Macchi M-5

[kensar]

Nice results on the roundels, Mike.  Good problem solving.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The wings and tail plane/elevators are finished.
The underside of the upper wing has 'ghost' roundels visible from the roundels on the top surface - created with masks and airbrushed..
The heat deflector panel (for engine exhausts) on the inboard left wing painted with 'Alclad' Steel on black primer.
Final weathering applied using 'Flory' fine clay wash.
Surface finish airbrushed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen,

Mike

[RAGIII]

All I can say is your results are Brilliant!
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

I second what Rick has written.

Stephen.

[Alexis]

Mike , your best yet !



Terri

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The fin and rudder are now finished.
The kit decals were not used, but instead airbrushed.
The CDL covering and rib tapes were applied as for the wings.
'Flory Models' fine clay wash (Dark Dirt) applied for weathering.

Mike

[Radarman]

Mike,
That fin looks like a relic found in a museum. Very realistic.
                                                             
                                                Kevin

[FokkerFodder]

Fantastic results - it’s a beautiful plane (although the kit seems challenging based on your log (and Des’s). Cheers Matt

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Thanks guys.

Indeed the kit is a challenge and not one for the faint hearted.
Even 'Des' found it to be close to being thrown at a wall.
I'm getting close to the biggest problem area thus far - mounting the wings and struts.
I need to see if the struts, particularly the centre engine supports, will allow the wings to fit and align correctly, before I commit to their assembly.
In the same way, I need to see if the engine assembly can be fitted within the centre support struts.
There are two interplane 'V' struts, two fuselage to engine 'Z' struts and two engine to upper wing 'Z' struts,
All of these, plus the four wing halves and engine fairing with engine all need to be dry fitted to check their fitment.
A case of many hands and steady hands needed!!

Mike   

[AndRoby67]

Hi Mike,
the fin/rudder are really beautiful, you have obtained right shades of red and green.
In your shoes I will think to build an alignement jig for assembly wings and struts toghether.
In the M.5 not a simple task, as you wrote. In 1/72 I used this one, homemade:



My two cents!
Roberto

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Roberto,
Yes I think I may have to resort to a jig of some sort.
Normally I never use alignment jigs but this model, especially the centre struts with the engine, will need somethng,

Mike

[RAGIII]

The fin and  rudder looks like the real thing! I am sure with your skills you will get the struts and wing alignment sorted!
RAGIII

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
And the lower wing floats.
The kit supplies the earlier 'hull' shaped wing floats. which were attached directly to the underside of the lower wing.
Also supplied are the later 'ski' type wing floats, which were attached to the underside of the lower wing with support struts.
Once again no surprise that the kit does not supply the support struts, just the floats!!

I made the support struts from soldered micro-tube and chiselled recesses into the underside of the lower wing so the floats are correctly positioned, taking into account the 3 degrees of wing dihedral angle.
Some Macchi M.5 aircraft had wing floats of just varnished wood, others had markings such as Italian roundels, white discs etc.
This particular Macchi M.5 had the Italian tricolours applied, similar to that of the fin. 

Mike

[RAGIII]

Excellent work as always Mike!
RAGIII

[huberlu]

Hello,

I really like the painting of your wings.

Aren't the floats a little short?

I look forward to see the rest.

Regards