Aeroclub Short 184

jamo · 7 May 2005, 06:16 PM

I found this kit of a WWII torpedo intended for a Swordfish or Beaufighter. I wonder if the earlier 14 inch torpedo was similar?

http://www.djparkins.clara.net/fltpath/fpmaster.htm

The colours on this model torpedo are the same as the colour profile of the Short 184's torpedo in the monograph from Profile Publications.

jamo · 3 June 2005, 08:34 PM

Urgent plea for help!
On the instructions it said not to mix up the struts. OK, but they all looked the same to me. I cut off the four centre section struts (the ones with the right-angled ends) and fancy that, two are slightly longer and two are slightly shorter. But which is which? A closer look at the white metal 'sprue' shows tiny 'F' and 'R' scratches. I didn't spot these until after removing the struts. Could somebody with the kit please check which is which and post a reply? Come in Ross M from Aussie! I presume the longer ones are the front ones.

So far the interior is completed (see pic), the fuselage joined, the lower wings glued, filled and sanded, the tailplane fitted. Next step is building the float assembly. The pilot figure is from PJ Productions and has separate arms which are great for posing on the steering wheel.

Aeroclub noted in an email that they intend to make a torpedo for the Short some time in the future. I couldn't wait so I ordered the Flightpath torpedo & trolley which should arrive any day.

The wing struts DO look all the same.

Happy Modelling
James

Ross_Moorhouse · 3 June 2005, 10:53 PM

Looking at my kit I would say yes that the longer ones are the front ones. Looking at the 3 view plans in the instructions and the Datafile planes the top wing is on an angle. This would indicat that the long ones go at the front.

Jamo, you could drop Aeroclub an email and confirm with them about the struts. I know they will reply.

Ross_Moorhouse · 3 June 2005, 10:56 PM

Work has taken me away from plastic stuff of late. But what I have done with my interior so far is make the frame work in thin stripped down wood. Then I will remove the kits moulded framework and replace with the wood one I have made.

You don't have to do this but I like the effect of the real wood. Builder’s choice.

If anyone is intrested I did a review of this kit for IM...

http://www.internetmodeler.com/2005/may/first-looks/Aeroclub_184.php

jamo · 3 June 2005, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the prompt response Ross!

Ross_Moorhouse · 4 June 2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamo

Thanks for the prompt response Ross!

All I can say is dry fit, dry fit dry fit. I would hate to be wrong and have lead you astary.

jamo · 6 June 2005, 12:01 AM

Firstly - a correction to an earlier post of mine. The two sprues of metal wing struts ARE different lengths and you have to look very hard to find the tiny F and R scratches. Lucky I didn't cut these struts off prematurely!

If you are planning to build the prototype aircraft #184 apparently it did not have ailerons on the lower wing, so you would need to fill the hinge lines on the model. Re-instating the wing ribs appeared to be a big job so I am building the other RNAS CDL machine.

This is my first model with metal struts and I thought it worked very well especially for the float struts which are large upside-down U shapes. Being made of metal you can bend them slightly to get the alignment just right.

The Datafile has fantastic detail pics of the torpedo attachment and release mechanisms so I am looking forward to receiving the Flightpath torpedo kit.

Happy modelling

Ross_Moorhouse · 10 June 2005, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamo

Aeroclub noted in an email that they intend to make a torpedo for the Short some time in the future. I couldn't wait so I ordered the Flightpath torpedo & trolley which should arrive any day.

Happy Modelling
James

I bet they do it in resin too. They have just gone into this medium.

jamo · 10 June 2005, 06:37 PM

The Flightpath torpedo has arrived - and it is lovely! Resin body, white metal warhead, photoetched brass fins and propellor blades. It also has PE bits to build the trolley but I won't be using these (anyone want it?). The torpedo is much better than I could have built from scratch. I can recommend it for anyone building the Short who doesn't want to wait for the Aeroclub version.

jamo · 11 June 2005, 08:51 PM

The Flightpath torpedo is now assembled. I cut a little off the four fins to make it look more like the torpedo photos in the Datafile. There is a little PE propeller for the front of the torpedo but I don't see one in any of the Datafile photos.

What a lot struts there were for the floats and for the torpedo! Six pairs altogether!

Here are some close-up pics of various bits: