forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Squiffy on August 04, 2014, 05:10:29 AM
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My Roden D.VII, in the group build, is on hold until I get the lozenge for the wings. So...
I've started a Vimy. I suppose it's not strictly WW1 as they never saw action but as one was in France with the IAF before the Armistice then it counts in my book.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36062/Vimy03.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36062/Vimy03.jpg.html)
A question for the experts...
The box art, and the pictures that I have found of Vimys on the interweb, all show windows in the nose. The kit however does not have any nose windows and there is nothing in the moulding to even suggest them. Is this just a poor kit, or did some Vimys not have windows in the nose?
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36062/Vimy01.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36062/Vimy01.jpg.html)
Holes drilled for rigging and some filling needed...
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36062/Vimy02.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36062/Vimy02.jpg.html)
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Excellent choice, Squiffy! Some Vimy's had one window, but many had 3. I recommend the Datafile. Excellent photos. I've never seen a photo with no windows. Check refs and match with the S/N if you can.
Cheers,
Bud
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Don't think I have ever seen a Vimy built before so I'm looking forward on this one .
Terri
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Squiffy,
Wow you are building machine! I am looking forward to your build. I once owned the Old Frog Vimy but never built the kit!
RAGIII
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Great subject Squiffy, I'm looking forward to seeing how you tackle this beast.
Des.
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Hmmm... It's not going to be the straightforward build that I imagined.
I've already mentioned the lack of windows in the nose and I had been wondering about other aspects of the fuselage but wasn't sure. I've since been informed that there are some serious issues with the fuselage, namely that it's modelled on the transatlantic Vimy and is quite different from the beast shown in the box art.
I'm not sure my skills are up to altering it, and the fact that I've already assembled the fuselage and lower wing don't help matters, but I'll have a go because I want a standard RAF version (such as these things are ever standard) and now I know it doesn't fit that it will annoy the hell out of me if I build it as is.
I'll detail the changes later.
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Good luck with the changes, Squiffy. I have no doubt that your modelling skills are up to it; it may just require some patience on your part as the builder and the rest of us who can't wait to see how you progress.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Thank you, Nigel, but I think that, perhaps, you overestimate my skills.
I have had the changes confirmed and those that I will make are as follows:
1)The dorsal gunner/observer's position needs to be moved forward.
2)The long hump (which housed extra fuel tanks) that extends from behind the cockpit to the existing dorsal gunner's position needs to be cut off and a replacement, shorter one, be constructed and fitted.
3)The nose requires alteration to fit windows.
There are other faults but I'll be satisfied if I can do the above and at least give the outline of an RAF service bomber and not Alcock and Brown's transatlantic Vimy.
I've discovered that F9569 was the number of the sole example to reach the IAF in France, so I'd like to paint it as that one if possible.
If it all goes wrong I can always model it as Alcock and Brown's Vimy after landing in Ireland. ;D
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I've taken advice from Old Man and lone modeller about the changes but I've been waiting for the book shown below, and the 1:72 scale drawing contained inside, before I start.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36067/vimybook.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36067/vimybook.jpg.html)
Let the cutting commence!
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No going back now. :o
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36068/Vimycuts-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36068/Vimycuts-002.jpg.html)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36068/Vimycuts-003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36068/Vimycuts-003.jpg.html)
I've filled the gunner's position with a backing made of thick plasticard and a piece of plasticard filed circular to plug the hole. I'll sand this flush with the top, once the MEK has allowed the plastic to harden.
I've also filed down the nose gunner's gun ring as it looked too thick and as I'm going to have to make one from scratch for the dorsal, I may as well do the same for the nose.
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That is looking good. There is a great deal to do to make this into something that resembles an RAF machine, but you have certainly started to address the major problems. Don't forget the ventral hatch for the rear gunner - although that got left off mine as I did not know about it at the time.
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Some major surgery happening here bu you seem to have it all under control Squiffy, looking forward to seeing how it shapes up.
Des.
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Further progress on the fuselage.
The flat area has been extended with a piece of plasticard and the hole for the gunner's position drilled in. It still needs opening out further. The hump, having been cut off, has been shortened, widened and replaced and the whole smoothed in with milliput.
The side windows have been filled and new openings are yet to be cut in the correct position.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36069/Vimycuts-003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36069/Vimycuts-003.jpg.html)
Cutting the nose window aperture.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36069/Vimycuts-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36069/Vimycuts-002.jpg.html)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36069/Vimycuts-004.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36069/Vimycuts-004.jpg.html)
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Hello Squiffy:
Quite an undertaking. I am enjoying seeing what you are doing to make the corrections. It all looks good to my eyes. I am looking forward to seeing you progress and reading your comments regarding your corrections.
Best
Mark
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You have clearly found a good solution to the fuselage problem but at least I did not have to cut out the window aperture in the nose - just replace the windows. This is turning into a good representation of the real thing - I am following with interest.
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Awesome progress Squiffy! Your work is impressive, especially in this scale!
RAGIII
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Great work, Squiffy!
This is the sort of modelling I enjoy most, correcting a bad kit to make a good model!
Ian
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Cutting the holes for the fuselage windows.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36070/VIMYcutting-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36070/VIMYcutting-002.jpg.html)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36070/VIMYcutting-003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36070/VIMYcutting-003.jpg.html)
Some filing required...
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Cutting the hole for the ventral gun and gunner's observation window.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36071/VIMYcutting-001.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36071/VIMYcutting-001.jpg.html)
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36071/VIMYcutting-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36071/VIMYcutting-002.jpg.html)
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That is the part that is missing on my model because I did not have the information at the time. I am certainly not going to go back and put one in now!
