1/72nd Mikro Mir AW52 'Flying Wing' Finished and in Ready for Inspection in Aircraft Modelling

[John R]

I have seen another one built. The builder said that he did not bother with most of the internals as they were completely hidden once assembled. He also fitted the outer wing panels to the centre section before joining them as you and I did. This left a gaping hole along the leading edge which was then filled with Milliput.

[Mr T]

I did toy with that, but my workspace is small, and I am clumsy.  Added to which, I have almost naive trust in manufacturers. Well, what a difference a couple of days makes. Wings, fins and cockpit on and now cleaned up ready for the first coat of primer that will indicate how much is going to need to be filled again.

It really is quite a big aeroplane.

I was watching the 1936 film 'Things To Come' the other night. The AW52 would not look out of place with some of the designs of the wings over the World aircraft. OT, but the Wells/Corda film is really of its time. It is amazing how, after thirty years of war and the loss of most civilised refinements, most of the inhabitants of Everytown still speak impeccable Received English. Also, I am not sure that Cabals' (Richard Massie) black clad minions are politically a great deal better than the warlords they seek to replace, especially at the end when they are going to suppress dissent by gassing (albeit non-lethally) the protestors.  On a more serious note, it does illustrate the anxiety about the use of gas against civilian populations, and the idea that the 'bomber will always get through' and wreak total destruction very quickly. One of the best parts of the film is, of course, the dogfight between the DeHavilland TK2 and the High Speed Fury. 

[John R]

You sem to have got away with much less filler than I expected. I wonder if I got something from a pre-production batch.

Anyway, well done for perseverance. It looks as if it is gioing to turn out well.

I lost my trust/respect for manufacturers many years ago.

John

[Col.]

Hopefully the primer coat doesn't reveal too much extra work.

[Mr T]

I did some fiddling with the centre selection and wings some time back and that might have helpful. Looking a the parts, there is plenty of potential for warping and I used the engine etc to help keep the fuselage shape. 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Taking shape now, looking forward to paint and decals. 

[TimJ]

Looking good so far. 

[Mr T]

Real progress with this model now. The paint is on, Halfords White Primer followed by Appliance White. Everything has been left a few days to harden, and tonight should see the ten or so decals going on. Much happier with the kit now that paint has gone reasonably well.

I fiddled with the exposure and still manage to over exposure the model!

[John R]

Well done! Despite all the problems it does make up into a reasonably accurate good looking model

[Mr T]

Yes, I am beginning to feel some love for it. It is actually quite an impressive looking machine, although I do feel that Mikro Mir have made things more  difficult than they needed to be. 

[Mr T]

Everything was going OK with the AW52 when I managed to catch one of the wing tip pitot heads and it disappeared. A new one was duly fabricated and attached, when guess what, the original reappeared. Classic what happens in modelling. Still, the new one looks alright. The delay this caused has meant the AW52 is not going to be finished in time. Currently, it is finished apart from a bit of paint work touch up and final varnishing, but I do not want to rush it and spoil the model. The decals went on well and the undercarriage was attached with less hassle than I anticipated. This was helped by drilling location holes to take the pins on the undercarriage, something which the tool designer/maker largely ignored. When finished, I will put it in the RFI section with a link to this build thread.

thanks to Col for the GB and Enzo for oversight

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Excellent finish on this one. 

[Mr T]

Thanks, for a change I managed to spray the appliance white without flooding the model. I am quite pleased with it despite the manufacturer presenting you with a kit whuch appeared to be designed by committee. 

[Col.]

You've every right to be pleased with this finish Mr. T as it look great and I applaud your decision to take the time required to finish the model properly rather than rush to a deadline; it deserves that

[Mr T]

Now finished and in Ready for Inspection in the Aircraft Modelling section. I am glad I didn't rush to finish it, as I wouldn't build another one, even though this one turned out alright in the end.