forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: gedmundson on May 14, 2026, 06:15:07 AM
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I was finally able to acquire a kit of the 1/48 scale ICM Hampden recently. It had been advertised by my local hobby shop as "pre-order" since last November, and as of yet they still don't have it. I ended up putting in an order with Inside the Armour in the UK, who had a "bundle" sale for the kit including their 3D printed set of accessories. These accessories consisted of the engines, wheels, Vickers K MG's, and the cockpit interior.
As I'm part-way through building the kit, I had a chance to load up some photos and show some progress. I'll display the model with a couple of figures from MODELU from the UK which are 3D printed also. And I bought the masking set from 1ManArmy which give the same markings as the kit-supplied decals.
I tackled the engines first, and captioned some photos to describe some issues I had - possibly self imposed. The engine detail of the ITA parts far exceeds the kit detail.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268209396_f1f4c774b7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scS291)01 (https://flic.kr/p/2scS291) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268209386_0e3dbbc889_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scS28Q)02 (https://flic.kr/p/2scS28Q) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268346683_bd8da2b601_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHX2)03 (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHX2) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
Although the figures look ok, I may have to fix the map with some putty.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268209361_296ce6b5f9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scS28p)04 (https://flic.kr/p/2scS28p) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The printed accessoried come well protected with cages.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268346663_efb5335a44_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHWF)05 (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHWF) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The cockpit parts are very nicely detailed.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268444659_132d2c89c2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scTe5g)06 (https://flic.kr/p/2scTe5g) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The individual cylinders for the engine fit well.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268444654_32261a694e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scTe5b)07 (https://flic.kr/p/2scTe5b) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The tabs on the exhaust ports had to be trimmed for the front to be "presssed" into place without breaking the brittle elements off.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268346658_8de33d9b08_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHWA)09 (https://flic.kr/p/2scSHWA) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The cowlings wouldn't fit properly without filing down the cylinder heads.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267299812_d790d82a8d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmKw)10 (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmKw) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
I still needed to fill gaps on the cowlings after they'd been installed because of the fit problems.
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Great start Gary.
This will no doubt be another gem!
Willem
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Aftermarket parts are great but can cause a few issues, it seems like you have encountered and overcome them! Nice subject, looking forward to this.
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Excellent start Gary. That will be quite a large model when finished - so all the more impressive.
Stephen.
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Thanks Willem, Nigel & Stephen!
I watched a couple of videos on line and took notes of some of the trickier aspects of the build. One thing I found (and was emphasized by the videos I watched) was the excellent fit & engineering of the kit. It's really well molded with all sorts of rivet detail too.
If one wants to leave off the main undercarriage legs until after painting, the assemblies can be put together ahead of time, painted up and added later. I did this, and added some brake lines with lead wire. I think the hub detail are all that the 3D printed wheels really offer.
I also added some Uschi wood decals to the forward part of the fuselage based on some of the reference photos of the refurbished example at Duxford.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267299782_30564eaef5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmK1)DSC_3238c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmK1) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
I'll probably end up painting the brake lines black.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268609360_52f757f3f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scU52W)DSC_3231c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2scU52W) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
Uschi decals used for the wooden portions. There is still a wealth of interior parts to add before joining the fuselage halves.
Gary
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Very nice interior!
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Awesome!
RAGIII
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Thanks Rick & Nigel. The kit provides decals for two of the panels and I found them quite poor, with huge white outlines used to frame the dials & switches etc. Not very realistic at all. I did my best to paint out the worst of it with a fine brush by leaving a slight outline which helped. This is where an Eduard after-market set would be really nice. I should have done a better job at aligning the dials with the panel part itself.
For the transparencies, the kit provides templates on the instruction sheet for masking the many panels needed. I made a copy (and measured them to ensure identical dimensions), then cut out some tape using the templates as a guide. The results tested on the upper MG glazing were a bit disappointing, with me having to add a few extra bits to cover it properly. There are many panels to mask on this model, so this will be quite a task to manage all of them.
