Birdmobile Merlin

**birder** · #1 03-09-2021, 10:43 AM

Merlin’s are falcons that act like Peregines or Praries, but are nearly as small as a Kestrel. They are fast aggressive hunters and a thrill to see for me, always a favorite although they can be seen virtually every winter, often though as nearly a blurr as they race by so easily overlooked.

This pretty model, clearly a handmade design, was my recent project while traveling so not much access to tools, paint etc. I was hoping to alter the position of the bird and found it very possible although some arrows showed part placement became exposed if I do a better one I’ll remove those since I imported to photoshop for changing colors our Merlins are very dark in color. Amazing that the model made it home traveling! (Suitcase ha). After some repairs made this mount for it.
Sorry only some phone pictures in the dark, but get the idea.
Pictures ugh Hopefully can improve

**rmks2000** · #2 03-09-2021, 11:18 AM

Very nice!

**Knife** · #3 03-09-2021, 11:23 AM

Very nice build, this is one of my favorite kits. I think I've made 3 of them so far. If you fancy something a bit bigger, the Northwest Nature Shop still sales the Birdmobile osprey. I picked one up from them last year at Birdmobile Paper Bird Model - Osprey with Trout

**birder** · #4 03-09-2021, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmks2000

Very nice!

Thank you this is a artistic, sculptural even model, and enjoyed it alot

**birder** · #5 03-09-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knife

Very nice build, this is one of my favorite kits. I think I've made 3 of them so far. If you fancy something a bit bigger, the Northwest Nature Shop still sales the Birdmobile osprey. I picked one up from them last year at Birdmobile Paper Bird Model - Osprey with Trout

Cool that you have enjoyed this one

, I have the Osprey, bought it many years ago from PMI, have not built it yet.....I realized my reluctance was due to the sheer size of the model, so may reduce it significantly to allow for viewing after it is built. It looks very nice to me as well

**SCEtoAUX** · #6 03-09-2021, 12:31 PM

Nice merlin. When I built it I changed the head slightly so it it looking to the side.
The osprey has a nice trout model with it. A twofer.

**Don Boose** · #7 03-09-2021, 01:38 PM

Great project.

Sunset at Cape May Point was known as the Merlin Mainline.

Don

**Burning Beard** · #8 03-09-2021, 02:40 PM

I have built it twice, both were scans of the original kit I purchased thirty six years ago. Anyhoo, the first was pretty much the original colors which seemed washed out. The second one I enhanced the colors somewhat using Corel Draw and they are much richer. I also changed the talons on the second so they were more 3D, not just flat paper, which made them look more realistic (in my opinion).

**birder** · #9 03-10-2021, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCEtoAUX

Nice merlin. When I built it I changed the head slightly so it it looking to the side.
The osprey has a nice trout model with it. A twofer.

The merlin is nice would think the Osprey will be, did you try that one?

**birder** · #10 03-10-2021, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Boose

Great project.

Sunset at Cape May Point was known as the Merlin Mainline.

Don

They really move don't they? I actually snapped a picture of one flying, not great but nice to get...