Updated 15/9 Anigrand 1/72 VC-10 C.1K build (and correction)

[Simon Cornes]

Fascinating stuff and vital because I am picking up my VC-10 on Wednesday (all being well) so this is truly useful - as will be ac opy of the plan (next on the list!)

Simon

[snapper_city]

Really interesting build & one I'll be following. Good effort so far.

[scorpiomikey]

Looks like a good watch. Cant wait for more.

[Simon Cornes]

Fascinating stuff and vital because I am picking up my VC-10 on Wednesday (all being well) so this is truly useful - as will be ac opy of the plan (next on the list!)

Simon

And I now have it. Just had a look at the bits. Isn't it BIG ?!!! My initial thought was to wonder if the undercarriage legs will take the weight - and how much nose weight will it need? Wonder if SAC do a metal set? Overall I would say that it seems to be a beautiful kit of a beautiful aircraft. Very expensive but I'm glad I've got it! Keep going Mr B Jet - now even more essential reading!!

Simon

[kev67]

Great stuff, I was wondering about the windows on mine, how I would go about doing it, if only Anigrand had put more windows in and in the right place and size would of saved allot of grieve.

[Maverick231]

Very nice start on a very nice aircraft , I need to go down to Brize to see the last 1's :/.

[Simon Cornes]

One thing struck me about this kit over the weekend - wouldn't it have been good if they had produced a C1 instead? That way you can just delete the windows not required for tanker conversions instead of having to mess about drilling and filing!

I am thinking about casting extra windows in clear resin - anyone know the best place to get such stuff? Used to get it in the 70's for making paperweights!

Simon

[kev67]

One thing struck me about this kit over the weekend - wouldn't it have been good if they had produced a C1 instead? That way you can just delete the windows not required for tanker conversions instead of having to mess about drilling and filing!

I am thinking about casting extra windows in clear resin - anyone know the best place to get such stuff? Used to get it in the 70's for making paperweights!

Simon

I have had a go using clear Polyurethane, but it stinks to high heaven and takes ages to dry and if the mix is not done exact it can leave a sticky surface

The other is clear polyester, does not smell as bad but leaves millions of tiny air bubbles when dry, so would need a way of getting all the air out first, this also takes a long time to dry but not as long as Polyurethane, there is a 3rd option and that is 2 part clear epoxy, but you need to make sure you mix them without air bubbles and this dries very quick, or you could just use Crystal Clear

[Blacktjet]

OK, back on with this. Apologies for the lack of updates but I have had on-going problems with the laptop that has the software for my camera.

The model is just about finished - just on hold at the moment while I figure out a method of adding the cabin windows, without them looking like bulls-eyes!

Continuing with the engines -

Once the first stage of the pylon correction is done, they are ready for use for a K.2 or standard VC-10. However, you will need to modify the slot in the fuselage so that the engines are parallel to the aircraft centreline. If you are doing the C.1, leave as in the picture.

K.2 engine thrust line should look like this -

C.2 engine thrust line should look like this -

On to the second stage of the modification. This refers to the C.2 and Super version. At high AOA, the wing was found to disrupt airflow to the engines, the solution was to change the thrust line of the engines to 3 degrees and thus raise the intakes. To do this, a new bracket was added between the pylon/fuselage attachment point. The new brackets increase the span of the pylon by 11 inches (an engineers recollection but looks about right).The forward bracket had a greater angle, which gave the required increase but also gave the pylon a gullwing look.

.

That's the main alteration for the engines done, there are a few small corrections to do which I will point out later.

Just back to the topic of windows, the kit widows are the wrong shape and needed to be filed oval. Doing this, makes the windows too large, to reduce the size, I masked off the windows and sprayed several layers of primer, after the paint dried, I sanded away the primer, leaving a paint rim around the inside of the windows - this has the effect of reducing the size of the windows.

Edited September 15, 2013 by Blacktjet

[kev67]

Looking great, tempted to start my Anigrand or the Airways vac kit after seeing Toms excellent build.

