AdrianMF Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Right. SPADs, Nieuport, Albacore and Pfalzes all done and dusted, time to get on with a proper pointy aeroplane in the Century Fighters GB. No propellers, no rigging, no canvas, no nonsense: Oh. Ah, yes, well, er… I bought this one as a bagged bargain at the Shuttleworth show back in February. Plastic is Eastern Express, ex Toko: Note the short shot elevator, easily fixed. Decals include some questionable wood effect and camouflage, with decent looking personal markings and insignia, if they don’t break up: Interior is pretty nice out of the box (with wine bottle foil seat belts): And it matches the Harleyford plans pretty well, FWIW: I’ve decided to ignore the tailplane mismatch. If you move it forward the span increases and the shortfall is all in the elevators, which seem to be shorter than the plan in pictures. I’m in the middle of building in a bit of brass tube so I can add a moveable propeller later in the build, because something tells me there will be a lot of fiddling with this one! So why, oh why? I was just curious about how the “X” wing struts were going to fit together, and one thing led to another… At least there will be no interplane rigging! 22 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Looks like another quickie weekend build... Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 4 minutes ago, Courageous said: Looks like another quickie weekend build... I’ll try for a week. But the F-102 is calling…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 So, brass tube for the prop is mounted with a bit of card and lashings of superglue: And the fuselage is stuck together, checking that the propeller mounting is straight and true: 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 I built the Toko one years ago and never did get the X struts looking right, 3D puzzle that requires at least one extra pair of hands to assemble. Good luck, although I’m sure you’ll manage it better than I did. AW 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 “I have a cunning plan.” If it’s anything like the cunning plan I had for building the FROG Shark it will result in two years on the shelf of doom and a rebuild as a folded wings version when I realise I’ve screwed it up irrevocably. Oh, hang on, the wings don’t fold on this one… Regards, Adrian 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 I'll be the first to say I don't remember the D.I having an extended propeller shaft like that. Right, I'll get me coat... Best Regards, Jason 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyO Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 (edited) Excellent work so far. (Although I was unaware that they were fitted with ejector seats)🤣 The removable prop on the DR1 I built used a thin brass wire sliding into a tube, but I'll be honest I didn't check the alignment as thoroughly as you Adrian on the basis that it's not going to spin so would be easy enough to tweak to get looking right. Colour schemes are interesting as well so it'll be good to see how it comes together. I'm settling in with popcorn and coffee waiting for the next instalment . . . 😃 Paul Edited July 31, 2022 by DaddyO typo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Lovely work so far. I do like the DI, it’s on my list but it’s a long list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 5 hours ago, DaddyO said: Colour schemes Thanks Paul. I’m still looking at those, but I think my money is currently on the one with the black hand in a white diamond, which has the late style tail fin, with natural wood fuselage, covered engine and plain linen wings. I haven’t seen anything that looks like the camouflage decal that you get from Eastern Express! 1 hour ago, Marklo said: Lovely work so far Thanks Mark. It always looks quite promising until I get to the struttery! Have to say, it’s a nice build so far, although I’ve been drilling out locating holes and tidying up locating lugs. …Talking of which, here’s the lower wing jigged up and hopefully setting: Time for a spot of lunch while that dries, then if it’s set enough to move I might actually do some work on the F-102A! Regards, Adrian 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Forget the hot air thingy. You're doing fine with these proper aeroplanes! Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 14 minutes ago, Brandy said: Forget the hot air thingy I’m alternating between, and I’m still having fun with this one: 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 Right. Wings. X struts. Toko thoughtfully give you two “X”s. So let’s put those on the top wing and set the inter-wing gap of 2.1 cm: At this point it looks like it’s all over bar the shouting: Obviously fine tuning, stupid mistakes, tears and repairs will be involved, and possibly even remaking some of the other struts, but I have to say I’m a bit disappointed! Pride comes before a fall. Watch this space… Regards, Adrian 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 Next set is on: It comes up a teeny bit short of the locating holes in the lower wing but a gentle push might spread them a bit: Toko did a really nice job on this kit, despite the rather odd shapes of the ends of the struts. I need to get some painting done! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2022 Author Share Posted July 31, 2022 Got the base coat for the wood on and I’ve primed the wings: The last “V” strut (not shown) looks like it might fit as well! 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Good job with the struts, I’m inspired to pull mine apart and attempt to rebuild it….. AW 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 18 hours ago, AdrianMF said: a gentle push might spread them a bit: As the bishop said to the actress. Where's @CedB when you need him? Coming along rather speedily, and looking good too! Ian 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 2 hours ago, Brandy said: As the bishop said to the actress. 🙄 16 hours ago, Andwil said: I’m inspired to pull mine apart and attempt to rebuild it….. I'm not counting my chickens yet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 These airframes seem to have been quite dark on the outside. Just a little trial run at the wood: The base coat is Humbrol 94 and the top coat under the cockpit is Revell 84 Lederbraun with a touch of Hu 70 mixed abou 1:2 with the slow drying gel medium. The rear panel is Hu 160, but I think that lacks depth. Compare and contrast with the wood effect decal shown at the start of the topic! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 This is looking very good indeed. Fingers crossed that the remaining struts will behave as well as the others and that they will fit into the holes in the lower wing. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 11 minutes ago, pheonix said: they will fit into the holes in the lower wing Thanks P. The struts don’t have locating pins per se. A picture is worth a thousand words here: So I might just glue these to the surface of the wing in a butt joint, and then add a sliver of card or filler to run down to a point. The extra mm or two should just get me across the hole. That’s what I did under the top wing. Regards, Adrian 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 That fast ?? I find the thread and the plane is almost finished !! Well done Adrian... These X shaped struts look like a nightmare to me.... Sincerely. CC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 6 hours ago, corsaircorp said: These X shaped struts look like a nightmare to me.... All struts are a nightmare to me Regards, Adrian 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 7 hours ago, corsaircorp said: That fast ?? I find the thread and the plane is almost finished !! Ditto CC but 7 hours even later….. Always a pleasure to see you ‘strutting’ your stuff Adrian (sorry) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 15 hours ago, Fritag said: Always a pleasure to see you ‘strutting’ your stuff Oouff! I’m sure you “wooden’t” be able to find a pun for the next bit: 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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