Courageous Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 While on ponder on paint for the Me 209V1, I thought I'd start this since it's on the top of a recent purchase pile, a Piper L-4H on floats by Mistercraft in 1/72. Usual bumf... Box art Some plastic Some glazing, decals for 4 airframes and instructions. I have been informed that the scheme of 'choice' is a pretty one; yellow or red/white, she hasn't decided yet. Some plastic to get on with. Two sink marks on the cockpit sides have been dealt with, the smaller parts didn't need much cleaning at all. I have never met a Mistercraft kit before, so I didn't know what to suspect but seeing that it's also Kopro/ KP/ Smer adds to the tension. The raised ribs on the wings and fuselage are a little proud, so they'll need to be knocked back. As far as I can tell the aircraft are pretty sparse, the kit doesn't have any throttles, they must be there somewhere, other stuff too surely? Stuart 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Some nice interior shots there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted June 28, 2022 Author Share Posted June 28, 2022 2 hours ago, John_W said: Some nice interior shots there. Cheers for that John. Recently found this lot: https://www.airplanephoto.net/walkarounds/piper/index.htm . Looking through all those pics, I'm wondering where is the console for the guy at the back, possibly overhead in pic no. 52? Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted June 29, 2022 Author Share Posted June 29, 2022 Working on the cockpit. Things like throttles, trim and other knobs were added to the left wall. Decided to make an executive decision to display it with the cockpit open, so out came the door on the right side. Other things that I've noted is that the area behind the passenger/co-pilot seat is closed in. Pics show a fire extinguisher between the pilots feet but I'm not sure that this was period or a modern day requirement(?) Thought there would be seat harnesses of a sorts but were they 4-point or just lap belts? Little things to sort out. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 1, 2022 Author Share Posted July 1, 2022 What can I say, sparse interior was sparsely painted. Just as well I added a few simple details. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 This bit was a PITA... Instructions call for you to attach the propeller to the engine before fitting the engine and hen close up . A drill bit that was the same size as the propeller shaft was used to aid fitting but with little or no glue points a bit of a 'Heath Robinson' arrangement was needed. Plastic bits were used to attach the engine to rear of console and another bit down at the bottom. Why didn't they keep things simple; no engine, closed in fuselage with some holes to fit cylinders heads . I did paint and highlight the engine but the drama of fitting the thing has caused a little rework, ho-hum. With the engine, the fuselage halves were joined and joints mad good. Rear seat back support was fitted to size, painted and some 'belts' added. I've seen pics of this rear area of the cockpit being closed-in, so that's what I've done. Just got to clean it up and add panels(?) to the horizontal face. Stuart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 5, 2022 Author Share Posted July 5, 2022 Panels added to 'parcel shelf'. Now the awkward bit... The cockpit bracing, straight forward you'd think but no, the kit bracing in my view is incorrect and is rather awkward...nightmare. Firstly, part 25 is the wing, part 17 is the forward part of the bracing and connects onto it. Part 19 is the middle bracing, wrong shape, too long and also needs to connect to the wing. The rear bracing moves forward, parts 18+20, are now short, angle incorrect and also part 18 should to part 20 TL to BR and not TR to BL (viewed from outside). Pics here will show you what I mean. The thing is, the instructions want you to fit the bracing before the glazing/wing! The plan is Fit side windows first, not forgetting that the door is open. Fit roof glazing to wing. Fit part19 (modified) into wing/roof assy. Make new rear bracing to fit. When happy, fit wing/roof assy. Fit forward bracing part 17 to wing centre section. Fit front window. The things we do... Stuart 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 Hot weather slowing things up but we're moving forward... LS window in place to check for height and to aid measuring for the internal bracing. The middle section bracing has been shortened and corrected and fitted into the top glazing. Fitted the RS glazing which has had the door section removed. New rear bracing made and fitted. And the wing goes on and all looks good. Stuart 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Nice, Stuart. I love the Cub and your build looks just right Martin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 10 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: I love the Cub and your build looks just right A Cub, a Cub, it's a Grasshopper, thanks anyway Martin Forward bracing in and although no photo, front window is also in. Stuart 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Nice choice of subjects as ever Stuart. Like @RidgeRunner, I do love a Cub Grasshopper ......... On 6/28/2022 at 4:27 PM, Courageous said: I have been informed that the scheme of 'choice' is a pretty one; yellow or red/white, she hasn't decided yet. Clearly a lady with an eye for good schemes! Can we assume this one will be set in a "water" base, as is your usual practice? Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 24 minutes ago, Terry1954 said: Can we assume this one will be set in a "water" base, as is your usual practice? Glad you like Terry and yes indeed, I'm thinking of it moored to a small jetty or pontoon. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 14, 2022 Author Share Posted July 14, 2022 Had the afternoon at the bench... Tail feathers on, just some bracing to be added later. Wing braces, exhausts and carburettor intake added. Glazing masked and cockpit filled with foam to prevent ingress . Float assembly built with the addition of a 'step' added to the right float support and some rudders (not in the kit) for the back end, how are you going to steer the bloomin' thing. And everything together and ready for some primer but... Looking at the schemes, remembering that my options were to do a 'pretty' one; overall yellow or the red/white , we hit a problem. These two options were both post WW2 a/c, instructions quote '3a+3' but no 3a red bar decals were in this factory sealed kit . Post war USAF stars/bars decals ordered... Stuart 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 …and I thought Storches were a pain to put together in the canopy department! Nice methodical construction and a great result. Stars and bars. Can’t you just cut out a bit of red stripe from another decal? ISTR that at least one set of aftermarket decals just gives you the stripes as exactly that option to add to the plain ones. Mind you, if you have already ordered… Does the door hinge upwards? It seems like a very big opening. Regards, Adrian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Lovely, mate 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 15, 2022 Author Share Posted July 15, 2022 15 hours ago, AdrianMF said: and I thought Storches were a pain to put together It was a bit of a PITA and I'm pretty sure that they could've moulded the the rear glazing as one. 15 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Nice methodical construction and a great result. Thanks Adrian, much appreciated. Thought I'd show a build as there doesn't seem to be any on BM? 15 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Stars and bars. I did think about it but a set would cover future eventualities. 15 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Does the door hinge upwards? It seems like a very big opening. Indeed it does but this pic shows the gaping hole. 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: Lovely, mate The 'Cub' is taking shape . Stuart 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 1 minute ago, Courageous said: The 'Cub' is taking shape . and nicely too, mate. Whether a Cub or a Grasshopper, I have always liked the basic type. I'm looking forward to seeing her 'floating'! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 17, 2022 Author Share Posted July 17, 2022 Phew it's hot! Xtracrylix white overall, Tamiya AS-12 for the float assembly and the propeller was base coated with Vallejo Iraqi Sand before a layer of Burnt Umber oil paint was applied. Got to repaint the engines, not sure why I painted them so early any way. Stuart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 25, 2022 Author Share Posted July 25, 2022 Having now acquired the paint and got weekend out of the way... Revell's Acrylic Carmine red is applied. First time I've airbrushed their acrylics and had trouble spraying it, even with a 50/50 mixture. I think I may need to get some retarder for future jobs. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 27 minutes ago, Courageous said: had trouble spraying it Looks good though! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 20 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: Looks good though! Regards, Adrian Have to ahree, looks the biz! Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 22 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: Looks good though! absolutely 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 @AdrianMF @Terry1954 @RidgeRunner Cheers guys but we have another hold up, again decals. Using the kit decals as reference for size, I applied the fuselage star/bars. Okay but they looked a little big but left them alone. Next I tried with wing star/bars and it was too big, so I chose the next size down and is the pic above. As can be seen, the 'USAF' should be about half the wing chord, the tail codes were no better. So, for those out there with this kit, be very suspicious about the decal scale. I have now ordered a set of USAF letter/numbers...another build pushed to the side . Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Thanks for the warning, Stuart! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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