With the windows I have used silicone cake moulds which I have cut into strips covering the windows and applied crystal clear into the window holes and then taped the silicone over where the crystal clear is and placed the model at an angle so the crystal clear dries up against the silicone although this takes at least 4 hours to dry properly, but once the silicone is removed the crystal clear has conformed to the shape of the fuselage, and just finish it off with a coat of Klear to seal it

[thomastmcc]

cool mate really like your build..

thomas

[Simon Cornes]

Looking great, tempted to start my Anigrand or the Airways vac kit after seeing Toms excellent build.

With the windows I have used silicone cake moulds which I have cut into strips covering the windows and applied crystal clear into the window holes and then taped the silicone over where the crystal clear is and placed the model at an angle so the crystal clear dries up against the silicone although this takes at least 4 hours to dry properly, but once the silicone is removed the crystal clear has conformed to the shape of the fuselage, and just finish it off with a coat of Klear to seal it

Now that KeV is something that I would like to see!How do you go on with masking for painting or do you paint first and then mask?

Simon

[kev67]

Now that KeV is something that I would like to see!How do you go on with masking for painting or do you paint first and then mask?

Simon

This is done after the model has been painted but preferably before decals are applied

[aceebee]

Any suggestions where I can get a set of drawings from? I've just ordered the RAF Transport Command decals from F-Dcal and will commence soon on building the VC-10 C1 when it comes from Hannants.

I didn't realize there was a discrepancy with the nose but that looks easily fixed (he says confidently).

On the same subject, does anyone know what the underside grey is on those old RAF Transport VC-10's would be?

Many thanks

Alastair

[andy wood]

Alastair, I think it was Light Aircraft Grey (humbrol 64 (or is it 65?))

[aceebee]

Thanks Andy. I'll have a look in the paint box. Most likely have a tin of that somewhere.

Cheers

Alastair

[Simon Cornes]

Any suggestions where I can get a set of drawings from? I've just ordered the RAF Transport Command decals from F-Dcal and will commence soon on building the VC-10 C1 when it comes from Hannants.

I didn't realize there was a discrepancy with the nose but that looks easily fixed (he says confidently).

On the same subject, does anyone know what the underside grey is on those old RAF Transport VC-10's would be?

Many thanks

Alastair

Alastair,

I would be very interested to know what you think about those decals because I see they are an enlarged set of the ones designed for the 1/144th Airfix kit. The website gave me the impression that they weren't available in 1/72nd but they obviously are and look potentialy very nice!!

Cheers

Simon

[kev67]

One thing I noticed on the VC10 is the wing is not completely parallel but has a slight downward kink where the refuelling tank is

[aceebee]

Hi Simon, I have received the RAF Transport Command VC-10 sheet from F-DCAL and they look pretty good in 1/72. I've used F-DCAL enlarged decals many times on airlines (1/100 to 1/72). Largest being a B747 in 1/72. I'm pretty confident that they will work but the larger you go the more likely errors in scale will be exagerated. There will always be a bit of give and take on things like cheat-line decals to match the length of the fuselage but no major drama.

The decals were originally sold only in 1/144 until I asked the question. I explained that there will likely be a demand for 1/72 VC-10 decals. I also notice that 26decals.com have released a 1/72 BCAL VC-10 sheet. Now I'll have to get myself another VC-10 for that :-)

I'll scan an image of the decal sheets soon for everyones reference.

I just started the kit tonight following Blackjets lead and made the dramatic cut to restyle and correct the nose/windshield. It wasn't so bad. It's all filled and ready for the next step. I'll have a go at the tail tomorrow.

Cheers

[Gimme Shelter]

Hi Simon, I have received the RAF Transport Command VC-10 sheet from F-DCAL and they look pretty good in 1/72. I've used F-DCAL enlarged decals many times on airlines (1/100 to 1/72). Largest being a B747 in 1/72. I'm pretty confident that they will work but the larger you go the more likely errors in scale will be exagerated. There will always be a bit of give and take on things like cheat-line decals to match the length of the fuselage but no major drama.

