A-20G Havoc MPM 1/72 - 453rd BG Museum Build

[Cookenbacher]

I just got here and you're almost done! Off to a great start Ced!

[The Spadgent]

Looks like a good fit to me. Clamp tastic! 🤩

 

 Johnny 

[giemme]

Fuselage buttoned up already! Wooosh!  great job, Ced

 

Ciao

[Hamden]

 

Coming together really well Ced soon be over the finish line now - is there time for another pint Bill @perdu before its finished?

 

   Stay safe            Roger

[corsaircorp]

Whaaat ??

Page 2 and the bomber is already buttoned up ?????

Turbo build @bbudde said ??

Must be 2 KKK turbolader.....

One sneezed and the kit is done...

And well done Ced !! Great job !!

Sincerely...

CC

[CedB]

14 hours ago, bbudde said:

Hi Ced , I?m also in here. Ha, this time from the start. More of course in mid June, when I will have finished with my colloqial ex am. Everything went well so far. Err, a typical Ced turbo build again?. Looks fine and busy so far

Chhers Benedikt

Hi Ben, good to see you and I hope the exams go well.

 

9 hours ago, Cookenbacher said:

I just got here and you're almost done! Off to a great start Ced!

Thanks Cookie.

 

2 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

Looks like a good fit to me. Clamp tastic! 🤩

 

 Johnny 

Almost ran out! Thanks Jont.

 

1 hour ago, giemme said:

Fuselage buttoned up already! Wooosh!  great job, Ced

 

Ciao

Thanks Giorgio.

 

1 hour ago, Hamden said:

 

Coming together really well Ced soon be over the finish line now - is there time for another pint Bill @perdu before its finished?

 

   Stay safe            Roger

There's always time for another pint  

 

1 hour ago, corsaircorp said:

Whaaat ??

Page 2 and the bomber is already buttoned up ?????

Turbo build @bbudde said ??

Must be 2 KKK turbolader.....

One sneezed and the kit is done...

And well done Ced !! Great job !!

Sincerely...

CC

Thanks CC. Getting my mojo back.

[CedB]

More clamping:

 

 

Now then, locating pegs are often a good idea:

 

 

But not always:

 

Cut that off and taped up instead:

 

 

The attachments to the trees are a bit irritating:

 

 

but things go together quite well:

 

 

Just a minute though.The instructions are wrong:

 

 

The mounts are in pairs and the ones I've used have matching vents so they're staying.

I've marked the back of one to keep them 'sided':

 

 

See what I mean about nasty fixings?:

 

 

Just need more clean up.

No idea how the cowlings go on though. Yet:

 

 

[CedB]

Wait.

Wheels down on a tricycle u/c?

Weights.

I don't have any of those and 10g required.

Can't wait so onto the fast delivery site.

No, not exercise weights!

Fishing weights eh?

Ordered these.

Now I have to wait for the weights.

But only until tomorrow…

[perdu]

Iron weights?

 

Okeydoke do not, I implore you forget to treat said iron for rust before you nail them inside a closed up model.

 

FeO2 gets bigger by rot/expansion don't forget.

 

Posterity is out there you know.

 

 

Might seem funny thinking about that now but I am wondering about how long models can last on display.

 

Some of mine have been on display at Cosford since the early eighties, how long can they last in the public eye.

 

I won't be surprised if they have had their marching orders any time now.

[Biggles87]

Wait for me, I’ve only got little legs.

Zipping along there Mr B, as @Cookenbacher says you’re nearly finished before I’ve started.

 

John.

PS: fishing weights? i’ve got a big bag of spent rounds ranging from 7.62mm to .45.

[CedB]

Thanks Bill. Treat the iron? Can I just prime it?

 

Thanks John. Spent rounds as fishing weights? What are you fishing with, you naughty man…  

 

While I wait for the weights, wings on:

 

 

The main wing locating tabs needed a bit of fettling on the edges but the wings were still out of line. Bit of filler sorted that.

 

The tailplane tabs were tight too but needed no support to get this angle:

 

 

Hope that's right. Looks OK from reference shots. Bit of filler on those too:

 

 

I thought I'd check the nose ready for the weights:

 

 

Hmmm. With the tip on?

 

 

Ah. Is the main bit a good fit? Tape it here:

 

 

Then:

 

 

Oh dear. I'll probably need to shim that then.

For the nose tip I glued it to some 0.5mm card:

 

 

Then chopped it out:

 

 

Better.

It'll need some work but getting there.

[keefr22]

Jusr caught up Ced - probably took me longer to read the thread than you to build the kit!

 

Good work again!!

 

Keith

[Spookytooth]

Sorry, late on parade again Ced.

 

She looks like you said a bit of a "Curates Egg" 

Lovely in some areas and awful in others.

 

But you`re doing a fine job on her mate.

 

Simon.

