Styrene

Styrene

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Scratchbuilt 1/72 scale Dane Hulburt

From the archives (2010):

In the same concept group as the Flick-Reinig Apteroid
and the Argentinean Correa
the negative aspect ratio (span shorter than chord, or a “lengthwise plane”) Hulburt of 1909 adds to the formula the complexity of a tandem propeller arrangement (the one on the front pulling, the aft one pushing).
Powered by a very optimistic 3 cylinder Anzani this machine -which I found on the Aerodrome forum- has been waiting to be modeled since a time ago. The material sent by Paul D. (thanks Paul), a fellow enthusiast, provided enough to develop a sketched 3 view to help construction.
The building process, given the absence of “natural” parts like wings or fuselage, started by making the accessories, like engine, seat, wood props, gas tank, wheels, etc. The little Anzani was a fun adventure; it ended up having more than 30 parts. I received the help of fellow modeler Tom B. (thank you again, Tom) in the form of gears necessary to replicate the transmission and control wheel.
Then the surfaces were made and their frames were added. Basic elements were mounted following a strategic plan depicted on the photos. All that trying to hold the delicate spider web without touching it. Or so it seemed. A remarkable number of struts and rigging wires made it somehow to their respective places and after the final touches the beauty of the design was revealed in 3d form.
Resembling anything but an airplane -as we conceive it today-, the Hulburt nevertheless had more than a couple of interesting design features and last but no least its strange appearance tends to produce some interesting reflections about aviation aesthetics.




















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