From the Welsh
Models Vacuformed kit
The Armstrong Whitworth AW.27 seems a
homothetic enlargement of the former AW.15 Atalanta with some
technological refinements like a retractable undercarriage or variable
pitch props. Such a large and advanced aircraft suffered
reliability problems when into regular passenger service with Imperial
Airways in 1938, causing delays, cancellations, and anger.
Here
is an interesting link for historical data and specifications, with some pics of
the real aircraft.
My Welsh Models vac kit provided white metal parts
for landing gear, engines, cowlings, props, and goniometric antenna. Other
details such as exhaust pipes, pressure probe, aerial mast, and rudder
counterweight, had to be scratchbuilt.
Decals were also provided for three early Imperial Airways
aircraft: Ensign, Ettrick, Elsinore.
Click on
images below to see larger images
For the engines and
cowling, I prefered to use those from the Airfix Boeing 314 I have,
which necessitated less painful rework. Engines #2 & 3 have only one
exhaust pipe at their inner side, which can be seen on the few pictures
available on the web (my only reference material in addition to the
kit's instructions). I also reworked the cockpit area using clear sheet
plastic for more realism, although the passenger windows were drilled and filed
with Micro Kristal Klear.
The painting process couldn't be more straightforward with a
coat of Tamiya Spray TS-30 (Silver Leaf). The problem with silver
paint, is that the decals are easily...silvering...! So I spent an entire day
cutting each single letter the tightest possible, and applied them one by one! I
used thin strips of masking tape as guides to get straight lines. The decals
were of great quality and I put a drop of dishwashing liquid in my water in
order to keep them sliding during application. The day after, I coated twice the
entire model with handbrushed Future floor polish, except cowlings,
ailerons, elevators and exit hatches, to get a bit of contrast in shades.
For main landing gear detail and aerials, the devoted girlfriend
provided hairs.
If you like this model, you may see more of my building at:
http://www.freewebs.com/aeroscale
Cheers!
Alex
Click on
images below to see larger images
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