forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 08, 2026, 11:49:23 PM
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Hi all,
The next model will be another 3D printed model from MDesign in Bulgaria.
An Armstrong-Whitworth FK.3 'Little Ack', Serial No.A1488 of No.50 Training Squadron, based at Narborough, June 1917.
This aircraft was fitted with dual flight controls for the student pilot in the rear cockpit,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/1488profile.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/1488plan.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/14881.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/14882.jpg)
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I am looking forward to your report of this build.
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Another interesting build on the way......
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Are you doing a review on this kit? You're probably one of the first building one.
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Are you doing a review on this kit? You're probably one of the first building one.
Hi Marcel,
I personally don't think a review of a model can be done with just looking at the kit parts from the box.
That really only shows the quality and detail of the model.
The true review can only be carried out during or at the end of the build.
Also, what one person thinks may not reflect what others might think.
I cover what I find with a model whilst I build it and normally I'll show that in the build threads.
Additionally, everything to do with the build is fully covered in my PDF build log at the end of the build.
I leave it up to those viewing the model to decide if they think the kit was good or not ;)
Mike
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Hi all,
Royal mail has notified me of the delivery in the UK.
Hopefully I can start this model build soon,
Mike
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Looking forward to this one Mike! You always take difficult projects, for Me, and turn them into masterpieces!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
First up for working is the cockpit.
This particular aircraft was one of a contract batch, serial numbers A1461 - A1510, that were contracted out (87/A/475) during 1916 from ?Armstrong-Whitworth & Co. Ltd? of Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
They were to be built by ?Hewlett & Blondeau Ltd? of Oak Road, Leagrave, Luton.
The contract required dual controls were to be fitted as these aircraft were intended as trainers and not for service use.
The kit is intended to built as an operational aircraft of No:47 Squadron.
Therefore, it has a stool seat in the rear cockpit and no duplicated flight controls.
I chose to fit a pilots type Wicker seat in the rear cockpit and as such matched the pilot's seat with the same Barracuda Studio resin seats.
Seat support bars were cut from Brass tube.
To add duplicate flight controls in the rear cockpit required that a false floor be fitted to span both cockpits.
That was cut from 0.8 mm thick plastic card and CA glued to the kit floors.
The kit supplied control column assembly was drilled and pinned to locate positively into the false floor.
The control column and rudder bar for the rear cockpit were created from unused 3D printed parts with some Brass tubing.
There's only so much accuracy that can be added, mainly due to lack of cockpit information for this aircraft.
So some guesswork is necessary, based on similar aircraft types,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/mockup.jpg)
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Once again you are off to a great start! The details look good.
RAGIII
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You like a challenge don't you! :) This will be another great build log.
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Hi all,
A couple of updates.
It seems there was a linen screen across the cockpit and behind the pilots seat.
This was made with 0.2 mm thick plastic card and brass tube.
I've also added photo-etch lap belts to the seats.
These were not used on a previous build,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/separator.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/sepscreen.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/belts.jpg)
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Looking good Mike. I like the seats and belts. Should really look great painted!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
Time has come to close up the fuselage.
The cockpit has been modified for a trainer aircraft.
The kit as supplied is an operational aircraft and is totally different.
The paints used are Tamiya acrylic and MRP lacquers.
Wood effects are Windsor and Newton oil paints (Griffin Alkyd).
Resin seat are Barracuda Studios and lap belts are spare photo-etch from WNW builds.
Control cables are Gaspatch Type A turnbuckles, 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube.
Rear cockpit control column, rudder bar and cockpit screen are scratch built.
Instrument panel has Airscale decals applied and two switch levers from ANYZ.
Weathering was Flory Models dark dirt clay wash and AK Interactive Kerosene wash.
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/pitdone1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/pitdone2.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/closed1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/closed2.jpg)
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Looking great Mike 8)
I'm quite tempted to convert an spare FK8 into its little brother seeing your build . . .
Paul
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Excellent work Mike, you seem to be making short shrift of this one!
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As always Mike, your builds and research are top notch. I'm very interested in your recent MDesign builds. Mitko is one hard working fellow, and I'm glad to see his kits receive the skill set they deserve.
