Czech 1/72 Ba-33 Vacform

[Marklo]

Nice work so far. My go to for struts are shaved cocktail sticks (aka toothpicks in foreign climes) 

 

WIP ON MY 1/48 Oertz

 

The finished article 

['V']

Hi Marklo,

 

Most certainly 'Cocktail Sticks', and looking at that you deserved a few of the drinks they could have come with !

An interesting aircraft that until this I didn't know existed. Although I think I'd have preferred to stay in a launch

and just watch attempts to fly it..

 

Not much real progress, but to non-vacform builders they will be shocked by how thin and light parts can be.

This kit came with a resin motor front, not brilliant, but better than the raw vacformed front.

For good, or bad, I decided to cut the front off, see how thin the plastic is.

 

 

On to this I fitted a bulkhead. Now of course I'm wondering what will be the best way to stick the resin on. Sometimes you

can get away with using an aggressive liquid poly like Humbrol, where the liquified surface grabs resin, or even metal.

This area will be under strain as I continue the build so not happy to do that.

 

 

I daren't use superglue as it'll go off before I'm happy with the alignment of this complex shape. I may have to buy something

else. Araldite ?? I'll have to look for a slow bond glue.

 

'V'

[Courageous]

I believe Superglue Gel has slower curing time, so gives you a bit of wiggle time.

 

Stuart

['V']

Hi Courageous,

 

After much thinking I agree, Gel is slower going off and if given a generous blob is even slower.

I'm still struggling with filler though. The local shop only has Humbrol and I'm not happy with it.

This is concerning as with vacforms you get more requirement for fillers. I need a lot to blend the

motor front on.

Here with gun ports opened.

 

 

'V'

[Courageous]

4 hours ago, 'V' said:

I'm still struggling with filler though.

Glad the Gel worked. As for filler, I've always liked Squadron but that's out nowadays.

 

Stuart

['V']

Likewise Courageous, it was all I used for years, probably 25 years !!

Remove Greenstuff and half my remaining aircraft collection would fall to pieces.

Blending resin engine & inner wing intakes into Matchbox Victors for B1, B1A, B2.

 

There MUST be something ?????????????

 

'V'

['V']

As a complete novice in working with Humbrol filler I feel this application has almost worked.

The head fairing was cut short, not enough 'flow' to it so I masked, filled, left for a few days and :-

 

 

I'm hoping a few coats of brush painting will skin hard enough for a final smoothing.

Using the final overall paint colour I've painted over the resin motor to fuselage joint.

This needs blending in particularly underneath where the profile shows quite a dip.

Small air bubble traces will be filled with superglue on a pin point.

 

 

Note how I'm reducing the fuselage joining seam. I do this gradually so as not to sand through

the very thin joint, believe me I've done it !

 

Slow progress. Thank heavens this doesn't have much wire rigging.

 

'V'

['V']

Old ? Yes, not just me and the kit, but how many are using 27 year old paint ?

The prop has been re-built to a degree using superglue & bicarbonate of soda

and I fancy trying to get some laminated effect. First a coat with my 27 year old

ocre, this will then have mahogany stripes added. Don't ask me how. I've seen it

on models, but never tried it myself !!

 

 

You can clearly see the 1994 marking from when I was a civilian instructor with the

ATC.

 

This si going to be a slow job

 

'V'

['V']

Progress of a sort.

The instrument panel now manipulated into place. The individual instrument

faces are Kristal Klear with a touch of black water colour mixed in & fed on from

the back prior to attaching.

The main brass interplane struts are superglued into the lower wing, but I fear much more

work to do before fixing the upper wing in place. I have to add gun sight tube, engine front

gunnery bead, screen and sort out the prop fixing.

I bought some Humbrol 102, 'Army Green' at the weekend and it's the nearest  I can find

that looks anywhere near the colour photo on the front of the BH33 book.

All hand painted with many coats taken back with fine wet-n-dry. All back to basic 1970's

technology.

 

 

 

I said I wasn't going to rush. This is an experiment to see if I want to fall back into aircraft

modelling again. It has taken on an extra dimension as I followed up Patric's information

regarding Jan Ambrus the leader of the Czech Aerobatic Group.  During WWII he ended

up in the RAF.