[The Spadgent]

5 hours ago, CedB said:

 

What a beauty. 😍

[corsaircorp]

6 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

Wait for me, I’ve only got little legs.

Zipping along there Mr B, as @Cookenbacher says you’re nearly finished before I’ve started.

 

John.

PS: fishing weights? i’ve got a big bag of spent rounds ranging from 7.62mm to .45.

Ahaaaa !!

I'm not the only one to use that !!!

Ideally shaped to get stuffed in a jet's nose !!!

.38 and .44.... I know, I'm mad....

Well done Ced....

Now taking up @giemme's lyrics.... Paint paint ???

Is there paint yet ?? 

Great Havoc !!

Sincerely.

CC

[giemme]

7 hours ago, corsaircorp said:

Paint paint ???

Is there paint yet ?? 

Oy! That's  my line!

 

 

Great to see her coming together so quickly and swiftly,  Ced! 

 

The nose definitely needs some job, shimming sounds like the perfect solution

 

Ciao 

[CedB]

21 hours ago, keefr22 said:

Jusr caught up Ced - probably took me longer to read the thread than you to build the kit!

 

Good work again!!

 

Keith

Thanks Keith. It was sort of flying together but only because I'm avoiding the hard bits.

 

20 hours ago, Spookytooth said:

Sorry, late on parade again Ced.

 

She looks like you said a bit of a "Curates Egg" 

Lovely in some areas and awful in others.

 

But you`re doing a fine job on her mate.

 

Simon.

Thanks Simon. The next awful bit is below!

 

17 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

What a beauty. 😍

Thanks Jont. She is quite pretty but also annoying!

 

17 hours ago, corsaircorp said:

Ahaaaa !!

I'm not the only one to use that !!!

Ideally shaped to get stuffed in a jet's nose !!!

.38 and .44.... I know, I'm mad....

Well done Ced....

Now taking up @giemme's lyrics.... Paint paint ???

Is there paint yet ?? 

Great Havoc !!

Sincerely.

CC

Thanks CC. Paint soon if I manage to maintain my sanity.

 

9 hours ago, giemme said:

Oy! That's  my line!

 

 

Great to see her coming together so quickly and swiftly,  Ced! 

 

The nose definitely needs some job, shimming sounds like the perfect solution

 

Ciao 

Thanks Giorgio. 

 

I left the nose to look at the next tricky bit.

Once the holes had been drilled out a bit to fit the pegs I pondered how I could assemble this without going insane:

 

 

Tube glue. obviously, for the wiggle. But then I realised I'd have a problem if the nacelles didn't fit over the frames.

Let's check that they fit without it:

 

 

Ha! The rear bulkhead is stopping the close up.

Sand it.

 

 

Better.

Best have a dry fit.

Try to balance the frame sides.

Drill out the holes a bit.

Try to balance the frame sides and fit the main leg.

Ha ha huh.

Of course everything falls apart but persevere.

Wait!

I'm assembling the parts on the left:

 

 

 

D11 and D12 are slightly different - don't get them mixed up!

D15 finally balanced between the frames.

D10 inserted - the slots in the wing are on the wrong side!

 

 

I have the model upside down.

I'm using the instructions on the left to assemble the parts on the left.

Wrong side?

A ha ha ha ha… blubber…

 

Move to this side:

 

 

Repeat.

Huh ha huh huh… nurse!

 

Better take a break and re-visit when I've calmed down.

[hendie]

looks like you're having a bunch of fun with that one Ced.  Nice work (when it works!)

[Spookytooth]

Ouch, one of those mate.

 

Take time out and regain the composure Ced.

 

Simon.

[CedB]

Thanks hendie and Simon.

I had a brain wave (dangerous).

The important thing is that the u/c is the same on both sides otherwise it'll look wobbly.

Even though the parts are wobbly.

An idea occurred while I was lounging in the lounge.

The leg support is fixed so that could 'set the levels'.

I glued it on:

 

 

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face:

 

 

It doesn't reach the locating slot 

Rats.

Maybe the frames aren't in the (drilled out) holes.

Hah.

Nevertheless I'll make sure that both sides have the same leg/brace length and we'll see.

 

In other news the wait for the weights is over:

 

 

You might be able to see that I've written the weight on the box sections.

Another plan.

[Cookenbacher]

6 hours ago, CedB said:

An idea occurred while I was lounging in the lounge.

So that's the secret - I must begin plans to install a lounge immediately.

 

Phew, that landing gear looks complicated Ced - I stared and stared and can't come up with any suggestions (then again, I don't have my lounge yet).

[Fritag]

Does feel like Ced-SOP progress has been re-achieved.  All is well.  Phew.

[TheyJammedKenny!]

@CedB: this is an impressive pace, and you may wish to slow down just a bit.  You've gotten as far in a fortnight as I did in three months with my A-20B.  My approach was different in part because I use an airbrush, but that's not the whole story.

