forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: Mike Norris on November 15, 2021, 10:53:54 AM
-
Hi all,
If you've followed any of my builds you'll know I build specifically 1:32nd scale WW1 aircraft.
However, a friend of mine was a crew chief on No.44 Squadron, RAF, operating the Vulcan B.Mk.2 from RAF Waddington, Lincolshire in the UK.
He retired from the RAF, like me, a long time ago and I'm building this as a surprise for his birthday next month.
So far the basic model, less canopy and landing gear has been built and primed ready for painting.
I wanted to display the aircraft taking off.
To that end I modified the inboard engine nozzles and the front and rear spars to accept 8 mm diameter acrylic rod.
Two lengths of the rod were heated and bent to the required angles.
The base board is 18 mm thick MDF which has been routed around the edges to accept the clear acrylic display cover.
I've drilled into, but not through the base to accepts the two acrylic rods.
Eventually the case will be wax polished around the edges, with a felt underside.
The top of the base will be inset with the embroidered Squadron arm patch with coloured lapel pins of 23 mm diameter, representing the 10 Squadron that flew this aircraft.
The serial number will be XM573.
I just hope the recipient has room in his bungalow for the entire thing, or I'll be looking for another home for it!!
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/XH562.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/base1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/base2.jpg)
-
Hi all,
The Vulcan I'm making is a conventional bomber, not the Blue Steel version.
I forgot to mention that I'll be using the camouflage masking set from 'TopNotch' (TNM72-M185).
Also the decal set from 'Kits World', which has the required markings for No.44 Squadron, as well as many other RAF Vulcan Squadrons.
The only problems I've found so far concerned the forward fuselage.
I had to sand around the nose weight holder as I found the fuselage halves would not fully join otherwise.
Also filling and sanding were needed around the forward fuselage to main fuselage joint.
Other than that just a few seams to tidy up using 'Mr. Surfacer' 500 or 1000.
I made the base and support rods, but I had the clear cover made by someone much better skilled than I am.
Mike
-
Hi all,
The basic airframe has been built and painted.
The underside was 'Tamiya' White (XF2) with Deck Tan (XF55) added to dull it down.
Flory dark dirt applied then gloss coated to seal everything, using 'Alclad' Aqua Gloss 600.
The upper surfaces were 'Tamiya' Medium Grey (XF83) and Dark Green 2 (XF81).
I found the mask 'TopNotch' (TNM72-M185) set not of much use.
In the end I masked the camouflage to surfaces with thin cut strips of 'Tamiya' masking, in-filled with 18 or 6 mm masking tape.
I've yet to coat and weather the top surfaces then its the decals, landing gear and probes etc to fit.
I'm not sure as yet whether to use the 'Airfix' decal or those in the 'KitsWorld' set.
I think Airfix based their decals on the only surviving all anti-flash white Vulcan B.Mk2, which is on static display at Woodford.
I think the stencil markings on camouflaged Vulcan were darker?
The model is the conventional bomber version which will be in the take-off position,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/v1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/v2.jpg)
-
Beautiful Mike, just spectacular! What a wonderful gift and keepsake for your friend! I worked many the times with the Vulcan Crews in my Air Interceptor days in the 70's, simply great people and true professionals. Thanks for sharing this.
Cheers,
Lance
-
Hi Lance,
Would that be during exercise 'Giant Voice' I wonder.
During my time we flew 'Red Flag' and 'Green Flag' from Nellis AFB and exercise 'Prairie Vortex' from Ellsworth AFB.
Mike
-
Beautiful model, the Vulcan was a spectacular aeroplane and makes a gorgeous present. Thank you for sharing.
Ciao
Giuseppe
-
Hi all,
The Avro Vulcan served in the RAF from 1956 until 1984.
The standard red/white/blue roundels and fin flashes were used until the 1970's, when the roundels were changed for camouflaged aircraft, including the Vulcan in its low level conventional bombing role.
These were the red/blue only roundels and fin flashes.
I'm building a No.44 Squadron aircraft from the 1970's onward.
This squadron operated the Vulcan from August 1960 until December 1982, when they were disbanded.
The decals supplied with the kit have only one wing roundel (camouflage scheme), which is the red/blue type.
The following photograph is of four No.44 Squadron Vulcan's practicing over RAF Waddington for their disbandment ceremony in 1982.
