First shot photos of the upcoming Oxford DH88 Comet.

Regtheveg on the Pub has reviewed some first shot samples of the new Oxford DH88 Comet.

This model is in the blue box "History of Flight" range - the "Better" range and usually features removable u/c parts, stand and moving - maybe not spinning propellers.

This is a first look at the progress of this model, thanks to Oxford Diecast for bringing in a few samples and some first shot samples the other day.

This is the sort of release that no other manufacturer would touch - only 3 original schemes, and then a few repaints, and a couple of replicas - surely it can't sell enough?

But, that's Oxford for you - Arguably this aircraft was the most famous in the world for a brief time before WW2.

There is a short history on Wiki :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.88

There are 2 pre-pros being looked at, I'm not sure if there are any other differences, but the obvious one is the nose.

It has been sampled this way to ascertain which process will make it look better as a finished model, as there is a glass/perspex whatever part on the front of the nose.

So either the end of the solid plastic nose is cut and the glass part stuck on, or the paint is extended down the clear nose to make the clear point.

The other problem which has to be overcome is paint shade on plastic and metal - or more to the point, how to match it.

The paint on the metal part is applied with an electrostatic process (Using high voltage electricity - charged particles drawn to the target - very efficient) and the plastic parts are - err - just painted /spayed.

Any painted part is then sent through (via a conveyor belt) an oven to dry quickly, but if the metal part needs (say) 60 seconds at 180 degrees, the plastic part may need more time at a lower temperature.

So it's a matter of experience for the factory, and the option is given to the team for a final say, with a cost breakdown, and a best recommendation. 

I asked how hard it was to make a perfect or best case match, and was told "very difficult" but it would typically be down to the experience of the guys on the factory floor, and referral to notes on previous jobs. So far Oxfords work has been very impressive on that score, but must admit I see far more of it on the Vehicles they make, than the Aircraft.

I guess in layman's terms its like finding out that it does take years to get the experience of getting your Thanksgiving Turkey cooked to a tee, if you keep replacing the cook with a new inexperienced cook, your mileage may vary.

Anyway, enough ramble - here are the pics, and I'm off to watch the football