 

1.  Landing gear: Part D9 is your friend.  This cross-piece reinforces the structure and makes it strong.  The frame units are L-R handed, which means you need to ensure that the taller side of each unit is outboard to ensure the gear unit is absolutely straight up-and-down when seen from the nose of the aircraft.  You should check and recheck your wing dihedral to ensure that the top intakes are horizontal relative to the horizon line.  Please note that the landing gear legs are supposed to pitch forward slightly when viewed in profile, not stand in the vertical.  Also note that the gear bay has these big honking intake trunks that you'll want to seriously trim/file/sand back--otherwise they will interfere with the framework by forcing it to one side or the other.

 

You have the right idea about drilling bigger holes in parts D12 and D11.  I would assemble the airframe, including the nacelles, with main landing gear units off, otherwise you'll break them.  Your best bet is to invest in a pair of small, spring-loaded forceps.  After you've painted, decaled, and detailed use the forceps to gently pry apart the framework while slipping in the main landing gear units.

 

2.  Check the fit of the windshield glass against the fuselage cockpit area.  Does it fit snuggly?  Good.

 

3.  The shelf behind the pilot's seat is a useful place for you to stash as many lead weights as possible.  Take a hammer and flatten the weights as necessary.  You'll need a lot of weight to keep this baby sitting on its nose, and your iron do-dads may not by themselves do the trick.  Consider also stashing lead weight in the compartment between the landing gear and engine firewall on each side.

[CedB]

7 hours ago, Cookenbacher said:

So that's the secret - I must begin plans to install a lounge immediately.

 

Phew, that landing gear looks complicated Ced - I stared and stared and can't come up with any suggestions (then again, I don't have my lounge yet).

 Thanks Cookie. Everyone needs a lounge.

(With)drawing room not so much now we can't withdraw for cigars…

 

3 hours ago, Fritag said:

Does feel like Ced-SOP progress has been re-achieved.  All is well.  Phew.

Thanks Steve.

 

2 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

@CedB: this is an impressive pace, and you may wish to slow down just a bit.  You've gotten as far in a fortnight as I did in three months with my A-20B.  My approach was different in part because I use an airbrush, but that's not the whole story.

 

1.  Landing gear: Part D9 is your friend.  This cross-piece reinforces the structure and makes it strong.  The frame units are L-R handed, which means you need to ensure that the taller side of each unit is outboard to ensure the gear unit is absolutely straight up-and-down when seen from the nose of the aircraft.  You should check and recheck your wing dihedral to ensure that the top intakes are horizontal relative to the horizon line.  Please note that the landing gear legs are supposed to pitch forward slightly when viewed in profile, not stand in the vertical.  Also note that the gear bay has these big honking intake trunks that you'll want to seriously trim/file/sand back--otherwise they will interfere with the framework by forcing it to one side or the other.

 

You have the right idea about drilling bigger holes in parts D12 and D11.  I would assemble the airframe, including the nacelles, with main landing gear units off, otherwise you'll break them.  Your best bet is to invest in a pair of small, spring-loaded forceps.  After you've painted, decaled, and detailed use the forceps to gently pry apart the framework while slipping in the main landing gear units.

 

2.  Check the fit of the windshield glass against the fuselage cockpit area.  Does it fit snuggly?  Good.

 

3.  The shelf behind the pilot's seat is a useful place for you to stash as many lead weights as possible.  Take a hammer and flatten the weights as necessary.  You'll need a lot of weight to keep this baby sitting on its nose, and your iron do-dads may not by themselves do the trick.  Consider also stashing lead weight in the compartment between the landing gear and engine firewall on each side.

Thanks Alex, a useful list that I'll work through.

I've just glued the leg in one side so I'll just have to be careful.

 

Checks.

Leg lengths:

 

 

Check.

Outer frame doesn't fit flush to wing?

 

 

Small pin so doesn't fit flush. Check.

 

Need to shim the leg bottom, ensuring it's in the right position 'left to right':

 

 

Glue it!

Check that the nacelle still fits:

 

 

Tight, but OK. Check.

Then read Alex's notes.

Ho hum, press on!

Now I need to do the other side.

Grunt.

[warhawk]

On 5/29/2023 at 6:25 PM, CedB said:

 

Oh dear. I'll probably need to shim that then.

 

 

A small tip for next time You encounter similar modular assembly:

 

It is always much easier to assemble this way:

1. Glue all parts of the port fuselage side together, aligning the outer side without steps (then same for starboard side).
2. Dry-fit fuselage with tape to check if adjusting to clear parts is needed (shims or narrowing).
3. Only then join left-to-right.

That way all of the problems with steps are avoided, and you get perfect measure for inserting shims (where needed).

 

Also works in most cases with upper and lower wing inserts (e.g. on Dragon/DML Do335) 😏

Edited May 31, 2023 by warhawk