Sandbagger Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 Hi all, After the trials and tribulations of several resin model builds recently, I thought I'd do a 'mojo' build. I've chosen the 'Special Hobby' 1:32nd Bristol M1.c 'Bullet'. This particular model build will depict the Bristol M.1c ‘Bullet’, Serial No. C4907 of No.150 Squadron RAF, operating in Macedonia during 1918. This aircraft was flown by Lt. K.B. Moseley, who was credited with the shooting down of an Albatros D.V on the 9th of July, 1918 over the Rupel Pass. This same aircraft was also flown by Lt. J.P. Cavers, who was credited with the shooting down of a LVG on the 1st of September and another LVG on the 2nd of September. The underside of the wings and fuselage were said to be a light blue colour, apparently to reduce the absorbed heat reflected from the ground. It's thought the propeller spinner was of the same colour. The colour of the upper surfaces has been depicted as either a red/brown (PC 12) or an olive green (early PC10). The kit instructions and the colour profile by artist Ronnie Barr have the PC12 colour, whereas the ‘Windsock’ Data file colour is PC10. As always the definition of colours from early monochrome photographs has always been problematic and the shade differences between PC10 and PC12 are no exception. The ’Windsock’ Data file states that it may have been that these aircraft were painted with PC12 when routed through the aircraft depot at Salonika, Greece. However, it was more likely the colour of aircraft operated in Macedonia were PC10, with the possible exception of No.72 Squadron. I've decided to use the PC10 colour, based on the ‘Windsock’ data. Mike 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 This looks interesting, I will pop in when I can . I wonder what the kit goes together like. I built the SH Buffalo and enjoyed that very much and may look at one of these too. Great back round info too. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 I'll follow along, too, if I may? Even though I've never managed a model of one, I've always had a soft spot for the M1.c ever since there was a feature and someone (Peter Cooksley?) did a conversion of a 1/72 Gloster Gladiator in an Airfix Magazine 40+ years ago! Watching with great interest Regards, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 Hi all, The engine for the Bristol is done. It's the basic kit engine with just the ignition leads added. The leads were made from twisted 0.125 mm copper wire and annealed to soften and discolour them. The engine was painted with 'Alclad' lacquers - Black Base (ALC-305-60), Steel (ALC-112) and Exhaust Manifold (ALC-123). The kit engine was used as it is a good enough quality not to require an aftermarket version. Besides, once fitted, very little of the engine will be visible inside the engine cowl and behind the propeller and huge spinner. Now it's onto the cockpit, Mike 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammy da fish Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Good start there. I have to make in the future so I’ll be watching this build with interest. sammy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 The engine looks lovely Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 (edited) Hi all, I'm working my way through the cockpit assembly. Most is assembled ready for painting. There are other parts to add after they've been painted. I've drill 0.3 mm diameter holes and added 'GasPatch' 1:48th 'one end' turnbuckles to the rudder bar. Added a 0.3 mm rod to the control column to add strength to its attachment to the floor (hole drilled to receive the rod). I've also drilled 0.3 mm diameter holes across the control column for the elevator control wires. The instrument panel of the cockpit right side frame is orientated incorrectly in the instructions. The photograph shows how it was mounted, so I've gone with that, Mike Edited October 6, 2020 by Sandbagger 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Those pulleys! Very nice work on the details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 Hi all, Most of the cockpit has been assembled now. The control lines and bracing lines are 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament, with 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes and 'Gaspatch 1:48th scale turnbuckles. I've still fit the engine controls and rods and the pilot's seat with harness. Then it's a bit of weathering and finally sealing, to add the semi-sheen finish to the wood work and leather seat cushion, Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 Wow this is lovely. Great details and great work. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 (edited) Hi all, The cockpit is ready to be fitted into the fuselage, when most of it won't be visible (why do we do it). Additional pipes are 0.4 mm diameter lead wire. Engine control rods are 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube, chemically blackened with 'Black-It'. The supplied seat harness was photo-etch and looked remarkably the same as the 'Eduard' set for the WW2 Fairy 'Swordfish' aircraft. Needless to say I replaced them with the coloured textile set from 'HGW Models', Mike. Edited October 12, 2020 by Sandbagger 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Very nice work, cockpit detail looks great. