danbuoy Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 (edited) Well, this is my first group build since joining Britmodeller. Must admit when I saw "Matchbox" I jumped at the chance. Even more so when I saw it was running until June 5th! So, my entry will be the ubiquitous Noorduyn Norseman; 110 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 111 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr I bought a Norseman kit off ebay last year, but stupidly didn't check it over when it arrived. Upon opening it in preparation for the group build, I discovered that the cockpit/cabin floor was missing. In despair, I put out a plea on BM, and as luck would have it @Black Knight had one for sale, so I snapped it up. Going to use the cabin floor piece to make a replacement part for the other kit. I quite fancied making the floatplane version at some point anyway! Lots of multi coloured plasticky goodness in true Matchbox style! 112 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Decals look OK too; 113 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Classic Matchbox instructions. I always liked the separate instructions for painting small parts that were a feature of these kits; 114 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr So, why mention "HACK" in the title? I know that there are already a couple of Norseman builds as part of this GB, but I will be doing a USAAF one. However, it won't be the version from the kit. I have a very big interest in the Eighth Air Force, and although the USAAF option is from 8th Air Force Service Command, I wanted to do one of the individual Bomb or Fighter Group aircraft. I got this book a few years ago; 116 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr It features all kinds of aircraft that the Eighth used for utility/communication purposes etc. Some real great ideas for other models in there, even a Heinkel 111 that was taken over by the 56th Fighter Group. As holidays in Suffolk were responsible for generating my interest in the Eighth, I wanted to do an aircraft from one of the airfields in this area. It also needed to be one without any complicated markings, or personal aircraft names that I wouldn't be able to reproduce. So, I have settled on this one, from the 490th Bomb Group, based at Eye; 117 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Looks like it should be fairly straightforward (famous last words!). Edited March 17, 2022 by danbuoy tagging other member 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Got started on this kit last night. Not much to report, as I spent most of the time, creating a new cabin floor for the other kit; 20220316_205433 (2) by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Still, got a few other bits painted on the sprues and it felt good to get under way. Will hopefully get the pilots finished next time. First question though, as I'm doing a NMF aircraft, what colour should the interior be? I know that not much of it will be seen, but I'd still like it to be as accurate as possible. Looked on Google for interior views, but most seem to be of civilian ones. 20220316_225131 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Great stuff Dan Delighted to see you in this GB and nice job on the replacement cockpit floor. I think you should paint it purple or some other bright colour if you want it to look like an original part Best of luck with these two. Cheers Pat 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Bit more progress last night, but seriously, where does the time go? Got some paint on the fuselage, and assembled the cockpit; 20220317_214601 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220317_222540 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220317_222525 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr I was surprised with the detail on the instrument panel (not that it bears any resemblance to an actual Norseman one). I was expecting just a blank piece of plastic. I know once inside the fuselage it will be all but invisible, but I decided to detail it up for 2 reasons. Firstly, I know its there and secondly its practice for when such things will be visible on other builds. Pilots not quite out of the ready room yet, but hopefully not far off installing them and the windows and getting the fuselage together. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Great to see you opening your BM GB account with the excellent Matchbox Norseman. Looks like a nice book you have there and one that may yield plenty of excellent and obscure modelling projects for a good while yet. I look forward to seeing this fine Norseman progress in good time. Cheers and best of luck.. Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 Thanks, yes, it's a great book. Lots of potential for some really unusual schemes. There were quite a few Norseman (Norsemen?) to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Bit more paint on plastic last night; 20220322_211225 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Made a start on the windscreen frame using a Posca paint pen; 20220322_213917 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Finished and installed the pilots. Used one of my wife's rock painting pens for the lifejackets. Possibly a bit too bright so may tone it down, but it may help them be seen through the thick transparancies; 20220322_223846 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 I like the pen tip for the windshield - very neat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 Bit more done last night. Windows fitted to inside of fuselage. I was able to use Glue n Glaze for this, but how people managed to do this kit back in the 80s etc using normal polystyrene cement without ruining the windows I've no idea!! norseman by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Got the wings and horizontal stabilisers assembled. Just need to add the flaps to the main wings; norseman2 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Then installed the pilots and got the fuselage together. This took a bit of work, especially with having to install the roof window. I just could not get the 2 halves together, so in the end, I dispensed with the wall at the end of the cabin floor. It can't be seen through the windows anyway. So, here it is, looking like some kind of rubbish budget AT-AT; norseman3 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 Squeezed in a bit of modelling in between holiday packing, so not much of an update, but an update nevertheless! Flaps added to main wings; norseman6 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Rudder fitted, to give my Norseman some direction in life; norseman5 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Plus some more parts on the sprue painted. Will try and give the engine a bit of a weathering; norseman4 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Gave the wings a few touch ups too. Next stage will be masking for the red stripes on them and the horizontal stabilisers. