Courageous Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Hi all, as my Curtiss Seahawk nears decaling, I thought I'd take a look at a racer. So here is my next build, a Wedell-Williams Model 44 Racer by Dekno in 1/72, I have never built anything by Dekno, a producer resin kits of racers, Golden Age aircraft and subjects from the Spanish Civil War> I have a couple of resin kits under my belt and thought I'd give this little guy a go. The box. The resin. The decals and instructions. The instructions are one sheet, smaller than A4, one side for the build process and the other for decal placement. I don't think the build will give me any grief (that's done it) but I foresee problems with the painting and decals. The problem is the gold in that, I have to paint some parts gold and they've got to match the decal gold . Hopefully start this soon. Stuart 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc2 Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Nice choice! Shall be checking on progress for sure! Malc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Lovely choice, Stuart, I really fancy one of these in 1/48 scale, so I'll be following your build if I may! I've got the Dekno Spartan Executive kit, and that looks beautiful. Cheers, Mark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psdavidson Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Ohh, another interesting racer I think I'll lurk in the corner 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 @Malc2 @2996 Victor @psdavidson, thanks for the early interest guys, I hope I don't disappoint. I've spent a few hours this evening gathering reference and photo's that could be useful. Louisiana State Museum has a couple of pics that reinforce Dekno's scheme but doesn't mention colours. Both pics don't show the longitudinal brace across the wing braces as per Dekno's instructions. Alamy has a couple of photos too and one of the pics show '44' without the edging to the wings, planes and cowling... an option if I can't match the gold. Again, no brace across the wings braces. Air Racing History has one or two pics but has a good amount of reference to pick through like: Redesigned, the 1931 version of NR-278V would later become the famous No. 44. A full remodelling job resulted in a 23' fuselage, 26' wing span and a Pratt and Whitney replacing the Hisso. Exceptionally clean lines extended throughout the entire aircraft. A streamlined NACA cowl -so small that faired bulges were needed to allow room for the cylinder arms -housed the 550 hp Wasp Jr. Pratt and Whitney engine. Pants covered the wheels, and the gear itself consisted of two narrow, well faired struts. In keeping with this pattern, race No. 44 was added to the wings and fuselage, a number the ship would retain throughout its entire race career. Thirty hand rubbed coats of red and gold dope gave the racer a finish that reflected like a mirror and looked elbow deep. In 1933 Wedell was back at the Nationals with his fast No. 44. He had replaced the fabric around the cockpit area with aluminium as he felt that the fabric in this area was a source of drag. Stuart 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Ooooooo some racing action, lovely, looking forward to this one. Looks to be a nice kit too. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greggles.w Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Very, very nice! 30x coats of paint Stuart, you might want to keep a tally so you don’t lose count.. Mark @2996 Victor you may have noticed already, Dekno have been promoting a new release at 1/48, but I think it is the #45 not #44 .. g. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Popcorn at the ready.... Regards, Adrian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 1 hour ago, greggles.w said: Very, very nice! 30x coats of paint Stuart, you might want to keep a tally so you don’t lose count.. Mark @2996 Victor you may have noticed already, Dekno have been promoting a new release at 1/48, but I think it is the #45 not #44 .. g. Yes, I'd seen that 🤤 looking forward to its being released! They've got several kits on my "want" list Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 44 is included in the options in the Williams Brothers kit althoughif I recall it has a black scalloped cowling, will have to dig it out and check. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 3, 2023 Author Share Posted November 3, 2023 5 hours ago, greggles.w said: 30x coats of paint If I use 30 coats of paint, it'll look like a brick! 5 hours ago, AdrianMF said: Popcorn at the ready Too much popcorn and you'll fall asleep... 4 hours ago, 2996 Victor said: several kits on my "want" list Ditto and with SMW next weekend on one shoulder and a racer stash on the other, it could go either way. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Think I will tag along for this, never seen a 30 coat brick before....😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Nice to see classic racing plane. Definitely following. