Jump to content

Recommended Posts

        Hello everyone... My first build for this is going to be Boulton Paul’s Defiant. I will be using the 1/72 Airfix kit in the kits markings of PS*U from 264 Squadron. Ive always had a weird attraction to the Defiant. I have often wondered if it had some forward firing guns along with the turret if it might not have done a bit better. GzNdz6h.jpg
 

19aPsH8.jpg
Please feel free to ask questions, post comments, and or add thoughts. 
 

Dennis

  • Like 20
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice choice Dennis, I've always had a soft spot for the Defiant too... it was actually not a bad aircraft for what it was designed to do - kill unescorted bombers - but the concept became outdated as soon as the Luftwaffe got airfields in France from which its fighters could escort the bombers. I don't think the provision of forward-firing guns would have helped against this as the turret already rendered the Defiant a bit sluggish compared to its antagonists and adding more weight in the form of guns and ammo would only have exacerbated this. Still, it's an interesting concept and, I think, a rather lovely aircraft; certainly no-one could deny it is unusual :) 

 

As for the kit, it is lovely with no issues that I can remember, I've built several and I have happy memories of it. Hope you have a good build too,

 

Cheers, 

 

Stew

 

Edit: Off-topic, Martlesham Heath Airfield later became a headquarters for the research part of British Telecom, I worked in the post room there for a while in the late 1990's and some of the smaller station buildings were still visible at that time

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a nice kit. I started it in the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain GB but only managed to finish it last year. You can find my WIP here, if you're interested.

 

Good luck with your build!

 

Cheers

 

Jaime

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice choice! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one with a weird attraction to the defiant. Good to see mine will not be alone here surrounded by the more glamorous spitfires and hurricanes etc...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks quite a comprehensive kit, watching with interest. As this my be my build in the under a tenner GB.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Jabba said:

Coming together very well. I have got one of these to build, have you had any difficulties so far?

No nothing really comes to mind. The little bit of sunken area as shown in my photo, that is right along the wing/fuselage join. That can easily be filled with PPP or maybe even PVA. Im causing more work with gluey fingerprints than this thing is causing. My only recommendation is maybe an A/m instrument panel. 

Edited by Corsairfoxfouruncle
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Torbjorn said:

I dry-fitted mine - I had not a small gap between wing and fuselage, but a huge one. Did you force the wings upwards or do anything beside filling?

No.. Thats not sounding good, I wonder if something isn't out of alignment inside your fuselage. Unfortunately this being a modern Airfix tooling, they can be prone to fit issues if something inside is off ever so slightly. The only forcing if you want to call it that is using the elastic bands to pull the dihedral into line. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

No.. Thats not sounding good, I wonder if something isn't out of alignment inside your fuselage. Unfortunately this being a modern Airfix tooling, they can be prone to fit issues if something inside is off ever so slightly. The only forcing if you want to call it that is using the elastic bands to pull the dihedral into line. 

Found the issue: I had sanded the trailing edges on the insides of the wing halves, Removing a lot of material to get a sharp fit. Opps.:o

Forgot about that - it will obviously affect the cord and curvature of the fairing. 

Edited by Torbjorn
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

54 minutes ago, Torbjorn said:

Found the issue: I had sanded the trailing edges on the insides of the wing halves, Removing a lot of material to get a sharp fit. Opps.:o

Forgot about that - it will obviously affect the cord and curvature of the fairing. 

Well at least you found your issue. Now is it fixable. 

Edited by Corsairfoxfouruncle
Link to comment
Share on other sites

        Evening everybody... I was able to take care of the small issues today with my hone brew PPP. PEVvi9E.jpg
 

5i75tqR.jpg

 

bYd5CQT.jpg

 

t3eaPom.jpg

A little re-scribing to restore the depth in the panel lines and should be all good. Please feel free to ask questions, post comments, and or add thoughts. 

 

Dennis

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, CedB said:

Looking good Dennis :) 

 

Home brew PPP - what's that please?

Thanks Ced, I found a recipe on a build thread awhile back. Its Tamiya Fine white filler, this stuff. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-87095-White-Putty-32grm/dp/B000R9N5VU

 

I take Tamiya tan cap Lacquer thinner, This stuff. 
 

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/finishing/lacquer-thinner-250ml/

 

What I do is use an old water bottle cap, I squeeze about a Cm or a little more into the cap. I then add about 10-15 drops of the thinner into the cap and stir until its very well mixed, think ketchup or gravy consistency. When thats ready i apply it to the build and let it set about 10-20 minutes. When done I use a separate water bottle cap of straight lacquer thinner to remove it. I dip a cotton ear bud into the thinner and re-wet the dried mixture. Slowly  I work the ear bud in a 45* angle to the panel line or as close to it as possible. The whole time I'm rotating the ear bud to create friction and it slowly removes the excess from the model. Im still trying to learn the process myself. The more lacquer thinner in the mix can damage the softer plastics, so its a steep learning curve. I hope that helps Ced. 
 

Dennis

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...