Fifer54

Mish...... the way I build......they'll look different!

well, I've been attempting "The Rigging" this evening. I started out using Aeroclub's lycra thread, but in the end had to give it up as a bad job. Not having the proper Cyano/Activator combination meant that I was mostly sticking the rigging wires to my tweezers rather than the model! So, I stretched some sprue and used that. That's why I have no pictures! I will need to use the "match trick" to tighten the wires up. Plus I need to clean up the mess I've made of the finish with all that glue. Still, it's my first attempt at rigging for many, many years- about 30, I think! And I do think the Tchaika looks better for it (or she will once I fix the mess I made!)

I've got two builds for this GB My main build is the Toko/Roden 1/72 Hansa-Brandenburg W29 floatplane. The other build is Emhar's 1/72 MkIV "female" Tank.

What he said! When I read Mr. Buckles' post about the scale, I had to scroll back to the top to see what scale it was, and my first thought was "f*** me, that's 1/72??"

What Stebos said!

Coming along nicely! I'm looking forward to seeing these finished! We don't see enough Soviet Hurricanes!

Thanks, Walrus! Just paint touch-ups (I was always a bit enthusiastic with the Revell Contacta Pro) and then............. ........ the rigging to go now!

Nice, that. Vroom,vroom!

That's really nice! Well done. I am envious of your skill. (Think I'll give up modelling.......)

What they said! An excellent start, sir!

Nearly done, now! Here are some more build pix. The paint to the main airframe is done. and The decals (always a weak point for me!......Just one of many!) are on as well. and that's where we're up to! Clear coats and detail parts next then it's all over.

You've certainly built more than BAC did! (Couldn't resist!!!!!)

Just a couple of pics of the white colour coat going on: A couple more coats, then a touch-up session, decals, rigging and final bits adding, and we're done. Not a lot if you say it quick!! Only 18 days till :poo: and feel like a

Just a quick progress report. White colour coats on the upper surfaces are beginning to achieve coverage, but apart from that, I have to report that I haven't touched the Tchaika since new year. I've been in touch with Aeroclub, who are out of stock of the cyano accellerator that is essential for the rigging technique I want to try. I've never rigged a biplane before, so the rigging may have to wait as they don't expect to restock before the GB ends. Still, I'll press on. Does anyone know a good source for cyano accelerator (liquid, not aerosol)?

maybe you'll have to save it for..... KUTA3!

Quoting from "Spitfire- the story of a Famous Fighter" by Bruce Robertson (Harleyford,1960), in his Type by Type review which starts with the Supermarine S.4 and works through to the Seafang, Robertson describes the F.XII thus: The Mk.XII (Supermarine Type 366) was the first Spitfire to enter service with a Griffon engine. It was a hurried adaptation of an existing prototype, and the completion of 100 airframes, already on production, to a similar standard, resulting from an operational requirement for a high-speed low-altitude fighter, capable of tackling the Fw 190s with dreated engines that were making 'hit and run' raids from across the channel. A Griffon IIB engine had been the feature of the Mk.IV prototype, which was, by1942, up to Mk. XX standard. By clipping the wings, it met the Mk.XII requirement, and when tests had been completed, one hundred Griffon Mk.III/IV engines under construction were allotted for production fitment. A new Spitfire order was not raised, but existing Mk.Vc contracts, which had already undergone several changes, were further modified. The 100 built emerged as EN221-238 and EN601-637 from basic Mk.IX production and therefore had fixed tail wheels, and MB794-805, MB829-863 and MB875-882 from batches of basic Mk.VIII airframes with the refinement of a retractable tail-wheel. Forward, however, there were pronounced changes. The engine mounting had been built integral with the power unit and the cowling was troughed to contain extruberances, consistent with the presentation of the minimum of frontal area. That this became a feature of the Mk.XII is evident from the Air Transport Auxiliary Handling Notes on Spitfires, which stated- ' The Mk.XII is a clipped wings fighter aircraft with a Griffon engine recognised by humps on the engine cowl' Flying characteristics of the XII differed considerably from all previous Spitfire types in service. The most important change was its tendency to to swing to the right on take-off, as opposed to a swing to the left of the Merlin-engined versions. A trend that was more pronounced in the XII than in subsequent Griffon-engined Spitfires, due, presumably, to it being the only Griffon-engined type with a four-bladed airscrew, as compared with the five-bladed airscrews of later models. In fact take-off drill was first to trim the rudder full left as a counter and in a power-assisted landing approach at low speed, variations in torque caused reactions on the rudder pedals. The Mk.XII formed the main equipment of Nos. 41 and 91 Squadrons and the partial equipment of a few other squadrons and miscellaneous units. It was restricted to home use only and was declared obsolete in February 1946. As far as is known, all the surviving examples were then scrapped" My knowledge of Spitfires is not great, but I thought that quoting this might put in context some of the facts that have come out in this thread, and provide some "meat on the bones" of the posts, for those of us who aren't Spitfire experts. My apologies to those here who are Spitfire experts!

I'm up for this one with a 1/72 Hansa-Brandenburg W29 (not a lot of rigging, you understand) AND a Mk.IV Tank (just thought I'd have a go at a target). With luck I might even finish them.

Kitnut, as a newbie (relatively) to Britmodeller, I have to say how impressed I am with this project- it has (to me, anyway) a major WOW factor, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her finished. And you've taught us all how to create Pegasus liftjet nacelles from Harrier fuselages!

Further progress. I have now applied some colour coats. The underside in Humbrol Russian Blue- will be drybrushed in a lighter blue later. And touched up (oo-er, Mrs) where the hairy stick slipped! Annnnd.... the uppersurfaces in Humbrol Dark Green (30), just to give a "camouflage" undercoat for the winter white finish. Don't these big pictures show up every flaw!! These images are actually bigger than the model!

Loved the DH2! And how dare you call yourself hamfisted and turn out work like that! If you want to see hamfisted, I'LL show you hamfisted......eventually....if I ever finish anything!.......

Oh, go on then! I'll have a go! (at taking part- don't feel up to hosting) I'm sure I'll find something appropriate to put together. My Hs123 is probably too far advanced in construction, but does this timescale encompass the Norwegian campaign? If it does, would a bit of whiffery in the shape of an operational Spitfire floatplane be allowed? :please: Or is that a no-no?

A short report without pictures this time! Airfame has been primed in a satin pale grey. I've got no pictures because it actually doesn't look any different!

Greetings, Comrades! Further progress has been made in constructing the glorious icon of Soviet high technology that is the Polikarpov I-153. The airframe parts have been assembled. In order to achieve the smoothest contours of the surface texture of this heroic aircraft, Milliput filler has been employed to ensure that the flaws created by Western saboteurs are destroyed. The Lycra thread for rigging has arrived from the Imperialists at Aeroclub, and seems well suited to the job. A further report will follow soon.

Next on the wish list: a 1/24 Avro Lancaster!????

Super work. Loved the PZL and the P-39Q!