Paper artist Suhail Shaikh is currently designing and making a scale model of a Spitfire Vb AB273 sculpture that will be on display as part of the Courage & Devotion exhibition at The Atkinson which opens 26 June 2021.
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- Work on the centre-section where the fuselage and wing mate, seen from below. A lot of strengthening required here as the tail will be cantilevered.
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- Covering the strengthened parts with 350 gsm paper. Elsewhere, where the paper is also a stressed member I use 500gsm paper which is quite stiff.
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- The empennage under construction. It has to be true and square, is the furthest out from the centre of gravity so has to be light and stiff. A lot of work here to keep the weight down and the alignment just right.
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- Covering the tail plane. The compound curves are a real challenge. I have to wet the paper, make tiny snips along the leading edge and gently work it into a curve.
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- As the fuselage stretches rearwards, making it stiff, twist and bend resistant.
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- The tail in place, the fuselage begins to take in its full proportions. (there is a Hurricane and a Spitfire in my atelier)
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- Underside
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- The elevators under construction.
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- Ach. Spitfeuer.
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- Ailerons taking shape.
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- Forming the signature wing fillet. Getting the curve right is eye-strain. And there is the other side to do too.
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- The formed wing fillet and it’s compound curves.
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- Wing fillet in place! Ach Spitfeuer!
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- The gun-camera port in the wing leading edge. This is where the proof of kill footage was shot from. In the cockpit there is a camera button on the control column and on the left wall a counter that calculates how many feet of film is left.
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- Stiffening the underside of both wings. Keep it light, make it strong!
Share your stories
Courage & Devotion looks at the lives of the Polish airmen based at RAF Woodvale and the surrounding area during World War 2. We are looking for any stories or objects you think may be relevant to the exhibition, please get in touch. Email info@theatkinson.co.uk.
Posted on 23 March 2021 under Exhibition, General news