The decals were originally sold only in 1/144 until I asked the question. I explained that there will likely be a demand for 1/72 VC-10 decals. I also notice that 26decals.com have released a 1/72 BCAL VC-10 sheet. Now I'll have to get myself another VC-10 for that :-)

I'll scan an image of the decal sheets soon for everyones reference.

I just started the kit tonight following Blackjets lead and made the dramatic cut to restyle and correct the nose/windshield. It wasn't so bad. It's all filled and ready for the next step. I'll have a go at the tail tomorrow.

Cheers

Hi there - I have the same kit readied up for the workbench next month - I bought the same decals but later found out they were designed (along with the 26Decals) for the Magna 1/72 VC10) - I will follow your notes here as I will have the same problem

[aceebee]

Not sure how to upload photos but hopefully folks can access the flickr link below to take a look at the two sheets for the 1/72 RAF Transport VC-10 from F-DCAL.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aceebee/13741603975/in/photostream/

I've photocopied the sheet, cut out some decals and laid against the Anigrand model and it looks like a good fit. I don't think these were for or even tested on the Magna kit. From my knowledge of F-DCAL they were just upscaled versions of the 1/144 Standard VC-10 sheet that would have been intended for the Airfix kit.

When I make progress with this kit I'll upload more photos on to Flickr for those interested.

So far so good. Lots of filling and sanding. I'm going to shortcut the problem with windows and use the decal windows, and like many of my other large scale airliners it will be mounted on a stand with the gear up (well that's the plan. I might change my mind).

[Simon Cornes]

Thats very interesting Alastair.

They look to be good quality, colourwise, although I notice they are not as extensive as the 1/72nd sheet shown on the F-Dcal website that sell for 25 Euros? FD072-018

Is there more than one sheet (as with 72-108) or is this a single, reduced sheet at a lower price?

Thanks

Simon

[aceebee]

Yes, there is a second sheet. If you scroll along on the Flickr page you will see. The second sheet contains all the stencils and reg's etc.

Cheers

Alastair

[Simon Cornes]

Yes, there is a second sheet. If you scroll along on the Flickr page you will see. The second sheet contains all the stencils and reg's etc.

Cheers

Alastair

Thanks for confirming Alastair, I will be interested to see the finished result. Did you see the Anigrand kit for sale a week or so back? £50 odd I think. Wish I'd seen it earlier!! But then there are space considerations, etc but a beautiful kit though!

Simon

[aceebee]

No, I didn't see that kit. I did look on e-bay for a deal but gave up waiting. In the end got one from Hannants. Cost £114 delivered which was about right for the amount of kit you get. Construction is now well under way. Front section complete with modified nose, reworked the engine pylons, but also lowered the slot in the fuselage for the engine pylon to attach. In many photo's of the C.1 the leading edge root is about in line with the bottom of the windows and the trailing edge well below the centre line. The position is easier to spot on the early RAF Transport VC-10 C1's when you use the blue cheatline as a point of reference. The new slot is parallel to the original, lowered about 6mm. I just drew a line along the bottom of the windows with a pencil and ruler to find the correct position. Using a lot of milliput with this job. To be honest I wouldn't have bothered lowering the engine pylon if I was finishing in a tactical paint scheme where there is no point of reference. However since the cheatline along the window line on the kit intersects the pylon pretty much in the middle. I just thought it's gonna look wrong & I wouldn't pull of the illusion of it being any good.

The other rework is with the bullet fairing on the T-tail. The kit part is over square as mentioned above. I followed Blackjet's instructions and numerous reference photo's on A-Net to getting it looking more like the real thing. Lots of sanding required and a bit of artistic flair (or bravery).

The next thing I'm not looking forward to is the engines themselves. All that Blackjet mentioned above I concur. Just thing to myself how I can make them look good. The tail pipe is okay all things considered but the statot and fan just look aweful and don't thing I can bring myself to use any of it. I'm thinking of finding some sort of fan from any kit I have in the loft that I could make a cast of and donate 4 copies to the VC-10 replacing the daft looking thing that's meant to look like a 1/72 intake. I've got Heller B707 fans but they're not great looking either, or maybe some 1/48 kits like the F-104 with some mods could pass for a Conway. I don't know. Thinking cap time.