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Caudron C-366 racer, Dujin 1/72 resin


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When you buy a Dujin kit you are actually buying a kit, to produce a kit, to make a model; that is: you have to create kit parts from the some times undefined resin ectoplasm.
Dujin is known for having created an extraordinary diverse line of very interesting planes, unfortunately in the form of extremely rudimentary resin kits.
If I understand correctly, after the passing of M. Dujin a group of well-meant and dedicated friends is re-floating the line, with the addition of much welcome supplementary parts as photo-etched sets and what seems to be much better decals that any Dujin kit I have seen before.
This has a lot of merit, and -if you have seen my builds- you know that I heartily support cottage industry, but there are limits.
When I see a Dujin kit I unavoidably cringe, because I know that a lot of work is ahead even before you start.
Yes, the subjects as I said above are attractive, and mostly kitted by no one else in the wide world of the kit industry, but the price to pay (not literally, they are not expensive) in work and frustration is very high, and the results are variable (from just ok to despicable).
This kit is no exception, as you may see:

IMG_2204+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

 Nice P.E. fret, apparently some sort of one-size-fits-all for a number of the Caudron racers produced by them:

IMG_2205+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

You will have to cut your own screens to size using the patterns provided:

IMG_2206+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

TWO transparencies, bless them:

IMG_2207+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Looks like a decent decal sheet, we will see:

IMG_2208+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

A few pinholes here and there, of course:

IMG_2210+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

A casting web that goes from adequately thin to hard cake:

IMG_2211+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

The famous (probably patented) Dujin Banana Fuselage Halves:

IMG_2212+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

IMG_2215+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

IMG_2217+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

After some struggle, the parts are out of their resin traps:

IMG_2218+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Again a few pinholes:

IMG_2219+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

After the spa hot jacuzzi treatment the fuselage sides relax and find a more straight position:

IMG_2276+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Hindering the necessary sanding of the despicable inner surfaces of the fuselage halves for them to sort of mate, is the vertical tail, added to one side, who knows why (to bother us, most likely):

IMG_2275+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Stats:
Once you are done with a Dujin kit the substance of what it is made comprises 50% of the original resin and 50% of putty, fillers, epoxy and cyano.

 

 

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2 minutes ago, VG 33 said:

At least you have the general shape faster than from scratch.

 

Patrick

Hum, Patrick, may be, just may be. but overall, if you add all the time wasted in fixing all kinds of things, you will spend more time using the kit parts probably.

In any case, we'll see where this one goes.

 

 

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34 minutes ago, Courageous said:

I have been debating whether to acquire a Dujin racer or two and I'm afraid you haven't sold them to me. :sad:

You will no doubt show your skill in building a nice subject from this 'sow's ear'

 

Stuart

Stuart, the report is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but they are not bake-and-shake by any means, they require work and some skill.

Some are better than others, so it depends on what you get, since they are basically hand-made.

Give it a try, as you perhaps saw with my previous builds of this manufacturer, you will get eventually a model.

If you have some experience, and have built resin models before, you will surely arrive to the finish line.

For the not-so-experienced modeler, that has never built before a resin kit: stay away from Dujin until you have built a few good ones and/or have acquired more experience.

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1 hour ago, SA80A2AR said:

ermmmmmmmm.  not ideal for a first resin kit then.  anyway i shall tag along and see.

If you can get one for a low price, you could practice on it all the things you may need to learn in just one kit 😉

(if you can overcome your frustration)

I think that for a first resin, a simple, fairly uncomplicated kit from perhaps Planet Models may do. They do not have many parts, are sort of stocky, and more forgiving than more delicate (and better) kits . CMR, Choroszy and others may have simple kits too, although they are more refined than Planet, and may require more skill. Just chose something REALLY simple, but also that you like, so the motivation is there too, after all, this is not science, it's fun.

Others may have different opinions regarding resins.

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Every single part will have little pinholes to fill:

IMG_2279+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

The stab halves need to be separated. If you trusted, like I did, the line provided in the part to make the cut, then you will end up with the wrong angle, the parts making a "V", instead of the hinge line being perpendicular to the fuselage center line. Sigh....

IMG_2280+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Put some metal pins on those parts to eventually secure them, otherwise some may not hold:
IMG_2281+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

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A bigger void at the nose bottom is filled with CA glue:

IMG_2282+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

It seems that you have to slide the wing into both fuselage halves as you glue them, because if you join the fuselage halves it is impossible to add the wing:

IMG_2283+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Dry run:

IMG_2284+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

The transparencies of course are just acceptable; one as you can see can not serve even as a spare, because it got a plastic ridge just were the front should curve down and drop vertically. The "good" one is so-so.

It's funny, because it seems that they are providing themselves a spare in case they flop, and not providing two parts for you, in case you flop 😉

IMG_2286+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

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8 hours ago, Courageous said:

I have only ever built one resin kit but I never encountered the problems you're having here. That being said, the problems you're finding, you're also finding solutions, every cloud...

 

Stuart

Was it a good one, Stuart? they are like people.

If your experience was good, I doubt it was a Dujin kit.

I have built many especially SBS from Hungary, that are a breeze.

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After a couple sandings and fillings it looks ok. The primer will later tell:

IMG_2306+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

 

Then fuselage's thick walls, as I was afraid, needed some material removed in order for the interior to have a chance to fit, always the same drill with Dujin. Addition of inst. panel, axle to prop, and preparations for some base paint application:

IMG_2307+%25281280x960%2529.jpg

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