AntoineG

Hello, It has been a long time since my last post but I have kept an eye on this GB during the long night when the little future modeler lady was not sleeping. I should say that looking of all those Heller builds reminds me of my early years of modeling some thirty years ago. So thank you all for those great builds. As mentionned, baby A kept me very busy, days and nights and during the very few available time, I had to choose between writing or modelling.... I went for the modelling The Liore progresses (baby) step by (baby) step. So far, the fuselage and the two lower wings have been rescribed. Sorry, no picture tonight. Hope I'll get some time soon to speed-up. Enjoy, Antoine

Hi, Sure! I would be interested in your conclusion. Don,t worry, there are several others that I have spotted, and probably many more (I haven't spotted the tail cone issue before you highlighted it) ! More of it when I start rescribing the wings. For the fuselage interior: dark blue-gray. I generally use Gunze H55 Midnight Blue, highlighted by a light grey dry-brushing. For the wheel bays and engine cowling: same color as lower surface. Agreed. Happy modelling to you too! Cheers, Antoine

Hello chaps, I hadn’t imagined creating such a heated debate around the length of Heller’s LeO451. The first thing I’d like to say it that, the length being correct or not, Heller’s model does represent the lovely shape of this elegant aircraft very well. One can obtain a very good replica with no modification. The second thing is that the surgery I made is based on my interpretation of the drawings I was able to compile. It might be accurate… or not… As already mentioned in a previous post, the total length of the LeO451 along its flight line is 17.17m. In 1/72 scale, it is 238 mm. The reference drawings I’m using are coming from Jean-Michel Meunier book. When scaled up to 1/72 realm, the length corresponds (23.8mm). So, compared to that reference, Heller’s kit is short of 6mm-ish. When the elongated fuselage is measured, you get: 221 + 16 = 227 mm (damned, still 1 mm short). With regards to the position of the tail compared to the aft extremity of the fuselage, comparison with the drawings tends to show it is correct with and without the 6mm. For the tail cone itself, the comments from Martin @RidgeRunner and J-W @JWM were very useful. There is indeed a difference between the prototype cone and the one for production aircraft. I havn't noticed it earlier, so thank you guys. Prototype: Production: Heller is neither: too long for the prototype, too wide for the production. So the correction looks hear quite simple and a quick sanding session once the fuselage is assembled should be enough to get an accurate result. Also, there is a kind of antenna at the very aft of the aircraft. Might be for a position light ? Anyway, is that the missing millimetre? If it is, I am VERY lucky! On last word to Martin and J-W, whatever you do with regards to the length, I’m sure that the end results will be awesome and I definitely like to read your post as we progress. Enjoy your built, Antoine

Hello, There hasn't been much progress on this LeO lately. Mostly due to my 'free' time being exclusively dedicated to baby duty. Anyway, the surgery is over and the plaster in place. All that remains is a final sanding session. As Dave ( @Rabbit Leader ) mentioned, I spent a good hour sanding the spacer to a more compliant profile. The challenge then was 1) to restore the nice clean shape of the fuselage, 2) to finish that elongation in a way that it will not be visible in the end. So regular filler was out of question: there is a good chance that the difference of material could be seen once the engraving is completed. Superglue? why not. But used pure, it is kind of brittle. I've seen that flour can be added to have a better behaviour. I haven't try that yet but used the idea instead. During the sanding session, I took care to keep the plastic dust. To use it as filler, I mixed it progressively with regular model glue. You get then a nice paste that can be applied where needed, that is quite strong and that, hopefully, will not leave a visible border once sanded over. As Graham @Graham Boak recommended, the inside has been strengthed too Cheers, Antoine

Hi, Thank you gents for your comments and your advises. The patient is just out of the theatre. It still needs some recovery though. The procedure went as planned. The fuselage assembled without glue and maintained by some tape. It was then cut where the model profile stops following the drawing. All four parts were split up. For the reconstruction, I started with the right side as it can lay flat on the mat. A 6mm insert made of stacked styrene sheets was glued to elongate the fuselage half. Just be careful that the back of the fuselage remains straight. No problem so far. I continued with the left side by gluing the insert on the front part of the half-fuselage. Once dry, it was taped back on the right side. This allows to position the L/H aft part in the right position with regards to the L/H front fuselage and the R/H assembly. One has to be careful that the glue doesn't glue each side, only the aft part to the front. The end result looks good and the tail assembly is now at the right position. @RidgeRunner, hope this help . Cheers, Antoine

@RidgeRunner actually, the position of the tail unit is correct relative to the aft of the fuselage. Elongating the fuselage after the tail unit will place it in a wrong position. I'll try to take better pictures for you. @Rabbit Leader Dave, thank you for the recommendation. I have a rough idea how to get there. The plan is to build the inserts from the same stack-up cut in two and to glue them with the half fuselage lying flat on the mat. I'll be able to correct the position half way through the glue drying. Anyway, that's a plan and you know what one says about plan... @Toryu Good luck doctor !

