SimonL Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 i have had a liking for the Bell X-1 since watching The Right Stuff many years ago. It ss the early part of the film with Sam Shepard's extraordinary performance as Chuck Yeager that I most enjoy. A colleague, who knows of my model making habits, was kind enough to send me a portion of the "stash" of a a friend of his who passed away a year of so ago. Within that batch he sent me was Tamiya's 1:72 scale kit of the X-1 and I thought that it would make a good kit to start 2018 with for my first WIP. So what do you get in the box? Some very nice plastic, with just a little flash. Included are transparent fuselage halves if you want to reveal the inner workings of the aircraft - not for me this time. The previous owner had got as far as painting a few parts, but other than that the kit was untouched. A small decal sheet. I of course will be finishing the kit in the markings for the record breaking flight. One reason for choosing this as my first kit of the year, I happen to have some orange paint in stock that looks just fine when brushed onto a spare bit of plastic. So to work. First thing was to glue in the cockpit panel - I am going to finish this "all buttoned up". In a good sign, it fitted really well. Next the main cockpit components (what little there is - I think this is going to be a fairly quick build). Tamiya provide a steel ball bearing as a weight, that needs to be encased in part of the internals of the aircraft. Next time - onto cockpit painting! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Im in for this if you please Im a fan of X-Types. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 5 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Im in for this if you please Im a fan of X-Types. Welcome along for the ride - although the way things are going its not going to be a long one. First paint was applied to the cockpit, and a some Tamiya tape seatbelts. Then after dirty watercolour wash it was glued in to one side of the fuselage (that cylindrical object contains the ball bearing alluded to above). Then time to glue the fuselage together - very nice fit (even without location pins). Left it alone for the afternoon as it was a bit warm here in Perth (around 36 celsius). Quick job to sand the seams and then on with the wings, which were almost just a butt fit as the tabs were very short. But like everything else, they fitted beautifully. I did have a little bit of an issue with the instrument panel coming loose, but that was easy enough to stick back in place. Landing gear next I thing. And note to self - avoid breaking off the spindly bits. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 I think the next few pics tell the tale - undercarriage on (bar the wheels - a little fiddly to be honest). I also added the cockpit "roof". Then two coats of orange paint followed by Italeri Acrylics Gloss Clear. First coat Second coat Gloss coat A quick dry fit of the canopy Can't believe I am on to decals tomorrow already! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Looks great - I really need to do one of these but displayed in flight. I have never tried Italeri paints - any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyf117 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) Content withdrawn - I will NOT be threatened by a moderator, simply because I queried the actions of another... Edited June 27, 2020 by andyf117 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Always like the look of that kit, but wanted to build one being carried by a B-29 mothership. Nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 22 hours ago, Booty003 said: Looks great - I really need to do one of these but displayed in flight. I have never tried Italeri paints - any good? Thanks. They are pretty good. Can be thinned with water and very forgiving, if somewhat fragile until covered with a matt or gloss coat. I think they may be somewhat similar to Vallejo paints? 17 hours ago, andyf117 said: Mmmm, nice - must get on and finish mine at some point in time! ....three months late for the 70th Anniversary now! Time flies! Thanks 15 hours ago, bar side said: Always like the look of that kit, but wanted to build one being carried by a B-29 mothership. Nice work Many thanks - that would be huge in 1:72! Not much done today - just decals on and some detailwork 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) 23 hours ago, andyf117 said: ....three months late for the 70th Anniversary now! Time flies! You could shoot for the 75th anniversary. 😆 ... JK id like to see any X-planes as they're a Favorite of mine. Edited January 4, 2018 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 And done!. Just a little wash of artists' oils run into the moving surfaces and then finished with a quick spray with rattle can of Tamiya Semi Gloss Clear. More pictures to follow RFI shortly. Thanks for following this rather quick build. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Very nice! Like the noseweight too. Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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