All,
I built this old Revell kit 10 years ago and always felt I could do it better justice. Earlier in the year, come across this kit on Ebay which was completely sealed and managed to win the bid at 30 quid.
Finally got around to tackling it and completed yesterday night. I wanted to tackle the kit errors on the fuselage (too deep and wide) and upper wing which has a distinct 'bow' to the upper half. Unfortunately, I did not have any scale drawings so undertook this project by 'eye' and with a fair bit of trial and error. Therefore, this completed model is still not 100% correct. I have ended up reducing a bit too much in terms of depth but this only became clear later in the build when it was too late to alter.
I I have tried to use as much of the existing kit parts as possible by just altering and enhancing as necessary. I started by filing away the molded details on inner fuselage cockpit area. Once done, I then added some lozenge decal (then lightly painted over to appear faded as would be seen from inside) and then scratch built the the fuel pressure pump, mixture control quadrant, cockpit framing and adding the bracing and control wires. I also enhanced the existing instrument panel and seat with cushion (made from Milliput) and seat harness knocked up from old takeaway menu.
Cut down and cut out excess plastic of the fuselage and used plastic sheet to replace the bottom of the fuselage. Much time was then spent, cutting, filing and filing until I was happy with the shape and surface finish. This also include having to now cut down width of horizontal stabiliser and tiding up to ensure proper fit on fuselage. Displaced the elevator for dynamic look.
Added basic details to kit 08/15 MG's, rebuilt the cover over the fuel guage ( half a section of 1/72 bomb from my spares box), and added windshield. Very basic details made to engine by separating the intake manifold, adding oil pump, enlarging the opening (using some large pieces of sprue glued, filed and opened up) and the MG flash guards above engine.
Replaced the underside fuselage lacing and altered the underside of the nose to give appearance of separate chin cowl and the missing inspection panels made up from thin plastic sheet.
Decided to paint in the colours of Erich Loewenhardt's machine. Ordered some underwing lozenge from 'Aviatic' being the only aftermarket used on this build. The fuselage crosses were spare 1/48 decals from my spares box. All other decals used are from the standard kit.
Altered upper wing top section reducing the bow shape and reposed ailerons and painted propeller to resemble laminated wood. Rigging accomplished using 'Pryme' knitting elastic for control cables and 3lb fishing line for bracing wires. Eyelets and tubes self made using twisted copper wire and empty ball pen ink tube stretched over candle.
Model (as always for me) entirely brush painted and some very light weathering using artist pastels. In all, this was a six week (enjoyable) project.
I appreciate others on this forum have also undertaken the same project with far better and accurate results, but I am still pleased with the outcome.
Regards
Dave
