Owen Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I've quickly been knocking together the Airfix Gloster Gladiator kit together over the last three days. My first thoughts on the kit were - "primitive". It's the first biplane I've done properly so was a sharp learning curve. The fit was bad, the parts poorly moulded. First up, after a bit of filling sanding and guesswork with the scraping away of plastic the bottom wing set was on: With much fiddling, the top wing set was attached to the struts and masked up. At this point, I think the number of parts used accounted to the number 14... The masking was followed by a covering in Halford's Grey Primer, and subsequently Halford's BMW Silver: This evening I've done what I've never done before - doing biplane rigging. Going by a couple of photos on tinternet, I went for this basic pattern which seems to fit the bill. I'm out of superglue, so had to use two part epoxy instead, which took a long time to set! I think it was worth the sticky fingers and cursing in the end! And now by this evening it's covered in decals and pretty much finished: Having built it, I've found it much more rewarding than I thought it would ever be. Yes, it probably isn't the most accurate of machines, those panel lines are something less than desired but it was fun! Lots of fun at that, I'd recommend it! Cheers, Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Its turned out fine but you put your finger right on the spot when you said you had fun. Ultimately the whole point of our hobby. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Rogers Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Looks pretty good to me too Owen. Difficult to beat Airfix for a simple fun build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado64 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 it has always been my favourite biplane and i am amazed i have never built the airfix or matchbox version ,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Gunthwaite Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Apart from the cowling I think this is a sweet little kit especially if you approach it as if it were a limited run kit (I would be interested to know which kit has had the highest production run). I think you've done a cracking job. A three day build (or so) was exactly what I was trying to achieve a couple of months ago (it took me 4 weeks): http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30137 Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (I would be interested to know which kit has had the highest production run Spitfire Mk.1 Me 109G Hurricane Mk.I Mosquito FB.IV Lancaster Sea King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 That's nice. I didn't know the French used them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 That's nice. I didn't know the French used them. Alright, that error has been dealt with! An inside out printing error by the looks of things (this is quite an old issue kit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Gunthwaite Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Spitfire Mk.1Me 109G Hurricane Mk.I Mosquito FB.IV Lancaster Sea King Is that list based on evidence or supposition? And I presume all Airfix? Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Is that list based on evidence or supposition? And I presume all Airfix?Al Best selling Airfix kits according to Humbrol back in 1999. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofjim Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 wow incredible job on the rigging for a first time shot ! i'm currently daring myself to have a go not got the bottle yet lovley little build mate ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 18, 2009 Author Share Posted June 18, 2009 I've finally got some photos of this Great Little Gladiator Up! http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.p...mp;#entry349511 Thanks for reading! Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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