I added some lines to the oxygen bottles using lead wire since I could see them in the reference photos of the restoration aircraft. ICM does call out the interior to be painted entirely in cockpit green, but the restoration again shows the back half to be painted silver in some areas - I'm putting trust in the fact they know what they are doing!
Cheers!
Gary
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267299777_8f9ec63ce1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmJV)IMG_0820c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2scMmJV) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The template copy was placed over masking tape on a pane of glass to cut the required masks. They didn't fit perfectly.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55268609355_a3f27ab4e3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2scU52R)IMG_0823c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2scU52R) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The decals for the instrument panels were applied and had to be "toned down" with some tricky painting to look a bit more acceptable.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55278796075_410e1435e5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sdNhbX)DSC_3256c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sdNhbX) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
A few more additions and the fuselage halves can be joined.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55278385506_f25310c7ce_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sdLb9b)DSC_3257c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sdLb9b) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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Masking transparencies? Nightmare! That's why I'll stick to WWI subjects.....
Nice job on toning down the instrument panel, it looks good in situ.
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This will be a fun watch.
:)
BB
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Terrific Progress!
RAGIII
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That is a super detailed kit. I agree with Nigel - masking canopies is not something that I would enjoy, so I will also stick with open cockpits.
Stephen.
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Thanks for the encouragement, gentlemen! After attempting a few more of the masks with the templates provided, things worked out better for the majority of the glass sections. I see now Eduard has a set of masks for this model - figures! After adding the last of the internal detail, the fuselage halves could be put together. I did have to add a bit of Tamiya putty to some small gaps, and taped off the areas to minimize the mess. The glazings in the nose do line up together nicely, after a bit of faff. And I broke off the barrel of the rear MG while fiddling with the fuselage halves. Found it on the floor after my chair had rolled over it unfortunately. Good thing I had a spare.
One of the noteworthy ideas presented in one of the build videos I had seen was the use of UV resin to glue together glazing sections. I ended up trying it on the two-part sliding canopy, which the kit provided with a curved template to get the shape correctly set. I didn't want to risk having Tamiya Extra Thin cement "wick" onto this template, and so the UV rein worked well here. I just dabbed a small amount onto the joint, shone the little UV torch on it for about 20 seconds and presto - solid bond.
I chose not to add the optional MG in the nose, and had everything glued together before realizing the Ammo canisters probably wouldn't have been mounted up front in that case. Oh well....
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55284009847_daaf22f9e7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2seg14z)DSC_3259c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2seg14z) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55285159164_4309c5bfbe_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2semTHo)DSC_3260c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2semTHo) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55285159169_e00ec4feec_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2semTHt)DSC_3262c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2semTHt) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55284009852_1e42e675b3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2seg14E)DSC_3263c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2seg14E) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55284926721_331fa3cbb8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sekGBK)DSC_3267c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sekGBK) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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I'm still progressively working on finding the best way (for me) to attach clear bits and this looks promising. Great work, Gary!
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This is looking really nice, don't worry about the ammo canisters though, only an absolute nitpicker would notice that...... ;)
I am making more use of UV resin. I mainly use it to represent glass in instrument dials for which it is fantastic, but it clearly has many uses.
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Looking Fantastic! I have been thinking about one of those UV set ups. You May have convinced Me!
RAGIII
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What a pity so much lovely detail will be barely seen....have you thought about making some clear parts or cut-aways to enable viewers to see more?
Stephen.
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Okay , not the pretties of aircraft but that is some beautiful work .
Alexis
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Thanks to all for your comments - and yes, Alexis...there are so many early-war British aircraft that look very ungainly and this one is definitely a candidate...but in an interesting kinda way.
What a pity so much lovely detail will be barely seen....have you thought about making some clear parts or cut-aways to enable viewers to see more?
Stephen.
Thanks for the thought, Stephen - as with most aircraft I make, I prefer the overall look to be of the closed-up configuration and try to get it as realistic looking as possible. There's plenty to see through the glazings, and I may open the canopy on this cockpit since the ITA details are worth exposing.