 

'V'

[Courageous]

On 11/15/2021 at 9:55 AM, 'V' said:

This is an experiment to see if I want to fall back into aircraft

modelling again.

Could've chosen an easier subject than a biplane...not everyone's 'cup of tea'.

 

Stuart

 

[Marklo]

On 11/5/2021 at 8:13 PM, 'V' said:

daren't use superglue as it'll go off before I'm happy with the alignment of this complex shape. I may have to buy something

else. Araldite ?? I'll have to look for a slow bond glue.

 

The more specialist superglue dries slower, I tend to buy bottles as I see them. Tec7 is very thin and slow but comes with an accelerator so you czn position a part then set it with an acceleratr spray (baking soda also works BTW) gorilla glue gel is pretty slow. I also like the zzap a gap products which comes in a range of viscosities  and setting times. 

 

The other one to try is uv cure glue you'll get a bottle along with a uv led torch on ebay for fairly small money, you glue the parts then zap them with the torch to set the joint. 

Edited November 17, 2021 by Marklo

['V']

He, He, Courageous,

 

While I know you're right, the alternative was just NOT going to work. I know I should tidy-up a few old outstanding jobs

but this one will await a higher enthusiasm level. The wings for my 1/72 IL76 are still undamaged, I know where the bag is

with everything else in it, not ready to begin this challenge again !!

 

 

Marklo

 

I have heard about this UV setting filler/adhesive. Depending on price I will see if I think it's worth the investment. Certainly the

non-availability of Green Stuff, or whatever the last issue was called, is causing me problems with fine filling.

Luckily the Ba-33 resin engine went on O.K with a generous blob of Gel superglue.

 

Next I think it's the undercarriage, most of which will be scratch built with some 0.35 mm phosphor Bronze wire as the stiffener

in plastic microstrip.

 

'V'

['V']

The 'Ouch' period begins.

undercarriage, some of which needs to be scratch built.

the plans ;-

 

 

 

the main axle should have a kink, but the resin part supplied is straight

both side supports were shallow vacforms

 

 

would you believe it I managed to extract 2 more, or less usable parts, but last evening one went missing off the kitchen table.

I've searched around and no trace. Right, construct another from shreds of scrap plastic. they need reinforcing and I've stuck

some fine wire on the inside. I'll probably fill in the rear with superglue to fully enclose the wire.

Resting together in a rough jig to try and get the best sit I can.

 

 

 

This is going to be the most difficult part of this build. I need a little luck, not parts going missing 11

 

'v'

Edited November 18, 2021 by 'V'
Trying to alter signature lines - Fail

['V']

First I did eventually find how to delete items off my signature lines. Deleting all except reference to the IL-76, one day I'll get back to it ?

 

Things are going to slow down here, but to bring this fully up to date.

Having had to make one undercarriage side after loosing an original I decided I must reinforce with fine brass wire for strength, not the phosphor bronze

as originally planned - the brass came to hand first !!

 

I'd never tried fully embedding wire under superglue. It was just tacked on and later flooded with glue, then dunked on to bicarbonate of soda for an

instant set. It doesn't look very nice afterwards, needing loads of cleaning up.

 

 

I'll need to touch in with more glue off a pin as there are a few defects. To help me see the defects I've given a quick coat of paint. As you can see the wire

is now fully hidden. After the repairs I'll re-profile to the shape I want and it should give me the strong pieces I need.

The main axle beam has been cut and re-joined with a V pointing forward.

Sorry about the poor focus.

 

 

This is not intended to be a blemish free accurate model, but I'm hoping it'll look like a Ba-33.

I've been studying photos and can't see any trace of navigation lights, did they only fly in daylight hours ??

 

Off to do a couple of railway wagon kits, hence some delay.

 

'V'

 

[Jonners]

Nicely done, V; good to see 'old school' techniques working well.

Jon

['V']

Thanks Jonners,

 

'Old School' - Hey Cyno glue is New to me !!

I never did get along with balsa wood, talcum powder and dope, those conversions were before me, real old time.

Having now seen some of your work I feel I have a long way to go.

 

'V'

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Nice work V, it is good to see a vac form build.  I have built several contrail vacs with the aid of Scale Aviation News plans and Green Stuff and Miliput.  Very impressed with your metal working and other techniques.  Following with interest.

