About a decade ago I was approached to make a ‘gate guardian’ display of a DH61 replica for the then fledgeling QANTAS Founders Outback Museum in Longreach. The budget was very low, but I was pretty keen to have a go at the DH61, and made this replica you see here.
Halfway through the 15 month construction it was decided that there might be merit in using this as an addition to the museum as an exhibit rather than as a gate guardian on a pole, and an interior was made.
The display has to last indefinitely with minimal maintenance, so a fabric covered wing was made, sewn and taped, and painted, then a fibreglass mould was taken from it. Thus the wings, although they show the weave of the fabric and the tapes and sewing bumps, are strong fibreglass, very robust, with an indefinite lifespan.
This is an interactive display, so people (especially children, but everyone)can get inside, and feel what it was like to sit in the real thing 80 years ago.
There is a real Bristol Jupiter engine at the Museum at Longreach, which was handy, and a fibreglass replica of that engine was made.
Today the replica sits in the old hangar where the original aircraft sat eighty years before.
It has an interesting relevance in the museum as the first QANTAS Aircraft that had a toilet.
GeoffR
By: GeoffR - 4th November 2007 at 19:29
Fabulous stuff.
How did you construct – is it as original from old drawings or been made “as near as possible” from photos?
Whichever the end result is wonderful and look forward to seeing your future projects.Roger Smith
Roger, I had a DH side view, and a real DH9 wing, and a bunch of good pictures, so it’s a combination of all those. Construction of fuselage is by substituting steel tube for wood, and fibreglass panels for plywood.
They (predictably) end up quite heavy in the tail, although the DH50 may be more balanced as we are using the real Puma engine.
GeoffR
By: John Aeroclub - 4th November 2007 at 14:43
That is a truely amazing result and an excellent way to witness aircraft that don’t exist anymore, well done.
It has taken me that long to build plastic kits!
Yes, a fantastic effort. I have the urge to now to produce a kit of a Giant Moth. hmm.
Cheers
John
By: pagen01 - 4th November 2007 at 12:16
That is a truely amazing result and an excellent way to witness aircraft that don’t exist anymore, well done.
It has taken me that long to build plastic kits!
By: RPSmith - 4th November 2007 at 12:12
Fabulous stuff.
How did you construct – is it as original from old drawings or been made “as near as possible” from photos?
Whichever the end result is wonderful and look forward to seeing your future projects.
Roger Smith
By: GeoffR - 4th November 2007 at 11:15
The next project for QFOM is a DH50 “Iris” for which we have an original Puma engine (2) and propeller, two original wheels,and an original radiator with shutters.
Also on our list is a DH86, Armstrong Whitworth FK8, and Be2e, so lots to look forward to.
GeoffR
By: The Blue Max - 4th November 2007 at 10:31
Beautiful, Geoff.
Many thanks for taking the time to share this with us.
Bod – fancy a project after the BE-2 :diablo: ????
i know sombody with a spare Jupiter;)
By: Malcolm McKay - 4th November 2007 at 09:48
That’s one hell of an impressive 1/1 scale model you’ve built. 🙂
By: low'n'slow - 4th November 2007 at 09:40
Beautiful, Geoff.
Many thanks for taking the time to share this with us.
Bod – fancy a project after the BE-2 :diablo: ????
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November 4, 2007 at 7:48 am