dad's lad Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Must be an optical illusion but in that overhead view, it looks like the rear fuselage is twisted to starboard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 5 minutes ago, dad's lad said: Must be an optical illusion but in that overhead view, it looks like the rear fuselage is twisted to starboard... Blimey! I must have got a bit more agitated during the final stages of the test match than I thought! Actually, you’re right. It’s an optical illusion, probably influenced by the various angles of the straight edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Another Blenheim build I need to follow! Great so far Heather. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Good progress. Trying to build models whilst caught up in the tension and excitement of "Great Sporting Moments" is always problematic. My favourite memory of such a situation is trying to assemble a 1/72 Revell Albatros whilst Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis were chasing that last black around the table in the World Snooker Finals of 1985. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 16 hours ago, Heather Kay said: My problem now is I don’t think I can make up all the markings I want for No 40 Squadron. Trust me to choose a slightly non-standard marking scheme! I’ll have to do some digging round and see if there’s a suitable decal set somewhere. I’m due an order of some bits and pieces from Hannants, so I’ll start there. Xtradecal have reissued most, if not all, of the old, much-missed, Modeldecal RAF Squadron codes sheets, so you might find something there. Although “standard” styles and sizes were specified by the Air Ministry there were quite a few unit-level variations. These were often “modified” to fit the available space on specific aircraft types but other units (87 Squadron and 610 Squadron applying the specified 48 inch codes to Hurricanes and Spitfires respectively, for example) just got on with it and followed “the book”.🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, stever219 said: Xtradecal have reissued most, if not all, of the old, much-missed, Modeldecal RAF Squadron codes sheets, so you might find something there. Thanks Steve. I have various sheets of squadron codes, but the problem I've set myself is No 40 Squadron liked the aircraft ID letter slightly smaller and in white - or was it outlined in white? National markings and the serial number won't be a problem, but getting the code letters might be. I might have to end up going for a more "standard" aircraft! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 My pleasure Heather. Sadly I'm about 3 miles and 7 hours from my accessible Blenheim references (late afternoon buffet with the out-laws☹😥) but I think you're right about 40 Squadrin's codes being slightly smaller and having thinner strokes. I don't recall them being outlined although 110 Squadron did for the unit letter but leaving the aircraft letter entirely in Medium Sea Grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Wow that was quick Heather! Caught up now - she's looking very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 You know what they say about reading books? Well, I should do it more often. R3600 VE•H is, of course, 110 Squadron. They specialised in having the aircraft letter code in white, slightly smaller than the medium sea grey squadron codes. 40 Squadron outlined the aircraft letter in white. Well, that's opened up some possibilities of alternative aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 Right. After a nice break caused by this thing... … which is now finished and ready to go to its owner, I decided to give the Blenheim some love. After a spot more reading, I chose R3744 BL-K of 40 Sqn, Wyton, Huntingdonshire, summer 1940 as my example. Rummaging in my decal stash I found 24in code letters, and using a mixture of spares from previous Blenheim kits and generic sets, I set to. So far, the national markings are done. Once the setting solution has done its thing, I’ll attempt the codes and serial. For the white outline on the aircraft letter, I’ve used my draughting bow pen and white enamel paint. It’ll pass at normal viewing distances. It's nice to be fettling plastic again, after all that brass and nickel silver. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 That tank engine looks fantastic! Please don't stop doing locomotives... Regards, Adrian PS Nice Blenheim too... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: Please don't stop doing locomotives... I’m afraid I am. I really don’t enjoy making the beggars go. Making them look the part is fine, but all the mechanical bits drive me insane. I have three loco kits, plus four detailing jobs, and then coaches are my future - and a quick survey tells me I have something like 25 in the queue. Coaches take as long as locos to build properly, and I find them ultimately much more satisfying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Fair enough... it’s a loss to Locomotivedom. I know what you mean though. I used to do flying models but I wasn’t very interested in the flying bit... Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 10 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Fair enough... it’s a loss to Locomotivedom It’s really not. There are way better builders plying their trade, believe me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 4, 2019 Author Share Posted October 4, 2019 Satin varnish coat. Most Blenheims has a slight sheen to their camo finish. I think it was an attempt to eek out a couple of extra miles per hour when airborne. My varnish seemed to be a bit spattery through the airbrush, so I will need to do some careful sanding when it’s hardened off. The finish is also a bit too even and perfect, spatters aside, so I might consider a brush coat of satin varnish to add a bit of life to things. I hope I can finish this model before we go away next week. There are obviously plenty of other kits I want to dive into, and I have a ton of paying work to get on with. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 The Blenheim is looking splendid Heather as indeed is Western Thunder! I saw it on the Western Thunder site. I fiddled with P4 scale for a while and realised I too prefer the modelling and painting bit rather than making the little blighters move around a track. Hence I stuck to my good old static scale modelling. Back to the Blenheim, I really like that satin finish. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbudde Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 That kooks really fine. No way, that I could deny it. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 4, 2019 Author Share Posted October 4, 2019 1 hour ago, Terry1954 said: Back to the Blenheim, I really like that satin finish. 11 minutes ago, bbudde said: That kooks really fine. No way, that I could deny it. Cheers Much obliged both. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 Superb looking Blenheim Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 Nearly done. Impatience gets the better of me sometimes, though. Much paint retouching after dabbing fingers in wet paint! With props to fit and antenna wire to do, followed by a smidge of weathering, I’m almost there. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 And the "clear bits" blended into the fuselage! Wonderful! A lady after my own heart, I hate to see so much effort put into seam removal on every seam in the kit EXCEPT the clear bits! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 18 minutes ago, limeypilot said: A lady after my own heart, I hate to see so much effort put into seam removal on every seam in the kit EXCEPT the clear bits! I will be honest and admit to very little seam removal around the transparencies - a testament, I suppose to the Airfix toolmaker's art and some careful fitting during construction. I suppose tidying and sanding transparencies scares a lot of people. The thinking must be "what if it goes wrong and I can't fix it‽" I'm not scared of doing it these days, but I need to up my game a bit with better tools to do the job properly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 That canopy looks super! I can't get that much clarity and transparency out of my vac canopies... Airfix have come a long way since their 1968 Blenheim and its canopy. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Bellisimo Blenheimery Heather. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted October 6, 2019 Author Share Posted October 6, 2019 Thanks chaps! Aside from weathering, which needs fresh eyes, I'm calling this done. I will sort out proper piccies and get an RFI done during the week. Thanks for all the comments and help - especially @Selwyn for the bomb bay info, although I didn’t use it in the end: it might prove useful if I ever build the 1/48th Blenheim . I wonder what will fall off the stash shelf next… 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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