BritJet Posted January 29, 2017 Share Posted January 29, 2017 The Airfix Valiant has been well covered here already but I'm planning to do something a bit different with the kit. Airfix give markings for the second prototype but missed some of the changes in detail from the production aircraft. The first prototype had very different intakes and engine configuration in addition to several more minor details such as airbrakes above and below the wings. Photos from http://www.aviationphotocompany.com/ and http://www.aviastar.org/ The plan is to make new intake/engine sections, main undercarriage bays, main gear outer doors, intake vanes and decals for the serial numbers and fin flashes. Steve 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 (edited) First job is to remove the engine tunnels from the lower wing halves Followed by the jetpipe area from the upper wing halves Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 This will be good to follow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Bring it on ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted January 31, 2017 Author Share Posted January 31, 2017 (edited) On 30/01/2017 at 21:07, SovereignHobbies said: This will be good to follow On 30/01/2017 at 21:16, Norman said: Bring it on ! Thanks for the support. No going back now but the cider helps.... The beginnings of the new engine section, getting the rib shapes to match the Airfix parts took a while. A couple of plastic card shims on the end of the tubes to get the spacing right despite measuring a couple of times before cutting them. Finally it fits! I didn't want to chop the spar out of the wing so there is a cutout in the ribs to fit over it. Just need to do the other side now. Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Puff Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 This looks seriously interesting! Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashman Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 another participant in the Prototype Parade. Great to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) I've made the framework for the other side and got them both skinned. Started to get the new jetpipes in place and gaps filled. Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 This should be good! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) The main gear bays on the prototypes were different to the Airfix kit. The leading edges of the inboard doors are at right-angles to the fuselage. Not difficult to change the shape of the doors The main gear bays need a couple of simple changes to the corners as well as the change for the inboard door. Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Fascinating work! Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) Got the basic shapes done for the new engine sections. Lots of filler and sanding but they're getting there now. The slot fits over the kit wing spar to make the joint as strong as I can. Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Great project Steve. I've thought of doing WB210 my self as it looks so pure and clean. I don't think I could do it the justice that you are clearly going to do with that great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) It certainly is a bit different to most Valiants, but most of the work isn't too difficult. Spent a lot of time refining the shapes although it doesn't look too different here. The tube I used to get the correct spacing between the inner and outer ribs have been removed so I can make the intake ducting. Not the sharpest photo I've ever taken! Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 That's a helluva project you've taken on Steve, especially as it's going to be shiny! THE most unforgiving of paint finishes You Sir, are a brave man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) Cheers Mike, it will be very shiny! I managed to get away with it on my Bristol 188 despite it being mostly filler This is the kit engine fronts and some of the intake ducting heavily modified with a new splitter added. Needs tidying up a lot yet With the internal bracing now removed I can get access to the rear of the intakes to refine the shapes Nice and deep intake trunking with the location for the splitter to slide into The engine fronts and splitter in place for a test fit. From the front, I don't think much will be seen down there.... The current state of play, still loads to do but hopefully you can see where I'm going with this! Steve Edited September 9, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 You ought to market this as a conversion it! Martian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) On 21/02/2017 at 00:09, Martian Hale said: You ought to market this as a conversion it! Martian I am going to be making moulds from the new engine parts so let me know if you're interested. A few simple changes to make to backdate the Airfix kit - remove all the vortex generators from the fin, reshape the fin tip and the small fairing under the rudder, add the trim tab actuators and change the lower line of the rudder. Most of these changes are needed for a B1 anyway. Remove the vortex generators from the tailplane; Cut the inner main gear doors at right angles; Remove the vortex generators, fuel dump pipes and reshape the wing tips; Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) It's been a while since I've done much on this but I have now finished the new engine sections, undercarriage bays, intake trunking and inner main gear doors. The first half of the rtv moulds for the engines and the single part moulds for the other parts are seen here. The last batch of rtv I mixed up didn't cure fully so this was cleaned off and re-done with the next mix. Just about had enough rtv to get all the moulds made after having to waste this Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 This is one shell of a job, but you seem to be off to a cracking start. This is a definite bookmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
At Sea Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Blimey. A brave and noble quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted May 10, 2017 Author Share Posted May 10, 2017 (edited) Thanks guys. Not managed to get much done on this due to work getting in the way as usual and decorating to keep swmbo happy...... The replacement moulds cured properly and after leaving them for a couple of days to fully cure I got a couple of sets of resin out of them. No issues with the resin and only a couple of small bubbles to deal with. Due to the design of the intake moulds I did have a small part of the rubber get into the wrong position which left a small depression but that will easily fill later. If I cast any more of these I know what went wrong and can avoid it happening again - practice makes perfect but also uses up the resin! Test fitting not showing any problems, there was always going to be some filling to do with the amount of plastic I am replacing with resin but this look ok. This shows the depression in the resin intake that needs filling - easy enough. Still a long way to go but it's definitely coming together now. Steve Edited July 8, 2017 by BritJet Replace PoxBucket links 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Looking good Steve! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritJet Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 Cheers John. The next part that needs to be changed is the bomb aimer's blister under the nose as the prototype had a much smaller blister. This is the kit part; I found a resin blister in my spares box that gave a good starting point and after some hacking I got the required shape. It's just fixed onto some masking tape with a drop of superglue so I can check the size and shape. Here the flat circular window has been added and the shape refined a bit more. Next step will be to polish out the scratches and then make a mould so then I can vacform the blister. Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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