Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'Life-Like'.
Found 1 result
-
Hello All, I was looking for another straightforward OOB build to follow the Airfix Heinkel 111. So off to Ebay to order a brand-spanking-new Airfix Gladiator: However, I wanted to do the 72 Squadron colours, so I ordered, again off Ebay, a cheap old Airfix Gladiator (thanks guys!) with a really good decal sheet that includes the scheme: So, a really cheap alternative decal sheet and I have al the things I need for a straightforward build, right? Throw the old one away and off we go?? Well, then I got to thinking,,, I could do a three-blade propeller Sea Gladiator scheme. The spare armoured windscreen canopy from the new kit could be used to replace the dire canopy in the old kit: ... but it's a lot thinner: 77 So whereas the old canopy fits the old fuselage (yes, I've started sanding).... The new canopy can be made to fit the old fuselage if it's sanded down to reduce its width: The fin shows how much has been sanded off to make the canopy fit. I've lost my "pilot on a shelf" in all the sanding and I've sanded down the cowling in preparation for some more fettling. And then I remembered this: I was in LA at the end of last year and made a trip to Everett's model shop in Santa Monica. I spoke to a very nice man behind the counter who used to be in a band that toured the UK (but I never asked him what the band was - doh!) and I picked up a Life-Like re-pop of the Inpact Gladiator. So I thought I might as well drag this one out as well. It's beautifully moulded (as are all the Inpact kits) but it is missing a windscreen (no problem, I will make some new canopies) and it has short-shot interplane struts (slightly bigger problem but hey that's the hobby). Ah, this isn't going to be OOB any more, is it? Maybe next time! Thanks for looking, Adrian
