Short Solent (Raiders of the Lost Ark China Clipper)

**airdave** · #1 01-20-2010, 11:45 AM

I was looking around to see if I could find a model of the China/Yankee Clipper(s)..just like the one in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

although most exterior scenes were hand painted mattes and models ,
they may have shot some scenes near a mocked up aircraft
and interiors were apparently shot using a real aircraft.

The original Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats used Sikorsky, Martin and Boeing aircraft.

But it turns out that the "Clipper" in Raiders, is actually a Short Solent Flying Boat (its the only one in existence, in some museum in California)
But since I can't find any more reference, I can't compare it to the screen aircraft (see the screencaps below)
so I'm not sure if the Solent was just used for the interior scenes.

The flying aircraft is definately not a Boeing 314 which many modelers have reproduced as the Raiders plane?

So, anyone seen a kit of a Solent ?
is this the right plane?

check out the rest of the pics attached...
I've got the actual matte painting used in the film
and shots of the so called "Clipper"
and the actual "Clipper" model!

Interesting fact about Raiders of the Lost Ark:
the German U-boat featured in one part of the film,
is actually the model U-boat from the film Das Boot.

**hawkman67** · #2 01-20-2010, 12:23 PM

Very cool flying boat, AirDave. I would still like to see the flying wing done as well one of these days, I really can't afford what the resin model of it costs.
Jeff

**cjwalas** · #3 01-20-2010, 12:44 PM

I worked on the film and I'd love to see that flying wing done as well.
As far as the "Clipper" goes, I don't think there was a mock-up of any sort. The real plane was used for the boarding scene and interiors as far as I remember.
Incidentally, that's Mike Fulmer finishing off the model. He built it in record time and it was a beautiful piece of work!
Chris

**hawkman67** · #4 01-20-2010, 01:05 PM

Now that would have been a fun film to work on. The resin model of the wing is nice, but so way over priced specially for a 1/72 scale kit.
Ah soome day. Oh Gary.....LOL
Jeff

**xadow** · #5 01-20-2010, 01:27 PM

Finally someone else that also wants a Solent

I've been asking GaryPilsworth, here Spreading my wings for a Short Solent

**SJPONeill** · #6 01-20-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkman67

Now that would have been a fun film to work on. The resin model of the wing is nice, but so way over priced specially for a 1/72 scale kit.
Ah soome day. Oh Gary.....LOL
Jeff

Disneyland had a promo Flying Wing in 1/48 that you can pick up occasionally on eBay for $15-20...

**APA-168** · #7 01-20-2010, 01:39 PM

A quick Google search reveals that yes, it is a Short Solent. http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac2/NZAM/ZK-AML.jpg There is a reference to it on Wikipedia. Short Solent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I would also love to see one of these done it kit form.

**Willja67** · #8 01-20-2010, 01:45 PM

I must admit to being intrigued by this plane. I'm on the downhill side of the XP-72 and have already been considering my next project. Are there any 3-views of it?

**doctormax** · #9 01-20-2010, 01:55 PM

It looks a bit like the short brothers sea plane in the download section that says added yesterday? I suppose that is a competly different bird.

**xadow** · #10 01-20-2010, 02:30 PM

I recall seeing a detailed 3view of the Solent, but I don't remember the link, I will see if I can find it again, in the meantime, the only 3 view that i could find is this one www.suurland.com
There's also a free 3d model, that seems detailed ??????? , this model could be imported to rhino and used as a 3d blueprint.