A Tale of Two Scouts- MAC and Libra

[bristol boy]

Hello All,

A bit late to the party but here is my project, two Bristol Scouts, one injection moulded by MAC and a vacform by Libra. Some spare parts from the MAC one including decals will be used in the vac build. Not decided schemes yet but the Libra will be a 'D' and the MAC a 'C'

 

 

 

 

Just noticed the Libra kit is issue 001, would have been a collectors item if I hadn't already started chopping it up!

 

[bristol boy]

Very pleased with how easily the Libra parts cut out and sanded down, but then they are small. The fit seems a lot better than any Contrail or Sanger vac I have made before.

 

I now have two fuselage's assembled and glued.

 

The MA one see a bit fatter at the tail end!

I've now decided on my schemes, the Libra vac will be a Scout D in linen

 

..and the MAC one a Scout C in green.

[Robert Stuart]

That's quick progress, especially with the vac-form.  Getting the cockpit and cowel openings neat can be a struggle.

[bristol boy]

Cowlings, engines on, showing the difference between a 'C; and 'D'. The vac cowling for the Libra kit was oversize so was able to use the spare one from the  MAC kit.

 

Also added a cockpit combing (I think that's the right term?) to the vac kit using some thin wire.

 

Will start looking at wings next.

[Ted]

They both look great, the Bristol Scout is such a beautiful airplane.

[Robert Stuart]

Those scouts are looking good

 

On 10/08/2018 at 08:26, bristol boy said:

Also added a cockpit combing (I think that's the right term?) to the vac kit using some thin wire.

I like your wire idea - that is an idea I should pinch for my own build

[Brandy]

I use Mr Dissolved Putty for the coaming. It can be applied with an old paintbrush and pulled into shape as it starts to dry. It is also much easier to adjust the amounts to get the thickness you want.

 

Ian

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

On 8/10/2018 at 2:26 AM, bristol boy said:

Also added a cockpit combing (I think that's the right term?) to the vac kit using some thin wire.

I know you used wire and it does look good. However while reading this I had a thought pop into my head. If you stripped off the insulation from a fine wire. Could you not carefully split it on one side and place it around the opening to form the combing ? 

 

Dennis

[bristol boy]

18 hours ago, limeypilot said:

I use Mr Dissolved Putty for the coaming. It can be applied with an old paintbrush and pulled into shape as it starts to dry. It is also much easier to adjust the amounts to get the thickness you want.

 

Ian

I shall remember that for future use, bending wire can be difficult but I quite like the fact that it is neat and a constant thickness.

 

17 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

I know you used wire and it does look good. However while reading this I had a thought pop into my head. If you stripped off the insulation from a fine wire. Could you not carefully split it on one side and place it around the opening to form the combing ? 

 

Dennis

Nice idea but I don't think my eyesight or fingers could manage to install the split insulation.

[bristol boy]

Time for a long overdue update as things are now coming together, I'm trying to keep them both going at roughly the same pace.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most difficult things with biplanes is getting the top wing on and all the struts lined up particularly with a vac where there are no locating points and you can't drill one for fear of going through the wing!

[Robert Stuart]

That is good progress.  I like the wing strut jig, and may steal that idea when I come to that stage with my own build.

[bristol boy]

Upper wing now on, a bit of cursing involved and rigging well under way. It's fine fishing line.

 

[bristol boy]

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

I do like the nose art 👍 thats literally on the nose of the aircraft. 

[bristol boy]

17 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

I do like the nose art 👍 thats literally on the nose of the aircraft. 

Thanks, I’m using the spare  MAC decals for the Libra kit Which included the Weary Willie decal but had no instructions about where to put it, from the shape the nose seemed the most likely position. I’ve noticed with the MAC kit that there are quite a few parts with no indications as to where they go!

[bristol boy]

Rigging! Getting a bit bored with fishing line and stretched sprue but it has to be done and is nearly finished.

 

[bristol boy]

 

 

 

Helps if you attach the photos before you accidently press Submit Reply!

One issue that has cropped up with the Libra model is the oversize Aeroclub wheels that come with the kit, hence no wheels on that one yet! A solution arrived in the post courtesy of Jinxman- many thanks.

[Colin W]

Excellent piece of work. 

Good to see you doing the aileron control lines 

Colin 

[John Masters]

Nice work...love the rigging and a fun idea for the two builds!