Icarus Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Good afternoon. I wasn't quite sure which version of this great looking kit to make, but I see the No.25 Sqn option is progressing smoothly through a build on this forum, so the all black one it is. Which is probably what I wanted anyway, as a primer for a whole flock of RAF WW2 night fighter builds that is rattling around in my imagination... Anyway, here we go for starters: Now, just the minor matter of completing the "Unarmed GB" Kittyhawk 1/48 ETPS Jaguar T2 and a commissioned 1/48 PZL P.23B first, so it may be a little while before I update this... Thanks for looking, Icarus 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Great choice Icarus Best of luck with this one. Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Good luck with the other kits and hopefully see you back here soon! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Another 48 Blenheim, great to see Icarus. We’ll look forward to seeing your progress and compare notes. Cheers.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortyEighter Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Any progress on this one Icarus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted July 24, 2021 Author Share Posted July 24, 2021 (edited) Afraid not - with increased clinical duties at the moment no real time for model making. The ETPS Jaguar over in the Unarmed GB is static at the moment as well, although I was hoping to put some decals on that tonight. Edited July 26, 2021 by Icarus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted August 21, 2021 Author Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) Right, so finally I managed to carve out a bit of time to get this started. As you can see, the cockpit is largely done, but you will also see from the abrasion/sanding marks on this, and the extensive clamping, that something seems to have gone a bit awry. I can only think that this is a mistake I made earlier on with the building up of that flooring construction. ### Test fitting of the other fuselage side looks ok now. Shame, because the amount of detail in this kit is outstanding, and perhaps the sheer joy of making this kit meant I didn't concentrate enough. Hopefully there will be no more issues. Thanks for looking, Icarus Edited August 23, 2021 by Icarus 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 Despite the earlier (self-induced) complications, eventually the fuselage came together fine. Just working on the undercarriage mechanisms here - wonderful engineering from Airfix. This is a joy to make. Thanks for looking, Icarus 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 17 hours ago, Icarus said: This is a joy to make. …and I thought the 1/72 version was packed with detail. The kit looks amazing and your build is showing it off a treat. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 All starting to come together now. I am just about to add the transparencies - I see some have had issues here, although based on the rest of the build I am hopeful. Given this is the Bristol GB, I thought I should get my two out for show (!) Thanks for looking, Icarus 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 So, last night I had lots of fun trying to get the transparencies to fit (and stay in place!). In the end it worked out ok - now the minor task of masking all of this before an initial coat of interior green... Irritatingly, due to the build's logic, I have had to attached the undercarriage early. Unsurprisingly, they are already getting some collateral damage, with one of the oleos shearing off. Not good. Thank you for looking, Icarus 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Looks like Airfix Blenheims have to give you a run for your money in 1/48 as well as 1/72! Quietly confident that you will fix it Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 I have now added the wingtip and landing light covers. I sprayed the areas I want to have some wear and tear showing through with Alclad Airframe Al, then freckled on some overlying Maskol with a old flat brush, ready for eventual removal. I then primed with Halfords Grey Primer... Absolutely no touching up or filling needed - a testament to Airfix's engineering here. Note, the flaps are just held in place with Blu-Tak. Note also that I will add the ventral gun pack later. Now for the main black colour, which will be Tamiya X-1 built up in thin layers. I will matt it down later after revealing the wear and tear. Thanks for looking, Icarus 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 Also available in black... Good old X-1. Probably needs one more layer, then I can probably add the decals directly without the usual gloss varnish (famous last words) Thanks for looking, Icarus 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 24, 2021 Author Share Posted September 24, 2021 So, decals now on, and I have started some of the chipping/weathering. Will stop now, and finish the engines/wheels/gun turret, add some engine exhaust stains then mute everything down with a semi-matte varnish before removing the masks. Decals performed flawlessly, and sunk well into the lovely surface detail with just a little bit of Micro Sol. Hoping to have this largely complete this weekend. Thanks for looking, Icarus 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Looks very striking in black. I think your turret is a bit too high though Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 (edited) Thanks Adrian - hoping to get the more streamlined version built and added this weekend! Thanks for looking, Icarus Edited September 25, 2021 by Icarus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 (edited) Now with engines, wheels (which are not visible in this shot!) and dorsal gun turret. I have not yet fully glued the transparency for the latter on - will do that after the oil pin wash then the final semi-matt varnish. Those odd scratches will e muted out with micro-mesh polishing. I will add the propellers after unmasking the canopies, then the last little delicate bits, then hopefully we're done. Thanks for looking, Icarus Edited September 29, 2021 by Icarus 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 Looks very cool in black! Love the progress, looking forward to it appearing in the gallery. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 (edited) Now complete. A wonderful kit to build - well done Airfix. I'll take some better photos later and put them in the Gallery. Now off to the French Fancy II GB... Thanks for looking, Icarus Edited October 1, 2021 by Icarus 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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