1/72 IBG RWD-8 DWL Trainer (civilian)

[funguseater]

This little kit (I think there are 32 parts!) is a bit diffferent from my normal subjects. It went together ok, especially the cockpit and fuselage halves virtually fall together perfectly. The only issue I found was that the 2 large wing spars were about half a millimetre short, but that is an easy fix. Undercarriage needs some care cutting off the sprues but the plastic is quite forgiving. As for clean up, sanding sticks are fine but I found metal files are not so good.

 

Plan is to airbrush first, and fix the wing last if that makes sense. As the kit was only £7.20, I couldn't justify an extra £5 for photo-etch (that may change though, I have 2 other versions to build...) so had a go at creating seat belts from masking tape.

 

I may try some rigging for the rudder etc or not...not decided yet. Any advice would be welcomed...

 

I have heard about the issues relating to the wing shape being wrong, and the replacement aftermarket item that can be purchased but i'm not too bothered about that..this is just a fun build !

 

 

 

Tweezers for size comparison, yes it is small but beautifully formed.

 

 

 

 

Dry test fitting of the wing

 

 

Ready for some pre-shading and basecoat

 

Edited February 14, 2018 by funguseater

[funguseater]

More Progress:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GrzeM]

What a lovely airplane, and the build goes very well! Good luck in finishing it, you're so close to the end!

BTW do you intend to leave the fuselage in grey? It should be aluminium.

[funguseater]

8 hours ago, GrzeM said:

What a lovely airplane, and the build goes very well! Good luck in finishing it, you're so close to the end!

BTW do you intend to leave the fuselage in grey? It should be aluminium.

I appreciate the comment. The instruction colour call out for the fuselage is Vallejo White grey 70.993 (though I used AK real colour).

 

Construction was a steel and wood frame with a canvas and plywood covering.

 

This one has been a fast, enjoyable build.

Edited February 15, 2018 by funguseater

[GrzeM]

I understand now! General rule for RWD was to paint fabric with aluminium dope (as it was lighter than white paint and preserved the fabric from UV). So this airplane may be an exception or the producer has made a mistake in the kit instruction. BTW, the aluminium dope was rather dull and grayish, not something like the polished alclad or chrome.
RWD 13:

RWD 5:

Unfortunately no RWD 8 survived till today.
Anyway, your model looks very good!

[funguseater]

14 hours ago, GrzeM said:

I understand now! General rule for RWD was to paint fabric with aluminium dope (as it was lighter than white paint and preserved the fabric from UV). So this airplane may be an exception or the producer has made a mistake in the kit instruction. BTW, the aluminium dope was rather dull and grayish, not something like the polished alclad or chrome.
RWD 13:

RWD 5:

Unfortunately no RWD 8 survived till today.
Anyway, your model looks very good!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this subject. You make some good points. It's a shame no examples survived. Maybe there's one in a barn somewhere in poland/czech republic waiting to become an amazing Barn find ! I wish...

[funguseater]

Close to finishing the PWD. The struts were a good fit in the end,  with light pressure on the fuselage  all is good.  Decals are very good,  but delicate ( the thinnest I have ever used). I have most sprayed a 50/50 diluted mix of AK real colour Clear Smoke to hopefully imitate dope on canvas.