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World's Largest Collection of Paper Models!
World's Largest Collection of Paper Models!
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John Freeman's write-up (continued) about the Fiddlersgreen Northrop Gamma
Ellsworth wanted to be the first to fly across Antarctica, so he
loaded his Polar Star onto a ship and headed south. After off-loading
at Antarctica, while sitting on ice fifteen feet thick, they almost
lost the plane. The ice cracked and one of the skis fell into the
crack, damaging the plane. Back onto the ship, and back to America
for repairs. Back again to Antarctica for more bad luck. This time
the engine blew before any flights were made, so they shipped her
to Chile for repairs. Back again to Antarctica.
 After several more frustrations, they finally got away. They landed four times in the flight across the continent. On the third night a blizzard was so intense it packed the inside of the plane with fine powdered snow. They spent the whole next day emptying the plane of snow, using the only tool they had--a teacup!!! After all this they ran out of fuel 25 miles short of their destination, and spent six days walking the rest of the way. They don't make 'em the way they used to--machines, or men. This model is further work on my learning to use Red River's silver paper. I did learn that spraying the sheet with Testors Dull Coat after printing gives a fine aluminum look. Spraying again after finishing the model hides any shiny spots from wayward glue. Gluing this stuff is still a problem. The very best glue, in fact the only one I have found that sticks to the silver, is contact cement. I have more ideas about how to make the process better. Stay tuned. The model is very nice. The only things I added were the bungees that hold the ski tips up so they don't dig in on landing, and the engine. I couldn't find a Wright Cyclone engine, so I used a Pratt Whitney, which was pretty much a dead ringer for the Wright. I borrowed it from the Gee Bee model on Gremir's site. I know, the engine doesn't really show behind the cover plate, but it makes me happy to know it's there. The cover plate had cooling holes that could be closed to keep the engine from running too cold in that environment..Thanks to Chip and the gang!. - John Freeman Check us out at CLICK (http://2oldkiters.smugmug.com/) |