Tail-Dragon Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 I'm working on Classic Airframes 1/48 Blenheim IV.f. I've vacuformed the blister side windows, and cut out and filled the triangle window in the center of the windscreen, and am working on the other details that make the 404 Squadron Coastal Command aircraft interesting. Here's some of the progress so far … The blister windows .. The cockpit (based on pilots handbook photo's) Lot's of scratchbuilding here, including the throttle quadrant (20 pieces in that!) The engines, props, and flame suppressing exhaust (Ultracast Beaufighter long exhaust, with a reprofiled bomb nose) ... and the twin Browning .303 upper turret (all scratch built) hope you like so far Colin 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob K. Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Wow, outstanding already........ 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick b Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Hi Colin, Excellent start, not sure if you are aware that the propeller blades are too long and would actually hit the fuselage, or at least they did on my Mark V version so they need trimming? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 So, I'm guessing you have the full compliment of 404 Squadron photos from the now-gone website? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 1 hour ago, mick b said: Hi Colin, Excellent start, not sure if you are aware that the propeller blades are too long and would actually hit the fuselage, or at least they did on my Mark V version so they need trimming? Mike Yep, I just checked, and they will just touch, thanks for pointing that out. I'll get the wings and engines fitted and then deal with the props (two steps forward, one step back!) Props do come awful darned close to the skin, I find ... http://walkarounds.scalemodels.ru/v/walkarounds/avia/before_1950/blenheim/Bristol_149_Blenheim_Mk4_26.jpg.htmlw 12 minutes ago, dogsbody said: So, I'm guessing you have the full compliment of 404 Squadron photos from the now-gone website? Chris Yes, I copied the photo's you had posted, before, thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 A small update, I've just about completed the deeper gunpod, based on photo's and drawings kindly provide here. The resin bulges were sawed of the kit pod, and will be reduced and fit after the pod itself is installed. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Great work so far Colin. Its great to see some good scratch buildings. (Which I must admit is beyond me) Look forward to more progress. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 3, 2020 Author Share Posted March 3, 2020 I have the transparencies fitted and blended in, and the vacuformed blister windows turned out well (IMHO), and the triangular center section window is in (Classics put a seam down the center of it!) I've also carved the wedge shaped rear view mirror. I still have to sand the sliding portion rails down to a curved cross section. The windows are dusty right now, but will be cleaned up eventually, after the final painting, I always brush on thinned Future to the outside of the windows, and this gives them a nice clarity and shine (all have been Futured on the inside already. Hope you like so far ... Colin 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireGap Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 Excellent work, hope that ring sight stays firmly in place for the rest of the build...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 3, 2020 Author Share Posted March 3, 2020 1 hour ago, CheshireGap said: Excellent work, hope that ring sight stays firmly in place for the rest of the build...! Thanks, - Ha! That's what I was worried about, but it's drilled right through the windscreen frame and solidly Zap-a-gapped from the outside, and sanded flush! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew.S Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 Excellent fine work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 It's starting to look like a Blenheim ! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Hi Colin, that's a build to my taste. One question regarding the vacuformed blister windows: what kind of vacuum forming machine did you use? Something commercially available or homebuilt? Cheers Markus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Superb modelling, looking forwards to seeing the paint on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Shorty84 said: One question regarding the vacuformed blister windows: what kind of vacuum forming machine did you use? Something commercially available or homebuilt? Cheers Markus Thanks, I used a commercially available 'Dental' vacuform machine, identical to this one ... I bought mine on 'Amazon' but have seen them on Ebay, various hobby supply companies, and all over the internet. You can see how well they work. (Note - the ones I'm familiar with are 110 voltage, North American style plug - not U.K. 230 Voltage, They MAY be available in U.K. standard, I just don't know) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Some inspiring scratch-building going on - congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) Thanks Colin. I,ve seen this Dental vauform used on another build too. Seems like one will find its way to me soon... Edited March 7, 2020 by Shorty84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 I've pretty much finished with the gun pod and blast plate. It's getting close to painting time! a comparison ... … a little shimming and filling left on the plate, but I'm happy with the shape. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Just out of curiosity, what is that venturi-like device behind the airman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonC Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Beautiful build so far Colin, really tidy. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 12 minutes ago, alt-92 said: Just out of curiosity, what is that venturi-like device behind the airman? It's a venturi. Probably used to provide a vacuum for some instruments. The early fabric-winged Hurricanes had one. Lots of pre-war designs had these until electric instruments were developed. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 2 minutes ago, dogsbody said: It's a venturi. Probably used to provide a vacuum for some instruments. The early fabric-winged Hurricanes had one. Lots of pre-war designs had these until electric instruments were developed. Brb, off to check the Deconstruction Manuel on my Blenheim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 The venturi is the vacuum source for the gyro instruments, such as the artificial horizon (attitude indicator), and the gyro compass (heading indicator). Venturi's were used on many early military aircraft, (and light civilian aircraft up to the late '50's). They were replaced by an engine driven vacuum pump, mainly because (1) the instruments didn't begin functioning until flying speed was reached - you couldn't set the gyro compass until airborne, or ensure that the horizon worked properly, and, (2) any icing at all caused your 'blind flying' instruments to fail when you needed them most! The turn co-ordinator (while being a gyro instrument) is usually electrically driven, to provide an independent source of info. (not sure if it was electric or vacuum on the Blenheim) 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 3 hours ago, Tail-Dragon said: The venturi is the vacuum source for the gyro instruments, such as the artificial horizon (attitude indicator), and the gyro compass (heading indicator). Venturi's were used on many early military aircraft, (and light civilian aircraft up to the late '50's). They were replaced by an engine driven vacuum pump, mainly because (1) the instruments didn't begin functioning until flying speed was reached - you couldn't set the gyro compass until airborne, or ensure that the horizon worked properly, and, (2) any icing at all caused your 'blind flying' instruments to fail when you needed them most! The turn co-ordinator (while being a gyro instrument) is usually electrically driven, to provide an independent source of info. (not sure if it was electric or vacuum on the Blenheim) Thanks! I couldn't remember what exactly needed the vacuum and didn't have any references to it. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Really enjoying your build, lovely detailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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