Colin

['V']

Thanks for the comment Colin,

 

Sorry I missed it for a week, been busy making up some railway wagon kits.

I quite enjoy the challenge of Vacforms and the gain is that you'll probably not come across another model from the same kit.

Just thinking if I should get back and work out if I can do the IL-76 justice. All depends on fillers !!

 

While on the subject of fillers I didn't get along with my Humbrol. To start with it was too 'wet' not enough body and became stringy

to my applicator (A small electrical screwdriver blade). Yesterday I had another go and it worked quite well, perhaps new tubes need

some content removing before they settle down ??

 

Anyway although railway wagons are the current priority I have done that filling along the bottom seam.

Continued sanding the prop and now have it on a shaft (Dressmaking pin). In addition added three reinforcing ribs under the upper wing

centre where Ba-33s had an additional fuel tank.

 

 

Ahh here are 2 of the 4 wagons under construction. Until finished I will be rather quiet on here.

 

 

'V'

['V']

Phew,

 

Back as far as page 6 to find this.

Now the windscreen has been found I've done a few more bits, like the tail skid and wire step,

plus the two small trim, or anti-flutter tabs on the ailerons  Now awaiting attaching of the undercarriage

and wheels.

Then a better paint layer and decals. I'll have to start searching my decal stock, 3 boxes to look through. 

 

 

That sheet of embossed plastic beginning to look like an aircraft.

The apparent success of this has me working on the IL-76. Let's see if the enthusiasm will cope with that !!

 

'V'

['V']

I've been sorting through a few more books and find I have 2 copies of Aircam Aviation Series S5 for the Czechoslovakian Air Force 1918 - 1970.

 

If anyone U.K based, who is interested in the Czech Air Force and would like this sent to them FOC & postage paid please send me a message.

 

The book has already been through several owners, but is in good condition.

I believe I came by it when founder and leader of the Czech & Slovak Special Interest Group of the IPMS(UK). That group closed when I was no longer

able to carry out as I would have wished and there was nobody wishing to take it on.

 

There are many interesting aircraft mentioned. I still have another unusual Vacform here of the Avia A11/A12 1920's biplane.

 

'V'

['V']

Today I sorted through 3 boxes out of 4 I have packed with decals, looking for markings for

this model. I've found sheets from 'Extra Tech' and 'Tally Ho' both Czech based products, but

I'm still stuck for the '1' & a 'P' in white. Think I may obtain by cutting down a 'R' and making

 a '1' from white decal sheet.

 

 

Having looked at the Vacform for an Avia A11/A12 sitting in the loft it's nice to know I have loads of

flag shape insignias, That makes it a future possibility.

 

Can't be many on here with an interest in the Czech Air Force as no response regarding the free book.

Anyway I still have to attach the undercarriage plus sorting a few other small parts. This is where

I'm always in danger of wandering off into something else.

 

'V'

 

[AdrianMF]

It’s looking very nice indeed. Vacforms are always a bit of a challenge!

 

Regards,

Adrian

['V']

Thanks for the support Adrian,

 

Getting nearer, standing on it's gear, which sadly is the weakest part of this kit.

I suppose I could spend weeks scratch building parts that give me a better look

and sit. However I did say it was a test to see if I enjoyed making aircraft models

again. A vacform was perhaps a stupid choice, but so far it's been an enjoyable

trip.

 

 

 

HOWEVER it really needs some rigging, not a lot, but it needs to have something.

Here it sits with a loose top wing, needing inner interplane struts finishing, guns

fitting a couple of other odds, a repaint and decals

A little while before it's done.

 

'V'

[Ray S]

It is coming along very well indeed @'V', and an interesting subject. You have had some great ways of solving issues too.

 

Ray

['V']

Thanks for the comment & likes guys,

 

 

Windscreen that went missing now in place and frame painted ! Can't loose it now.

I have 9 more small bits to add now then decaling.

I still fancy trying to get a laminated wood effect on the prop. It's now had a gloss finish

and I'm hoping this will help trying to get a streaky effect from the final colour meant to

represent dark wood strips. If you don't try you can never succeed.

 

When I was doing my 14 years as a model making instructor with the ATC, almost 40 years ago, I'd always say :-

First step is the hardest

If you never try you can never succeed

Success is built on your earlier failures.

 

Next just could be another early Czech biplane vacform.

 

'V'