Hi, With regards to the fuselage, the discrepancy looks indeed to be around the tail section of the aircraft. I decided to cut the fuselage close to the location where the kit profile does not follow the drawing anymore. So here I am tonight, with a split fuselage. By the way, this is the first time I venture in this kind of surgery... Next step will be to insert a 6mm stack of styrene sheets. Cheers, Antoine

Hi Dennis, This is one of the Heller WWII kit I haven't built so far but heard load of positive stuff about it. Glad to see it here and looking forward how it will go in your expert hands. Cheers, Antoine

You're doing a great work out of this kit. I built a couple of them in my youth: its shape is as bad as it is lacking details. Looking forward to see the end result. So far, looks very good!

@CorsairfoxfouruncleThank you mate!

In three of my references, the total length of the aircraft is 17.17m. In the gentlemen scale, that means 23.8cm. This is in line with the drawing I have. The 6mm I plan to add are an approximation though. But the tolerance should be around +/-0.5 mm. Close enough for me . Antoine

Hello, Thank you all for your kind worlds. @Rabbit Leader, don't worry, I've got enough spare love for this lovely plane @alt-92, I already miss Alclad smell.. @TonyOD, thanks mate @JOCKNEY Mrs G thanks you. Your good words were much appreciated. @JeroenS Thank you! @Wez Thanks, I think I still don't grasp the amount of luck I'll be needing... This morning, after a good short night (we were indeed able (allowed?) to sleep for more than 3 hours in a row...) , I tidied up my workbench so I can accommodate a French twin engine bomber. Looks better, isn’t it? Anyway, here what is inside the box. And here are the books to support this project. Checking the dimensions against the scale drawings of Meunier's book, the wings looks ok (even if the nacelles look a bit thin and the air inlet to far from the nacelle) but the length is 6mm short. One could accept that, but now that I know about it, I can’t let it as it is. So the built will start with a bit of surgery. I’ll keep you up to date. Cheers, AntoineInsert image from URL

Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I nearly missed the start of this GB. To be honest, I completely forget about it since I applied. So, during the last couple of months, instead of getting ready for the GB, I entered a building frenzy and stuffed my workbench with a load of new projects. I’ve to find some place to start one Heller LeO451 now…. I’ll try to keep up with you guys but, to be honest, our first baby girl arrived less than one month ago (best scale model I ever made), hence it is highly probable that I won’t be on the forum very often… Anyway, happy GB to you all! Cheers, Antoine

Hi, @Marklo, thank you for your answer on the putty. I’ve just received AK interactive one and tried it straight away on the Me410. First impression is good. It is quite fluid (a much appreciated changed compared to an (very) old Tamiya Putty tube). Adherence is good. It is drying now so I’ll let you know my feedback with regard to sanding and finishing in a later post. On the model itself, I’ve added one last detail to the cockpit before starting the canopy jigsaw: the gunsight. It is not provided by Fine Molds. On the Me410, it is attached on the top of the windshield. So, using an old Bf109 gunsight (probably Airfix) upside down, I built a structure around it with some plastic cards painted it and attached it on the windscreen using PVA glue. Let’s hope the attachment area will be well hidden by the frame that I will paint later. Cheers, Antoine

Hi, Thank you @Ray S Work continues on the Me410, and more particularly in the cockpit area. Between the two crew ‘offices’, there are internal frames that are quite visible and that Fine Molds hasn’t reproduced. With a few stretched sprues, this is quickly solved. The nose section and the bomb bay doors were also glued at that time. The latest required some putty and a couple of engraving update. By the way, as I am getting close to the end of my Tamiya Putty tube, I discovered that it is not produced anymore. Does anyone have more information? To replace it, I have ordered AK Interactive one. Do you know it? Is there any other you would recommend? Back to the kit! Fine Molds canopy is provided in three parts and can only be assembled in closed position. As I wanted to have the canopy open in order to see the internal details, I first tried to adapt Falcon vacuformed canopy. It was designed for Matchbox kit and apparently Matchbox and Fine Molds have different point of views with regards to the fuselage width… So, Plan B is to cut carefully Fine Molds canopy parts. This gives you a nice jigsaw… The opened parts will come from Falcon canopy. Cheers, Antoine

Hi, For the wing root upgrade, I have posted a photo in the previous post. One of the first things I have done with this kit were the propellers. No big deal here. Just a small paint challenge for the version I am looking for. Fine Molds proposes a decal for the white circle on the front of the spinner. I was not sure of the end results: lot of decal softener would be needed and not sure that the white of the decal would match the white of the paint. So, to get a nice round shape, I used section of stroke temporarily attached to the spinner with PVA glue. The end result looks quite good to my eyes. Cheers, Antoine

