RidgeRunner Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Hi all, As promised, I hope to commence this soon. She was the last Invader in French service and is pictured below while being ferried to Cazaux, France where she was destroyed as a target on the ranges. Her last tour of duty was with the CEAM. What a waste! The base kit will be the Italeri A-26C kit (No. 1259). The modifications for getting her to be an RB-26P will be stratch built. I have the decals drawn and printed now. Credit: "Foreign Invaders" by Dan Hagerdorn, which I own. Back soon! Martin 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 Sorry chaps but no building yet. Today I'm posting the kit (the box!) and the various bits I hope to pull together for this conversion. Firstly the kit. It is the Italeri offering of the glazed nose C-model. I have built one previously and so I know what I am getting in to! It is a bit clunky here and there but eventually builds to a fair representation of the aircraft. For the RB- I need to add number of features, particularly the camera ports on the fuselage. The internals will be a challenge as I have few references. I do have the build by the sadly deceased BM member, Paul Coudeyrette, though. . The extras are below: These include the Airwaves PE set, the Berna Decals sheet, a canopy mask and my own decals printed by Arctic Decals. I know from experience that Airwaves sets aren't very accurate so please be kind if I stray from authenticity ;). I’m hoping that the Berna set will help with the Armee de l’Air-specific technical items like the yellow dashed lines around the canopies. Back again soon, Martin 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomPhreakII Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 Having just bought the same Italeri kit, I'll be following you as you build.... I'll have to convert mine into an RB-26 of the VNAF 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 Hi all, Apologies for the lack of movement on this. My usual glacial pace is being maintained as I get two off my bench so that I can start this beauty. I will get to her but it might not be for a week or two. On 4/14/2023 at 8:44 PM, PhantomPhreakII said: Having just bought the same Italeri kit, I'll be following you as you build.... I'll have to convert mine into an RB-26 of the VNAF The RB-26P (rather than the RB-26C) was a very French-specific machine. I hope that some of my eventual WIP will be of use. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomPhreakII Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 I'll keep an eye out.. Thanks Harald Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 On 5/5/2023 at 8:42 PM, PhantomPhreakII said: I'll keep an eye out.. Thanks Harald Sadly the wait may be a bit longer as I don't think I will get this one started during this GB :(. If so I will move it to WIP. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 1 Author Share Posted June 1 So, and turn around in fortunes, and while I still wrestle with paint colours for the Fitter I am going to announce this one now underway. My decision hs been bolstered by some very useful imagery that I have been waiting for that details the nose camera port on this variant, and a few other details. I will need to start by attempting the cut of the two camera ports - one on the port nose and the other on the starboard centre fuselage. An example of the detail I now have is this: I need to consider the visible detail, including things like the sun shades and the wire frame that held them in place. I also need to consult my other references for the camera yokes etc. I'll be back very soon with some plastic and possibly a saw! Edit: I will also be starting the internals. I have the PE to wrestle with and will be using other wires, rods, etc to get a reasonably realistic reflection of the interior. Martin 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 8 Author Share Posted June 8 Well, I am breaking radio silence to update you on the Invader. I took the cutters to the sprues and got some assembly done. I have to say, though, that this box really is a "Friday afternoon special". There is flash everywhere as well as a contagion of injector marks! A bag of nails really. Even so I am going to attempt to get her looking pretty. The main area of assembly so far has been the cockpit. It is detailed, although I dont know the authenticity. I had bought an Airwaves PE set but, as I found with my F-84F, it is far from accurate. When you combine that with the Italeri offering you really are in unknown territory. I've opted to accept the kit offering but will use a few of the PE parts - the seat belts and maybe the leading edge intake grilles. I have also built the fuselage and nose, choosing to fix the two nose halves to the fuselage halves before closing up. I've also marked out the camera ports ready for cutting. I will need to measure for the framing that supported the blinds on both the forward and rear camera areas. I'll use 0.5mm brass rod but I'm not yet sure what to use to mimic the canvas. Credit: respectfully the late @paul coudeyrette That's it so far as I have been airbrushing the Fitter Martin 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 My apologies @Scargsy but I will have to continue this build within the WIP section. I am distracted by my Fitter build in which I have invested a lot, and have had some home grown issues, and other domestic stuff. Could the relevant Mod (@Mike will know who) shift this thread to the WIP forum, please. thanks. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scargsy Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 On 21/06/2023 at 07:20, RidgeRunner said: My apologies @Scargsy but I will have to continue this build within the WIP section. I am distracted by my Fitter build in which I have invested a lot, and have had some home grown issues, and other domestic stuff. Could the relevant Mod (@Mike will know who) shift this thread to the WIP forum, please. thanks. Martin No worries - don't stress and enjoy your build, we have got a small extension on the GB though, if that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 22 Author Share Posted June 22 1 hour ago, Scargsy said: No worries - don't stress and enjoy your build, we have got a small extension on the GB though, if that helps Thanks mate. To be honest I will a bit more time than that. I am slow and get distracted too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted August 13 Author Share Posted August 13 Just bringing this one to the top. With the Fitter just about done (maybe this week 🤞) I will be getting this one restarted. I have already taken the drill, 2mm chisel, files and sanders to the camera ports as well as adding some of the internal walls to add rigidity. This kit suffers from a lack of solid connection between the two fuselage halves because of the multitude of voids along the