[Louie]

In addition to the Fleet Air Arm Hellcat and TBM I bought yesterday at Big Guns Collectibles I also purchased the Corgi 1/48 Billy Bishop Se5a. This was the last Corgi bi-plane I would have ever considered buying after seeing pictures.
Let me tell you how it REALLY is though. The horrible orange colored wood braces and prop are not orange as seen in the pre-pros they are a more realistic brown. The pilot in the pre-pros looked like BudMan from the 70's, but in actuality looks better, more like the Red Baron pizza actor as seen on the commercials. I hated the blue in the photos, but after browsing e-bay, I ran across a print of Billy Bishp's aircraft soaring through the clouds and the blue and green just clicked. I stepped outside the box and decided to see this plane in person. I went to Gerry's shop and opened the box and BAM! there it was in all it's glory. I thought it looks too nice to be all metal so I popped the plastic cover and gave the top wing a thump. Yep ,it is all metal! That immediately made my Matchbox and Hallmark Legends in Flight planes a wee bit less interesting as they have plastic wings. All metal,fully rigged,and with more realistic coloration than previously revealed hmmm, one last test to go. Knowing that if I went the next step I would have to buy it, I took the plunge and opened the box and pulled the plane out. I would never pull one of Phantoms models for sale out of it's box unless I truly intended to purchase it. There was no turning back this bird is heavy and has A LOT of small details not found in any on-line photos yet seen. I am still a little turned off by the large fixed gun sight, but the rest of the details made me forget and fast. I will leave the prop alone as far as wood grain as long as the color is not orange it will do nicely as it stands. I took my 3 new models proudly to my car and eagerly anticipated my quiet time at my desk that night after the family went to bed....

I broke out my fine point Pigma Micron pen set and my acrylic paints and brushes and went to work.
First I used white paint and a super fine brush and painted simulated white lambs wool or a white silk scarf if you imagine it on the interior of his flying jacket color not too thick but still visible.
Second I painted his flying goggle straps and added some detail to the goggles.
Thirdly I painted the handle of his wing mounted Lewis gun brown to simulate the wood grip they had.
Fourth I used a metalic highlight to bring out the detail of the guns magazine and barrel as well as the metal slide for the gun mount.
The fifth thing I did was to detail the foot holds on the dsides of the fuselage near th cockpit using a fine marker.
I scoured the internet for as many reference photos as could be found to do these things no guesswork here....
The sixth thing I did was to add some metallic gray to the all black(and shiny) exhaust manifolds and exhaust pipes to simulate heat and corrosion evidence.
The seventh thing I did to pimp my scout was to use a fine marker to color the radiator grill black as it really was. This took some of the blue out and made the model look more functional and real.
The eighth thing I did was to paint the propeller hub a metallic brass/bronze with black highlights to make the propeller stand out and more realistic.
The ninth thing I did was to use a fine marker to detail the elevators and ailerons to make them look as if they really did function(I do this on all of my diecast models looks great)
The tenth and final thing I did was very very lightly highlighted the grooves in the clean shiny gray tires to make the treads show better and to show that this plane could have had many take-offs and landings and not just appear as some factory fresh model. The outcome does not take anything away from the beauty of Corgi's efforts it serves only to make the plane look more realistic and historic. I also am not embarrassed to display it next to my venerated Carousel 1 models.
I was very,very surprised at how nice this model is. For $40 I feel like I got more than my money's worth. If you are brave and creative enough I recommend you also dress this model up a bit you will not be disappointed either way. I plan on "pimping" more of these delectable Corgi bi-planes as I get them. Billy would be proud.............

[Elmer]

The eleventh thing you need to do, Louie, is POST PICTURES!! I am dyin' to see it, dyin' I tell ya'!

Thanks for the review. I can't wait to see some these Corgi WWI birds in person.

[Louie]

I just tried, but my auto-focus still makes the tight shots blurry and then my batteries died. I will try to post tomorrow using my other camera. Sorry buddy, I would want to see them too...

[parsig9]

Tomorrow! That's just cruel. How am I supposed to sleep now? You're in my timezone, you know it's late.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Louie

I just tried, but my auto-focus still makes the tight shots blurry and then my batteries died. I will try to post tomorrow using my other camera.

Thanks, Louie! But, like Parsig, I am afraid I will now have a hard time sleepin' now. I wonder what Mrs. E is wearin'?

[Louie]

perhaps only a silk scarf and goggles.. now go to bed!

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Louie

perhaps only a silk scarf and goggles.. now go to bed!

Well... one can always fantasize! Good night!

[Hurriup!]

Nice post Louie good to know it is a good model as I pre-ordered one from the mule but it is held up until the USAF f-86 Starblazers Sabre finally shows up, great that you think it is worth it as yours is one of the opinions I consider expert in these matters and I look forward to getting it even more now. Get your pictures posted as i am anxious to see your Modifications to Billy's mount.

[Shamrock]

I'm looking forward to the snaps Louie. Might even try a few of the easier mods myself

[ZS-VAN]

You're not alone there Shamrock. I really looking forward to the pics. I've not even considered getting these.