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Looks the business Dan Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 (edited) Tiny bit more done last night. Took ages faffing around with masking tape, but its ready for some red now. The eagle eyed amongst you, and those who are blind as a bat for that matter, will see that the flaps came off one wing. Decided to mask them up separately and reattach afterwards. Obviously used more glue on the other wing; norseman7 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr The side profile in my Hacks book doesn't state how wide the stripes should be, so I turned to this; 118 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr It says in here that the 490th Bomb Group's B-17s had wing stripes 48 inches wide, and 36 inches wide on the horizontal stabilisers, so I have gone with that, which equates to a smidge under 1.7cm and 1.3cm respectively. The book also states that it is Insignia Red, so that is what I shall use. This will probably be the last update for a couple of weeks, as off on holiday tomorrow! Edited March 31, 2022 by danbuoy 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted April 28, 2022 Author Share Posted April 28, 2022 Hi all, I've not forgotten my Norseman. Barely a week after our 2 week holiday, on Monday morning, we quite unexpectedly lost our dog. Massive shock to us all, and he will be hugely missed. Not in right frame of mind at all at the moment, but hoping to get back into modelling soon, and hopefully this will also help to take my mind off things. Still got just over a month to get it finished so hopefully will get there. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 5, 2022 Author Share Posted May 5, 2022 Managed to get in a quick hour or so on the Norseman last night. Felt good to be back modelling again, and hoping to crack on with this more next week. Got first coat of the red on. Was tempted to leave it at that, as I thought a slightly faded look would be quite appropriate, but I will give it another coat. 20220504_211532 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220504_211516 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 This is coming along very well indeed. It looks a very interesting scheme, and top marks to you for finding something a little off the beaten track. Cheers, Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 That is a great scheme, looking good so far. Sorry to hear about your dog too, hope the modelling is helping. Great start Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 6, 2022 Author Share Posted May 6, 2022 Thanks @Ray S and @bigbadbadge, yes it felt good to be modelling again, even if it was only for an hour. Will get back into it more next week. There are some nice schemes in that Hacks book. Was quite tempted by the 357th Fighter Group Norseman, but felt the red and yellow checkerboard cowling was beyond me, plus it had an individual aircraft name that would have been impossible to find a decal for! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 11, 2022 Author Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Got the masking finished last night. Needed a couple of small touch ups, but I'm pleased with how this is looking. 20220510_214216(1) by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220510_214255 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Also got the anti glare panel done. Again, it needed a slight touch up, but that is now most of the painting out of the way. Cowling just dry fitted for the photo. 20220510_220531 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Time to get some bits stuck together! One question, Matchbox doesn't give a paint colour for the exhaust. In the plan on the back it looks rust coloured, but on some versions of this kit I have seen, it has been painted more of a gunmetal type colour. I may go with the latter, but open to suggestions! Edited May 11, 2022 by danbuoy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 This looks lovely, great job the stripes really fo add some visible interest. I use a very dark brown for exhausts and drybrush some lighter colours to add interest or use a bronze mixed with gun metal to add a slight sheen. Great work on this Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 11, 2022 Author Share Posted May 11, 2022 Thanks! That sounds like a good idea for the exhaust, I'll give it a whirl. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 12, 2022 Author Share Posted May 12, 2022 Got some bits stuck together last night. Horizontal stabilisers, engine and cowling all attached. Leaving the prop off until the end. 20220511_204656 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Struts added to wings (and flaps reinstated on one wing). 20220511_205809 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Windscreen added, so the pilots can finally remove their goggles. This was a bit of faff as the fit isn't great. It will need a slight touch up too. 20220511_211533 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Wheel support bits added 20220511_212515 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr So this is how the Norseman is looking now. Hopefully will get the wings on next time. 20220511_212539 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Gave the exhaust a coat of Humbrol 113 matt rust, then drybrushed some 53 gunmetal over it. Will get this added next time too. 20220511_215513 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Looking good! Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Good to see another Norseman on the benches and this is coming along nicely. I must admit I didn't fancy my chances of getting the prop attached to the tiny pin supplied, and went my own way with that fitting, so good luck when the time comes 🍀👍 Looking great 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 Yes, I have had the same thoughts about the prop, that pin looks awfully short. Will see how I get on with it. I don't think I will be spinning it and flying it round the room though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuoy Posted May 18, 2022 Author Share Posted May 18, 2022 Getting close to the finishing line now with this. Wings and struts now on. Struts are a bit of a fiddle as they have 3 points of contact. Wings actually just slotted into place as they were a nice snug fit. 20220516_212029 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Exhaust and steps fitted. 20220516_213213 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220516_215406 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Main wheels and tailwheel and pitot tube all attached. 20220517_211428 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220517_211433 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr So, this is how the Norseman is currently looking; 20220517_215719 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220517_215817 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220517_215841 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr 20220517_215951 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Just got the prop, and aerials to fit, but I'm leaving these until last. Next stage is getting the decals on. I'll be using the kit decals for the stars and bars, propeller, NO STEP markings etc, but not sure at the moment what to do about the serial number and aircraft letter; 20220517_220003 by Dan Hardy, on Flickr Got nothing suitable in the spares box, so need to find a decal sheet I can use, but not found anything yet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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