junglejim Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) Greetings! My first 'in-progress' thread, after lurking and posting the odd question here and there. I finally bit the bullet and started one of my grail projects, the Trumpeter 1:48 Fencer. I've always admired the look of the Fencer, for it's size it looks like a very graceful aircraft; but loaded up with ordinance it's very purposeful! I'll be adding the Komplekt Zip (KZ) forward fuselage and rear fuselage/burner cans (I'm still debating about the intakes - are they really that much of an improvement?) and the Aires cockpit and wheel wells. First off with the rear end (!). I split the mount for the burner cans as they didn't sit quite parallel to each other; they were canted in slightly: Here's the cans in place: Nozzles weren't glued in place until the last moment as they need to be centered precisely, here the right side is a bit off still: Once the back end is completed, time to chop the kit parts to fit. There are no real instructions with the KZ parts (just photos) so I used Mk.1 eyeball to approximate where to cut. I left myself a few mm extra just in case - which was a good idea. In the end if I would have cut where I thought, there would have been too much difference in the mating surfaces. Much more filling would have been needed. I think the molds were expanding (getting old) causing undersized casts. As it was, I had to build up the edges with strip and add filler strips The bottom was a little better, less filler: The Aires cockpit test fit in the KZ fuse; no issues. I replaced some of the toggle switches that didn't make the casting removal process: Here's the wheel wells in place, no issues once they're cleaned up (thankfully I have a hobby bandsaw and belt sander!): It's going to be a big beast!: Now to paint and finish the cockpit, glue the front end together and start re-scribing lost panel lines! Cheers, Jim Edited November 6, 2016 by junglejim forgot photo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airgunner Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 In for the ride on this, as with you, the Fencer is one of my must builds, love the look of it. Hopefully looking for tips and inspiration here for when I get round to mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 This one is looking rather tasty already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I'm looking forward to this! Great start, no messing, straight in with the resin. I have the same kit and AM so you have a very interested follower here! Muzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Hello I'm also in here. Like the look of the Fencer. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Good start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 great start! the Komplekt Zip stuff seems worthwhile! - good so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglejim Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Some progress! I decided to fix the spine after some deliberation, originally I was going to let it go, but after checking it with a straight-edge, I knew I had to fix it!: I just used a basic A+B epoxy putty to build it up (Milliput would work too, something that sands nicely). I impressed the edge of a metal ruler into it so I would know how far to sand down to. A little excess putty but it worked out OK: Here's the Aires cockpit with KZ center column and Eduard prepainted parts in some areas: Now getting the front end together and re-scribing the spine area as well as the back end. Jim 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NazarovVladimir Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 I would like more Treat carefully to the assembly of the aircraft. If you have any questions about their findings, ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueFlyer Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Cracking progress so far, the cockpit looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rom1 Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Hi, Very impressive start! Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the amelioration given by the KZ rear parts? Thanks Romain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0viking0 Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Nice build so far... This will be worth watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 impressive cockpit! looking forward to seeing the spine evolve..... that is some task ahead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 (edited) The pit looks good..to...me...or........just awesome. Edited November 20, 2016 by bbudde Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 That is some special work on that cockpit! Great photography to show it off too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglejim Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 On 2016-11-20 at 9:15 AM, rom1 said: Hi, Very impressive start! Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the amelioration given by the KZ rear parts? Thanks Romain Hello Romain, The Trumpeter nozzles are spaced way too far apart (seen here on top - I installed an 'open' and 'closed' optional part just to see the difference) vs the KZ correction. Compare with the real one. Also took a photo of the front fuselage difference; due to the camera angle I think the effect is a little exaggerated but there is a definite difference. I think Trumpeter copied an 'MR' nose. Thanks for the interest! Jim 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rom1 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Hello Jim! Thank you very much! I got it now! Too bad this set is not that cheap... and easy to find. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueFlyer Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Wow, that's quite a difference at both ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMP2 Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Im very pleased to find you doing this now as Trumpies Fencer landed here a couple of days ago and I have been debating whether to go full on with extras or just build it OOB. Will be watching this with interest. Good luck!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srogue Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I see lot of money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Bryon Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 This is in my stash too, so I am following with interest. Does your KZ front fuselage set come with vac-formed canopy glass, or resin? Mine is vac-formed, but I know earlier sets came with clear resin parts instead. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) Hi, Jim! Awesome build so far! Congratulations, my mate. I'm followin' this one as well. On 20/11/2016 at 1:15 PM, rom1 said: Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the amelioration given by the KZ rear parts? Y'know, I was gonna ask Jim more or less the same; but is it likely that the Komplekt Zip rear fuselage resin set's tad a feisty bugger to deal with? 12 hours ago, Jon Bryon said: Does your KZ front fuselage set come with vac-formed canopy glass, or resin? Mine is vac-formed, but I know earlier sets came with clear resin parts instead. That's interestin.' Sumthin' I had read on the NeOmega page. Which one would ya say it looks better, Jon? Cheers, Unc2 Edited December 4, 2016 by Uncle Uncool Need to quote further Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 On 19/11/2016 at 10:13 PM, NazarovVladimir said: I would like more Treat carefully to the assembly of the aircraft. If you have any questions about their findings, ask. Thought I might make use of yer offer by askin' whether or not the Komplekt Zip intakes are really that much of an improvement for the Trumpy Fencer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 14 hours ago, Jon Bryon said: This is in my stash too, so I am following with interest. Does your KZ front fuselage set come with vac-formed canopy glass, or resin? Mine is vac-formed, but I know earlier sets came with clear resin parts instead. Jon I bought the canopy on its own thinking I was going to get the resin one but a vac form one arrived, not impressed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Super work, love the cockpit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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