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1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind fighter with Airwaves cockpit etch, and another one as a spare, because I know what I'm like with etch


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Hi All

 

Todays' Lab multiple choice:- watching paint dry, or fit Airwaves etch to an old Airfix kit..?

 

:unsure:

 

Somehow I've ended up with these

DSCF8205.jpg

 

While in that big yellow website of temptation looking for Spitfire decals, I was lured into the re release of the cockpit etch set

DSCF8207.jpg

 

The other one has issues with the decals, so as I was buying decals anyway, I figured I might as well get these from DK Decals

DSCF8206.jpg

I've some of the other schemes on here lined up for stash queens.

 

Anyhoo, the etch is neither coloured nor adhesive, so that's a good start.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

Edited by ProfSparks
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Hi All

 

Step 1.

Remove all interior sticky-out things that could interfere with the fit of the PE tub

DSCF8209.jpg

 

Step 2.

Realise that Step 1 is EXACTLY NOT what I should have done, as the sticky-out bits are what locates the kit seat in the fuselage

DSCF8210.jpg

 

:wall:

 

Never mind.

 

Step 3.

Let's do some folding!

DSCF8211.jpg

 

Just the external, to get an idea of how it fits.

 

DSCF8212.jpg

 

erm...

 

DSCF8213.jpg

 

You can just make out where I removed one of those locating pegs, the PE fits under it.

 

However, when I say "fits"...

 

DSCF8214.jpg

 

Kit seat needs some TLC

 

DSCF8215.jpg

 

:banghead:

 

I'm sure it says on the label that this set is for the 1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind.

 

Perhaps there is another 1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind that I may come across in the future.

 

3 hours ago, clive_t said:

I don't have a whirlwind in my stash at the moment, but that could change :)

 

 

53 minutes ago, Courageous said:

Snap.

 

Stuart

 

Hey @clive_t and @Courageous, I think I know where there's at least one of these kits about to become available at no extra cost...

 

 

Comments, suggestions, and that other 1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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After doing the post, I had a 'light bulb :idea:'. I do have the Airfix offering, it was in 'stash place 2/3' :rofl:.

Looking at that PE cockpit, I think I'd look at another option as it looks too flat...just me. Let's see how it scrubs up.

 

Stuart

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Hi All

 

I've come to terms with the Airwaves

DSCF8220.jpg

 

DSCF8221.jpg

 

Just needs a bit filling in round where it doesn't touch (the floor, the wall), and grinding out where it's too big (the IP. Who would have guessed...?) and perhaps the floor moving aft so the driver can reach the pedals.

 

I'll crack open the canopy too given half a chance.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All

 

So I started by thinning out the sidealls where the etch was to sit

DSCF8231.jpg

 

It will get squished to the side and filled better than the Gannet

DSCF8232.jpg

 

That IP is still too wide, even after being filed down and quite a lot of side wall taken out round it

DSCF8233.jpg

 

I have a desperate cunning plan, and if it all goes South, at least I have a near-enough spare from the Spitfire Zoom calamity

DSCF8234.jpg

 

Thso, cut here

DSCF8235.jpg

 

Then here

DSCF8236.jpg

 

And Robert's that awkward relative you try to avoid at Christmas!

DSCF8237.jpg

There's a plate with six dials to go on the centre blue patch that should disguise the join admirably.

 

Look, it fits better

DSCF8238.jpg

 

DSCF8239.jpg

 

DSCF8240.jpg

 

Now we're talking.

 

Hmm, the Pilot still seems a long way from the controls

DSCF8241.jpg

 

DSCF8242.jpg

 

I'll move the seat part forward to the canopy framing and extend the rear decking.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not surprised to see you having problems with the Airwaves etch, I had the set for a Ki-46 that seemed to have no relationship with the fuselage it was meant to fit in.  Took much surgery to get it to fit.  All to no avail in the end as the Dinah went in the bin for other reasons relating to decals.

