives in Britain about building the MB-3. and Armament Experimental Establishment at But no interest appears to have been evinced from the Boscombe Down, March 1946, the aircraft was Americans approached, as they already had their extolled as perhaps the best all-round fighter aircraft Merlin powered Mustang fighter program, whose they had ever tested. performance would prove to be superior to that of the
Paul Kruger
Primary girder structure of MB-5 fuselage
The Reno MB-5 replica c.2004-06
The MB-5 was the culmination of Martin’s design Bircham Newtown, Norfolk (most probably in the philosophy of finding that compromise of ease of vicinity of the former RAF base there). It was in maintenance and high flight performance. The basis extremely poor condition after been used as a ground for this lay in the construction of the fuselage, which target and was subsequently burned. This is not the primary structure was of the steel tube girder type demise one would expect for such a highly innovative covered in detachable light alloy metal panels. This aircraft, the last of its propeller driven kind.style of construction was first introduced on their MB-1 light plane of 1935. This allowed parts to be located Looking through the catalogue of MB-3 and MB-5 kits easily in production on the airframe and simplified most are 1/72 and are cottage industry productions. servicing tasks, features that were applauded by The singular MB-3 kit [#5672] is by Magna Models and
this resin kit allows you to either build it as the true prototype with razorback rear fuselage or a ‘what-if’ variation that has a bubble canopy and cut down rear fuselage. There are photos that exist of the bubble canopied MB-3 but these are fake, doctored images. With the MB-5, in 1/48 there is the choice of Falcon’s vacform kit [#4588] or Silver Clouds Limited Edition injection molding [#SC4820]. In 1/72 one of the more readily attainable MB-5s is from AZ Model (above; 2016
those that inspected the aircraft. Despite praise given new tool, #AZ7553), which handily includes original to this combination of compact design and superb MB-3 sized tailplane. In 2017 this was re-released as flying qualities the MB-5 would remain just a a ‘what-if’ navalized variant. Other 1/72 plastic prototype. Of the MB-5s direct contemporaries, the injection releases are from the 1980s: Pegasus [#21]; Supermarine Spiteful was likewise cancelled and only Skybirds [1986, #001]; Airframe [#6]. In 1/72 resin: De Havilland’s Hornet just made production status in Magna Models [#6372] and Planet Models [#PLT112]. WW2 and served with the RAF until 1956. The dawn Falcon has also done a vacform in this scale [#4604] of the jet age was upon the world and with the Meteor, which is also easily found. It would be really great if Vampire and Me262 uncompromising in indicating Trumpeter could knock one up in 1/48 scale to what path fighter accompany their design would be other kit releases of taken. And so with period aircraft that the war’s conclusion didn’t make it into was the future for the service. Like the MB-5. It made two S u p e r m a r i n e appearances a t S p i t e f u l F. X I V Farnborough air [#2850] and Seafang displays in October F.Mk.32 [#2851]. 1945 and July 1946. POSTSCRIPT:The Ro to l used the title for this article aircraft for test flying was unashamedly purposes, mainly to b o r r o w e d f r o m do wi th contra- ‘Flight’ magazine, rotating propellers. edition 15/11/1945, In 1945 there was a where its article plan to use the MB-5 ‘ R e v e l a t i o n s a t for a world speed F a r n b o r o u g h ’ record attempt. Its included a paragraph on the MB-5 with this one line Griffon engine was re-rated to produce 2,480hp at low description remarked by a very critical onlooker. Sixty altitude. A speed of 484mph (778.9km/hr) was odd years on, John Rabassi of Reno, Nevada, after unofficially recorded over the measured course near twelve years work had completed a MB-5 replica. In Gloucester, the aircraft being flown from Rotol’s 2004 its engine was first fired up and in 2006 the airfield at nearby Staverton, Gloucestershire. The Air aircraft was taxiied. This replica is based on P-51 Ministry once again intervened making it quite clear Mustang componentry which begs the obvious that the jet powered Gloster Meteor would be used for question that if by chance the same nameless wit from any such record attempt. On 7/11/1945, Group Farnborough viewed this aircraft, would he sneer in Captain Wilson, piloting Meteor [#EE454] ‘Britannia,’ similar critical manner, “I was right about the Mustang, set a new record with an average speed of 606mph now show me the V2 bits.”(975km/hr) at Herne Bay on North Kent’s coastline. In
PaulOctober 1963 the MB-5 was reportedly last seen at
Paul Kruger
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turret roof from a real Tiger, one that had some serious Postcard from Up North
detonation. In addition they have a fantastic collection of former Warsaw Pact vehicles, WW2 items, and
In April dog and I went travelling. One stop was Alice other stuff. This place alone is worth the trip.Springs. One thing I remembered to do was to have a look at the Road Transport Museum. One thing I A week before I was heading north out of Adelaide, didn’t remember to do was to take my camera. I would and I passed a hobby shop (rhymes with rabbit). I recommend it if you like looking at croggy old trucks parked and wandered back. I found the far wall of and cars, particularly in the era when they were still model kits, and was agog at the prices. The Airfix experimenting with what U S A A F b o m b e r would be a good front end resupply set that I had for a road train. Part of built and written about a this place is a shed full of while ago was over Kenworths, some five $100. I seem to recall years old, some forty p a y i n g $ 3 6 i n a years old, and not much Melbourne shop for this difference. Why bother? kit, a fair price. 1/35 Having driven Kenworth a r m o u r k i t s a l s o trucks at various times, I sported triple figure wouldn’t buy one. In the tags, and not big 60's and 70's many F1 vehicles either. The teams, mainly UK teams problem with this shop such as Lotus, McLaren, is that it is all about W i l l i a m s e t c , u s e d remote control toys. Cosworth engines and Note that I used the T other suppl ied b i ts . word deliberately. A Ferrari were one of the customer buys some few teams that made RC off-road buggy everything in-house, and Enzo Ferrari called the thing, and a week later will be back because he has Cosworth teams “Garageisti“. Kenworth are a kit shredded the tyres. Next week he will have pranged it truck, the only Kenworth bits are the chassis and cab into a solid object, and will need to replace the broken (and for a time their own dreadful torsion bar rear parts. Then they will come back for a new glow plug suspension). Engines, because the thing won’t t ransmiss ions , d i f f s , start. This shop has the brakes steering etc are all perfect expendable made by other companies. product. The punters think that the price on Many miles later I got to the box is all their RC Cairns, the site of the toy will cost. Someone Australian Armour and buys a model kit, it Artillery Museum. This is might be a while before the third time I have been they return. If they do it there because there are might just be for a can of always new items coming paint. Meanwhile the in. The most obvious is the untalented RC driver Fake Tiger. It is the one will have had more built for the stupid movie prangs than The Blues Fury. In that, the Tiger was Brothers.not movable (like Brad P i t t ’ s r a n g e o f In June I will be inside expressions, maybe he is an aluminium tube held together by a million rivets, the new Charles Bronson?) and it was shifted around which should get me to the other side of the world, (no, on a sled. Acquired by the museum, they put a lot of not Columbia), hopefully to the holy grail of tank work into it to make it driveable, using a Scania truck museums. Stay tuned. engine, a T62 transmission, T55 torsion bars, swing Garyarms and tracks, and M110 road wheels. Next to it is a
Gary Zimmer
Note the turret bin and exhaust guards with a few ‘installed’ dents.
Fake ‘Tiger’.
