Spectacular aviation exhibition in Barcelona

Any idea which Little Nellie this is? – As I am pretty sure it isn’t from the Ken Wallis stable.

(Sorry about the size of the pic, don’t know how to “shrink” it).

Fascinating stuff, Anon, thanks!

The Little Nellie looks like a non-functioning FSM or model to me.

Thanks for posting. Is the Polikarpov genuine or a replica do you know?

Roger Smith

Probably real Roger, one of the three flyers from New Zealand was sold to Spain so i suspect it is that one.

Little Nellie is a replica, the original is covered in stickers and part of the fantastic collection at Reymerston Hall. However it is very correct to display an autogyro in the home country of the inventor.

Little Nellie etc.

The Little Nellie shown in the pic is an impostor. It is actually G-APUD – the Bensen kit, modified by Ken Wallis as a prototype for his future designs.

It normally resides at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and is on loan to the exhibition. It’s original “clothes” (bucket seat, plywood tail feathers etc.) have been carefully removed and the Little Nellie bodywork specially manufactured and applied – without an extra hole being drilled anywhere.

She will be returned to Manchester after the exhibition ends in February with her original parts refitted.

The I-16 is, in fact, a 2/3 scale flying replica. It was designed and built by an ex-I-16 pilot, who flew in the Civil War in Spain but before the replica was finished, he was killed, aged 81, flying a microlight.

There are moves afoot to have a permanent aviation museum in the Barcelona area, something in which Mr Castellsaguer will be very much involv ed, and the I-16 is destined to be a notable exhibit there.

BTW, the Merlin and DB engines are 1/6 scale miniatures. Fully complete and scale both externally and internally, both engines have been run using gas (i.e. not liquid fuel) before being displayed. They were built in the UK and the level of precision is truly astounding.

I’m going away for the weekend so will post more pics next week.

Anon.

The Little Nellie shown in the pic is an impostor. It is actually G-APUD – the Bensen kit, modified by Ken Wallis as a prototype for his future designs.

It normally resides at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and is on loan to the exhibition. It’s original “clothes” (bucket seat, plywood tail feathers etc.) have been carefully removed and the Little Nellie bodywork specially manufactured and applied – without an extra hole being drilled anywhere.

She will be returned to Manchester after the exhibition ends in February with her original parts refitted.

Thanks for that extra info Anon.

I realised that it wasn’t the original because of the lack of stickers (which scotavia mentioned), which I believe is the reason it didn’t appear in Die Another Day even though the Wing Commander had deposited it at Pinewood Studios at Eons request – why they couldn’t have “painted over” the stickers I don’t know as it would have been a great addition, much better than those shown.

Have visited Ken’s establishment a couple of times over the years and remember on my last visit seeing the mould for the fairings.

However it is very correct to display an autogyro in the home country of the inventor.

If you’re talking about Juan de la Cierva, then it would have to be an autogiro rather than an autogyro.

A few more pics…

A few more pics for your enjoyment and awe.

Guess which engine(s) is/are the scale model(s):D

Anon.

A few more…

Hope you enjoy these too.

Anon.

And another…

Another old aeroplane – laid up at Barcelona Airport.

A bit too modern for me but still a classic. Can anyone i/d it?

Anon.

Hi Anon,

those miniature engines are absolutely spectacular, especially the Merlin and DB 601 (and also a 603, I believe). Do you know whose handiwork these are? And what size are they?

I remember a thread a couple of years back re: a fantastic Merlin and DB 601 engine by a guy named Tony Walshaw. Is this the same guy?

Again, great pictures.

Miniature engines

Yes, One and the same man.

There are some darned good model engineers around but Tony Walshaw must be one of, if not the, best.

I may have contributed to that thread a while back as I have sung his praises before on this forum.

The scale of the V-12’s is 1/6, I think, but I will confirm.

Here are a few more pics of the subject matter. The first picture is of a compount triple-expansion steam engine model built by Tony Walshaw.

Sorry about the reflections. The stuff was in display cases and it was difficult to get decent shots.

Anon.

Wrong pic!

That first shot looks more like Barcelona town to me than a triple-expansion steam engine:o

No, I know it’s not quite aviation but it is a good illustration of Mr Walshaw’s capabilities.

Hopefully, here’s the pic’s I meant to post:

Anon.

Thanks so much for this. Totally unreal. And yes, I would love more info regarding the scale, etc.

I write articles on artists like Tony for a German model aircraft magazine. How would I be able to contact Mr. Walshaw?

Yes, I figured! Again, just unbelievable.

Anon, thanks for posting the additional pics of the steam engine. Does Tony by any chance have a website where one can look at all his projects? As you can see, I’m really impressed… 🙂

Exhibits.

A few more tasty morsels.

P-51, 1/10 scale model.

Armstrong-Siddeley Panther, rear view of Hydra and Bristol Aquila scale model engines.

Phantom cockpit and BS Stentor (ex-Blue Steel missile) rocket engine (full size).

andreas11. – PM sent.

Anon.

Information required

Was anyone able to i/d this B727 hulk seen at Barcelona Airport?

Anon.

Anon.Can not i/d the actual aircraft ! but can say it is a DC-9, MD-80 type thingy ????

Keith.