It clearly shows these aircraft with a red/blue roundel on both wings, not just the port wing, with fin flashes of the same colour.
I would suggest anyone building this model researches the particular time period and squadron markings for their model, to ensure the correct type of markings are applied.
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/disband.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/roundels.jpg)
-
Hi all,
Getting close to completion now.
The decals have been applied, but like the F4 Phantom, there are lots and many are so small they can hardly be seen.
Flory Grey wash was applied over the upper surfaces then sealed with a clear coat.
Just a few things left to do:
Refuel probe.
Engine casings.
Aerials.
Landing gear and doors.
Navigation lights.
Coloured spine panels.
Then the display base.
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/v3.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/v4.jpg)
-
Hi all,
Here's the finished Vulcan.
'Flory Models' grey clay wash over the upper surfaces, Dark Dirt on the underside and landing gear.
Sealed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311).
I also used 'Tamiya' weathering master (soot and oil) around some parts and decals.
I've also added a couple of antenna that are included in the kit and the upper navigation light.
Now it's onto completing the display base,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/done1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/done2.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/done3.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/done4.jpg)
-
She's a real beauty, I also like the clever display with clear bars to keep liftoff position.
Ciao
Giuseppe
-
Nice work Mike, she is a beauty!!
Andrew
-
Beauty! Well done, Mike. I really like the mounting idea.
Cheers,
Ernie :)
-
I'm tempted to have a go at building the Vulcan, seeing your results may just push me to have a go.
Excellent build.
Well done.
Bob ;)
-
Hi, I really like your build. Cold War jets have a certain appeal…no rigging for one ;)
-
Mike,
Beautifully done ........ The finish is exceptional and what an impressive "beast" she is! The mount and display case are impressive; all in all a wonderful keepsake for your friend, he will no doubt be thrilled to receive it.! PM on the way regarding mutual ops with these Gents.
Cheers,
Lance
-
Nice work, Mike. I'm sure the recipient will love it.
-
I'm so pleased to see this build posted here Mike, she's beautiful!
-
Hi all,
I shouldn't build more than one model at a time!!
I built the Vulcan B Mk.2 while still working on the Salmson 2-A2 model.
Someone on another forum spotted that I'd placed the Vulcan's left wing roundel too far inboard and that the jet pipes should be the longer version for the 201 series engine.
I can remove and replace the roundel.
However, the shorter jet pipes that are currently fitted form part of the mounting for the acrylic support rods.
Fortunately I kept the correct kit parts, but whether I can replace the existing jet pipes is debatable.
This is a case where I didn't see the wood for the trees!!
Mike
-
Someone on another forum spotted that I'd placed the Vulcan's left wing roundel too far inboard
Whew! I thought it was going to be something structural and difficult and
and that the jet pipes should be the longer version for the 201 series engine.
Oh dear! I spend a bit of time on Britmodeller and as a result have been made aware the jetpipes are a very important part of a Vulcan build which can determine whether you can build a certain airframe OOB or you need to do some scratching/invest in aftermarket. Hopefully your friend isn't such a die-hard Vulcan fan so they doesn't notice, or you gamble the other way and fix it.
Either way I think it looks awesome and would be overjoyed to have it on my shelf!
-
Hi all,
For those interested in the Vulcan, a quick update.
To replace the jet pipes with the correct, longer versions.
It's strange how 'Airfix' provide these parts, but there's no mention of them in the assembly instructions.
All other model variations are shown, but only the shorter jet pipes are shown?
Anyway, as the shorter jet pipes were already fitted and part of the wing structure, I chose not to try cutting them out and replacing the entire assemblies.
Instead, I built the outer casings of the longer jet pipes, but without the inner jet pipes (internal jet pipes were already fitted).
I then separated the four pipes and marked, then cut away the casing leaving 7 mm from the rear edges.
These were then cemented onto the rear of the existing casings.
This means the acrylic rods used to support the model from inside the two inner engines still works.
I've yet to add the exterior plates around the front of each casing, which I'll do using thin plastic card.
Then it a case of painting them.
As for the re-positioning of the left roundel - I've received a replacement set of decals.
The previous roundel has been sanded off, so I just need to mask and paint that camouflaged area and weather it to match the surrounding area.
