LetLetLet ~ Warplanes
Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on June 01, 2012, 11:22:15 PM
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Since building the 1/72 Curtiss/Wright CW-21B Interceptor in Netherlands East Indies colors I've been planning other ML-KNIL projects. The first to get a chance on the workbench is this 1/48 Tamiya Brewster Buffalo.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_8398.jpg)
The kit I found was of the F2A-2 version, essentially similar to the B-339C and D that the Dutch purchased new from Brewster. There are a few differences, the main ones being the propeller, spinner, tailwheel, and tailcone. The particular kit I have didn't have the optional parts I needed. Fortunately I had all of the bits I needed in my spares boxes from a Buffalo I built in the 1980s. :-tri I also bought an Eduard PE set for the Buffalo, then realized that much of this set was going to be useful for my SAAB B 17 project. I ended up using the Eduard instrument panel for this kit and saved the other bits for the SAAB.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0081.jpg)
More later.......
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Tamiya Buffalo kit was excellent! Assume you are going to build U.S. Navy version rather than Dutch MK-KNIL version? Dutch Buffalo had reflex gunsight instead of telescope sight and a 1200 hp engine.
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I've got the pieces to convert the U.S. version to the B-339, Nico. The original Tamiya I built had optional parts, this one doesn't. My spares provided most of the "export" parts. The only thing I was missing was the non-slotted windscreen for the modern gunsight but I'll fix that problem as I go along. I have the gunsight, propeller, and long tailcone on hand, as well as two different decal sheets.
An interesting tidbit I found was that at least one of the ML-KNIL Brewsters carried the national insignia triangle on the upper wings, something I hadn't seen until researching this project.
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Cockpit is very nice! :-clap
Go ahead! :-ok
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Yes, the cockpit set from Eduard is really beautiful, Sall. I'm using very little of the PE here and using the Tamiya kit parts for the sidewalls and other pieces. Actually, Tamiya didn't do that bad a job on the cockpit detailing even though this is a pretty old kit. The main thing that could be considered missing is the accessory section of the engine and motor mount parts. These are visible through the wheelwell openings like on a Wildcat.
Here's the fuselage after joining.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0083.jpg)
Notice the lighter color tailcone. This is from an earlier issue kit that gave the option to build a U.S. (short tailcone) or Export (this longer cone) airplane. Next will be to fill the tailwheel opening to prepare for the fixed pneumatic tailwheel assembly.
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Right build in right time :-ok :-clap
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:-ok
You give me the envy to start my 1/32 Special Hobby Buffalo in Belgian version...
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Ooohhhh.....the Belgian version is on my "to do list" also! Whenever you do yours I'll be watching intently!
Here's a little update on this one. I filled the tailwheel well with styrene and faired it with putty. The tire and strut will come from the spares bin as I can't find the actual one from my first Tamiya kit. Then the wing was joined to the fuselage and a small amount (very small, actually--good fit on this one) of filler applied. After sanding and priming the engine was painted and installed followed by the ring cowl.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0084.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0085.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0086.jpg)
After getting this all ready I had to take on the task of masking the transparencies. I've added a new entry on the "Some Modeling Techniques" sticky thread for the method I used here. This is the belly panel after painting.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0129.jpg)
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Progress is perfect!!!
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:-ok
...And for the Belgian Buffalo, I will add it on my "builds to do this year"...
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Nice job mate!! :-clap
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:-ok
...And for the Belgian Buffalo, I will add it on my "builds to do this year"...
:-clap :-clap :-clap
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I'm still casting about on which markings to apply to this. Regardless, the New Leaf color has been sprayed on and the next step will be the Old Leaf, then the aluminum lacquer undersides.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0134.jpg)
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Fast and nice :-ok
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I agree,fast and nice. :-clap
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Sweet!!!
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The spare time in the last two days was "Decal Weekend" for the Tiger I, 109T, and Brewster.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0160.jpg)
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Result is obvious :-clap
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Excellent!
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That Messerschmitt almost ended up in the dustbin. I'll fill in the story on the 109 GB thread........
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:-ok
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Here's the Brewster, depicting the second machine delivered to the ML-KNIL. My intention had been to weather more heavily but I didn't have a good photo of this airplane in the combat zone, so it's rather more clean as it would have been early in-service. The kit is pretty much out-of-box with the exception of adding the Eduard instrument panel and a bit of armor plate on the overturn bar behind the pilot. The decals are from the original Tamiya sheet that I'd saved in the eighties.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0199.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0202.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0203.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0204.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0201.jpg)
I still have another sheet for a Dutch airplane. :-tri That one will be a hard-flown combat veteran from the time of the defense of Singapore.
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Great one and best wishes with another build :))
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Very beautiful Buffalo! Great work, Scott!!! :-ok
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Excellent job Scott!! :-clap
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Thanks, everyone! :-flo
For fun I pulled the 1/72 CW-21B out and tried a photo. It didn't turn out well since I really don't know how to run my camera! :-red :-roll
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0207.jpg)
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Never mind, it is nice too see them anyway :)
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:-ok
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Next ML-KNIL project:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_6893.jpg)
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:-ok
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Go forward mateeee!! :-clap :-tri
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Okay, some time soon the Curtiss will begin. The first item of business on this was to fix the too-oval cowling and accessory section as I did on the Hawk 75 Group Build last year. This time an RTV mold was made of the modified parts so further examples can be built later. I reckon I start too many projects at a time........
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While moving other stagnant projects around I found the box with the ML-KNIL Curtiss, so why not go ahead with it? First I cleaned up the resin cockpit set that I found in my resin spares. When I built the Iranian H-75 for the GB I forgot that I had this set.......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0845.jpg)
Quite easy to install the cockpit sides, merely sand off the original detail and glue them in. The "floor" (actually the top of the wing box) was another story. If glued to the bottom of the wing it is too low, if glued to the fuselage parts it sits too high. So, a set of posts were fabricated to get this part correctly mounted to the lower wing panel:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0844.jpg)
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:-ok
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Very good details mate!
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Looks very nice... ;) :-clap
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Yes, this is a nice resin set.
The aluminum lacquer is now sprayed on and detail painting can be added. Also the fuel tank is now scratchbuilt and installed behind the seat bulkhead.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0856.jpg)
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Good that seat can be push from above in cockpit ;)
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:-clap :-ok
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Good that seat can be push from above in cockpit ;)
Well, none of it is glued together yet, so I can install the seat anytime. I was simply too lazy to paint and detail the seat last night...... :-crazy I reckon the fuselage halves will be glued together first, then a little filler on the seams where the headrest goes, and then paint. After that the seat can be dropped in from the top.
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Very nice so far Scott, this looks like it will be another great one :-salut
Ernie
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As I mentioned on the Curtiss Group Build a long time ago, the cowling and accessory section in the Hobbycraft kit for Wright-powered machines is not round enough as it comes from the kit. I simply modified the kit parts and made a mold.
Resin cowlings and engine have been cast and are ready for painting/detailing/fitting.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0857.jpg)
In this instance I used the master cowling and accessory section for the build. This was actually a mistake on my part as I always save the masters for future moldmaking. However, these kits are pretty easy to come by so another master could always be made if needed. The airframe is nearly ready for primer:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0858.jpg)
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:-ok
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Very good home made resin and nice fit on kit bellow :-ok
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:-clap :-ok
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This machine is finished and was another nice relaxing build. The decals are from an old Tally Ho! sheet that also includes another ML-KNIL Brewster.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0886.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0875.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0878.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0874.jpg)
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Another jewel mate :-ok
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It looks great! :-clap Beautiful job my friend!! :-clap :-clap
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I like it! :-ok