 

Now Airfix, how about a new tool Whirlwind?

 

AW

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I've never encountered an Airwaves etch set that fitted or even came close to fitting! Every one I tried I ended up cutting into separate parts, much like you have done. I think I have the Whirlwind set lurking around somewhere, though the chances of it getting used are pretty slim!

Anyway, it's always good to see a Whirlwind getting built.

Cheers,

Mark.

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Crikey, that's a lot of work. As said by others it's great to see a Whirlwind bring built. I have one in the stash (and a 48th scale kit on the go ) and will watch with interest. 

Great work so far on the cockpit looking forward to seeing this develope.

Keep up the good work

All the best

Chris

 

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8 hours ago, lasermonkey said:

I've never encountered an Airwaves etch set that fitted or even came close to fitting! Every one I tried I ended up cutting into separate parts, much like you have done. I think I have the Whirlwind set lurking around somewhere, though the chances of it getting used are pretty slim!

Anyway, it's always good to see a Whirlwind getting built.

Cheers,

Mark.

You may well have hit on a theme there Mark.  I recall the one for the Airfix Mosquito was so far out that it sits in my spares to this day: it was easier to just scratch build it.  

 

I have the Whirlwind and the etch set to do....  Forewarned is forearmed.

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1 hour ago, Vicarage Vee said:

You may well have hit on a theme there Mark.  I recall the one for the Airfix Mosquito was so far out that it sits in my spares to this day: it was easier to just scratch build it.  

 

I have the Whirlwind and the etch set to do....  Forewarned is forearmed.

Although it was a long time ago, I have vivid memories of the hassle of trying to get the Airwaves set for the Matchbox Beaufighter to fit. I ended up cutting the sides off the sidewall/floor assembly and treating every surface as a separate item, with lots of cutting and filing. It worked (and even looked fairly good once finished) but it's not something I'd want to repeat, though saying that, I subsequently went through exactly the same with their Defiant set! To this day I hate using etch of any kind!

 

These days I tend to scratchbuild and cockpit detail I might want to add, as I find it far more relaxing than trying to get someone else's product to fit.

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Hi All

 

Thanks for the confirmation that it's not just me having issues with Airwaves etch, makes me wonder why they've re-issued it as it was so badly fitting in the first place?

 

Anyhoo, I moved the seat to a more comfortable position, and you'll note that the front of the windscreen actually goes under the forward cowling. Had me going there for a little while...

DSCF8243.jpg

 

DSCF8244.jpg

 

DSCF8245.jpg

 

Now just need a way of fixing the floor here

DSCF8246.jpg

 

Sides glued in and the IP mangled to fit

DSCF8247.jpg

 

The gap at the top is to let the windscreen slip in :whistle:

 

I put in a couple of spacers for the seat to sit on and the floor to locate up against

DSCF8254.jpg

 

And it's not looking too bad so far

DSCF8255.jpg

 

DSCF8256.jpg

 

DSCF8257.jpg

 

I'm pleased with that so far.

 

I'll alter the seat support and rear decking, then there's a multitude of teeny greebles to scatter in there (there are Airwaves parts still on the etch sprue, but I'm not holding out any hope of any of them fitting where they should).

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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Hi All

 

I've started populating the interior, starting with a control column

DSCF8258.jpg

 

And some bits on the Port sidewall

DSCF8259.jpg

 

Once it's all painted and hidden it should look at least better than OOB.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All

 

A quick session with Airwaves finest...

 

The floor

DSCF8297.jpg

 

And the four pieces to the left of the pilot are the seatbelts

DSCF8298.jpg

 

Can't help but think they would be better served elsewhere, perhaps as a couple of switches/ buttons on a centre console?

DSCF8299.jpg

The pedals also were raised to where he might be able to reach them

 

The IP cut'n'shut needs to be disguised

DSCF8300.jpg

 

DSCF8302.jpg

 

And with a flash over of black

DSCF8303.jpg

 

A bit of touch up, some dry brush and Krystal Klear for the dials, should be passable.

