Monday 7 January 2013

Battered Blenheim

The poll "Which 1/72 aircraft should I rescue next?" - as part of my Winter Aircraft Project - has now closed.  17 votes were cast* and the results were as follows :
In 4th place with 1 vote - Avro Anson
In 3rd place with 2 votes - Hurricane IID
In 2nd place with 5 votes - Fw-109D
But the clear winner, with a massive 9 votes is the Bristol Blenheim!

This reveals a number of interesting facts about my readership:
1. You really like Blenheims
2. You don't much like Ansons
3. You don't much like me

I arrive at point 3 on the grounds that the Blenheim in question is far and away the worst of not only the four models in the poll but of the whole batch of aircraft involved in this project.  Never a great kit at the best of times, this example has been built to an even lower standard than the one I had a go at back in the '70s.  The transparent parts aren't and I've yet to find two adjacent parts in perfect alignment.  So thanks very much.
On the plus side, the original builder of this kit has, like all right thinking chaps, included the additional pod with four forward firing MGs (see last photo).  Hurrah!
I have begun salvage work - as is evident in photo 1 - by slapping on a lot of filler.  While I am sanding this down I will ponder suitable paint/marking schemes.  Any thoughts?

Another poll has been added to nominate the Blenheim's successor - don't forget to vote!



* representing a turnout of 11% of the blog's followers.

16 comments:

Arthur said...

Course we luvs ya, well, at least my dog does as he howls every time I open your blog and I say to him "it's megablitz time!". I don't understand it, either.

But we do like the way you rise up and conquer life's little challenges, like Bristol Blenheim's.

Regards

Al said...

Lol, Arthur,

like the man says Tim, 'of course we wuvs ya'

Nick Grant said...

At least you weren't flying them...

Tim Gow said...

Arthur
So now I'm restoring a Blenheim for your dog? This just gets better.

Tim Gow said...

Al
Thanks - I thought I was just getting the canine vote.

Tim Gow said...

Nick Grant
Yes, there is that. At least it's not a Fairey Battle.....

Anonymous said...

4-Your readers are conspiring against...ME.

I voted for the Anson because I had never heard of it and wanted to know more. But no. Your horrible, horrible readers chose to deny me this learning opportunity. You should punish them in some fashion. Perhaps you should do the models in reverse order. That will show 'em!!

Pete. said...

Go different- go Romanian:

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b/50/12/0

Cheers,

Pete.

Tim Gow said...

SAROE
The Anson will join the party at some point - don't fret. I suspect quite a few people are unfamiliar with the Anson, despite its long production life (1934-1952).

Tim Gow said...

Pete
Oddly enough this was my preferred option, but sadly the Blenheims supplied to Romania were all the earlier MKI, which had a completely different (shorter) nose section. The version I have is a MkIVF, which rather narrows down the options!

Martin Rapier said...

When my dad was in the RAF, one of the squadron runabouts was an Anson. He had the odd trip in it, said it was a nice plane to fly in.

Tim Gow said...

Martin Rapier
And you didn't vote for it? It'll be back....

Paul said...

The Blenhim rocks, and it just goes to show when it doesn't first succeed, just keep in production and add more marks and weight.

Tim Gow said...

Paul
I'm carrying a few marks and weight myself - is there hope for me?

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Hmm, you have gone for the "Fighter" variant

Used in the Battle of Brutain I believe ... brave souls flew that one for sure!

Tim Gow said...

Geordie
Quite. I wouldn't fancy it's chances against a 'real' fighter!