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1/72 Vampires Take Flight


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Here is my go at a 1/72 Airfix de Havilland Vampire T.11 and Xtrakit's FB.5. I enjoyed building both the only problems were the air intakes for the Airfix T.11 and the booms on the FB.5. Also the FB.5 kit decals are not the best. I even liked using the Alclad paint which was my second time I have used it.

Cheers
Ian

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Thanks guys for all the feedback which is most appreciated as always.

Lovely builds mate! Congrats!

Which Alclad did you use?

Cheers,
Michael

Michael the Alclad I used was Alclad 2 Airframe Aluminium (ALC 119).

Top work! The Alclad looks great, any advice on how to use it?

Dag this was only the second time I have used it but this is what I did. I filled every gap, hole, etc. Then rubbed them down and polished them using Flory Models skinny sticks and polishing sticks so the joints almost shine. I then masked and attached the canopy. I wiped the model with a airbrush cleaner and sprayed Alclad 2 Gloss Black Base (ALC 305). Once dried I checked to see if I missed any gaps, etc. Now the fun bit. I sprayed a very light coat of Alclad 2 Airframe Aluminium (ALC 119) which dries very quickly. Then its just a case of light coat and light coat until you are happy. Once that dries I gave the model a coat of Model Master Sealer for Metalizer Paints which does what it says. I then gave it a coat of Humbrol Clear just to make sure that when I masked for the yellow paint it did take any Alclad off.

I hope this helps.

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Thanks again everybody for the kind comments.

That is a great way of displaying your Vampires; looks very good! What did you use for the clear rod (apart from clear rod!) and how did you bend them?

The clear rod is made from acrylic was 5mm in diameter and 50cm in length. I would love to say it was my idea but sadly its not, I saw I on Phil Flory's web site http://www.florymodels.co.uk/ which I highly recommend. Any way this is what I did.
First I cut it in half with a razor saw, then I put the electric fan assisted oven on in the kitchen and set the temperature to approx 125 degrees C. I borrowed one of the wife's cotton kitchen cloths and a pyrex glass bowl (20cm in diameter).
I folded the cotton kitchen cloth in half and placed it in the pyrex bowl so it covered the bottom and sides of the bowl to prevent the acrylic rod touching any part of the glass. I then placed the rod across the bowl and the cloth. Now with the oven on temperature I put the lot in the oven and closed the door. While the rod is warming up I lay another kitchen cloth over the edge of the kitchen bench.
After about 5 to 7 minutes the rod in the oven should start to sag in the middle. When it does this take the rod out of the oven place it on the cloth on the bench and start to bend downwards with firm gentle pressure but don't force it, if you know what I mean. Be careful as the rod will be warm to touch and I have used a pair of leather gloves to hold the rod.
If you don't get the bend required just put the rod back into the oven and warm again. Once you have the bend you want keep hold of the rod as it cools down to keep its shape. Thats all there is to it and it only takes about 10 minutes max for a 5mm rod. If you use thicker rod I would extend the time and I wouldn't increase the temp.
I also added a bulkhead in the fuselage made from plasticard with a hole drilled through it to help support the rod. You can get the rod off ebay and its not expensive.
I hope this helps.
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