As most of us have found, there are moments that we'd rather do over again properly during the building of a model. I noticed an open seam on the glazed nose of the aircraft that needed filling, and I though I'd be really clever and insert a small strip of stretched-sprue into it. I'm not sure why I didn't listen to the voices in my head that said "remove that tape first" or "fix it later", but I went ahead and tried to add some Tamiya Extra Thin Cement to the nose with the masking tape still in place. Probably the most stupid move of my modelling life. Sure enough...when I dared check underneath...the glue had wicked into the tape and marred the nose glazing. A trip to the hobby shop for Tamiya polishing compounds (three types) and two days of polishing and re-polishing later I was able to get it back to an acceptable appearance, but it will never be quite perfect. Continuing with the painting as we speak.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55297050823_36da8922da_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfpQFZ)DSC_3272c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfpQFZ) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
Cement wicked under the masking tape making this horrible mess on the most prolific feature of the model.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55296168867_b5164a5bd2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfkjvR)DSC_3270c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfkjvR) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The model measures out at a wingspan of 44cm which isn't quite a big as my ICM Heinkel, but still a large kit.
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Noooooooooooooooo :o
Hate it when you do something like that; you can see a potential 'issue', but press on regardless :'(
Hopefully the polishing brings it back from the brink of destruction. Would it be possible to get a spare canopy from the manufacturer perchance?
Paul
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Would it be possible to get a spare canopy from the manufacturer perchance?
Paul
I considered that Paul, but the logistics involved in removing the glazings from the fuselage (to replace them with new ones) would have possibly caused even worse damage to the model. The effected glazings polished out fairly well - with a LOT of effort.
Cheers!
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Doh! We've all been there........ Glad you didn't decide to consign it to the shelf of doom.....
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That is a real b.....er Gary. I sincerely hope that the polishing/elbow grease combination will have removed the marks - at least enough that nobody will notice unless you tell them....
Stephen.
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Thanks Stephen & Nigel - I always try to figure out a plan forward and realize that every project (of mine, anyway) is a compromise of some sort if I'm going to finish it. A lot of my modelling friends struggle with compromise and never finish anything.
As I'd mentioned earlier - I acquired a couple of 3D printed figures from MODELU for this project, and initially wasn't impressed with the fidelity of the detail on first inspection. I have to say after painting them up, they seem to be acceptable looking figures for a 1/48 aircraft vignette. I struggled to make out the small details, and had to refer to references of British WW2 equipment to make out what was what. The painting guide is basically the small photo of the two "posers" for the figures (from my initial post here) so I struggled to get the proper colours for the different bits of equipment used for these two airmen. They were finished with Vallejo acrylics, and I tried out some new Tamiya HGII paintbrushes which worked well. Also still enjoying the Tamiya PRO II sables, too.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300411864_47d5cc7d9c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4NY)DSC_3281c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4NY) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300580030_fabdd5f671_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVNo)DSC_3280c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVNo) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300580025_a8e55809b4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVNi)DSC_3282c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVNi) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55299264132_00ce2844d8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfBbCu)DSC_3286c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfBbCu) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300411849_1600ac2e9b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4NH)DSC_3285c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4NH) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300321888_0c4bafb1fa_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfGB4E)DSC_3283c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfGB4E) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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The figures look great for 1/48 scale - that's pretty small! I have just tried one of the Tamiya HGII brushes and have to say I like it.
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Figures looking nice Gary and always good to hear about what brushes people are using. These smaller figures can take as long as the big stuff I've found, but I like the overall feel you've managed on them
Paul
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I know the feeling of pressing on when you know you shouldn't. Done it many times, then had to go back and repair My error! As for the figures, Brilliant as always!
RAGIII
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Thanks Nigel, Paul & Rick! I've been making slow progress on several aspects of the build these past few days.
