- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

I've just opened the Modelcraft reissue of the FROG Shackleton... and am absolutely terrified byt he prospect of it!

Sheets of flash abound, there are bits of plastic hanging off the fuselage and wing parts, the fuselage has terrible warpage, the propellers are undershot in places (any help on how to deal with these would be most appreciated), and the whole thing looks like it has some kind of unfortunate skin disease.

HELP! I really don't feel I'm equal to the task and now I'm regretting buying it...

Persevere Jamesy, it tidies up very nicely. The moulds though are getting very tired, I picked up a bunch of Novo kits from Hannants a few years ago, they had a pile of them which were just bagged parts, no decals or intruction sheets, going for 8 GBP's each, which look just like what you have described. I think where ever the moulds are now (still in Eastern Europe ??) they are popping them off for Modelcraft. I've made a couple from these kits and you can see the results if you look for my Avro Nottingham build I've posted on here. Also do a search for Shackleton and you'll find quite a few on the forum which are all spectacular builds.

The plastic is quite soft and the warpage can be 'massaged' out with a bit of care.

For your props though, I would go with the Aeroclub white metal set, these are a direct replacement set for this kit.

I know the feeling Jamesy.....There's nothing quite like an east european re-pop of an ancient kit to give a modeller the chills, is there?

You can often work warpage out of large plastic parts with a combination of warmth and pressure.....Various modellers have ther own techniques, I tend to 'play' with the parts until they either crack or comply.

To get rid of the texture I'd be inclined just to sand your kits surface smooth and the so-called details be damned. Anything significant that gets trashed can be remodeled with scrap and putty later.....Putty is likely to be playing a big part in your future regardless.

Your props may be more problematical.....I've had a quick look on the Aeroclub site and couldn't find anything in 1/72 (Although one of our more 'Wingy' members might find stuff that a 'Trackhead' like me would miss!

). This leaves you the option of whittling/moulding your own or perhaps finding a generous soul via the 'For Sale & Wanted' section.

Above all, don't panic.....You've got almost two thousand heads to crack this one with!

Good luck, godspeed & all the best
Sgt.S

Oops, forgot the link for the props:

http://www.aeroclub-models.com/p.html?n=3&c=P064

Sarge --- Airhead

----

Likewise, I bought the ex-Frog Shacklebomber when Revell released in around 12 years ago- Well I say released, escaped more like!
I was shocked by the awful mouldings, and in the end, ended up using the Aeroclub AEW conversion because that replaced the worst moulded parts
(see my portfolio for pics)
Best of luck!!!

thanks all, I don't feel quite so terrified now! (though painting 24 sets of props doesn't bear thinking about)

Ayup all...

a couple of Shack questions for those of an Avro disposition...

a) did all Shackleton MR.3's have nose guns

and

b) how can I replicate them on my model?

a) no

b) with these, or similar http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=AIRE7101

Looks like the former option will be the cheaper one then Jamesy.....I'm sure there must be pictures of a Shackleton without nose armament floating about somewhere, eh lads?

All the best
Sgt.S
PS - Would you mind if I merge this thread with your original Shackleton thread, to keep things a little more concise.

You can buy just the guns from the Aeroclub MR.2 set but you have to write/call and ask as they're not listed as a seperate item. Peter Wright told me once when we met up for a few wobbly pops while he was visiting Banff Canada, that you can buy anything from any of the sets seperately if you ask.

You have to specify which ones you want as there are two types, nose and dorsal turret and they are different.

I don't know if it was just my bad luck but I had several Shackletons at the time of it's last FROG release back in the late seventies and a Revell. All had one perfectly formed but short prop blade

......always the same one as if this was a mould fault rather than an undershot....but I've not noticed it mentioned.

Garry

Frog apparently had problems with the kit in as much as the nose guns would not mould!

Sorry, another question for anybody who might know the answer...

My Modelcraft kit did not come with a paint and decal guide.

Am I right in thinking that the paint scheme should be something like white, PRU blue and sea grey, or am I entirely wrong?

Most likely white/Extra Dark Sea Grey, Jamesy.

peebeep

Indeed - fairly sure it's Extra Dark Sea Grey with a reflective white panel on the upper surfaces of the fuselage (and a black anti-glare panel ahead of the cockpit). The prototype MR3 was all-over Extra Dark Sea Grey but all others had the white panel.

MR1s and MR2s started out white with Extra Dark Sea grey upper surfaces but were repainted in the late 50s.

Thanks chaps, that really helps

This is the Revell boxing I made a number of years ago. Revell had a 'disclaimer' on the box saying that they are old molds so expect some flash and other tidying up!

Be aware you will need shedloads of weight in the nose. this is probably one of the most tail heavy plastic kits in 1.72!!

Cheers!

Lovely finish on that model - very well done. Must dig out my Revell re-pop now that I am inspired!

Sam