Aircraft Content

Another update! This may be my last before I have to head off to the UK so I made sure to pack it with exciting stuff and drama. More drama than excitement but there you go. Things were looking tough as I was still waiting on the decals and really struggling for things to keep advancing. First order of the day was to prime all the remaining parts to get them to a point where white was actually, ehrrr... white. . Then things were blued. Oh what a pleasure it was to spray something other that that darned white. Unfortunately, I got a little bit of paint creep under the pasking at the radiused corners. I probably should have not attempted masking when I had just been to the opticians and they had dilated my pupils. I'll try and remember that for future visits. Other bits also got blued and the observant among you will immediately notice that I completely omitted to mask off for the leading edge of the elevators. Idiot! Fixed now. I've no idea why this shot is so faded but it is, so there. Those Triangular plates at the tailplane root are I believe what that humungous arrowhead panel lines on the fin were supposed to be representing. (see photo below this one). Yes, this arrowhead. Nothing like the1:1. I'm rather glad I decided to fill it when I repositioned the tailplane. With work on the fuselage almost at a halt, and wings were drying I decided it was time to attack the last jobs on the floats. Rudders and rigging. Sticking the rudders on was easy enough. But then I had to rig the darned things. I started off at the back end and worked my way forward. That is after I spent about half a day trying to figure out what to use for the actual rigging wires. After trying several different materials I settled on 0.18mm fishing line. It was clear (of course!) so I used a silver paint pen to try and coat the line to make it look more "wire-like". It sort of worked. A few hours later and I had something that looked as if it might work. I realise now that I have some of the pulleys slightly out of position, but one way or another I'm going to make this work. Once there's an aircraft sitting on top of this you'll be hard pushed to see anything at all anyways. Rigging is now complete, with the exception of the 4 wires which attach to the aircraft. I just know those are going to be so much fun trying to attach when the floats are part of the aircraft structure. That way madness lies. The remaining 4 doors got their windows fitted. Then another sort of milestone moment - the wings got their clear coat. Hooray! For those that are wondering - I managed to remove most of the overspray with the use of a sharpened cocktail stick. Now I feel I'm really getting somewhere. Wing struts also got blued. Then the access steps got colored in too. Don't worry, I know I mentioned drama - just hold on, there's plenty of drama to come in a little while. Before that though... Pitot. The kit offering is up to their usual standards so there was no question of even thinking about using it... not even as a template. I found some Albion Alloys 0.6mm tubing which seemed about the right diameter. The only problem with tubing is that when you try and bend it, it tends to kink instead of forming a nice curved bend. I attempted to alleviate that by insert some wire to prevent the tube collapsing. I lined up the wire flush with the end of the tube, then retracted the wire about 5 or 6mm before the bends were added - that kept the opening of the tube an actual opening, and the wire was still in the right places to prevent the tube kinking at the bends. The kit part really is terrible. Overscale, bends too sharp and that sticky-outy bit near the end is on the wrong side. They have it on the underside when it should sit on the top side as can be seen here. The overall shape looks about right to me. So far... That little vane (?) caused a problem - how on earth to replicate it? I came up with this idea... I cut a sliver of 5 thou brass and curved it around the tube. I thin pinched it off (ooh-er missus) where the two end met on the opposite side of the tube. WHen I had it where I wanted it, I lightly applied some solder which was sucked up into the join and held it all fast. After that it was a simple case of trimming it back to size and cleaning up with some wire wool. Okay, it's not exactly the right shape, but it's close enough and hopefully won't look so bad when painted up. It was around this time that Fate decided to jump right on top of me and remind me just who I am, and who I'm dealing with. There I was feeling very pleased with myself after making that pitot and I thought - hey a nice easy job to finish off the day after all that work - Let's just Mr Metal Primer the pitot ready for coloring in another day. Mr Metal Primer was duly brought down from the shelf of many colors and a drop or two extracted and dropped in a mixing cup. Being the neat worker that I am, for once I decided to return Mr Color Metal Primer back to it's home. I placed Mr Metal Primer back on the shelf in it's rightful place and asd I brought my arm back down... Whoa! What the F... F... F... Flippin heck? I had two prongs sticking out the top of my vise which I was using to hold the wings as they dried after the clear coat. As I brought my arm back down, my elbow caught one of the wings and you can see the result. Is it fixable? Ehhrrr... No. It's not worth even trying. Luckily though, as is my habit when I print - I usually print some spares and therefore I had another wing waiting in the ... wings so to speak. Here we go again. Dagnabbit. As you can guess I am very annoyed with myself right now. That was entirely preventable and was a stoopid stoopid mistake on my part. Nothing for it but to start all over again on the new wing. It's not that it's a hard or difficult job, it's that it is so time consuming. Multiple coats of white, white, and more white. Waiting overnight to apply the next round of white and having to set the wing fence in position on the new wing. Just so bloody annoying. It's probably about a weeks work when I take drying time and such into account. Oh well. It is what it is. Until next time - and watch out for errant elbows folks!

