Westland PV4 design in progress......

[ltla9000311]

Here is my first attempt at a real subject, a Westland PV4 British Biplane. Also known as the F.7/30. I don't believe it ever went into production, from what little info I can find about it. Here are some screen caps of what I've finished so far, along with 1 picture (out of 3) I could find of this rare aircraft. Plus one of a 1/24 scale scratchbuilt model.

Let me know what you think so far.:)

[Krzychu74]

Hello!
Very nice aircraft and interesting topic for the model. I will observe the progress in design. :)

Best regards.
Krzychu74

[cjwalas]

Never seen this one before. Very interesting plane. I'll be watching with interest!
Best of luck with it.
Chris

[30-06]

Itla - Great subject - I like the 30's Fleet Air Arm and RAF aircraft - many interesting looking aircraft. I too will follow this with interest.
Gregor

[ltla9000311]

More progress on the PV4!

I completely reworked the canopy, the old one just didn't "look right". I think it's pretty close now tho.:)

The radiator under the fuselage is in place, just needs a couple of tweaks and blended into the fuselage.

The spinner is in place too.

Next is the landing gear and then the struts.

Then all the assorted greeblies, (lumps, bumps etc.) and the recessed cannon bays (maybe) on the nose.

I am planning on this being in 1/72nd scale, with that in mind, does anyone think it necessary to have "spars" in the wings for strength? They are there in the 3D model right now, but not sure if they're needed at a 1/72nd scale. Any input would be helpful.:confused:

On with the pics!

[Wyvern]

Spars would keep the wings from drooping and make the model more permanent.

I would love to trst-build this. 20's-30's aircraft are a particular interest.

Wyvern

[ltla9000311]

Wyvern-I was thinking the same thing about the struts, I'll omit the struts in the final version.

I could use a beta builder in the future on this one Wyvern if you'd like. Just let me know.

There's another member here who will receie a copy whether he likes it or not! (G1;))

Here's a small update, the main gear are roughed in. I migh do some small tweaks here and there on it, or major, just depends.

[shrike]

Are you up for trying the rest of the F.7/30 candidates? The Bristol is just as odd

[ltla9000311]

Are you up for trying the rest of the F.7/30 candidates? The Bristol is just as odd

I didn't know that there were other candidates.:o I take it that the F.7/30 designation was a contract (?) for a specific type of aircraft?

[member_3]

The candidates for the F.7/30 specification were:
Blackburn F.3
Bristol Type 123
Bristol Type 133
Gloster Gladiator (the winner)
Gloster SS.19
Hawker P.V.3
Supermarine Type 224
Westland F.7/30

I am not sure how many were actually built/flown.

[shrike]

F.7/30 would be a specification for a Fighter and the 7th specification for 1930
Detailed explanation here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Air_Ministry_specifications)

[ltla9000311]

Hey Shrike, thanks for that link. I'm 39 years old and learning more now than I ever did in shool! :D

[Wyvern]

I would be happy to beta-build for you.

Wyvern

[member_3]

My test build plate is a bit full but I'll be near the head of the line to buy one when it's completed!

[shrike]

Hey Shrike, thanks for that link. I'm 39 years old and learning more now than I ever did in shool! :D


Glad to be of service. I gathered a little bit of info on these airplanes a few years ago thinking they would make interesting models, but real life and a couple of computer crashes got in the way.

Other proposals for the same specification.

Bristol 123 (http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/bristol_123.php) Which was fairly conventional.
Bristol 133 (http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/bristol_133.php) Hey - looks like a Corsair!
Blackburn (http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/black_f7-30.php) Which was even odder than the Westland
Supermarine 224 (http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/supermarine_224.php) Which hints only ever so slightly at the Spitfire

[ltla9000311]

Hey I really like the odd shape of the Blackburn.:) The fuselage looks like it's pretty close in shape to the Westland.

[Alcides]

Nice to see this rare bird modeled. I think you have to keep the struts.

The work of Roman ( Kampfflieger) is full of examples of small birds in 1:72 scale with struts.

[ltla9000311]

Alcides-Thank you for the tip! I'll have to take a look at one.

Here's another update, the landing gear and associated struts. I don't know if they'll actually glue together properly, but I guess we'll see.

[Wyvern]

Your digital model is coming along nicely!

Supply patterns for the struts, to be made from wire or paper-wrapped wire.

Wyvern

[ltla9000311]

Supply patterns for the struts, to be made from wire or paper-wrapped wire.

Wyvern

Thanks Wyvern! The struts are double sided, to be laminated together. That way I can get a texture on both sides of the struts. With that in mind, at 1/72nd scale, they should be strong enough. (I hope/think):rolleyes: But hopefully not too thick.

[Wyvern]

Thanks Wyvern! The struts are double sided, to be laminated together. That way I can get a texture on both sides of the struts. With that in mind, at 1/72nd scale, they should be strong enough. (I hope/think):rolleyes: But hopefully not too thick.

At 1/72 scale, that "acorn" used to streamline the tension joint could be done with a blob of white glue or resin, or shaped from several folded pieces of cardstock and trimmed/sanded.

Wyvern

[ltla9000311]

wyvern-Nice idea there, I was wondering how anyone (much less me) could fold that thing up at 1/72nd scale!:o

[shrike]

Depending on how you fold and join them, you could make the streamlined thingie like a serif on a capital I.
It would also give more gluing area on the edges

[ltla9000311]

Just to let everyone know, this things not dead! Just tempoarily on the back burner.