top and bottom. I guess it is just the shape of the thing and not Italeri’s fault. Soon I will shoot a few photos and thereafter I will be posting regular updates. Edit: photo added. As you can see, I cut the void and have lined the sides and bottom with thin card to give some definition. The bottom edge was angled (see below) I now need to build up the surrounding frame and the forward wind deflector. Later I will add the angled glazing. I am am toying with the idea of using the CMK B-26K engine set which appears to have the upper inlets on the cowlings. However, I shell out the substantial cash for this set I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has used it. If not I will simply thin the rear edges of the Italeri cowlings and add flattened brass tube for the exhausts. I am also thinking about a set of resin wheels :). I will be back very soon. Martin 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 Good to see another interesting project from you my friend!!! Looking forward to it. Best regards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 11 hours ago, Ignacio said: Good to see another interesting project from you my friend!!! Looking forward to it. Best regards! Thanks my friend. I am sorry to all, though, because it has been a slow start. A combination of workload - my paid work - and other family stuff has held things up. I am also trying to get the Peruvian Fitter off of my desk but it seems reluctant to make the move to the display cabinet! ;). She has the main legs on now, though, so I am making some kind of progress. For this build all I can say is ....... Having said the above I did get a little done today. I had realised that the camera port I had cut and lined on the nose was too small. A couple more photos from diffeent angles made it clear that I had underestimated the dimensions. So, today I cut it larger and lined it again. It still needs sanding of the edges, filling here and there, and a frame built around it. It will also need the wind deflector, which I will make from styrene rod. Martin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 6 Author Share Posted September 6 Back again! Unfortunately paid work has been getting in the way but today, for a while, I had time to attend little more to the nose "window" area. Having expanded the opening I re-lined it and have now sanded that back and added the wind deflector, which I made from more Plastic strip (0.5mm rectangular section and some .05mm triangular section). I have tried to get to this: My attempts are as follows: I have also "framed" both the forward window and the one on the starboard rear fuselage. The latter still needing some sanding back. With the cockpits now pretty much complete it will be time for some primer around the interior. I am therefore off out in the garden armed with the aerosol Mr Surfacer 1500 Martin 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 The Fitter is fighting you then Martin!? This looks like another interesting project for you, you can't help going off piste with your builds. Nice work on the ports. Where's this cockpit you mentioned? Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 6 Author Share Posted September 6 6 hours ago, Courageous said: The Fitter is fighting you then Martin!? This looks like another interesting project for you, you can't help going off piste with your builds. Nice work on the ports. Where's this cockpit you mentioned? Stuart Hi Stuart, The Fitter issue is of my making. I applied the construction number to the main wheel doors but at the wrong angle. They are varnished too. So, I need to strip them down, wait for my printer ink and re-apply tomorrow or next week. It’s only a small problem but another delay. I want to get in to the Invader and have another Mustang running alongside. The cockpits of of the Invader are pretty much complete. All the gun gear in the rear is gone and there is a floor and rails for a canvas cover. The front is much like the standard but also has a brass frame for the camera blinds. I will post a photo tomorrow. I have now now ordered the CMK A/B-26 engine and cowling set. It will give me proper cooling flaps, exhausts etc, and a detail pair of engines. Thanks re the camera ports. They are now perfect but the best I can do with the tools and materials I have, I reckon. I’m looking forward to the painting stage of the cockpits and after that it will soon be time to close up the fuselage. Martin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinneko Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 Very nice modifications. I am quite intrigued by alternative versions of planes like camera reconnaissance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 7 Author Share Posted September 7 3 hours ago, marvinneko said: Very nice modifications. I am quite intrigued by alternative versions of planes like camera reconnaissance. Thank you, David. It is great to “see” you watching my build. I like most unusual things, never wanting to be a sheep ;)..... I have always loved the Invader and this French-modified version is, I think, very interesting. Only a few were modified - 12 I believe. Many were bought for action in Biafra after the French retired them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 11 Author Share Posted September 11 I took the plunge and bought the CMK "B-26K" engine and cowling set, even though it is really a A-26B/C set. It arrived today. I'll get itt opened later thios week for all to see. Meanwhile paid work is still getting in my way and hindering any modelling progress! ( Martin 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 Ya Know you really need to stop doing these builds !!! Now I must do one of these. Though will most likely use the Revellogram 1/48 kit. I have like three sets of spare canopies from all the trashed kits Ive had over the year's. Besides I havent seen an Italeri A-26 kit in 20 years ? There is only one show a year in Chicago for a swap meet’s. Of which I haven't been to since Covid started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 12 Author Share Posted September 12 I just can’t stop myself, Dennis :). I have a plan, settle down in bed, look at the iPad for a while and wake with a new idea! There must be a medical term for this kind of affliction ;). Modellers seem to suffer quite badly 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 This is quite an interesting build Martin, and a distraction from your Fitter of course. This is the sort of thing I'm prone to doing! 18 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Meanwhile paid work is still getting in my way Paid work? That's an alien concept to me 🤭 Before I retired I used to think of all that free time I would have post retirement .................. not sure what happened! Terry 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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