Gisbod Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Hi all, I’ve not done a build forum for a long time, but thought I’d change that with a 1/72 Sea Balliol from Special Hobby. I picked it up at Telford - not normally my scale or era, but it sucked me in... I don’t have a lot of experience building with Special Hobby kits. I have, however just completed a Vildebeest which was surprisingly nice in parts and a bit dodgy in others... my only other build being an Airspeed Oxford, which was a total pig 🐷. I swore I’d never touch another Special Hobby... But time heals I guess. The kit: It comes with a lovely resin set, alongside an equally lovely PE fret. The plastic is a little soft and the detail is a bit fuzzy in places. The panel lines are not quite as crisp & defined as modern day offerings. That said, it looks like a Balliol and even has the wing folds! I've made a start on the cockpit - and it’s actually really well done, with the PE & the resin, lots of detail for this scale. I’m planning on opening up the canopy, so this area is a focal point - worth spending some time on! Thanks for looking in... Guy 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huvut76g7gbbui7 Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Your cockpit looks a bit better than this one in Quarrywood scrapyard,near Elgin,where many Sea Balliols ended up. A paradise for a keen spotter in the late sixties,just wish I had had the money to buy at least one of the airframes before they were broken up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMB Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Thankfully just one original Sea Balliol survives with the RAF Museum at Cosford and also one part replica Balliol that was displayed at Cosford for their RAF100 show in June. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Excellent start with the cockpit. You may want to dry fit the fuselage together and start thinking about the fit of the canopy which I am told is rather poor. Martian 👽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 Nice to see one these being built! I built the CMK resin version years ago, so will follow your build with interest. From memory the seat shoulder harness is attached to the airframe by a chain from the harness to the frame at the very back of the cockpit. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 3 hours ago, Scimitar said: Your cockpit looks a bit better than this one in Quarrywood scrapyard,near Elgin,where many Sea Balliols ended up. Always sad to see lovely aircraft wasting away in the elements.. I do love the look of the Balliol. It just looks right. I bet they were nice to fly. 3 hours ago, Martian Hale said: Excellent start with the cockpit. You may want to dry fit the fuselage together and start thinking about the fit of the canopy which I am told is rather poor. Martian 👽 Yep, I’ve had a play with these. The Fuselage looks ok with dry fitting. The canopy may cause a few issues... Thanks Roger & AMB... Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Evening all, I’ve finished the cockpit. Had a few issues with the belts (shoulder harnesses) - the paint chipped off while I was gluing them in place (yes, I did pre bend them to shape). I replaced them with a spare pre painted Eduard set which looked ok but they ‘peeled’ a little while bending.. As the cockpit is so visible, I’ve resorted to ordering some generic fabric harnesses (the pictures show the old belts). I’m keeping the lap belts as they look fine I reckon. The placement of the floor into the fuselage sides is a little vague and requires a bit of experimentation. Bear in mind the framework arch at the rear of the cockpit needs to be glued on at an angle. Not depicted as such in the instructions! The kit kit provides an instrument layout printed on a clear plastic sheet to sandwich between the plastic part and the PE, but these are just black circles so are invisible! I ended up hand painting as best I could. The detailing is probably a little generic, but it looks busy and as good as I can get in 1/72! Thanks Guy 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 That looks very effective and just about right in this scale. What are your plans for clubbing the canopy into submission? The reason I ask I that it is this issue that has stopped me buying the kit. Martian 👽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 I don’t think it’s as bad as all that. It’s the rear end that’s the issue but It actually fits well if held down with a bit of force. My masterplan is to super glue it (gel) and tape/ clamp/ stamp it into submission 😋. Will report further Martin... Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Nice start Guy. That cockpit looks pretty good, it will definitely add interest with the canopy open. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 This is looking very nice, mate Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Some nice sharp work on that cockpit; looking forwards to seeing how this develops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Oh I do love me a Balliol! Never quite got around to buying the Special Hobby kit but hope springs eternal.... Trevor 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 Thanks 😋 Lovely pic Max... I’ve got the fuselage together and no issues there, No filler required either! The wing roots are on too, these were fine but did require a little filler. I’ve got an initial primer coat on and rubbed down. The plastic out of the box has a rough texture to it. I had to give it a once over with a Tamiya 3000 sanding sponge. This made the surface feel smooth without removing any detail. I’ve cut the canopy into 3, all was going beautifully until the last stroke of the saw ... the rear part cracked! What a bugger... I went straight on to SH’s website and filled out their request form for a replacement part. I’ve no idea how long this will take, but can’t really progress any further as I need the rear canopy to be glued down before I start painting 🙄 Oh well, that’s modelling I guess...😤 INTERMISSION Guy ps the fabric belts arrived, but there’s only one set when the picture online showed two... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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