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaotic Mike Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Brilliant work and a spectacularly small hole with which to observe it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 14, 2020 Author Share Posted October 14, 2020 Hi all, Just a few updates. I've modified the front end to accept a 'ProperPlane' laminated propeller ('Lang' type). This entailed replacing the propeller shaft on the engine with 2.0 mm tube and filing the front face of the spinner support ring. Also sanding the rear face of the propeller hub, re-profiling the spinner cut-outs and thinning the walls of the engine cowl and spinner. The Vickers Mk.1 machine gun was replaced with a 'GasPatch' version, which required lengthening the fuselage recess to accept the weapon. The two ammunition feed guards were also slightly re-profiled. I also drilled out what was a solid ammunition ejector chute. The undercarriage struts attachment to the fuselage was poor and didn't allow for the struts to be angled correctly. These were modified to have 0.4 mm diameter locating rods and the tops of the struts chamfered to the shape of the fuselage. Also the two axle torque bars were replaced with stronger 1.0 mm diameter rod. Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 Hi all, The wings are supported by a strut assembly over the cockpit. The kit supplied struts are intended to be 'butt' glued together at the top and into shallow recesses in the fuselage sides. Not a very satisfactory assembly and probably not really strong enough to take the weight of the solid wings with rigging. Therefore I've replaced them with aero-shaped tubing with 0.4 mm diameter rods for locating into the fuselage. The whole assembly is soft soldered for strength, Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 19, 2020 Author Share Posted October 19, 2020 Hi all, I've added the bungee type suspension cord to the axle ends, using 'EZ' heavy line (white). Also the half hoops at the axle ends, inboard from the base of the undercarriage struts. Made from annealed 0.4 mm diameter rod. Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 21, 2020 Author Share Posted October 21, 2020 Hi All, I've been working on the undersides of the Bristol, which had the lined doped in light blue to help reflect the heat whilst operating in Mesopotamia. First was to prime grey then mask off the wing ribs and fuselage longerons. Then pre-shade using 'Tamiya' Smoke (XF19). Lightly overspray with 'Tamiya' Light Blue (XF23). Then remove all masking and a final light top coat of the light blue. The propeller assembly was done at the same time. Now it's onto painting to top surfaces with PC10, which the 'Windsock' data file suggest would be correct (not the brown PC12 often used). Mike 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 22, 2020 Author Share Posted October 22, 2020 Hi all, The underside of the wings and fuselage were said to be a light blue colour, in order to reduce the absorbed heat reflected from the ground. It is thought the propeller spinner was of the same colour. The colour of the upper surfaces has been depicted as either a red/brown (PC 12) or an olive green (early PC10). The kit instructions and most colour profiles have the PC12 colour. However, the ‘Windsock’ Data file No:52 colour profile is PC10. As always the definition of colours from early monochrome photographs has always been problematic and the shade differences between PC10 and PC12 are no exception. The ’Windsock’ Data file states that it is possible that these aircraft were painted with PC12 when routed through the aircraft depot at Salonika, Greece. However, it was more likely the colour of aircraft operated in Macedonia was PC10, with the possible exception of No.72 Squadron. I decided to use the PC10 colour, based on the ‘Windsock’ data. The paint used was 'Hataka' lacquer Dark Olive Green (C301). Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 This is looking fantastic, Mike, absolutely superb! Kind regards, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaotic Mike Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Yep, a thing of rare beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Cracking extra details , great work, does look stunning. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 Hi all, I've replaced the kit supplied Vickers Mk.1 machine gun with one from 'GasPatch'. The actual aircraft had a ring site fitted to the weapon, which wasn't on the kit part, so I used a spare from a 'Wingnut Wings' Sopwith Camel kit, Mike 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 Hi all, I decided to employ the same technique I used for the Ansaldo 'Baby' and create the linen effect using the 'Aviattic' weave effect decal (ATT32236). This was not an easy task for the fuselage, as it has a round section which also tapers towards the rear of the fuselage. This meant that I couldn't apply the decal as large pieces, as they would have folded and creased as they were applied towards the tapered rear of the fuselage. Instead I had to cut multiple paper templates to span only two fuselage longerons at a time. Then trace these templates onto the decal sheet, cut out the decals and apply them one by one, which took 9 hours. However I think the effect may have justified the effort. Now it's onto the wings, ailerons, fin, tailplanes and elevators, which should be easier, Mike 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 Hi all, All decals applied now and weathering done. Weathering is a mix of 'Flory' Grime clay wash, 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set A, C and D (Gunmetal, Mud, Sand) and 'AK Interactive' enamel wash (Kerosene 2039 and Engine oil 2019). All seal in with 'Alclad' Light Sheen lacquer (ALC311). Now onto construction and rigging, Mike 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 Hi all, The back end has now been rigged with rudder and elevator control lines and fin cross bracing. Also the ailerons control lines are done, as is the undercarriage cross bracing. Now it's onto fitting and rigging the wings, Mike 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now