restore or repair?

[norri]

robbed the props for a second connie i bought that's in better shape

i'm two props short to return this to original condition, so thought i'd throw it in the paint stripper

what do you think, leave it as is, or give it the full monty?

over to you lot to comment before i do something i might regret!

[grwebster]

Since you asked, Guy, I would renovate it, and fill in the fuselage halves so the joint cannot be seen and avoid that super glossy finish.

I have seen a TWA version but that's been done so you may want to try something unusual. Here are some ideas:

probably the prettiest airliner was Lufthansa'a Connie, you could even polish the bare metal parts
https://www.google.com/search?q=Lufthan ... 58&bih=697

There are some military versions you might want to consider, MATS flew one
http://www.google.com/imgres?start=273& ... =203&ty=80

and the EC-121-K flown by the USAF
http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/lockheed ... ion-update

and the VC-121, nicely done in silver
http://planesoffame.org/index.php?mact= ... turnid=128

and US Navy Blue Angels had 2 Connies, the all blue one is striking, no?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_public_ ... 457967917/

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=327& ... 5#imgdii=_

or what about doing an old weather abandoned aircraft? or one that crashed? All your work is so pristine it would be a amusing shock to see alongside the others in your collection.
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/l749a/Interesting
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post ... ation.html
you would not even need to source the props, just drill a large hole where the engines where, like those that were picked over for engines and spare parts over the years/
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/l749a/Interesting

[norri]

you talked me into it Geoffrey! keen on the MATS one as well, but yet to decide on a livery. it'll go in the paint stripper tomorrow, that'll give me a better idea of what shape the casting's in and which bits, if any will polish up.

[norri]

fill in the fuselage halves so the joint cannot be seen and avoid that super glossy finish.

I have seen a TWA version but that's been done

right got all that. no TWA, no joints and no super glossy finish! yus sur!