The Bristol engine assemblies have the exhaust accumulator rings at the front, and I've seen these called out in many bright colours in the past. Wartime photos have all kinds of weathered looks to these areas - and if you are lucky enough to find a "genuine" colour photo from that period it can be helpful in determining how to paint them. I chose to mask off the black/dark earth/green camo first, then airbrush the rings with Alclad II Brass, followed with a gentle, diluted airbrushing of a Tamiya acrylic mix of smoke, NATO black and a touch of brown.
I had never applied a black underside to a model before, and studied a few on-line builds as how best to emulate a weathered look to it. experimenting on some spare parts first, the process I used was to airbrush on a base coat of NATO black, protect it with a fine gloss coat, then add some small patches of XF-63 German Grey on the many panels. After again protecting this with gloss, I added a medium grey mix of oil paint thinned with mineral spirits to the surface detail (and the engraved panel lines and rivet detail is very nicely done on this kit). After about 45 minutes I wiped this off using a cotton bud. Pleased with my experimental results, I went ahead on the model working in small sections at a time.
To complete the underside before I begin on the upper surfaces, I tried to add the stencil markings using the 1ManArmy mask set. I'm absolutely amazed at how well these stencils work at that scale. I had used the 1/32 Spitfire set previously...but wasn't sure how well the 1/48 lettering would appear by utilizing these tiny masks. Fifty bucks well spent...so far ;)
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300580045_90e70d48b4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVND)DSC_3275c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfHVND) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The bright Alclad brass on the right...toned down with a dark acrylic Tamiya mix on the left.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55300411889_19fc8fb056_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4Pp)DSC_3278c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfH4Pp) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
NATO black was washed with a grey oil paint to bring out the fine detail of the kit's lower surfaces.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55302003357_8d29e19749_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sfRdUv)DSC_3289c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sfRdUv) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The 1ManArmy masks applied for the underside stencils, painted with an off-white.
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The exhausts look excellent. When I do another aircraft that has similar parts. I will refer back to your build. The layering of the "Black" with the greys looks fantastic. Finally, those One Man Army Stencils are a big, WOW!
RAGIII
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Very nice work Gary that allows me to employ my two favourite words - subtle and effective.... ;) ;D
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Gorgeous project underway! Despite the problem with the glue on the glass, I am sure it will turn out just perfect, as always.
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The figures are very impressive - I would have guessed that they were in a larger scale had you not told us. The exhaust collector rings look the part too - in all a very impressive model in the making.
Stephen.
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Thanks for your comments Nigel, Rick, Stephen & Prze - I appreciate them very much.
To paint the upper camo I chose XF-81 RAF Green and a mix of Tamiya acrylics for the dark earth colour. I've always considered Tamiya's XF-52 Flat Earth to be a bit too dark & reddish...and tried to mix up a colour to resemble the old Humbrol #29 enamel.
Since all photos of the early Hampden's seemed to have a hard-edge finish, I airbrushed on the green first, then masked the pattern using Tamiya masking tape...utilizing all kinds of left-over bits from previous builds which I save (in a miserly kind of way) on a pane of glass. I did question the demarcation pattern of the black underside and upper scheme on the instruction sheet, and made my decisions on photos I'd studied from the Internet and a copy of FlyPast magazine Oct. 2012.
The markings were also airbrushed on using the 1ManArmy masks. They have a system of using "transfer tape", and I was supplied with some complimentary clear tape from Kit Masx here in Canada which was for that purpose. The idea being that you place this stuff over the multi-part segment of masking...peel it off the backing paper while it all holds together under the transfer tape, then place it on the model without it separating, buckling and twisting out of shape. The stuff didn't work at all with the masks not adhering to the transfer tape in any fashion, and the segments had to be carefully placed on the model as they buckled, twisted and were non-cooperative using two pairs of tweezers and a lot of colourful language. I had better luck transferring the masks using regular 18mm Tamiya masking tape to hold everything straight.
