Johnnytodd's Build: 1/56 scale Catalina PBY (Completed)

[Tom Reed]

Have you thought about trying to vacuform the blisters over the wooden mold?

[Johnnytodd]

I have thought of vacuform but it doesn't really fit with the aesthetic - the solid wood models traditionally have painted canopies.

[Johnnytodd]

More progress:



Fabricated the single open gun blister and found a .50cal gunner from Brigade Games to fit in the opening (he'll need a little modification):





Next step to build the folding wingtip pontoons - which I've putting off 'til last.

[Johnnytodd]

Like him:

[marianas_gamer]

Really impressive, Masters level modeling!
LB

[Blackwolf]

Fantastic!

[Marine0846]

Very, very nice.
Great work so far.
Love it.

[Admiral Benbow]

Amazing what you're able to do with simple wood ... 

[Kane]

  . Incredible!

[Gothic Line]

Fantastic really great!!!!

[anevilgiraffe]

stunning work

[Johnnytodd]

The PBY5 had retractable wingtips that folded up/down to become the outrigger pontoons:

[Johnnytodd]

I wanted to simulate that structure with some simple hinges -  so my model can be displayed in the air or in the water.  The task proved more difficult than I imagined (of course).

[Bugsda]

That's excellent! I love the Catalina, it's supposed to be bloody noiusy for the crew but it looks superb in the air 

[Centaur_Seducer]

I must confess that I'm very impressed!
Look forward to this, and how it evolves