This is another stunner. I have asked this before but I’m not sure of specifics. Is this “Aviattic” decal paper for the linen? And if so which type there are loads. if not do you have a link to what you use please. I have a nice WnW Camel I need to be using them for. Thanks in advance for any help. Johnny ps. I think I just found what I was after on the wheel post. Do you use the same stuff all over?

That is a really good finish, very realistic.

As close to perfect as you can get I reckon, lovely Mustangs, good job!

It is really well done. Super job.

Cracking Mossie, nice detail and just right weathering, good job!

Drill a hole in the nosewheel on the wheel/ground contact surface, stuff it with BluTack and let this protrude ever so slightly from the hole. When you place the kit on its wheels, add a little pressure to the nose fuselage in order to force the BluTack in the hole to adhere properly to the surface. This will often solve the tail sitting problem unless the kit is very tail heavy. Another option would be to place some additional weight in the nose wheel well.

Absolutely marvelous build, Volker! I have this kit waiting to be built. All who build this kit comment on the difficult canopy assembly. How is that? Your painting is very nice and precise. Certainly an incentive for me to begin its build.

Sorry, but I don't know the reference, so don't get the joke.

Looking forward to your weathering, there is always a lots to learn from you on that subject. And vote 'yes' for back cushion.

Hi Randolph, Yes, I contacted Steve from Titan Model kits (former Shapeways) last year, and I ordered several 3D printed Boeing 747 parts (landing gear, Shuttle struts, engines, flaps, cockpit) for my 1:72 B747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft project, which I’m continuing now. I will post an update soon.

Some progress:

Fantabulosa!!!!! Great and if I may say so very speedy build thread. Are those the kit decals? Quite the sauce for Airfix. Looking forward to building mine after watching this beauty come together. 🙌 Johnny

Brilliant work. Those new engines look lovely but the Nimrod is my fave. 😍 Johnny

I am really enjoying the "Under New Management" builds you and your father are doing. This one is no exception. What is weird is the US markings seem to fit on this aircraft like it might have been built in the US. Great build and finish by your Dad as always, plus excellent photography by you. Thanks for sharing.

That's good to know. I'll remember to do more research before any future purchase.

Oh man. Your luck is shocking at the moment. I hope Nokya is doing well and your cheeks have subsided a little. The interiors are looking fantastic but but that P40 😍🥰😍🥰😍 Hubba Hubba. Johnny

The hot weather prevented some progress but this is where we are with some pastel and pencil wear and tear. Next jobs are to add the door, aerial, rig the IFF cables and a final coat of varnish.

A likely tale. 🥸

I like those big rocket pods., too! When it comes to French stuff to load onto your models, check for L'arsenal. They're doing moqtly navy stuff, but they have a collection for aircrafts. This said, choose carefully, as quality is not always there...

Thanks Neil, Did make some progress today (I think). Rob Quite hard to come by this easy sanding CA, but I found one shop Leeds who sells and ships this. Sands very well, but it took about an hour to dry, just doing a seam and applying it sparingly with a little cocktail stick. So continued using my regular recipe of thin CA mixed with some Mig gunmetal pigment for contrast. Rgds, Rob

Ain’t nobody got time for a melted hobnob. 🫠 That last pic with the canopy on is a special thing. 🤩 Bravo. Lovely little PE lights too. Johnny

Beautiful!

For a small 72 kit that looks very sharp! Love the details and the finish. Extra likey points from me 'cause it's a Dutchie! 👍

Glad to hear the surgery went well Mark. Cracking job on the 109 too. Lovely work. Cheers, Alistair