And I'm still determined to not break off the lower gondola MG barrel and tail wheel as I plod on. All the other tiny bits can be added near the end.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55309113158_14d540531a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sgtEph)DSC_3290c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sgtEph) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55309360890_3e07fdaaf1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sguW3w)DSC_3292c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sguW3w) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55309360885_ae681377d3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sguW3r)DSC_3296c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sguW3r) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55309189349_57b5ce70ec_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sgu43V)DSC_3297c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sgu43V) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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More masking......what fun! The results are looking very good though, worth the effort.
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Looking good 8)
Transfer tape is used a lot by signmakers for picking up vinyl lettering and comes in different grades of stickiness; the low tac stuff is for putting on window graphics and medium or high tac are the standard ones. It does seem to dry out when left on the shelf and this reduces the tack quite noticeably. There is also a clear version (rather than the regular paper), but it's a bit of a pain to use unless the surface is flat because it doesn't conform in the same way as the paper version - Sign graphics lesson over, please continue with your regular programme ;)
Paul
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I am impressed by the masking work! I would have just slapped on some silly putty in the shape of the camo pattern. Not enough patience to do it right ::)
The masked and painted ::)code letters are fantastic!
RAGIII
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Nigel, Paul & Rick - thanks again for the kind words. I was hoping to have better progress on this one and take it down to the Canadian Bomber Command Museum in Nanton Alberta for the model show this weekend, but that was too much ambitious thinking.
I realized to day that the ITA engine assemblies sit about 1.25mm too far forward on their mounts, and have to make some corrective surgery. I've shaved about the right amount off the starboard mount, and am assuming the same will have to be done with the port side. The DSPIAE grinding tool and sanding sticks leave quite a bit of styrene shavings to clean up.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55313735477_1f0b876c5f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sgTmsr)DSC_3303c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sgTmsr) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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A shame you couldn't make the show with this one! I am sure you will sort all out with no problem!
RAGIII
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Some stellar work here Gary as always. I too am becoming more and more inclined to do marking with masks. Yours have come out beautifully, as has the rest of your paint work.
Great stuff!
Cheers,
Brad C
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Thanks for the encouragement, Rick & Brad.
This project continues to challenge me at each step. To attach the engine assemblies to their mounts I cemented thin styrene rings to the rear of the resin engines with cyano, enabling me to position them in place with Tamiya Extra Thin glue. This gave me the time to align them as best I could with the upper intakes.
I also had to adapt the propellers to the openings in the front of the engine, which required using a shaft of styrene rod inserted into a pre-cut length of styrene tubing. For some reason, the kit's propellers have an attachment hole that is not quite centered (??).
Contrary to the instruction sequence, I left off adding the bombs & their mounts until this point in time. One reason is the amount of handling necessary up until now, and also the poor fit of the 500lb bombs to their mounts made it necessary to assemble them first, then add them to the bay after adding the doors. The landing gear legs were also added at this point. And I was able to look at adding some of the tiny bits soon - I improved the small venturi by drilling out the ends and adding a small styrene centre piece.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55326325316_a99ab4249e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2shZSYC)DSC_3304c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2shZSYC) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
Rings of styrene attached with cyano to the resin engines helped to align the asseblies to their mounts with styrene cement.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55326325321_e2ae45dbd3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2shZSYH)DSC_3306c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2shZSYH) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The propellers needed to be adapted to their new mounts using rod and tubing.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55326489363_157d63b676_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2si1HK2)DSC_3308c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2si1HK2) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on FlickrThe bombs had to be cemented to their mounts first, and then placed into position after the bomb bay doors & hardware had been added. I used dark oil paint and a sponge to add the rough look that these bombs seemed to have in period photos.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55326787420_c5db4e08b7_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2si3fkW)DSC_3314c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2si3fkW) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
The tiny venturi received some detailing with styrene.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55326544924_1f76b65dcb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2si21fY)DSC_3310c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2si21fY) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
With the bomb bay completed and landing gear added, it is now time to begin on completing the upper parts. Tape was placed over the lower MG since it could easily be broken off.
