Magnas Shorts SA4 Sperrin

[general melchett]

Hi there, Think I'm finally losing it ,just when I promise myself a nice easy shake and bake from 'Tamiyhasajimi' to ease the pain a bit I have to go and buy something like this. Having said that I rather like Magnas models and did a Belfast for someone a while back which whilst not easy did make up into a spectacular model. This is the Short SA4 Sperrin, a quite obscure , rather ugly 4 jet bomber type that was supposed to be a backup for the V-bombers should they fail due to being too technically advanced (ironically it flew after the Valiant !!). Two prototypes were built and flown , both used for experimental and development work in the 50's, mostly for engine (Gyron) and weapons development. It looks like the b!$#%$^d offspring of a canberra (without the loveliness ) and a Short Skyvan , with a bit of Varsity/Viking chucked in.I love these esoteric types and never thought I would see one in this scale. The kit itself is huge and a bit pricey at 90 quid but as it's all resin and pewter I guess that's the going rate. The mouldings are very nice for a limited run but there are plenty of tiny air bubbles to deal with !!! (as usual) but I also think you get a lot for the money (but then I'm mad .) The only real problem I can find with it is down to the accuracy of the fuselage sectional shape...It's wrong , being almost box section when it should be smoothly curved as in the pics here. Not a huge problem as careful filing and sanding should sort that out, but knowing how accurate Magnas normally are and the asking price I find it a bit baffling !!!. Sorry to waffle ( and I haven't even built it yet.........).Think I will go for the grey / black Farnborough 1951 scheme, looks nice. Will update as it progresses ( or not!!).

Thanks for looking,

Andy

As you can see fuselage is too boxy!

Lots and lots of bits

Again the box fuselage!!

Like this scheme...

You can clearly see that the fuselage has a very rounded shape to it, with all these reference pics available I cannot imagine what was going through Magna's design teams mind ! because the rest of it is spot on.....

Edited July 7, 2008 by general melchett

[Martian]

Looking forward to watching this build immensley.

Martin

[general melchett]

Hi Martin, Thanks for that. Are you like me keen on the slightly weird and wonderful ? I just can't bring myself to build dozens of grey clone like modern fighters ( sorry guys!), they really do nothing for me, must be my age but they really do all seem the same I'm afraid it won't be a quickie mainly due to the raft of V-bombers I'm wading through at the moment but it shouldn't be too far in the future

Thanks,

Andy

[Dereknf]

Looking forward to this build. I wonder why they gave it a Buccaneer serial number. Methinks it should be VX158.

[DamienB]

A jet-engined Stirling... absolutely godawful looking thing, and thankfully never needed. I too shall watch the build with interest!

[general melchett]

Do you know Derek I never noticed that , what a booboo!! ,you're right it should be VX158 ,( still easily fixed but very strange), not too impressed with the research. Instructions also tell you to cut off the wing/engine fillets for the earlier version but I cannot find any shots (and I've got loads) of it in this configuration anywhere. It's as if they have filled in the missing blanks themselves. I use Barry Hygates fantastic book on Experimental and prototypes for reference and he doesn't mention anything about it though his fuselage section scrap view looks suspiciously square. Still I'll crack on...

Thanks,

Andy

[keefr22]

Are you like me keen on the slightly weird and wonderful ?

Well Andy, I'm certainly just the same in that respect! I think the Sperrin is so ugly she's beautiful!! I'd love a go at a 72nd one, but don't think I can stretch to the £90 for the Magna one with the pitfalls you've pointed out. That fuselage looks like an Avro York!! And the scribing looks a bit crude too? Can't fault the subject choice though...!!!

I just can't bring myself to build dozens of grey clone like modern fighters ( sorry guys!),

Me neither!

they really do nothing for me,

Or me!!

must be my age but they really do all seem the same

I'm getting on too....!!!

I'm now patiently looking forward to your build of this wonderful machine. Don't leave it too long though - like I said I'm getting on a bit....!!!!

Keef

[Lawnguylander]

The plans seem to show the asymetric powerplant layout of the Gyron Junior, but the parts bag seems to have the symetrical engine layout more common on the Sperrin. Does the kit have the extra part(s) to make the Gyron Junior variant? Thanks,

Lee

[general melchett]

Firstly , cheers Keef we are obviously kindred spirits !! The scribing is actually better than it looks in the pics and the panel lines seem to be in the right places , which is what I would expect of Magna, but the fuselage is something else ( as you say 'York like'), so it's out with the files , wet and dry( wet as it's resin) ,respirator and profile gauge and press on regardless. One thing that might prove a problem though is that the forward cockpit area is clear vac form and carries on the square look which could prove awkward to reprofile ..ho-hum!!!.

Lee, I should have pointed out that the plans in the shots are from Barry Hygates book NOT the kit plans The kit only includes parts for the early aircraft ( though you do get a choice of engine tailpipes). Think my hands are full with just the prototype let alone a Gyron conversion Sadly I've got to work away over the next few days ( got to pay for the damn thing somehow!) so progress may be slow...

