AndrewE Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 I shall be using the new Airfix Tiger Moth kit to build two civilian examples. Firstly will be a New Zealand based example that I flew in back in 1992 when it was based in Rotorua. During a 9 week back packing tour of NZ I took a joy ride over Mt Tarawera on New Zealand's North Island. I think it is an ex military example and at the time was owned by Colin Sutherland. The picture below I think was taken after my flight (me on the left). The recent decal sheet released by Xtradecal amazingly carries the markings for this aircraft so I could hardly not choose to build this one. The second build will be G-APFU. Back in 1992 this was based at Goodwood Aerodrome and for her birthday I paid for my girlfriend (now wife of 21 years) to have a flight in (the picture below shows her doing her best Biggles impression just before take off. We had actually met earlier in the year in New Zealand so these two builds represent some very happy memories for me, I just hope I can do justice to the kits. The markings for G-APFU will be made up from other registrations on the Xtradecal sheet. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Two great pictures and two very good reasons for making some Tiger Moths Andrew. I don't know about you but I find that making a model that has some personal connection or meaning is so much more satisfying. Welcome to the GB, I'll look forward to your progress. Max 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Well you seem to have your photographic references sorted! Two nice colour schemes too. Look forward to seeing the builds and I'm wondering if you will be adding crew... Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hi Andrew Two lovely aircraft and a cracking backround story to accompany them. Good luck with your builds All the bestChris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 That's an awesome idea mate. I'm sure your wife will be impressed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Wow I hadn't appreciated how small these Tiger Moths are in 1/72. The only bi-planes I have built over the last few years are Wingnut Wings kits in 1/32 so these seem tiny! I have added some seat belts to the cockpits but other than that they are straight out if the box. Airfix have done a great job on the detail in the cockpit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 This is most certainly a VERY different kettle of fish to building the WnW kits Andrew, they're delightful aren't they? Max 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 You're right, it does make a nice change to the WnW kits. Funnily enough though the rigging on these Moths scares me more than the WnW kits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 You're right, it does make a nice change to the WnW kits. Funnily enough though the rigging on these Moths scares me more than the WnW kits! I can see why.....I assume you'll be fitting scale turnbuckles!!! :) Max 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 At the moment I haven't even decided whether to use stretched sprue or elastic thread for the rigging. I may end up using both - elastic thread for the control cables and stretched sprue for the rigging. As for turnbuckles well I think to preserve my sanity I will leave those for the 1/32 Matchbox Tiger Moth which I have in the stash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 At the moment I haven't even decided whether to use stretched sprue or elastic thread for the rigging. I may end up using both - elastic thread for the control cables and stretched sprue for the rigging. As for turnbuckles well I think to preserve my sanity I will leave those for the 1/32 Matchbox Tiger Moth which I have in the stash! I've got a set of Gas Patch turnbuckles for my 1/32 build and they're tiny. I agree with you preserving you're sanity about the 1/72 Tiger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Yes I'm using Gaspatch turnbuckles too on my Tiger Moths, I've not used them before on a full rigging though I've do a couple of tests with them since, unlike for example Bob's Buckles where you loop the line through and glue, there's no really secure way of attaching the line other than a "butt joint", unless I'm missing something! Max 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 To secure the line to a Gaspatch turnbuckle you need to use a small length of microtubing ( I use brass). The line goes through the brass tube, through the eyelet in the turnbuckle and back through the brass tube. A dab of superglue on the end of the brass tube will hold it all in place. Try this site http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/ for some excellent tutorials in 1/32 rigging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Andrew I'm gonna use the late RAF type from Gas Patch and there's no loop in them. A mate used these ones on his Tiger by tying a small knot in the rigging thread, cutting the tail as close to the knot as possible and then butt join it to the turnbuckle. The knot provides etxra surface area for the superglue to contact between the knot and the turnbuckle. He says it's fairly strong as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Andrew I'm gonna use the late RAF type from Gas Patch and there's no loop in them. A mate used these ones on his Tiger by tying a small knot in the rigging thread, cutting the tail as close to the knot as possible and then butt join it to the turnbuckle. The knot provides etxra surface area for the superglue to contact between the knot and the turnbuckle. He says it's fairly strong as well Exactly, Tiger Moths don't have turnbuckles with loops in them, they are late RAF type but they create a potential problem with securing the thread, hence my tests! Max 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 The turnbuckles for the interplane wires will be heated up and melted into the wing and then glued. The flying and landing wire turnbuckles will be bent and glued to the wing like you've done Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Well I was making good progress on these two last night, I had put a coat of yellow on one of them and was just finishing off the red on the other when I noticed that the anti spin strakes were now on the yellow machine instead of the red one. So I had to overcoat the red with yellow and the yellow with red. As you can see from the second picture this was only partially successful, the cowlings were painted separately with a grey undercoat and show a marked contrast. Thankfully after another coat this afternoon things are now looking much better. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 They look splendid Andrew, and your mistake is very easily done! Max 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 As Max said, an easy mistake to make but an awesome save Andrew. I'm not looking forward to building some Pommy Tigers due to those ugly strakes that's for sure. Keep up the great work mate 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 It think the "yellow over red" looks a much warmer colour than the "yellow over grey" to be honest. If you are using RAF trainer yellow it can look a bit to the greenish end of the spectrum. But I'm sure another coat will get it all uniform. They are both looking pretty sharp and I like the interiors. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I always use a white primer under my reds and yellows. It makes them more vibrant. In saying that I can't see anything wrong with your work at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewE Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Well I have now finished these two Moths and I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed building them. For me this is one of the best kits Aifix have ever released, possibly the best in 1/72. Firstly one more WIP shot before the top wings went on. I attached the central struts to the fuselage first contrary to the instructions that would have you attach them to the upper wings first. This made painting them easier as they could be sprayed along with the fuselage. I also think ut made attaching the upper wing easier as there was a bit of play to alloy the wings to be fixed in the correct alignment. Rigging was done with stretched sprue and the control cables are from Fine black EZ line, maybe a bit dark, particularly on the yellow one. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Andrew, those are two absolutely cracking Moths, just stunning. They look right in every respect and from every angle....beautiful work. Max 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Beautiful work. An inspiration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Wow they look absolutely lovely, wonderful schemes too. I am in awe of anyone who can stretch sprue like that when I try I can never get itthat consistent. Hats off to you. Cracking work All the bestChris​ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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