30 Squadron Bristol Blenheim Mk.I

[Beard]

At the risk of over-stretching myself (I already have four builds on the go in the Group Build), I'm going to start this some time this week.

 

Using these transfers:

 

In particular this one:

 

There were some goodies in the box:

 

and two sets of canopy masks...

 

 

I'll add the obligatory sprue shots later.

 

Thanks for looking.

[Rabbit Leader]

Will look forward to seeing this one built Beard. I’m sure your already aware of this, however there are many builds both here and elsewhere where the modeller has sworn that ‘on their next build’ they would attach each nose piece to the corresponding fuselage half first, rather than assemble this kit as per what the instructions state. I’ve got two of these Airfix Blenheims however have not mustered up the courage to crack open one as yet. 

 

Good luck and I’ll be watching. Nice scheme choice BTW. 

 

Cheers. Dave. 

[Beard]

5 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Will look forward to seeing this one built Beard. I’m sure your already aware of this, however there are many builds both here and elsewhere where the modeller has sworn that ‘on their next build’ they would attach each nose piece to the corresponding fuselage half first, rather than assemble this kit as per what the instructions state. I’ve got two of these Airfix Blenheims however have not mustered up the courage to crack open one as yet. 

 

Good luck and I’ll be watching. Nice scheme choice BTW. 

 

Cheers. Dave. 

Thanks Dave. I am aware of the 'issues' with the fit of the cockpit to the fuselage; I can't remember how I approached the issue with the last one!

 

Anyway, we're a way away from any fit issues as I've just started to paint various bits and bobs and do a bit of assembly.

 

 

 

 

 

I've just noticed a solitary Browning on the last sprue (Part E10) which will come in handy when doing a MkIV.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

[dogsbody]

The Browning is for the under-nose rear-firing blister turret on a Mk.IV, whenever Airfix releases one with the proper decals and instructions.

 

 

Chris

[Beard]

5 minutes ago, dogsbody said:

The Browning is for the under-nose rear-firing blister turret on a Mk.IV, whenever Airfix releases one with the proper decals and instructions.

 

 

Chris

But, with a little modification, it'll work in the twin-Browning turret.

[tonyot]

Great choice,..... although I`d be inclined to be dubious about the lack of a yellow outer ring on that fuselage roundel,..... try to find a photo of the real thing! 

 

Here is one that I did from the same unit during the Greek campaign, using a photo as reference;

DSCF9475 by Tony OToole, on Flickr

 

Cheers and good luck,.... be careful fitting the nose glazing,.... I snapped one on my first Airfix Blenheim Mk.I,

 

Tony

[Beard]

6 hours ago, tonyot said:

Great choice,..... although I`d be inclined to be dubious about the lack of a yellow outer ring on that fuselage roundel,..... try to find a photo of the real thing! 

 

Cheers and good luck,.... be careful fitting the nose glazing,.... I snapped one on my first Airfix Blenheim Mk.I,

 

Tony

That's a good point about using a photograph; I've been trying to find one and had no luck so might reconsider my choice.

Thanks for the tip about the nose glazing. I made a Blenheim a couple of years ago, which didn't survive my house move, and remember having some trouble with fitting the glazing so I'll take extra care with this one.

[Beard]

Assembly started.

 

 

Off to see Robin Hitchcock tonight so not much more modelling will be done today.

 

Thanks for looking.

[CedB]

"You're joking, not another one?!" - Brenda from Bristol

Nearly missed it but sneaking in the back.

Don't forget to get all the paint and all the flash off the joins!

I did OK following the instructions, with some wiggling...  

[Beard]

On 5/31/2018 at 11:50 PM, CedB said:

"You're joking, not another one?!" - Brenda from Bristol

Nearly missed it but sneaking in the back.

Don't forget to get all the paint and all the flash off the joins!

I did OK following the instructions, with some wiggling...  

Welcome aboard Ced, and thanks for the tips.

Not a lot done on this one over the weekend. I'd like to say it was because of this, my latest purchase (the SG, not the amp):

 

but it wasn't, I was doing housework or sitting in the sun.

 

Started the tedious task of masking the canopy. I'm using the Montex masks as I couldn't get the Eduard ones off the backing - they are now in the bin but if anyone wants them, let me know and I'll dig them out.

 

Thanks for looking.

[DaveyGair]

Watching with interest. I have this kit and a MK IVf (do I presume it can do the bomber version with this boxing, anyone?).

 

Nice SG, Les Paul man myself but have had to whittle down my collection over the years.

My wife is exasperated with these as much my model collection 😏

 

My guitar 'stash'.

 

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Great looking SG Beard  

[Beard]

9 hours ago, DaveyGair said:

Watching with interest. I have this kit and a MK IVf (do I presume it can do the bomber version with this boxing, anyone?).

 

Nice SG, Les Paul man myself but have had to whittle down my collection over the years.

My wife is exasperated with these as much my model collection 😏

You can make the bomber from the fighter version; if you can't, I have some spare bomber parts and transfers which you're welcome to.

For a Les Paul man, you have a high proportion of Strats.😉 I bought the SG as I thought it was time to get something with humbuckers, all my previous guitars are Fender and have single coils. As part of my fiftieth birthday celebrations, I'm currently setting the specification for a semi-solid Jaguar which a friend of mine will be building, looking for a Jazzmaster and Epipohne Casino and, if funds allow, might (might) purchase a 335.

