Messages

4156

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Fiat CR.42 Group Build

« on: September 18, 2011, 08:10:47 AM »

After reading some reviews and thinking about how to do this over coffee, I tackled the wing strut problem on the CA kit. Even though there are some locating pins and corresponding holes in the wing surfaces it was still a bit of a struggle. If you build this kit, be advised that the instruction sheet in my example shows the two inboard-most vee struts (parts B5 and B17, directly in front of the cockpit) upside down.

I started to build a fixture to align everything but finally simply tack-glued the fuselage struts to the upper wing. This was the hardest part since the cabane struts are the foundation for aligning the wing in all three axes. I used a tiny dab of ca glue on each attachment. I had to remove a couple of struts to readjust but with so small an amount of superglue it pops off easily.

Then it was a bit simpler to install the outer strut sets, first the inboard pair, then the outers. To keep everything aligned I had to fill the furthest outboard strut locating holes in the upper wing and drill new ones inboard a tiny bit. Otherwise the lower attachments would be too far apart from each other where the inner and outer struts form the "V".

And the entire assembly after final glue application.

 I decided to attach the struts to the upper wing in this fashion for ease of painting. Final assembly might be rather tricky, but it fits pretty well so I think it'll work. Make sure you mark each of the struts with the corresponding part number from the instruction sheet. Each piece fits only one position on the wing and if they get mixed up it will mean even more test fitting. I will be curious to see how the other kits in this build designed the strut installation.

4157

Aircraft Modeling / Re: July Group Build - Fighters of the 4th-4th+ generation

« on: September 18, 2011, 03:46:20 AM »

Good to see further work ongoing, Sall!

4158

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Adaptation of the 1/144 JUMO from RetroWings for Trumpeter kit

« on: September 17, 2011, 10:27:16 PM »

A job for a jeweler! Great update on this project.

4159

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 16, 2011, 03:43:11 PM »

No.1,

Do you possibly know when the photo with the unfinished Adamson was taken? Very interesting series of pictures!

The fairings for the larger guns in Galland's airplane are mentioned in the JG-26 book I have. He was very proud of the unit mechanics and armorers for their excellent work in fitting the guns Everyone who had been involved in this F modification was quite appalled at the huge fairings (buelen) the factory later designed on the G.

4160

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 16, 2011, 07:30:25 AM »

That's our "new car" too! The '91 GTI has just over 270,000. We've spent very, very little on repairs to either VW, or any of the others we've owned over the years. In fact, I miss my old air-cooled VWs and someday I'm going to have a split-window Kafer in the garage.

The Otaki G received the disassemble/strip/clean/reassemble treatment in my "spare time". Both the F and G are almost ready for primer.

4161

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 15, 2011, 08:38:37 PM »

No time for the '109s this morning--auto maintenance instead. The ignition switch in our 300,000 mile-old '98 Jetta was acting up and I dreaded doing this. It turned out to be a much easier job than I had feared and I actually had time to strip the paint from the Gustav when I was finished!

4162

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 15, 2011, 06:34:43 PM »

Yes, and I'd thought about possibly one of the Finnish machines but I have some other decals here. Lots of time, Lots of models, Lots of markings......LLL!

4163

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 15, 2011, 04:32:36 PM »

Thanks, Sall.

The G is in the "stripping pan" while I drink coffee and prepare to work on our car. I'm having a lot of trouble with markings right now--I've changed my mind three times on how to paint the F and four on the G. Too many neat schemes to choose from!!!!!

4164

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Fiat CR.42 Group Build

« on: September 15, 2011, 07:59:20 AM »

Not much here.....the skis are painted and ready for finishing touches.

I feel your pain with fitting the cockpit, Profa. In fact, I ended up narrowing the plate above the seat in order to fit it into the CA fuselage. Your instrument panels fit nicely, I see. 

4165

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 15, 2011, 06:53:50 AM »

I welcome your Japan project, Profa! I still have four projects to add to that build as well, so we'll keep it alive for a long time. Same with the '109--contribute when you're able.

Some small progress on my first rebuild. After I started examining the inside of the fuselage I discovered that this is an Airfix kit from the early seventies. Judging from my workmanship I would bet I built this around 1975 or so (though I don't remember the build of this one as I usually do). The red paint took more than oven cleaner to remove it. I used the acetone/alcohol  mixture with sandpaper to loosen it up. A little touching up in the cockpit and back together with the principal parts, then a touch of filler. This model actually fits pretty nicely and has fairly decent detail for its age.

4166

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 14, 2011, 08:43:33 PM »

I had a few questions about my 1/48 E kit but it is much better than the thing you're dealing with.

4167

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 14, 2011, 08:36:27 PM »

Yes, the inside view of the fuselage halves reminds me of the kits of the early sixties , not today!

4168

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 14, 2011, 08:07:23 PM »

I decided that since I started the thread I had to do something...... Here are my two rebuilds, first the cockpit of the Gustav with all the storage dirt still in place:

Then, the F torn down, followed by the "box-o-parts" containing all of the G and the little pieces of the F. I never did find one gear leg for the F so I just made a mold of the other side with some extra RTV left over from another pour.

4169

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 14, 2011, 06:05:45 PM »

It will be here when your time allows, draken!

4170

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: September 14, 2011, 03:43:14 PM »

We may very well make this thread a sticky, Profa--then you may jump in easily when time allows. I can't really start any of mine right now either with every other thing I have to do.