Alan P Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 (edited) Hi all, If anyone remembers this from 2014, I'm doing another one! This time it's a commission build. I'll be using the same kit (Academy Sufa) and the IsraCast Block 60 F conversion for a UAE Air Force bird. Work starts soon, and I'm going to get back to my usual building pace. Al Edited September 9, 2017 by Alan P 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matteo44 Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Nice job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Where did you get that kit from, they're like rocking horse dodo steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 3 hours ago, speedy said: Where did you get that kit from, they're like rocking horse dodo steve. Luckily my client had one in his stash, complete with Big Ed set! I got the conversion set from Aviation Megastore in Holland. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) I've been working on this for a while, I just haven't got round to posting photos. So here goes: Got cracking in the cockpit with the Big Ed set. Seats: All the detail wiped out to make way for the pre-painted etch consoles: Footrests and PE pedals: Vent details on the back walls: Backseater's pedals: I've used about a bazillion Eduard sets in my time, but this one's a doozy. So far, so good! Alan Edited July 1, 2017 by Alan P Photobucket is the devil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) Moving outside now: You can see the difference between the Sufa spine and the Block 60 F: The IsraCast piece is nice! The kit parapack/RWR/ECM stinger is a perfect fit. At the front end, you need to donate some of the kit spine: I decided to fit it first so that I don't get any issues with the cockpit/canopy mount. Once dry-fitted, there are some gaps but nothing serious. I'll probably use white Milliput for a smooth join. Cockpit ready for some primer... I'm using this stuff: Before I do, I fitted the PE cockpit seals. Perfect fit. Well done Eduard! Alan Edited July 1, 2017 by Alan P Photobucket is the devil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) Moving on to the wheelwells: My customer had the Aires wheelwell set, which came attached to humongous pouring stubs. They were a bit of a job to tidy up, but once done, you can see they are QUALITY items. First the kit forward wheelwell needs to be removed: One attack with clippers and Dremel later: Sorted! Next was the intake trunking - Academy provides the entire intake trunk (Revell! Are you watching?!) It's built from top and bottom halves, so there is an obvious seam down both sides. Stand by for a trade secret, to be revealed in a minute... I test fitted the wheelwell once the pouring stub had been removed by crane and dumper truck. It is a drop fit. Nice work, Aires. Okay, how about that intake? As you can see, the seam goes all the way through on both sides. The fix! Stand the whole pipe vertically in a plastic lid, seal edges with Blu-tac. Get some household emulsion - satin white works best. Remember to plug up any holes on the part, then fill her up with emulsion and leave for a while. When you're ready, pop it off the base and let the paint pour through back into the pot. Results will be shown when it's all dried! Really glad to be cracking on with this, got my pace back up! Alan Edited July 1, 2017 by Alan P 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) (It worked!) Seamless intake: More tomorrow... Al Edited July 1, 2017 by Alan P 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Brilliant! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 On 2017-6-27 at 7:15 AM, Intruder503 said: Brilliant! Thank you 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Looking great so far. Stephen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 4 hours ago, Stephen said: Looking great so far. Stephen Thanks and hi, Stephen! Nice to be modelling again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Al, How long did you let the paint sit before draining? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Hello Alan Nice first name !! What a brilliant idea for the air intake, will try it ! Thank for the tip. Sincerely. Corsaircorp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 On 6/27/2017 at 1:52 AM, Alan P said: (It worked!) Seamless intake: More tomorrow... Al wow!! superb! got to try out this method 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Cat Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Awesome method for the intake! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 On 28/06/2017 at 10:27 PM, Intruder503 said: Al, How long did you let the paint sit before draining? Chris It wasn't long, perhaps half an hour, but it takes another two hours to dry and you need to move it around to stop it from pooling at the end. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 Photobucket has completely lost it. My entire 10-year Britmodeller build history just disappeared and they want $399 a year to restore the links. I literally can't believe this. I'm gutted. Photobucket just lost the internet and killed itself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 Okay, links for this build have been updated but about 90% of my entire site history has been obliterated, along with most of Britmodeller's pictures from before about 2012! Made a start on the wheelwells. I used Ultimate weathering wash which was a bit too heavy. Once I'd cleaned it all up and added the wiring from enamelled copper wire, it looks much better! I'll add the decals at a later stage of the build. Alan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) The next step was adding the intake. I remember from the first one of these I made, this was the hardest part. One of the minor deficiencies of the Academy kit is the depth of the splitter between the fuselage and the intake lip - it's too narrow: I traced a template from paper card and transposed it to a piece of 1mm plastic card: This makes extra thickness on the splitter: This went on the fuselage ready for putting it all together: I attached the splitter panel to the top of the intake trunk and then attached the whole lot to the aircraft. This looks a lot better now. The join needed sanding so that the plastic card and kit part all lined up nicely. The two sides of the intake need to be sanded at the forward ends to accommodate the extra height. (Unfortunately I didn't take photos! sorry!) Once assembled there are some gaps, which I filled with superglue and accelerator, then topped over with Mr White Putty. One other building point - the forward Aires wheelwell is a complete pig to fit. I had to sand it right down and gouge out a "bed" for it in the underside of the intake. This was nerve-wracking due to fear of cutting too deep and puncturing the intake trunk. Luckily I avoided this! I lined up the two intake halves carefully and marked off the space for the wheelwell before I superglued it to the intake trunk. The two halves then fitted neatly. Overall state of play is pretty good. This is progressing much faster than I expected. Next - prettifying the cockpit! Al Edited July 1, 2017 by Alan P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Photo post test... Bit big but see if it sticks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 (edited) Getting more work done in the cockpit. Instrument panels: All the detail is from the Eduard Big Ed interior set. Ejector seats finished: Again using the Eduard seat belt set. Lastly I finished the engine face: A great result using AK Extreme Metal paint for the first time. I think I may have found my new go-to metaliser paint. Alan Edited July 4, 2017 by Alan P 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg1987 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Amazing modelling technique, I'll try to remember the tip for the intake. Brilliant! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 4 hours ago, adamg1987 said: Amazing modelling technique, I'll try to remember the tip for the intake. Brilliant! Thanks Adam. I always try to pass on some good tips and tricks when I do a WIP thread. Shame Photobucket spoiled my past attempts 😠 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 Here are some shots of the finished cockpit: I glued the sidewall detail to the kit rather than fix them to the cockpit tub as per the instructions: All fits snugly now. With that done, I can fit the fuselage together. Surprisingly good fit as long as you manage the seams properly. Hardly any putty required here. The spine is another story! Milliput (superfine white) is the filler here. But it all fits nicely now. Tomorrow I will complete the airframe assembly and putty up ready for primer! Alan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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