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Really like how the camo turned out on this one Gary , love the weathering on the underside , black is not easy to do . You seem to be over coming those challenges very well .
Alexis
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Coming along very nicely and I agree, that black underside looks superb, really well handled.
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Gorgeous. Including the black faded undersides!
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Alexis, Nigel & Prze - thanks again for your kind comments! I am less afraid of attempting a black scheme now, and my recently-arrived 1/48 Arma Hurricane Mk.1 is tempting me. Although it would only be the underside of one wing ::)
One of the disappointing features of this particular model is the way the rear dorsal gun position was engineered. The MG has to be positioned "stowed". If one wants to raise the gun up, it would take a bit of surgery to the mount to swing it, but also the glazing only fits in the closed position...again major surgery to the model would be needed to swing it back. The 3D printed guns from ITA are lovely...but have a large empty-shell casing bag attached which don't allow them to fit the given configuration. And I don't like to try and modify the 3D printed resin since it doesn't cooperate like styrene.
So I added a couple of tiny gun-sights to the kit MG and positioned it as intended in the kit instructions, with the domed glazing barely clearing the rear cross-sight.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55329239905_151f63cb52_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sifPoa)DSC_3318c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sifPoa) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55329239900_96c7fe1d63_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sifPo5)DSC_3320c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sifPo5) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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The finish of the paintwork (especially the undersides and bombs) is superb. Shame about the gun mounting, but then if the aircraft was on the ground the canopy would probably have been closed.
This is going to be a cracker of a model when finished.
Stephen.
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The finish of the paintwork (especially the undersides and bombs) is superb. Shame about the gun mounting, but then if the aircraft was on the ground the canopy would probably have been closed.
This is going to be a cracker of a model when finished.
Stephen.
Thanks Stephen - hopefully done soon.
I added a couple of small gun sight details in front of the cockpit from the spares box.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55331596419_e69022d514_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sisTTH)DSC_3342c_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2sisTTH) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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That looks absolutely spiffing, looking forward to seeing it finished...
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:o Wow
Just love the feel of your paintwork and finish (the building ain't bad either) ;)
Canopy looks perfect and I wouldn't have guessed you'd had any issues unless told about them. It's certainly turning into quite the looker
Paul
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Thanks again Nigel & Paul - great to have you follow the build!
The model is now done, so here are a few pics.
Cheers!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55332712636_4fa36f4bdc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGQ)01 (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGQ) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55332932114_af4990b3be_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sizJWW)09 (https://flic.kr/p/2sizJWW) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55331783402_6e0a1358ec_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2sitRty)04 (https://flic.kr/p/2sitRty) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55332712646_b205eb3139_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBH1)06 (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBH1) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55333135335_b468266f45_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2siAMmK)08 (https://flic.kr/p/2siAMmK) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55332712626_cb703f9d65_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGE)10 (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGE) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55332712631_9138446813_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGK)11 (https://flic.kr/p/2siyBGK) by Gary Edmundson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/203757257@N03/), on Flickr
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Very, very fine. I like very much the clean sharp look. Congratulations.
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Excellent results on the finally product Gary , she turned out fantastic !!!!
What's next for the bench ?
Alexis
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That's a lovely job all round Gary. The figures look great for that small scale. Beautiful work and lovely presentation as always.
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Thanks Prze, Alexis & Nigel. I wanted to build this kit in the worst way and even though it was a difficult journey at times I'm pleased to have it finished and can look at it for the next while.
What's next for the bench ?
Alexis
Good question Alexis - I just picked up an Airfix 1/48 Anson at the Nanton show, and I've got some nice figures to go with my Arma Hurricane, so maybe I need to start both since my bench is completely clear at this point.
Cheers!
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This turned out beautifully. And as usual, your human figures are unbelievably good.
Warren Q
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I agree that the figures are truly outstanding. The aircraft is a real WOW! The slightly worn look is truly impressive - just right IMO. I would be very proud indeed to have that model in my display cabinet.
Stephen.
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Brilliant work Gary! Stunning results on all!
RAGIII