Buttoning Up (More Mistakes)

I just figured out that masking everything off to paint the fuselage was going to be difficult and dangerous.  I tried to do some some base coats before I put it all together.


First some preshading.



This went well for a base coat but I really need to remove the Spandau machine guns.  I tried some Tenax 7R but that didn't seem to work so I broke out the Ambroid Pro Weld.



Finally I got the guns off the assembly; I just hope that I can get it all back together again.


I masked off the ribs on the wings.



Now for good or bad; she is buttoned up.  I have some more masking to do but now its time to finish painting.

Instrumental Interlude

Since my instrument panel was devoured by the carpet monster I had to build a new one.
I took the early version panel and scraped it clean.


I then added some wood grain and picked out my bezels.


I wanted to leave the center bezel brass but in the end I decided to follow the directions.


Decals were added and a couple layers of Future to simulate glass.



Finally the installation.  The fuselage is still just a dry fit.

Fixing Mistakes...

I have just about completed the internal assembly.  It would have been done now but I had to fix some mistakes.



This was my first time using weathering powders.  I tried powders from AIM in Wisconsin http://www.aimprodx.com/ not very expensive and nice to work with.  Of course with many first time adventures I got carried away and used a bit too much rust.  So after I finished I went over it with a wash from Citadel Paints and then touched up with a bit of pastel chalk.


I just realized that I the seat was supposed to be leather and not wood... DOH!  So I did a little compromise and added a bit of leather trim.







The cockpit is now complete with the exception of the control panel.  I was working on wood grain for this and lost it in a tweezer launch.  Fortunately the kit comes with two and the early version will be more conducive to using my bezels from Aeroclub.



I have primed the fuselage and the wings.  Since this is not the final color and I had some old paint to use up I took a bit of liberty.  The instructions call for a 2:1 mix of XF-16 (Flat Aluminium) and XF-19 (Sky Gray); I did a 1:1 mix of XF-16 and XF-20 (Medium Gray).

I will be working on my control panel (and looking for the other) then I will start painting the fuselage.

Internal Structure

The Internal structure is finally coming together.  I am still doing some dry fitting just to see how it fits.





I added some control wires.  This was mostly to stop the stick from flopping around. I am now working on the ammo box.



The ammo box is just set into place because it needs some more parts attached and a bit of roughing up.  I do have the seatbelt harness in place now; what a pain that was to install...



I now have the engine set in mostly for balance.  It won't be permanent until after some weathering.

Engine Details

I saw a diorama many years ago where the modeller took Skoal Bandits and soaked them in diluted Elmer's White Glue to make sand bags.  They looked amazing when they were finished.  This stuck with me and I when I thought there should be some asbestos tape on my engine I knew just how to do it.


I cleaned out some used tea bags and cut them into strips about 1/8 in (3mm) wide.  I added a drop of Vallejo oily steal to some Elmer's White Glue and watered it down.  The strips were dipped in this and wrapped around the manifold.


This was a little rough.  I found it worked best if I tore the strips down to a length of about an inch on more (about 30mm).  I used a old brush to apply some more white glue to smooth down the rough spots.





This is my engine before any weathering.  I don't plan on making it too dirty; just a little grime and a lite wash.

I have also done some more seat cushions.  They didn't turn out as good as my last batch but I got one decent one out the group.

I need to fine some tools for detailing the Milliputty and I think I need some Milliputty that isn't six years old as well.  It is a little difficult to work with.


My one good cushion in its seat ready to be glued down. 

Things are moving right along now, and I should have the internal structure completed soon.  I will have to work on my seat belts next.

Two Paths

One very nice feature to this model from WingNut Wings is that is is actually several small models in one.  So while I wait for glue to set or paint to dry; I can easily work on another portion.  I have again made some seat cushions out of Milliput.  I am not thrilled with those results at the moment but I will see how they look after some sanding and paint.


This is a better shot of my spark plugs.  The second set turned out better.  I have done some work on the cylinder head.



Work on the engine is coming along nicely.  While it is not perfect; I am happy with the results so far.




While taking a break from the engine, I have continued work on the internal structure of the cockpit.  This is just a dry fit since I want to install the seat and probably the seat belts before I close this all up.