Then I can apply the roundel, in the correct position this time then final clear coat,
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/pipes.jpg)
-
As much as I love New Airfix sometimes they make odd decision, be it in kit details (see the recent 1/72 Mosquito B.XVI/pseudo-TT.35) or not mentioning parts like this. Good on you for taking the time to make the fix, Mike!
-
Darn that build looks nice!
-
Great looking Tin Triangle - and nice save!!
Steve
-
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/done.jpg)
-
That looks excellent Mike! Forgive my ignorance and apologies if I missed the explanation: what are the series of countersunk holes for?
-
The ten recesses are mounting the lapel badges of the ten RAF Squadrons that flew the Vulcan.
They'll also be a No.44 Squadron arm patch embroidered badge and Brass information plaque,
Mike
-
That's a brilliant idea! Very cool.
-
Hi all,
Here's my completed model of Avro Vulcan B.Mk.2, Serial No:XM573 of No.44 (Rhodesia) Squadron.
The squadron was reformed in 1960 at Royal Air Force Waddington in Lincolnshire, UK, initially operating the Vulcan B Mk.1 from August 1960 then converting in January 1961 to the Vulcan B Mk.1a.
The Vulcan's were operated as high-altitude bombers as part of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent.
In 1964,and due to the use of Soviet Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs), the Vulcan became vulnerable and their role was changed to low level penetration bombing.
In 1968 the squadron was equipped with eight of the B Mk.2 versions, which carried the WE177 'laydown' bombs.
In 1969 the Royal Navy took over the UK's role for nuclear deterrent and the Vulcan force was assigned to SACEUR, for the support of land forces.
In this role conventional weapons would have been used with the option to convert to nuclear weapons should the situation on the ground escalate.
The squadron served in this role until 1982, when their Vulcans were involved flying combat missions during the Falklands War.
The squadron was eventually disbanded in December 1982.
The model is the new release in 1:72nd scale by Airfix.
The decal markings are partly from the 'Kits World' (KW172214) set.
Paints used were primarily 'Tamiya' acrylic:
Camouflage - RAF Medium Sea Grey (XF83) and RAF Dark Green (XF81).
Anti-flash white - White (XF2) with added Buff (XF57).
'Flory' Dark Dirt wash for panel line wash and 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311) used for final sealing.
Display base:
18mm thick MDF with routed profile edges and 8mm diameter holes for the model support rods. Sealed and painted matte-black with felt pads on the underside.
8mm diameter acrylic rod heat bent as support rods into the modified internal structure of the Vulcan model.
Top surface is 2mm thick black Perspex, bored through to accept the ten squadron badges, the two acrylic support rods and black edge screws.
Ten 25mm diameter lapel badges, representing the Vulcan squadrons, with the rear face clamping pins removed and filed flat.
A woven No.44 Squadron patch.
A clear acrylic cover fits over the display as protection against dust or damage.
Please excuse the quality of the photographs - not that great.
Mike
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone1.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone2.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone3.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone4.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone5.jpg)
(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/VULCAN/vdone6.jpg)
-
That looks superb Mike, I love the presentation. The squadron badges are such a nice touch. Well done!
As an aside, how did you find the Kits World decals to use? I have a set for my 1/72 B-29 and I've had at least one friend make disquieting noises when I mentioned the brand.
-
Very slick presentation. I hope that the public will get to see that
Steve
-
That looks superb Mike, I love the presentation. The squadron badges are such a nice touch. Well done!
As an aside, how did you find the Kits World decals to use? I have a set for my 1/72 B-29 and I've had at least one friend make disquieting noises when I mentioned the brand.
I had no problems applying the 'Kits World' decals.
I had to order a second set as I'd misaligned one of the wing roundels.
As good if not better than the kit supplied decals.
Mike
-
Very impressive Mike, great work!!
Andrew
-
I had no problems applying the 'Kits World' decals.
I had to order a second set as I'd misaligned one of the wing roundels.
As good if not better than the kit supplied decals.
Mike
Thank you, that makes me feel better. I can't remember what my friend said exactly but it gave me second thoughts...always a disappointing thing when the decals are already in your stash!
-
That's a nice birthday surprise! Hopefully he is not following your builds here ;)
Cheers,
Frank
-
Beautiful work!
WD