general melchett Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) Well it arrived this afternoon and all I can say is OMG !!!. ..it's an absolute work of art, the quality being ten times better than appeared in Stuarts photos. I've got to say I was totally gobsmacked upon opening the box. Another thing that struck me is the enormous size of the thing...I'd forgotten just how big the real machine is, (I've included a quick shot of a 1/72nd MiG 21 sat on the centre section)....if you want one then be aware that it's HUGE !!. Stuart pm'ed me saying that he must point out that the kit was never initially intended for commercial release and that he hoped that expectations weren't too high !!...good grief, the mould quality is superb with far fewer air holes and distortion than any Magna or Anigrand resin kit that I've built.....and that's quite a few. The brass set is amazing, 28 thou coming in 0.7mm for the wingfold detail and 0.25 for the airbrake and wheel stuff... and weighs a ton......you can see for yourself the level of detail in the photos. I haven't even begun to open all the little zippy bags for the smaller parts.... All in all it looks top notch......(do you get the impression that I'm impressed !!!). This is going to be a very long build as I intend to go to town on the beast as befits a model of this magnitude....... Hope to make a start on the cockpit as soon as possible....break out the Plasticard and acetate.....!! A trip down to the Cold War day at Bruntingthorpe for a look see at their Buccs at the end of the month will be of great help too.... Well done Stu....how about a Lightning next !! Cheers all, Melchie the impatient... As arrived... Box is crammed full of goodies... My table just isn't big enough to put all the bits out... 1/72nd MiG 21 ...just to show the size of this thing..... Brass frets...all the parts you need including replacement vgs...28 thou, the most solid brass I've evber seen ! Edited August 22, 2014 by general melchett 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I really want one of these, always wanted a 32nd scale Bucc to do a certain scheme! but this fit's the bill perfectly! Can't wait to see this progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Oh yummy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovis Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I want the movie rights to the build.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Brilliant, it's going to build up into a very nice model. Pity it's not my scale or could be tempted. Thanks for the pics. Colin on the Africa Station Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigsty Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) Suffering woscum, how much does that thing weigh? Just for a laugh, what was the postage? Edited August 17, 2012 by pigsty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratcher Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 It weighs around 1600g including nose ballast. Postage was around £11 and I'll have to buy boxes at £2.30 in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Well if anybody can do it you are the man! I stand ready to learn. There aren't many kits where the brass offcuts will be worth weighing in!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomastewart Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Wow! So is it available to us all....and how much is it? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Holy frijole!!! I'll be enjoying this build every step of the way. Doc won't left me lift more than 10 pounds, so I suspect the finished beast will be outside my limit. But OMG that's a big 'un! I know the General will do it justice! Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Thanks chaps, well I've been playing around with the fuselage halfs this arvo as I reckon they are going to be one of the toughest parts of the kit to sort out..being the backbone of the model from which everything else hangs as it were and needs to be right. There is some distortion to the front end of the unit, (understandably as it's such a huge resin moulding), but nothing that can't be sorted out with hot water and a little gentle persuassion. I must point out here that the model is really more suitable for those with a LOT of previous experience with resins. I'm not trying to be a smart bottom here but feel it's only fair to point this out otherwise some modellers may get a bit frustrated with the build, (Stuart asked me to point this out too.........so I have ). Like vacforms preparation, patience, more patience and planning is key...........there's a Hell of a lot of cleaning up and dry fitting to do, but for me that's half the fun. Also a lot of careful scalpel work........try to avoid regular trips to A&E !!! Anyhoo the centre sections and forward cockpit halves have been cleaned up, sanded and carved to fit, (to give you some idea this took close on 4 hours to complete, mainly thanks to Stuarts industrial grade resin...like the real thing it's built to last !!. The next stage with these will be scribing the panel lines and for this I am awaiting Chris (Stringbag's) scale line drawings which will help enormously. Cheers all, Melchie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) Not bad !!! This may take a while.... If you take this on tour you will need your own table! Al Edited August 18, 2012 by PHaTNesS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Looks great all cleaned up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Your words of warning are duly noted. Kudos to the manufacturer for stating the same. I'm interested in how you approach something like this so I may learn how to cope with my rather more modest projects. I think air-brushes and resin are akin to witchcraft but I'd still like to learn how to use them. Edited August 18, 2012 by SleeperService Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Is this the same 24th Bucc' as this one (which i thought was vacform ?)