What would have
been of us without the 60’s…
The Beatles, the Mattel Vac-U-Form, so much good stuff.
But before the 60’s there were the 50’s. And before the 50’s, in case you
didn’t notice, were the 40’s. And the Eldred Flyer’s Dream was born
exactly then. In 1946.
Many would argue that Eldred’s creation is not a Flyer’s Dream, but a
Flyer’s Nightmare. There will always be those who are impervious to beauty.
The Eldred was apparently impervious too, to criticism and also to water.
If, as many of you apparently do, you think I am a shameless generator of
apocryphal stories and planes, just have a look at this one, thanks to Youtube
(and to the gentleman that posted it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVS97dmVYQ
Click on
images below to see larger images
As you probably guessed,
there are no three-views for this clunky baby; so I had to make mine.
They self-destructed after the well-known five second period.
The model was made utilizing the best cutting edge technology available,
namely the above-mentioned Mattel contraption. I used it already in
previous projects, as many of you know, but this is the first time I made
a whole fuselage shell out of it, not left side and right side, but bottom
and top.
As you will discern from the accompanying images, the lower part was made
of white styrene, while the top was made of clear styrene for reasons that
will also become “clear” later. The technique was inspired by the
contemplation (and avid ingestion) of Argentinean empanadas. And as
convenient filling some interior was fabricated. The floats came –as
well again as for previous projects- from the Aeroclub Models generic vac
float sheet. Some little tweaking was necessary to get it right for the
project.
Given the unusual
“W” dihedral arrangement –no, it is not for “Weird”- and the car-like
fuselage pod, this creature was referred to as a “StukaBaker” by enthusiast
Richard Weber.
In building this kind of model, alignment becomes something you need to pay
attention to. Be patient. I still remember when Master Po, back in the temple,
made us build the Sikorsky S-40 model in absolute darkness, using as materials
bamboo sticks and rice glue. Those were the times.
Anyway, colors, as it happens so often with these arcane creatures, are
anyone’s guess. Or choice, for that matter.
Now, tell me, isn’t the Mattel Vac-U-Forming a psychedelic experience?
Escape to paradise in your Eldred Flyer’s Dream.
I did!
Gabriel
Click on
images below to see larger images
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