This is the Sword kit of the Short Seamew which was designed as a light-weight anti-submarine platform to replace Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger AS.4s capable of operating from any naval carrier includingthe smaller escort carriers. First flown in August 1953 it never saw service with the two marking options offered in the Sword kit being aircraft used for trials and as such this will be a 'What-If' build to join my HMS Eagle collection. The fixed main wheel undercarriage was jettisonable in case of ditching and the power plant was the Armstrong Siddeley Mamba turbo-prop engine which was used in the successful Fairey Gannet.
Looks very ungainly Chris.
I know of it and will be interested to see how this one fares in your capable hands.
It was once referred to as "a camel amongst racehorses" Kev, so that just about sums it up. The initial order was for 60 aircraft for the RNVR, reduced to 30 with only 24 being delivered but none saw active service.
Another unusual beastie Chris. It did actually fly then?
It did Chris but the handling characteristics would have been challenging for Reserve Pilots trying to land on escort carriers.
With the the cockpit parts and interior painted Satin Black and details picked out in Silver, Red and Yellow they were assembled. The instructions aren't clear as to which way the floor goes but matching it to the locating tabs on the fuselage halves helped, nearly. (More on this later). When I was an Apprentice I worked occaisionally with and Electrician who was a devout Catholic, as he didn't like to swear he used 'camel' as an expletive. So this camel has given me problems. I removed the floor and turned it around to no avail. The wing spars had to be trimmed to fit and the fuselage wouldn't close up eventually only doing so after something went 'click'!!! I'd even used a torch to look insde the fuselage to see if I could find the problem. Some of the parts for the cockpit have locating tabs according to the instructions, not so in reality and I had to leave off the shelf and radar console when closing up. The forward combing over the instrument panel will need adjusting also. When searching for photos of the Seamew online I came across one of it having rockets under the wings, so holes were marked up and drilled for some from spares. The two halves then being joined as were the tailplane halves. Now fixed in place filler will be applied before priming. There is a hood to fit between the canopies so I put the rear one in place to see where it should fit only to find it wouldn't as the pilot's bulkhead sits too high. Checking back to the instructions the bulkhead is in the correct position so I'll have to trim it to ensure a fit. Sword kits are not classic 'limited run' kits but they come close and aren't suitable for absolute beginners.
You do seem to choose kits with problems attached, persevere and you will get there!
You need to choose some easier kits Chris. Good work.
A rocket armed Seamew? I'm waiting to see this.......!
With the bulkhead trimmed it was time to fit the canopies. I'm not happy with the way the front section is sitting , it appears to be too big for the fuselage. It's up to it's locating points at the rear but has an overhang on the starboard side, I've initially tried to smooth things out with PPP but it looks like I'll have to try and remove it for a better fit. With that in place the pilots canopy was put in place using Maskol, as was the Observer's, followed by the middle fuselage section then the Observer's canopy. Sword provide masks for the clear parts and any gaps were filled with Maskol. The upper surfaces were painted Extra Dark Sea Grey first as it made for easier masking when spraying the Sky undersurfaces etc. Once dry these were then masked for the Black leading edges. The aileron and flap actuators had been fitted prior to painting, as was the radar dome.
Coming along very nicely.
Looking forward to seeing armed..........
Watching this with interest Chris and like what you're doing. It's an aircraft I've fancied to build for some time. The Sword kit looks a loads better prospect than the Contrail vac form that has languished in my stash for a long time.
With the main painting completed and any touch ups done it was on with the decals using mainly the kit ones, the J on the tail coming from spares. The undercarriage is delicate to say the least with the tailwheel requiring lots of work and patience. For some reason Sword have made the leg a seperate piece from the two small halves of the wheel, a touch of IBG here when one piece would have worked better. I mus have refitted it half a dozen times!!! The arrestor hook also took a bit of fixing in place. The propeller was fitted and the canopies were unmasked and moved into the open position, fixed with Elmo's Purple. The wing tip light recesses had been painted with clear red and green before the lens were attached with Glue and Glaze. The underwing rockets I believe came from the original Frog release of the Mosquito.
Finished as a 'What If' replacing the 815 NAS Grumman Avengers on HMS Eagle in December 1955 this is not a kit for beginners, but it sure is an interesting looking beast!!!
Great work there.
Great work Chris.
You did a very nice job on the Seamew Chris. I was impressed when I saw it in the flesh and armed to the teeth yesterday.
Thanks everyone.