Hi, Just found your thread. It is fascinating. I like the idea of 'resurecting' old kits. The results you obtain with your printer are awesome. Same with the original parts. Will follow from now on! Cheers, Antoine

Hi John, Just seen your WIP. It is quit interreting. I have felt an 'nearly' irresistible attraction toward these serie of kits. Thank for all the details provided. You managed to get a very lovely results, and it will become even more difficult to resist (if I give up, I will go for all three: 500, 501 and 510!) Cheers, Antoine

Hello, @Ray S, @atl-92, welcome on-board! It has been difficult days lately for modelling. My ‘workshop’ was indeed among the hottest room in the house. Modelling hours have been adapted so that work requiring a mask are done in the morning and just a few prep works without mask done in late afternoon (and evenings are for forum browsing ) So back to the 410. When I started it, I planned (as too often) for a quick built. I remembered indeed a lovely kit with no issue. Today, I still think this is a lovely kit, but with a few issues. It started with the wing assembly. Fine Molds provides nice details for the landing gear bays. It will be mainly hidden on the completed model, but, hey, you know it is there The first issue appears when assembling the wings. On the right engine, the upper engine cowling is larger than the lower one. One the actual aircraft, this location is made on one single part. So correction is required. The engines are supposed to be positioned on the wings thanks to two locating pins on each wing. However, when trying to use them, the result was far from satisfactory. The only option was to remove those pin and to place the engines as best as possible. . Finally, there was a large gap between the fuselage and the right wing that I filled with a strip of plastic. Once the glue has dried, I tries to cut the exceeding plastic but was a bit too ‘enthusiast’ so I had to use a bit of filler. The dymo tape was used to get the right ‘step ‘ effect on the karman... after some sanding (will post a picture of the end result next time - done) At that time, I also drilled the air inlets. From my humble opinion, this is a quick and easy improvement. Not easy to drill a oval inlet though... That’s all for tonight. Cheers, Antoine

Hello @woody37, welcome onboard! And thanks for your comment on the Mossie.

Hi, I haven’t been very active on the forum for some time. I needed a WIP-break after completing the Corsair II. However, I have remained modelling-active with many on-going projects (too many…) The one of interest here is the Messerschmitt Me-410. This is a Fine Molds kit in 1/72 scale. I had built it many many years ago (in the previous century…) and keep a nice memory of it. I had one in my stash for many many years (since this century though…). It is the recce version with additional parts for the bulged bay doors that accommodate the recce camera(s). As explained, I’m planning to represent a V/KG2 aircraft in 1943. Fortunately Fine Molds proposes this scheme for one of their boxes… but of course not for the one I have. After a brief kind email exchange with Fine Molds customer support, I was able to purchase the right decal sheets. Of course, I didn’t check the instruction well enough and forgot to order the exhaust tube for the night intruder version at the same time… The assembly starts classically with the cockpit. No surprise there. It is well laid out. The instruments are made in raised details with decals sheets to be placed over them (with the help of MicroSol solution). The instruction tells you to paint the cockpit in pale green RLM02. However, German cockpit colour at this time is normally dark grey RLM66. Going through my documentation doesn’t really help as they are mainly black and white pictures and a cockpit is –always- dark. There are colour pictures though of the Me-410 preserved in Cosford. The cockpit is painted in a blue-ish colour that doesn’t look either RLM02 nor RLM66. So I decided to go for the RLM66 for the cockpit and the classic RLM02 for the other interior parts (gun bay, landing gear bays, radiators). Eduard seat belts were the only addition (so far…). The fuselage and the engine nacelles were then assembled. Followed by the wing. And this is when some fit issues started to appear, especially at the engine interfaces. But more about that next time. Good night and stay safe, Antoine

Hello Guys, Thank you for your comments. They were really much appreciated. @Tbolt, with regards to the light green colour, the instruction provides you with the formula to get the 'right' shade (is there really 'right' shades?). I can get to it using Gunze Aqueous. I'm just not a fan of mixing paint. I generally do it directly in the airbrush cup (mine is suction feed). Hence, if you have to do touch-up, it becomes quite interesting to find the same shade again... I've received the base colours, so the kfir will probably head for the workbench as soon as the Mustang couple is done. Cheers, Antoine

Thank you Wez for the explanation.

Lovely model of a beautiful aircraft. And as you know, I pretty much like the grey and white finish. Well done! Antoine

Hi Wez, Looks like you convinced me joining that GB as well Still not sure what kit I'll choose.... Rafale, Mirage 50, Super Etendard, Gazelle, Dewoitine 520, Loire 130, Loire-Nieurport LN411... and the list continues.... Might be limited though if I can't access to my kit storage in France. A bientôt, Antoine