Warren Q
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Looking great Mike 8)
I'm quite tempted to convert an spare FK8 into its little brother seeing your build . . .
Paul
If you've not seen it, there was an article on scratchbuilding one in 1/72nd by Joel Christy in Windsock. I can scan that if you're interested (if I can find it).
Although he had no more interior information than Mike does.
Paul.
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Seats, belts and the rest of the interior are gorgeous! Great progress Mike!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
Fuselage and all flight surface primed with AK Interactive Grey (AK758).
Undersides rib tapes and fuselage frames airbrushed lightly with MRP White (MRP-004) then 2.0 mm wide tape applied.
The fuselage and undersides airbrushed with MRP Clear Doped Linen bleached (MRP-256).
Masking tapes removed.
The fuselage and undersides airbrushed with MRP Clear Doped Linen bleached (MRP-256) to fade back the rib tapes and formers.
Now it's onto painting the top surfaces and fuselage with PC green for the fuselage and brown flight surfaces,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/faded2.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/faded1.jpg)
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Very nice effect on the linen there Mike.
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Excellent effect! The MRP paints are great. My go to brand now.
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The fuselage paint of ?MRP? Khaki Green No.3/63 (MRP-333) now applied.
Next up are the tops of the flight surfaces,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/fuspaint1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/fuspaint2.jpg)
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Nice!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The upper surfaces of the flight surfaces have been airbrushed.
I've masked off then airbrush the the fin and fuselage markings.
The lower wing and tailplanes are fitted.
Next up is to apply the roundels to the fuselage and wings plus a couple of minor markings.
The kit supplies masks for the roundels, but I'll try the easier option of using decals from my spares collection.
Otherwise I'll use the masks,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/lowerwingson.jpg)
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The PC looks great. What paint/s did you Use? Sorry if you mentioned this previously.
RAGIII
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The PC looks great. What paint/s did you Use? Sorry if you mentioned this previously.
RAGIII
Hi Rich,
MRP Khaki Green No.3/63 (MRP-333) upper surfaces.
CDL is MRP Clear Doped Linen bleached (MRP-256),
Mike
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Hi all,
The markings have been applied using spare decals and Xtradecal letter/numbers for the serial number.
Slight weather applied using Flory Models dark dirt over Tamiya X35 semi-matte clear coat.
Next up is other weathering, painting of remaining parts and pre-rigging before the upper wing is fitted,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/weath1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/weath2.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/weath3.jpg)
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Great modelling!
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Oh yes, very nice indeed Mike!
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Hi all,
A little more progress on the model.
A few areas of minor weathering applied, including wheel splatter on the undersides of the lower wings.
The interplane, cabane struts and lower wing hoops painted using Windsor and Newton Raw Sienna oil paint.
Landing gear and wheels painted.
Engine and exhaust pipes also painted.
Once it's all sealed with a semi-matte clear coat it'll be time to pre-rig the model,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/prerig1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/prerig2.jpg)
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Very nice weathering, and the MRP-333 upper surfaces are most attractive. Excellent choice I think.
Warren Q
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Just catching up with your build here Mike - excellent research & progress. It'll be great to see your overall assessment of the kit at the end of it all.
Cheers,
Gary
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Hi all,
Just a few updates.
The completed engine has been fitted with the top cover panel.
I added ignition leads from 0.3 mm lead wire (PlusModel).
Also, the support strut for the top cover panel, located between the engine crankcase and underside of the panel.
Of course the leads and strut can't easily be seen.
The propeller is not from the kit as that propeller is not well produced.
I've used the propeller from the Lukgraph BE2c model I made as I used a proper Plane propeller on that model.
The BE2c and FK.3 used the same engine and propeller.
The propeller is painted and just needs the manufacturers logos adding to the blades.
Most photographs of this aircraft show that the propeller was made by F. Tibbenham Ltd of Ipswich.
Their logo is shown below.
Fortunately, the decal set from LF Models (British WW1 propeller labels - part III - 3208) has the logo.
Once they arrive I'll add them to the propeller blades.
Now it's onto the pre-rigging stage,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/engdone1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/engin.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/proppaint.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/logo1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/FK3/logo.jpg)