 

6 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Great looking SG Beard  

She ain't bad looking.

[DaveyGair]

4 hours ago, Beard said:

For a Les Paul man, you have a high proportion of Strats.

I've owned many Les Pauls over the years, and an ES-345 (one of those ones you wished you hadn't gotten rid of!) but never fancied an SG.

I've ended up keeping the Les (2008 Traditional) and Strat (1989 Deluxe with original Lace Sensors) as I'm (eventually) happy with them. The other Guitar is a Tyler Variax (far east made one), very nice to play and great sounds.

 

Anyway, back to Aeroplanes …. cough!  I've never looked in the contents of the Mk IV but reckoned you could do the bomber version anyway. Thanks for the decal offer, I fancy getting the Xtradecal 'Malta defence' sheet, but that's for another day, I may have too much on to do this GB, but we'll see. If I do I fancy having a crack at a High Planes MK Ic Beaufighter.  

[Beard]

6 hours ago, DaveyGair said:

I've owned many Les Pauls over the years, and an ES-345 (one of those ones you wished you hadn't gotten rid of!) but never fancied an SG.

I've only ever had a go on a friend's Gold Top but wouldn't mind a Les Paul, although I prefer more quirky guitars... hence the short-scale Fenders and my envy for you owning a 345 (stereo output and varitone are interesting).

 

6 hours ago, DaveyGair said:

The other Guitar is a Tyler Variax (far east made one), very nice to play and great sounds. 

my mistake, it looks like a Strat.

 

6 hours ago, DaveyGair said:

Anyway, back to Aeroplanes …. cough!  I've never looked in the contents of the Mk IV but reckoned you could do the bomber version anyway.

If I'm wrong and you can't the offer stands

 

6 hours ago, DaveyGair said:

I do I fancy having a crack at a High Planes MK Ic Beaufighter.   

I have a High Planes MkII in the stash and I'm not sure I ever fancy having a crack at it.

[Blitz23]

Cracking scheme you've chosen Beard, have this kit alas its currently on the shelf of doom, exact same phase of the build as you maybe I'll get it out this week.

[Fin]

I`m hoping to build Airfix`s Blenheim Mk.I too one day so I`ll be following this with interest.

On 5/29/2018 at 9:37 AM, Beard said:

That's a good point about using a photograph; I've been trying to find one and had no luck so might reconsider my choice.

For what it`s worth, I`ve bought a very cool book called Bristol Blenheim: The Yugoslav Story that actually covers all Blenheim operations over Yugoslavia, including those of the RAF and while I can`t see your chosen aircraft in its photographs and colour profiles, all the others seems to have the outer yellow ring on their roundels. Speaking of which, one of my favourite quotes from the book comes from the 30 Squadron:

Quote

Sgt Geoffrey Chapman flew with F/Lt Horgan on that mission, and recalls the operation:
"Soon after we reached our operational height we spotted a formation of three aircraft approaching us head-on, or so it seemed. As they got closer we could see that they were Ju 88s, German bomber similar to Blenheim in size and performance. We watched them and they watched us and we pass each other at about 500 yards. Such was the discipline of both RAF and the Luftwaffe, I imagine, requiring the appointed tasks to be carried out regardless of any distractions!"

 

Edited June 9, 2018 by Fin

[Beard]

Progress has been rather slow on this one and I should've listened to the advice about joining the front fuselage parts to the rear ones because I have a gap that, although easily filled, means that the upper canopy part has a gap at the rear. To cure the gap, I've cut the part in two a lá Tony O'T... we'll see if it works.

Anyway, the canopy has been masked and given a coat of Colourcoats Interior Grey-green.

 

Next step is assembling the engine and nacelles. Wish me luck.

 

Thanks for looking.

[CedB]

Good luck Simon!  

[dogsbody]

21 hours ago, Beard said:

Next step is assembling the engine and nacelles. Wish me luck.

 

Do not fully follow Airfix's painting instructions on the engines. They have you paint Part # D5 ( the engine central gear casing and the three exhaust ring supports ) Humbrol 56 Aluminum. This part should be painted Humbrol 85 Coal Black (satin) or any other brand of semi-gloss black that you are using for the engines.

 

Chris

[Beard]

On 6/26/2018 at 6:07 PM, dogsbody said:

Do not fully follow Airfix's painting instructions on the engines.

Thanks to Chris' advice, I didn't make an elemental mistake.

 

I also owe thanks to Tony O'Toole for the tip about sanding down the engines a little, which means the cowling parts fit better.

Mind you, I'm not happy with the glazing.

 

I've also removed the bulges on the collector ring.

 

(The right-hand one is post-sanding.)

 

Thanks for looking.

Edited June 30, 2018 by Beard

[CedB]

Off with those bumps!

Nice work Simon  

[Beard]

Thanks Ced. The collector rings have subsequently had a coat of black and a dry-brushing of Metalcote Gunmetal.

 

In other news, the first coat of Humbrol Dark Earth has been applied.

 

It'll need another coat and a tidy-up.

 

Thanks for looking.

[FalkeEins]

not down the beach Simon? it's another scorcher!

[Beard]

4 minutes ago, FalkeEins said:

not down the beach Simon? it's another scorcher!

No, I don't do beaches (if I can avoid it) but I'll be sitting in my garden later - in the shade.