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 With the Seahawk now done, time to look at this baby. Not a good start with the fuselage. Lining up the lumps and lines, the front end looks good except the rear wall of the cockpit that will need a little attention to negate a 'step'. Don't like this spine area one bit. Also, the leading edges of the horizontal tail plane fillets are out of kilter. Mismatch of the rudder hinge. Overall, I think Dekno have had an issue with casting the port fuselage half but I'm confident that this can all be sorted with a little effort. Flying surfaces cleaned up and show no problems. Cowling, engine and prop look good, only issue is a few 'dinks' on the front cowling that'll need filling. Undercarriage and wheels are all okay except for a big bubble on top of the starboard spat, easy fix. The little bits; seat with moulded harness, instrument panel, peddles, stick and tail skid. With the exception of the bubbles, it looks like the fuselage needs the most work, onwards and upwards. Stuart 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Oh dear, Stuart. And there was I moaning about the moulding of my Invader! She's a Tamiya by comparison ;). Good luck with this little beauty! Martin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Crikey that's a diameter about the port fuselage, good luck with the fix fella. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc2 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Hmm, that looks bad but not too tough to fix. I would be tempted to cut and extend the port fuz and fill the gap. M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bissyboat Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 Off to a good start. ⚓👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 27, 2023 Author Share Posted November 27, 2023 22 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: And there was I moaning about the moulding of my Invader! Some things are sent to try us Martin. 15 hours ago, bigbadbadge said: good luck with the fix fella. Thanks Chris 13 hours ago, Malc2 said: I would be tempted to cut and extend the port fuz and fill the gap. Hmmm, now there's an idea, I'll take a look at that. 13 hours ago, bissyboat said: Off to a good start. Not quite off yet, no glue. I have suspended this build as I'm awaiting the replacement part from Dekno. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 15, 2023 Author Share Posted December 15, 2023 Hi guys. After a brief suspension in build, we have good news. I emailed Dekno of Spain about my fuselage issue and Albert promptly sent my a replacement. I was only expecting the port side, so getting the starboard was a bonus. not perfect but miles better than the original. While I continue to clean up edges, fill bubbles etc., can anybody tell me the most likely colour for the interior and inside the engine cowling? Stuart 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc2 Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Result! Out of curiosity, which of the two original halves match the new pair?! After writing my comment above, I thought the better solution would be to shorten the long half. Mal.c 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Ooooooo nice, that is great customer srvervice from Dekno. I can dig out the Williams Brothers kit and see of there is any recommendations on there Stuart. I would think poss Aluminium colour perhaps? Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinneko Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Love golden era planes and finding these racers intriguing. Great that you sorted a solution to the fuselage fiasco. Looking forward to your progress. I was recently surprised at the glossy surface I was (unintentionally) getting sanding some vallejo black primer with 7k grit paper. 30 airbrush misted and polished coats would be an interesting effect to go for (though requiring a bit of madness 😛 ) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted December 15, 2023 Author Share Posted December 15, 2023 4 hours ago, Malc2 said: Out of curiosity, which of the two original halves match the new pair?! After writing my comment above, I thought the better solution would be to shorten the long half. The recent photo is of the two replacement fuselage halves. I did try the original starboard half but the replacement parts were the best option. Before I made contact with Dekno, it did look at both options, lengthening or shortening and the better one was to lengthen...I haven't got to worry now. 4 hours ago, bigbadbadge said: I can dig out the Williams Brothers kit and see of there is any recommendations on there Stuart. I would think poss Aluminium colour perhaps? That would be great Chris. I am thinking aluminium but I'm not 100%. About 1932, '44' was rebuilt with a aluminium fuselage after an earlier crash, before that I believe it was lateral ribs and canvas, wouldn't know what colour that would be. 4 hours ago, marvinneko said: I was recently surprised at the glossy surface It was surprising to me also, so when it comes to painting time, it should be something I should try and achieve. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 Looks like fun (I have made a couple of resin planes, they have their challenges). Amazing after sales service from Denko. Best of luck with the rest of the build Stuart. Cheers, Charlie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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