 

The rest of the interior got a coat of Vallejo Air 71.305 Int Grey Green

DSCF8304.jpg

 

And not forgetting the OOB sidekick

DSCF8305.jpg

 

Will give them a final coat, add the bits where applicable, and hope to get them buttoned up next time.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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On 6/16/2019 at 7:36 PM, ProfSparks said:

Anyhoo, the etch is neither coloured nor adhesive, so that's a good start

Ah, but it's Airwaves, and that's NOT a good start!

Good luck!

 

Ian

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Hi All

 

On 7/13/2019 at 4:19 PM, limeypilot said:

Ah, but it's Airwaves, and that's NOT a good start!

Gah, thanks Ian, if only I'd known :doh:

 

Here's the IP with some dry brush and gloop in the dials.

DSCF8340.jpg

It looks kinda gnarley this close, those holes moved around when I tried to neatly fill them, but should hide well enough.

 

The rest of the interior had a wash and masking tape seatbelts added

DSCF8341.jpg

(See, the IP looks better from here already!)

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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Looking really good now.  I bet that etch set is feeling sorry it crossed you 😉

 

Only suggestion would be to try take-away tray foil or wine bottle foil or similar for the belts: IMO they end up looking so much better than tape as they can be made to drape realistically. 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All

 

Nice and cool in The Lab, who wants to be outside anyway?

 

Side walls assembled

DSCF8368.jpg

 

And closed up

DSCF8373.jpg

 

DSCF8374.jpg

 

I've a feeling that the IP should be closer to the pilot and not out past the pedals, but oddly the front of the canopy locates under the top of the nose cowling and I'd have even more trouble getting anything to fit once that was on.

 

Anyhoo, seams mostly sanded out

DSCF8375.jpg

 

But wait! What is this?

DSCF8377.jpg

 

That'll be The Curse Of The Etch pushing the sides out. At least it's not ton the top this time, I'll deal with it once the nose is on.

 

Nose on

DSCF8379.jpg

Gaps to be filled and blended in, natch

 

DSCF8378.jpg

 

Does the tail look lopsided, or is it just me?

 

While I pondered that, I did the wheel wells with Vallejo 71.305 Int. Grey Green

DSCF8380.jpg

 

And got the wings glued and set aside to set

DSCF8381.jpg

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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Very nice build. The funny thing with Airfix for me as a small boy at the time (late seventies/early eighties) that they taught me about aircraft types. Many of which I had never seen before such as the Whirlwind and the Halifax.

Without Airfix the Halifax cockpit now at East Kirkby would never have materialized.😊

Cees

 

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Hi All

 

On 7/26/2019 at 1:17 PM, Cees Broere said:

Very nice build. The funny thing with Airfix for me as a small boy at the time (late seventies/early eighties) that they taught me about aircraft types. Many of which I had never seen before such as the Whirlwind and the Halifax.

Hi Cees, that's happening to me even now, fifty or so years later, so many types still to discover too!

 

I got some time to mount their legs for spraying

DSCF8382.jpg

 

Then turned my attention to the engine pods, before and after attention

DSCF8383.jpg

 

With the majority of the seams in remission, I glued the wings to the OOB

DSCF8384.jpg

Yes, I know it's missing the aerial thingie from atop its' tail, silly place to put it anyway.

 

Anyhoo, back to the Scarewaves Etch, these parts are for the wing root radiator fronts

DSCF8385.jpg

 

I was quite prepared to cut, file, swear, bend and lose them before getting them to fit, but as it turns out they just go right in when the wings are attached!

DSCF8386.jpg

Even to the point of disguising the join between the wing and the body.

 

Well done Airwaves! (there's a phrase I never thought I'd say...)

 

So, they'll be painted separately and installed after the main painting.

 

Wings on that one too

DSCF8387.jpg

 

Here we shall languish for a brief time whilst I go and work.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

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