... http://www.britmodel...topic=234917550 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Thanks everyone, sorry, not much progress today, mainly more cleaning up and a spot of hacksaw work !! An old and long time friend is visiting at the mo and with a lot of catching up to do, not to mention visiting of local watering holes, I'm not sure just how much will be done this coming week..............normal service will be resumed soon.... Sleeper service, I'll try and explain things as I go along..it's not so bad once you get to grips with it....Stuarts, (scratchers) own build will be of great service too as he knows what to expect and should be ahead of mine as without instructions I'm relying on him for a bit of guidance.. Dave, yep one and the same... resin jobbie, I hate to think how much internal bracing would be needed if it was a vac ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smuts Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 General sir you're BACK this will be worth watchin.........just one thing sir where you going to put it?? Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Ah now that is a good question Smuts old fella.......! I think yet another word with the mortgage consultant might be on the cards.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Well, just got a pm from Colin (crobinsonh) to let me know that he'll let me crawl all over and inside his Bucc XX894 at the Bruntingthorpe Cold War day next weekend. This will really give me a chance to take all the photographs and data that I need for all the detail stuff needed to do the model justice...something I'm obviously looking forward to I must say..................cheers Colin, very much appreciated, No chance of a lift down to the end of the runway I suppose !! Melchie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 OK, well Stuart has asked me to be as honest and if neccesary brutal as possible with the review and build so I will. The main reason for this, and I agree with him is so that those folks wishing to get hold of one of these really understands what they paying for ! It isn't cheap and if anyone is under the illusion that it's a straight forward build then they'll be in for a shock. The model is wonderful but needs a heck of a lot of cleaning up and repairs to small defects, air holes and missing sections. If like me you find this enjoyable and most of the fun of a unique build on this scale then fine...but if not..steer well clear. I've had to liase with Stuart on several points already mainly regarding the width of the forward fuselage and cockpit 'tub'. I couldn't get the tub to fit snuggly come Hell or high water as it seemed to be about 3mm too wide and forcing the fuselage halves apart. Stuart said that his just fitted in with no problem so I guessed that I'd sanded too much off the sides !!...however he asked me to measure the parts to see what dimensions I had. I told him and he said that they were spot on so it must be that the tub was too wide. I duly sanded that and the bulkhead back and now everything fits'. and the dimensions are correct, (looking at my tub it looks as if the resin is a lot thicker on one side than the other so I'm guessing that all kits may be subject to this. A good idea in the instructions will be to give relevant dimensions of the sections as they are done. Anyway back to this one, Understandably nearly all parts need a bit of work..on mine one wing is perfect the other needs repair, The centre section is distorted and will need a good session in hot water and parcel tape to match the top half.... The undercarriage bay inserts need cutting right back and a good quality razor saw is a must, The Spey compressor facings are delicate and need a lot of cleaning up and some repair, The leading edge of the tailplane 'slide was damaged and needed a new plug insert... The surface of most of the big components are pitted with small pinpricks which all need filling and or sanding back, Intakes had a few air holes, Test fitting the sanded tub/cockpit took quite some time but resulted in a nice even fit.... And test fitting seats and pilots to find best position... This is just a sample of what awaits...nothing that can't easily be overcome with a bit of skill and a lot of patience. This models going to take me a LONG time to complete to my satisfaction as fitting the major parts is a big job let alone all the detail work to come ! Having said all that I'm loving it and can't wait to progress with things.. Must thank Chris, (stringbag) for the excellent set of scale line drawings that he sent over yesterday..cheers old fella, Melchie... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Must thank Chris, (stringbag) for the excellent set of scale line drawings that he sent over yesterday..cheers old fella, Melchie... My pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 It looks like a monster of a kit but I bet it will turn out into a masterful piece when complete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goon Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Mere words won't do, so: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughgos hobby bench Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Me thinks that this topic and Scratchers should be well and truly pinned!! Just so I know where to go when it comes to build my own one you understand. Hugh.. XV 867 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Me thinks that this topic and Scratchers should be well and truly pinned!! Just so I know where to go when it comes to build my own one you understand. Hugh.. XV 867 I agree. Just for handiness you understand. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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