Andy

Edited July 8, 2008 by general melchett

[bexwh773]

Do you know Derek I never noticed that , what a booboo!! ,you're right it should be VX158 ,( still easily fixed but very strange), not too impressed

Thanks,

Andy

XV158 was an S2 Buccaneer delivered 22/07/1966 & written off 20/05/1968, so me thinks it shouldnt be that serial..... ok Rivet Counting Switch to off

Andy, looking forwards to this matey, funny looking beastie isnt she Im still of the firm belief that youre fruitier than a nutcake with all these Big Birds youve got on the go.

ATB

Bex

[keefr22]

One thing that might prove a problem though is that the forward cockpit area is clear vac form and carries on the square look which could prove awkward to reprofile ..ho-hum!!!.

Ouch!! that's a bit of a bu**er! Possibly be easier to make a new balsa mould?

Good luck with this one Andy, I'm really looking forward to see what she turns out like. It's such a cool-ugly thing that I'm still tempted with the possibility of a pre-order from Mr. Hannant at SMW!!

Keef

['V']

Andy,

What have you done ...... 90 Quid !! I knew you were nuts when you said you'd do the prototype Valiant, but the Sperrin as well !! Must be the most ugly 4 engined bomber, no more than that, the most ugly 4 engined aircraft ever to fly. I'm still looking forward to following this one, not just to see if you crack up !!

How do you find the time? it's not as if your models look like rush jobs, because they don't, every one I've seen so far is a work of art .......

Any chance of you dropping by this summer?

'V'

[Tigerausfb]

When we British come up with something it's either a thing of beauty or engineering achievement or both. Or we come up with the opposite. I had heard of the 'Sperrin' but never had the chance to errrr...admire its lines before. Good luck with the build.

Andy

[general melchett]

Thank you one and all ( I think!). Firstly Bex you ain't seen nothing yet ., cop an eyeful of this thing

,

I really am going to have to visit the short stay ward soon More on this build later as it's coming along nicely (don't for Gawds sake tell Geoff how much this one cost ...he'd have a seizure which at his time of life is no laughing matter ) suffice to say we aren't going on holiday for the next ten years!!!

Geoff, after parting with 45 quid for the heap that is the Mach 2 Valiant I don't think that this is so bad (and it's not as horribly inaccurate as that thing either, well almost but not quite !!!). I only have so much time because of my work ,which you know all about and the flexibility it allows ( plus the fact that I'm a sad ba#$^^%d who doesn't have a social life ) . Hopefully we are on our way down south in the next couple of months so I'll foist myself on you then ,I've still got your number

Thanks again all ( just finished the excellent cockpit which of course wont be seen once installed, oh well will post pics in couple of days !!!)

Andy

[bexwh773]

That does it, Andy youre totally bonkers

Im looking forwards to seeing this thing built, what is it? Ive never seen one of those, it looks like Gerry Anderson has got his hands on a B58 Hustler

Bex

[general melchett]

Hi Bex , bloomin eck that was fast , It's Amodels Russian Myasischev M50, nato code name 'bounder' and yes it really was built and yes it did fly The thing was huge and designed as a prototype high speed nuclear bomber.Although it's design looked fantastic it's performance wasn't so after 11 or so flights it was binned ( actually it ended up in the air force museum at Monino ,Moscow where it still is now. Next year a few of us layabouts are off out there to tour a few of the museums ( plus a few less than select areas ).The kit is absolutely superb and comes in about 200,trillion pieces.Its made of GRP/ resin composite and injected plastic, a real masterpiece which I hope I can do justice to !!( not to mention justifying the horrendous cost , here's a few shots of the monster,

Cheers ,

Andy

[keefr22]

,

You Bounder General!!! How did that damned Russkie get in here....

Keef

[general melchett]

Sorry ,I'll have myself shot right away ,, Darling where's my service revolver................................

[daz greenwood]

It snuck in under the radar Keef.

Edited July 8, 2008 by daz greenwood

[bexwh773]

Thanks Andy, ruddy 'ell ol' chap, thats a beast and a half isnt it

Bex

[general melchett]

You wait till you see the wife....

[bexwh773]

I think youd better she doesnt see that comment Andy or me thinks

Bex

[general melchett]

It's OK I've put her back in her box for the night.. Gawd bless her flannelette socks... Think I'd better quit while I'm ahead ......what's that? .....yes dear .....coming...

[keefr22]

It snuck in under the radar Keef.

All the operators must have been asleep then!!

Keef

Edited July 8, 2008 by keefr22

[Martian]

Hi Martin, Thanks for that. Are you like me keen on the slightly weird and wonderful ? I just can't bring myself to build dozens of grey clone like modern fighters ( sorry guys!), they really do nothing for me, must be my age but they really do all seem the same I'm afraid it won't be a quickie mainly due to the raft of V-bombers I'm wading through at the moment but it shouldn't be too far in the future

Thanks,

Andy

I love the quirky and colourful. It makes a nice change from my usual diet of Fleet Air Arm stuff, although much of that falls under that description too.

Martin