forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: Bolman on May 13, 2016, 08:16:54 AM
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Hello all,
Thought I'd share another of the builds I had been working on and completed before the end of last month.
This one was requested by one of my gamer friends for his personal aircraft and so I had to create the logo used on it as well.
As most of you may know, Merlin Models kits are not known for being shake the box or snap together type kits. Some work needs to be done with each part in order to make them... usable. Also, this particular kit came with no strut material and requires the modeler to be able to make them.. wing and landing struts both. Hence being called a craftsman kit regarding difficulty.
This kit also included quite a bit in regards to metal parts: Engine, cowling, guns, wheels, seat, floor, prop, and the axle. In order to use these parts, I became friends with my JB Weld tubes several times during this project. Timing with the use of JB Weld can be critical since it can shut down progress for a day once used while it sets and cures. For large parts requiring the use of JB Weld, I started using it in select areas of the part leaving a place to add CA in order to hold it in place while the JB Weld cures.
For example, I used a straight pin as the prop shaft and fixed the prop to the pin using JB Weld. Once cured, I made a couple small washers for spacers on the shaft to prevent the flow of additional JB Weld along the shaft; placing them on either side of the cowling as it was added to the shaft. Adding JB Weld to the inside of the center hole of the completed engine after it was added to the shaft and allowing it to cure completed the engine/prop assembly and when mounted onto the fuselage, the engine and prop were allowed to move together.
(https://i.postimg.cc/B64V3pxh/IMG-0314.jpg)
Completing the fuselage assembly and painting it as requested gave me this:
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5Rnhnbw/IMG-0302.jpg)
Adding the lower and mid wings as well as the markings including his personal logo. The logo is made up of two decals. The white background was cut from a Russian roundel.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tTyyZhHf/IMG-0462.jpg)
After adding hand made struts and rigging, it all came together as this:
(https://i.postimg.cc/0QPN7gs9/IMG-0475.jpg)
All wing and strut joints were drilled and pinned with 0.012" brass wire to help hold it all together.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzxnjspM/IMG-0476.jpg)
Rigging is 2 lb mono filament 0.004" diameter. Paints are Testor enamels.
Thanks for looking!
John
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Merlin kits have a reputation of being virtually un-buildable, but you have proven the critics wrong by producing a nice looking model, well done John.
Des.
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Very nice! I just started a pair of Merlins and if they come out anywhere close to that good I'll be happy!
Ian
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John, I admire your ability to finish a kit of dubious quality to such a high standard. I also always enjoy your creative gaming schemes! Well done!
RAGIII
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Well done, John! It must have been a Bear of a kit, but you
have tamed it beautifully. Well done, my friend!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Thanks Des, Ian, Rick and Ernie, much appreciated. It was actually one of the better Merlin adventures of all of the ones I've done. Maybe because I've done so many by now, I've become numb. :D
As I noted somewhere, I have one Merlin Models kit left in my stash. I might jump on it some day ;)
John
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John,
Your skills as a scratch builder really show here - that is a beautifully put together kit and if you had not described the problems in detail I for one would have been ignorant of them, because they certainly do not show in the finished product.
A lovely build and an interesting scheme. Great!
Stephen.
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Very fine job on what had to be a brutal kit, John! Cool scheme.
Cheers,
Bud
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Now having seen several examples of what "pops out of a Merlin box" I can say with insight, you are working miracles with these "Kits"! Incredible results given what you start with!
Cheers,
Lance
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John,
Well done my friend. She's the finest Merlin Models Pfalz Dr.I I've seen to date.No doubt she'll be an excellent game piece.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Thank you Stephen, Bud, Lance and Gregory. You are all too kind. As a game piece, it is what it is and not a competition model. Someday, I may venture into modeling competitions, but for now, I'm busy enough with what I'm doing. :)
Thanks for looking,
John