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Bell X1


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This is Revell's 1/32nd scale kit of the Bell X1 supersonic research aeroplane.

It is the one that was flown through the "sound barrier" by Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager on the 14th October 1947.

 

I engraved the panel lines and added a set of aftermarket seat belts.

The instrument dials came from the Airscale range.

I also added detail to the inner face of the cockpit access hatch.

 

XS1.jpg

 

XS2.jpg

 

XS4.jpg

 

XS5.jpg

 

XS9.jpg

 

XS10.jpg

 

XS11.jpg

 

XS13.jpg

 

XS15.jpg

 

Along side the X-15

 

XS18.jpg

 

Thanks for looking :)

Angelo

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Perfect build with an immaculate finish!

 

However (and this is purely my personal reflections and no criticism per se) – I just don't understand where this idea comes from, spraying darker shadows over each and every panel joint.  :spider:  It seems to have become some sort of en vogue mannerism that, as far as I can see, has nothing to do with realism. In particular a technical evaluation prototype would of course be kept scrupulously clean, so what are those shadings supposed to portray? :hmmm:

 

Just my 0.02€…

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

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3 hours ago, Spitfire31 said:

Perfect build with an immaculate finish!

 

However (and this is purely my personal reflections and no criticism per se) – I just don't understand where this idea comes from, spraying darker shadows over each and every panel joint.  :spider:  It seems to have become some sort of en vogue mannerism that, as far as I can see, has nothing to do with realism. In particular a technical evaluation prototype would of course be kept scrupulously clean, so what are those shadings supposed to portray? :hmmm:

 

Just my 0.02€…

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

Thanks for all your comments everyone, greatly appreciated.

 

Joachim, 

The process is called preshading and there are numerous photographs of real aeroplanes that show a darkening along panel lines caused by an accumulation of dirt.

The X-1 was tested at Muroc which later became Edwards Air Force Base.

It is in the desert and the X-1 though not a battered war plane, was hardly kept scrupulously clean as it spent a lot of time outside in strong sunlight and being sand blown by strong winds that blow across the vast dried up lake beds where the base was established.

 

At the end of the day I enjoy the look preshading gives to my models.

 

All the best,

Angelo 😀

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41 minutes ago, 72modeler said:

but where's the sawed-off broomstick? :giggle:

Mike

It's there, sitting on the ledge of the hatchway :)

 

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