Hamden Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 That cockpit is going to look stunning when completed Looking forward to seeing more of the same Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Back again, Made a decision and painted the seat back MM leather. I will weather it with oils to try and get a more worn look then a wash to bring out the details: I addes some highlights with a Faber Castell water colour pencil (cool grey III) toi areas of the sidewalls that were Interior Green and the same (cold grey III) to the black areas. A lot of the cables were shielded so they got a touch of silver and grey. Brass fittings for the oxygen control: Same for the port side. The throttle is WEM colour coats Sky Grey: Same for the lower IP and firewalls.Picked out some instruments and a few highlights. I also added the compass mount before I forgot!: A little test run to see how it will fit together: Finally the compass in Sky Grey and MM Aircraft Interior Black (which I have used throughout): It all looks a bit stark at the moment but after a gloss coat, stencils, oil wash and dullcote it will all hopefully blend in nicely. Regards and thanks for looking, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 The details are really beginning to stand out now. I often use Karisma colour pencils for weathering but hadn't thought of watercolour pencil, sounds like a good idea. I think that SWMBO has a few somewhere which she no longer uses, I'll have a look. I also like the way the Barracuda panel has blended in, I might try to retro- fit one to my Mk IX. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Just a quick update. Now I don't know about you lot but one of my pet peeves with PE belts is the dreaded "floating belt syndrome". No matter how much adhesive you apply it will not stick or there is a puddle of CA left in the seat. These are not a new product, RB productions have been around a while but they have now been reproduced by others such as Eduard and HGW. The set I have used is the RB Productions "Sutton QS/QL/QP" set P32024. My research tells me the Spitfire Mk XVI (and others of that ilk i.e. RAF bubbletops) did not have a "Sutton" harness as such but an interim beast known as the QL harness. The lap straps were moved to the rear edges of the seat to go over the pilots hips and the shoulder harness did not "all" go over the roll bar and down below the seat as Tamiya has set out, but were attached directly to the support plate behind the pilot's head by use of a simple attachment, as seen below. It was all secured by a parachute type buckle, the precursor to the later bulkier buckle on the later harnesses. I get that information from a reputable source, Mr Edgar Brooks, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for his assistance. Here is one of a number of photos he has been kind enough to share: Armed with such information and my RB Productions harness, I have produced this: About 2 hours work to actually assemble the belts using needle nosed tweezers, the instructions, good light and Gator's Grip PVA glue. The first is a bit daunting but you get the hang of it. CA to the lower belt side buckles and let them set on each side of the seat. Then gently tease the belts into shape. I found it easier to dampen them with water and lay them out then a drop of GG to secure. I looked at scratching the upper harness securing points but it was never going to be seen so a touch of GG to the end and inserted into the slot in the armour. Allow to set then the same teasing technique with water to get a natural drape. Regards and thanks for looking, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Great start, what a great model too! If only they did an XIVe... Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Progress in the cockpit, gloss coated, oil wash, decals from Barracuda and placards from Airscale . The fuel tanks got a coat of AS-12 Bare Metal direct from the spray can and a wash as well. It came out looking quite nice which is a pity because once the fuselage is closed up it will never be seen! I think I will give the harnesses some attention as they look a bit insipid, I need them a tad darker so maybe another light brown wash. Also need to add some cabling from that hole in the IP bulkhead. The sidewalls look a little busier: And the main IP has had some attention: Regards, 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Well the cockpit is in! I must admit a little trepidation as I worked the cockpit components and firewalls I had joined to the "floor" towards the starboard fuselage. I had dry fitted and dry fitted but this was to be the actual install and the place where invariably the gremlins strike! I had shot a coat of Dullcote the previous evening and I was satisfied it was well cured. I added the remainder of the IP decals and fiddled with them. They are very thick and for a moment would not settle but a liberal coat of Micro-Sol saw them set well and in position! A little bit of fenagling and the application of some Tamiya tap to hold them tight against the fuselage and it was out with the cement. A combination of Tamiya Extra Thin and Zap thin to the resin/plastic mating surfaces combined with good engineering and the component was in and seated in position: I had pre painted (tan) and attached an oxygen line from MDC's range (0.8) at a point under the No.11 frame and CA to the front of the seat right hand corner. I added a piece of 0.75 plastic rod and painted in brass for the connector. It was then CA to its position a little at a time: The IP was secured in place followed by the blind flying panel and the wiring from the Gyro II gunsight to the distributor box installed: The port side had a few touch ups, the red cable for the throttle was added and som general tidy up: Then it was time to install the control column. I had previously removed the guide pins during assembly and it was merely a matter of positioning it and applying a medium amount of downward pressure to have it seat snuggly enough to not require adhesive: I have test fitted the fuselage halves and they fit like a dream. Truly amazing engineering from Tamiya. I still have a couple of house cleaning duties and touch ups and the fuselage halves should be joined later today (note to self do not forget the sliding part!). The gunsight will get two 1.5mm little cars lenses for the top, construction completed and then the front canopy will be painted and attached, hopefully protecting the lot from my fumble fingers! Thanks for looking, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markleecarter Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Absolutely beautiful! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 And all buttoned up. Small incident with the gunsight but that can be attached again: Regards, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Fantastic cockpit. Shame about the gunsight, I always try to leave mine until immediately before the canopy goes on but it's not always possible of course. Keep up the good work John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Fantastic cockpit. Shame about the gunsight, I always try to leave mine until immediately before the canopy goes on but it's not always possible of course. Keep up the good work John Thanks for saying so, I am pretty happy with the build so far Luckily it is simply a case of the actual sight just falling from where I had glued it. It is all intact and will be a quick re-attach when I can be more careful!Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Looking good - shame about the gun sight though Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 One more thing, are you sure that's not a "P" tube coming up from under the seat? John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Thanks fellas, Nice thought John but no...... The resin gunsight from Barracuda is a two piece affair, the mounting and a seperate actual gunsight. It just sits on top of the mount. I should really have waited but it was CA'd on and just popped off. It will be okay! Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Quick update, the throttle has been wired to the gunsight mounting: The gunsight will go back on then the front canopy will be masked, interior colour sprayed and affixed to protect the gunsight. Regards, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Lovely progress! The cockpit looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments and support. Gunsight completed! The Barracudacast Gyro MkII is a lovely piece. The PE shield is the kit piece and the clear is some clear sheet that was measured and cut to 5mm X 4mm then scored along the 2mm mark to divide the 5mm side into two unequal length (3mm, 2mm). This was then placed in position and held with a couple of drops of Future and allowed to set. It was then CA'd into position. The two upper lenses are 1.5mm little lens just cemented over the depressions: Happy with that. The canopy front piece has been masked inside and out. The interior will be flat black with some RAF interior green on the lower areas where it joins the sidewalls. Regards, 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Look! An airplane! The main construction of the fuselage has been completed and the wings attached. No filler required at the wing root. The seam at the rear of the wing attachment point on the underside may need a swipe of filler but it has all come up really well: Got some paint in the wheel wells and various parts. Have a quandry to sort out with the cannon attachments using the Master Barrel E wing but there is no hurry. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 On the barrels, since you've got a "tube" on that leading edge part, I would think that (in theory) you could ream them out to the diameter needed to allow the brass part to slide in. I'd certainly take it in stages, though, and maybe cut them as close to the leading edge as you can first. You might also try to contact Master Barrels (or whatever their proper name) and ask them how THEY suggest doing it? There's definitely a fair amount of "pucker factor" involved! I've got a set of those, but mine are intended for a "non standard" installation, so I figured I'd have to do some negotiating to get them where I wanted them. Despite my compulsion to mutate kits, I like such parts to be drop-fit as much as possible in their intended application! bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Thanks Bob, I did contact Master and they sent me to an IPMS review page that basically tells you to carry out the kit surgery but not well described! I have obtained a spare set of inserts from a kindly fellow modeller incase of problems. I also have a friend of a friend with a lathe that may be able to turn the barrels to give them the proper diameter. But ithat will also require shortening the barrels at the rear. I'l think on it over Easter with some chocolate. Regards and Happy Easter, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 After some time away from the bench, it is time for an update. The Master barrels, their plastic counterparts and the LE inserts have been entrusted to a friend with a lathe to see if he can sort out the fit. I have also heard that Master may be releasing a reworked set of Mk XVI barrels that fit the Tamiya kit in late 2015! The upper and lower fuselage joins are good but a small seam appears on both as well as a couple of other minor locations on the lower wing joins that needed tidying up. I masked each side of the seam to protect the details and applied a thin coat of Perfect Plastic Putty, allowing it to cure a bit before smoothing with a dampened Mk 1 finger: The rear stabilisers have been set at a slight droop ( a tad less than shown here) and all the control surfaces have been attached and cemented in place: The MG blanking ports have been fitted and whilst still visible they ae what they are and I am happy with the joins which should be okay under a primer and a couple of coats of paint. Just visible are the clear plastic win tips. Both have had a small depression drilled into their inside faces and filled with appropriate acrylic paint to create the red/green bulbs. The kit masks have been cut out and used to mask the areas to remain clear: The radiator housings have had the ejector pin marks in the flaps puttied and sanded. Tamiya do not include the flap mechanism nor the support braces that are so obvious so these have been scratch built from left over PE and some styrene card and strip. They are not perfect but will allow for the idea to be conveyed. I have set the flaps in the open position and I am aware they should normally be closed but doing so hides the excellent RB Productions radiator faces that are due to be fitted: That's all for now. Hopefully I can get some bench time in this week (school holidays) and I hope to tackle the final preparations to commence painting. Regards, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin56 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 That is a very impressive build Kent. Gorgeous detailing in the cockpit Where did you get the jig that the aircraft is sitting on in the last few photos ? Cheers, Julian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahunaminor Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 That is a very impressive build Kent. Gorgeous detailing in the cockpit Where did you get the jig that the aircraft is sitting on in the last few photos ? Cheers, Julian Coming from you that is praise indeed Julian! It is the JH Models 4801 jig available from UMM-USA. Reasonably priced and they do a version for biplanes as well (just in case). Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin56 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Coming from you that is praise indeed Julian! It is the JH Models 4801 jig available from UMM-USA. Reasonably priced and they do a version for biplanes as well (just in case). Regards, I'll have to see if I can get hold of one. Your Spitfire has me tempted too Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Stunning work - it's all coming together now Looking forward to seeing it in paint Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now