Wings of the red star-- 1/72 Tupolev ANT 25

[yak face]

Heres something I picked up at the Newark expo show, and its something Ive been wanting for a while!Its a 1930's Soviet record breaking machine, made for long distance over polar flights Imagine my delight when I found this in a bargain bin for £3 . It hasnt got a box or instructions but is complete and has decals. I dont know the maker but its a bit of a flash fest (understatement ?!!) There are moulding seams and huge ejector pin marks all over but its just the sort of thing i love to get my teeth into. Luckily I should be able to guess the construction sequence as there arent that many interior parts and ive found some great walkarounds of the surviving museum example ( there were only 2 made ) for the details and colour scheme. Heres the sprue shots and a three view of what its supposed to look like - WARNING , the following images may cause distress. cheers tony

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[spanner570]

Thanks for the warning, mucker!

Good job I was enjoying a can of Boddies when I first looked at them photos......That's some clean up operation you have there good buddy, but you'll crack it, now't so certain....

 

[papa 695]

Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum FLASH Ahh Ahh ( pay back )

 

[yak face]

Touche !

 

[PaulTRose]

Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum FLASH Ahh Ahh ( pay back )

lol..beat me to it...i was going to say the last time i saw that much flash, queen were on the soundtrack

 

[1275GT]

That could almost be some long lost Airfix kit from the 50's!! Looks yummy, though......happy sanding

 

[CDW]

I agree with Neil, could be airfix..... Not necessarily from days gone by either

Looks like a bit of work to do but I'm sure you'll bash it into shape Tony!

 

[yak face]

Well i started today , probably the biggest clean up job since the Exxon Valdez !!! (google it young uns!) I managed to stab myself in the finger 3 times , cleaning up ejector pin stubs ,some of which were 2mm proud and had to be sawn off with the razor saw!! In fact ive never used a razor saw as often , most of the parts needing to be sawn off the sprue.All the mating faces need sanding flat and most parts need fettling to get rid of flash/mould seams. The pic of the 2 rudder halves shows how much needs to be done to most parts before theyre even ready to glue together! Ive cleaned up and glued both wings , nearly running out of strong clamps. The left half of the fuselage had the openings for the prop and chin radiator totally flashed over about 1.5mm thick , the right half being not bad. I'm up to my knees in lurid blue plastic dust but I'm really enjoying it , weird or what!!

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[papa 695]

Stirling work Tony This reminds me of the Pegasus DH2 I did with all the flash to clean up

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice work Tony.

 

[Dave W]

Great stuff Tony.I was wondering when you were going to start this one.Ive nearly finished the Sea Fury I bought at the same show.

 

[eddiesolo]

Jeez, after cleaning up it is surprising that there is any model left.

Interesting build and should look superb when finished. Keep at it and enjoying the build.

Si

 

[yak face]

Have a look at this video , although not totally accurate regarding the design (it wasnt designed by Tupolev , actually it was Pavel Sukhoi's team under Tupolevs supervision) . The end bit is hilarious though - Tupolev strapping a propellor and engine to a sofa on skis , mad as a box of frogs!!!

 

[yak face]

And just try watching this one without wanting to jump up and do some cossack dancing!!LOL!!!

 

[Ziper_it]

Lot of work, very well done.

Cheers francesco

 

[InFlames]

I've seen a copy of it made by Tupolev in 1989 in Monino museum - I have a photo or two of it, if you are interested?

 

[yak face]

Thanks Seb ive got this one too , i think its one of the originals in the Valery Chkalov museum http://walkarounds.airforce.ru/avia/rus/tupolev/ant-25/index.htm

 

[yak face]

Sand , sand, sand, trim, sand, sand ,trim....etc You get the idea ! Everything is having to be fettled in a big way , before and after gluing.The port wing joint had a 1.5 mm overlap at the front edge which I ended up taking off with a woodworking plane - I kid you not!!!! (Record No. 077A bullnose rabbet plane for anyone whos curious!) Despite all this butchery i'm really getting into it and cant wait to get back in the shed. The cockpit interior is nearly ready ,just a few bits to add to the sidewalls and a seat at the back navigators position which will be coming from the spares box. Compare the pics of the 2 rudder halves from before to the completed rudder now , a bit of difference!! Next job seat belts then gluing up the fuse, heres the pics , cheers tony

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[flyjoe180]

Nicely chopped Tony. Flash central in that kit by the looks of it, makes some of those older Airfix ones look high tech Nice cockpit too.

 

[1275GT]

Remind me to stock up on 80 grit if I find one of these !!! Nice work, though Tony