AntoineG

Hi, So finally I have decided to go for the home made canopy. It has been a long time since I haven’t done one but here is how I have proceeded. Feel free to comment. This is the material I used: One small candle Fimo paste Razor blade (the tape on the second blade is made to avoid cutting myself) Clear plastic sheet So, in a first step, I created supports for the old canopy parts thanks to the Fimo paste. Don’t hesitate to make them high enough so you can easily strap the soften plastic around it. I didn’t and had to improvise supports… Then I cut strips of clear plastic 5or plain, depending what has to be acheived) wide enough so that I won’t get burnt. They are then softened above the candle, trying to get an even soft surface. Once still hot and soft, they are pressed on the old canopy parts. After a few second, the plastic cools and it can be removed. The excess plastic is trimmed off. Once again, I used the old part as a guide for finishing. And here we are: one home moulded canopy. At the end of the day, this was not that terrible, but some tries were required to get cleanly moulded part... Now I have to adjust it on the model but that would be for another night. Cheers, Antoine

While the Ta-183 approaches the paint stage, I quietly move on to the next built, using the numerous drying times. This time it would be a quick and easy built… well, that’s the plan. So the kit is the excellent Hasegawa one. Aires kit will help in detailing the cockpit. Kagero book provides useful pictures as well as parts of the decals. Hinomarus will come from Techmod sheet. Canopy is from Squadron and will be posed open. I have also the paint mask for the kit and hope they will fit on the replacement canopy. That will be a surprise… Paint scheme is the one on Kagero’s cover: Y4-I24. The white band on the tail should help bringing some light to this otherwise dark scheme. The only major extra work required is the thinning of the cockpit sides so Aires details can fit in. Antoine

Hi, After Martin warning on the wing root, I was a bit careful moving to the wings. So, first step was to enlarge the slots planned to center the wings. Once happy (after multiple dry fittings), I glued the wings in positions and let them dry overnight. One thing that is pleasant with this kit is that the plastic reacts pretty well to Tam glue. So, with the wings strongly glued on the fuselage, here comes the putty… and lot of it! After a few sessions of wet sanding / putty / wet sanding… the result looks pretty good to my eyes. No bad surprise at the wing roots. Some re-scribing though, but nothing I can’t handle. While the putty was drying, I also started working on the gears. The torque links are coming from the box but have been thinned on the legs. A brake wire and collars have been added too. The lenght of the wires will be adjusted once the gears are installed. Work on the canopy has started too. It has been cut in three parts. It is a bit on the thick side but it will do. I am not that good with forming my own canopies and probably a bit lazy today. Well, we’ll see later… In the meantime, feel free to comment: homemade canopy or not? By the way, I have found two wonderful blue sewing pin heads that will fit perfectly in the gear bays. Thanks again for the tip! Cheers, Antoine

@ lunarhighway: thanks for the tip. I will raid my wife's sewing box

Hi, The fuselage has been closed tonight with all the planned modifications. Still some finishes to do, but I’m quite happy with this temporary result. Nearly forget the nose weight! Fortunately, only a minimal amount of lead is required. This step also allows to have a glimpse at the completed aircraft. It also highlights an issue that Martin has raised earlier: there is something wrong with at the wing root… You don’t see it? Have a closer look… Well, well, well…. with two identical wings, we have a root cause I think I might have a solution, but not for tonight. Time to get some sleep ! Cheers, Antoine

Hi, Thank you for all your comments. As promised, paint job has started; First with the cockpit. I used some spare decals for the instruments and photo-etched harness (this would be the only aftermarket I'll use on this kit). I have also start working on the exhaust. Some trimming will be required to have it fit into the fuselage (I have already bent one of the "plate" while dry-fitting). I hope to be able to close the fuselage soon. Cheers, Antoine

Hi, After some time away from the work bench, I managed to do some progress. As planned, the cockpit has been upgraded and the seat replaced It's still in progress and needs a good paint, some spare decals and photo etched belts (that will be the only aftermarket I'm planning to use for this built). See you next time with some colours. Antoine

I had a look on your method. Impressive Unfortunately, I don't have all the material required.... and I've eaten all the silver dragees

Hi Marlin, I like your approach. Good luck in your builds! Have fun! Antoine

Impressive details, superb paint job! What else...

I like your work on the cockpit. Great work!

Hi, Thanks for your comments. Here are some progresses. The MLG bays are nearly finished. I'm thinking of adding a spherical tank in the case bellow the gears attachments; Any ideas where I could find 3mm balls? I'm moving now to the nose. A small casing has to be built for the nose landing gear. For the inlet, the FOD guard might be a solution as proposed by Wooksta. However, I like being able to look into the aircraft. So I start working on a tubing to represent the inlet. The filler you can see is to correct a mistake I made: too much glue was used to close the tube and the plastic melted in some place. A bit of sanding will now correct this. See you next time maybe with some input on the cockpit.... Antoine

Hi, Here are the progress for this weekend. I've started with the main landing gear bays. The wall have been cut cleanly (to be re-used later) and tbay given a rectangular shape (based on what I found in Mushroom book on german air project, but with this kind of aircraft, anything might fit...) The bays were re-built with more depth and some details added. Now the wheels can fit in!!! Just some hydraulic to add and I'll move to the next area. Antoine

Hi, With the new year, I decided it was time to change my mind and get out of the paint/varnish cycle I was in for two long. So let's get back to some plastic surgery . The model I've chosen for this refreshment is the good old PM model Ta-183. This is a simple, easy-to-built, easy-to-upgrade kit. However, it has some flaws: some adjustments are needed the air inlet requires more depth wing to fuselage joint will need some putty the landing gear bays need enlargement... to allow the wheels to get in... the exhaust has to be thined the cockpit will have to be dressed up and the seat definitly replaced Target would be to finish this model within three months. I'll keep you updated of the progress. Cheers, Antoine

Very nice built. I'm impressed by the paint and the weathering effect you acheived. Good job!

Simply "magnifique"!!!

Hi, Beautifull job with the painting of your first 109!! Like Steeve and Craig, I'm curious to see their finals colors. One Croatian maybe? Cheers, Antoine

Hi, A very fine built so far. I will be following it with great interest, especially your winter effect method. Cheers, Antoine

Hi chaps, Thank you for your comments. Antoine

Stunning work. Your Stirling is just superb!

Hi, Here are some pictures of my latest built (first and only finished built since I moved in the UK). This is the new KP model. It was really a pleasant built. Nice surfaces. Lovely interior details. Just added the brake tubings and clear position lights at the wingtips. I was a bit disappointed though by the fuselage that is a bit too thin. I had to add 1mm+ for it to fit correctly on the wings. I should also have added some at the nose as it doesn't look round enough in the end. But that is just my opinion. Anyway, a very enjoyable model. Hope you like the pictures. Cheers, Antoine