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Mods are coming along really well so far , looking forward on more progress :)
Terri
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Very neat and clean cutouts you're doing on the fuselage Squiffy, looking forward to seeing more progress.
Des.
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Your window mods are looking great so far! Nice work.
RAGIII
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Thanks, chaps. I honestly thought I'd royally screw this up but it's coming along far better than I'd hoped.
One slight problem:
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36072/VIMYmods-001.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36072/VIMYmods-001.jpg.html)
Fixed. Thankfully the mis-moulded aileron was on the lower side so my fix won't stand out too much.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36072/VIMYmods-006.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36072/VIMYmods-006.jpg.html)
The nose windows. I cut two pieces of T-section plastic and painted them black. Then painted the outer part grey and added glazing made from packaging from a pack of disposable razors.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36072/VIMYmods003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36072/VIMYmods003.jpg.html)
The observation window was glazed with the same material. My take on PC10 is 75% Khaki Drab and 25% Flat Brown (Tamiya).
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36072/VIMYmods-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36072/VIMYmods-002.jpg.html)
Other bits being readied. The engine nacelles should be grey - D'oh!
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36072/VIMYmods-005.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36072/VIMYmods-005.jpg.html)
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You did not a bad job on the repair , rest of the build so far is coming along super ! I have made that mistake before , painting parts the wrong colour .
Terri
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This is coming along fine and much quicker than mine did! I painted the engine struts as wood when in fact they were metal! We all make those kinds of mistakes.
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Interesting point there, LM. What colour do you think the engine struts should be painted with the colour scheme I'm going for?
I've made a bigger mistake than that. After repainting the nacelles grey, I fitted one and its struts to the wing and only then realised that the nacelles are wrong for F9569. In the kit the exhausts are inboard of the struts whereas on F9569 the nacelles are shaped differently and the exhausts are outboard.
I think it's too late to correct this now as it's all rigged and the struts would have to be destroyed to get them off the nacelles. I knew it was going too well to be true.
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Hello Squiffy:
You are making good progress on this kit and it is coming along nicely. I wouldn't sweat the exhaust too much. YOu are doing a great job and the model will look impressive when completed with the work and detail you are providing, exhausts not withstanding.
Best
Mark
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Hello Squiffy:
You are making good progress on this kit and it is coming along nicely. I wouldn't sweat the exhaust too much. YOu are doing a great job and the model will look impressive when completed with the work and detail you are providing, exhausts not withstanding.
Best
Mark
Got to agree with mark!
RAGIII
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Nice work on this big bird. Isn't that a former Frog mould as some other Eastern Express issues?
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Yes, I am led to believe that it was originally a Frog kit.
Here's where I'm up to.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36079/vimy-withwings.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36079/vimy-withwings.jpg.html)
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Very impressive Squiffy. All the hard work you are putting into this is really paying off.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Looking quite nice Squiffy! You are making this build seem easy and I know it isn't!
RAGIII
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The original kit was a Frog Trailbalzer kit from the early 1960's - cannot remember the year but I do have a photo of the original box art somewhere - will try to post later.
With reference to the exhausts: on RAF machines they were outboard of the struts and the nacelles were a different shape too. However you have gone too far to correct this - but who will notice?
With reference to the engine struts I think that they were metal, so a metallic colour would be correct, unless you are intending to use NIVO as the finish, in which case they would be the same as everything else. However I do not know if any Vimy's were finished in NIVO at lead I have not seen any photos of them in that finsih but others on this forum may know otherwise.
You are making an excellent job of this.
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Hi LM, I found a colour drawing online. It's from Windsock Worldwide, Vol.28 No.2 and it shows a Westland-built Vimy in NIVO. But as I'm doing mine as F9569, in PC10 and grey (shown in the same publication), it's not really much help.
I've painted them as wood for now because in the book that I showed earlier there is a photo of F9569 and although it is in black and white, the engine struts all appear to be the same shade, even if they aren't the same colour. Perhaps they should be grey?
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36081/vimy-003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36081/vimy-003.jpg.html)
The cabane struts provided were too short, especially the rear ones since the fuselage hump has been removed, so I used aluminium tube to make new struts. I squashed it flat and filed it as required.
All the rigging is done and it's down to adding the smaller details.
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That is looking very impressive. You have built it in a remarkably short time too. Waiting to see the photos of the finished model which promise to be very good.
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That is looking very impressive. You have built it in a remarkably short time too. Waiting to see the photos of the finished model which promise to be very good.
I agree completely!
RAGIII
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Hello Squiffy:
You sure knocked this out in record time. It is coming along nicely and I am looking forward to seeing how it all will come together. Looks like you got the hard stuff out of the way.
Best
Mark
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Wow what an interesting build to follow! It looks great so far!
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I've just finished putting the decals on, including the serial number that I made up in Photoshop and printed onto decal paper.
The bombs are attached, including two larger bombs on racks under the fuselage (parts not included in the kit) and one Lewis gun fitted. Unfortunately it will have to wait until I have another spare Lewis. The reason being that the guns that came with it look nothing like Lewis guns. Whatever they are they have no detail and the ammo drum is way over scale diameter and looks awful.
I've taken a spare gun and drum from a Roden Sopwith Comic in my stash. No pics, I'm afraid (camera batteries flat) but I will endevour to get some tomorrow, work permitting. :)
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You have achieved remarkable results with this kit Squiffy, and the modifications you did have really made the model special.
Des.
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Amazing transformation, Squiffy -
Looking superb
Regards
Dave
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Thanks for the kind words, chaps. It needs a little tidying up of the paint on the leading edges of the wings and the aforementioned Lews gun for the dorsal gunner but, apart from that, I'm calling it finished.
As soon as I got in from work today I managed to take a few snaps whilst the sun was out. I'll post them in my topic in 'Completed Models'.