WNW 1/32nd Bristol F2b "McKeever"

[lcarroll]

Hey, Lance,

Sorry to hear that you had that problem with the seat, but it sounds as if you've come through with a very good repair. I went with the kit instrument panel and decals, so I'll be interested to see how your approach to the IP works out. Good luck with the rest of your build! 

Thanks Gary, if there's a harder way to do it I'll always find it. I just wasn't confident with painting the bezels in situ so as I said there's no going back now (he said with a quiver in his voice)
Cheers,
Lance

[Chris Johnson]

   I'm making some progress but not even close to the Photo stage. Got hung up on the seat; after an afternoon of sanding per Trackpad's technique I failed, the wicker cross-piece portion half way up simply dropped out..............too thin methinks!? I've salvaged it with some PE mesh I had in the spares box and I'm happy with the repair.
   After a lot of "what-if-ing" I shaved the instrument panel flush and plan to add AM bezels etc once the woodgrain is on. No going back but I was happy with the results on my SE5a so this alone should keep me busy for more then just a few days.....
   So far so good and a really nice Kit.
Cheers,
Lance

Looking forward to seeing images of your wicker seat Lance. I've had my belt sander standing by for when I try my hand at it, but after reading about your experience, maybe I'll settle for sandpaper instead.

Cheers,

Chris

[mgunns]

Hi Lance:

I too am looking forward to this build.  Like you and Trackpad, I build to my ability.  I enjoy the build but don't get too wrapped around the axle on AM stuff and AMS.  I do like to put some extra detail in but that's it.  I like your approach and will be watching with interest how you proceed with this kit.  I have it as well, as well as almost every WNW kit, hope SWMBO isn't reading this, and enjoy your builds and comment.  I agree, there are a lot of Canadians that don't get the attention the other allies get.  Being a border state, well Minnesota is a border state anyway, and having been to Canada several times,  I have always felt a kindred spirit with the neighbors to the north.
Looking forward to this build.

Best

Mark

[lcarroll]

Thanks for the kind words Mark. I'm kind of "stalled" presently, Son and Grandson visiting for a 4 day weekend while we do the annual 3 Generational Whitetail Hunt. Lot's of fun and great memories but does put the Build on hold for sure. I truly appreciate your comments re: Canadian Heros, my comment was based on the fact that, unlike most Nations, we don't do a good job at promoting our own. Guess we really are a fairly modest lot.
   Back to the build the temporary interuption is good in a way; I've stripped the floor and I believe I'll do the same with the side frames, just not totally happy with the woodgrain results. Wouldn't have done so without the break and time to think about it. Oh well, off at my normal sloooow pace!
Cheers,
Lance

[LindsayT]

I'm looking forward to you getting back to the build, Lance. I'm enjoying watching the celebration of Canadian aviators that you, Chris, and Gary are putting on for us.

Good luck with the hunt. I missed out on this year's trip for pheasant and partridge. Too bad, because it's fun to be able to literally "hunt Huns"! My dog still isn't talking to me.

LT

[lcarroll]

    I've made a bit of progress but no photos to prove it. Real life does truly trash leisure time plans and ambitions. Now it's painting/repairing my Daughter's Condo (in prep for new tenants) paired with a no-notice request for my talents in the workplace at "0h-Dark-30" tomorrow morning.
    The cockpit is coming together now, have the instrument panel done and only a few loose ends to add to the side frames. The floor, seats, control sticks etc are done as well, just need to get the flight control wires, a little work on the extra Lewis Magazines, and a bit more plumbing in place and it'll be assembled and photographed.
    Thanks all for your patience, I know mine is running a little thin! Hopefully an update with photos before next weekend.
Cheers,
Lance

[GAJouette]

  Lance,
Sounds like you're one busy man. At any rate I'll be on the lookout for the latest photos my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Trackpad]

Hi, Lance,

It's not a race, so take your time. My cockpit is just about ready to be fitted into the fuselage, but that's about as far as I've got this week. Might get it in today, but we'll see. Sois calme, mon vieux! You and I will inch across the GB finish line with...maybe... five or six whole minutes to spare! 

[Chris Johnson]

I second what Gary has written Lance. I'm still hung up with my LVG C.VI so I haven't even started my Biff. Take your time while painting the condo as that's always an enjoyable job. 

I'll be thinking about you at cold oh-dark-30 tomorrow as I contemplate rolling out . . . or rolling over . . .   

Cheers,

Chris

[mgunns]

No worries Lance:

I had to put time in at the Water Works yesterday, 01 Dec, and got home too bleary eyed to do anything but waste an evening watching Mad Men on DVD.s. 

Looking forward to the photo op when it takes place.

Best

Mark

[lcarroll]

   Having completed the cockpit module yesterday I'm finally ready to post an update. I might add that I've just spent several hours wrestling with Photobucket and have mastered the changed procedure for loading photos here. I'll keep this one brief to ensure all is working properly and then provide a few more posts.
   The Instrument Panel was the first component completed. The panel was sanded flush, given a woodgrain finish of enamel base, acrylic woodgrain, and a top coat of Tamiya Clear Orange. Instrument bases were made from sheet styrene using a Waldron Punch and Dye Set, instrument faces added from Airscale Decals and Kit Decals, Aeroclub Bezels added, and the faces given a drop of Future to provide the glassed look. I also added a placard and an extra dial to replicate the appearance of the Hendon F2b and several photos of the wartime version. You'll note the placard has a few tail numbers as it was scavenged from a previous Build's left overs, I felt some lettering was important and my story is the numbers relate to a "code of the day" in the event of coming down over the lines. (works for me!)

   Next in line was the pilot's wicker seat. As mentioned on Trackpads Build Log I failed miserably at removing the back portion of the lattice center section of the seat back to "open up" that portion per the real thing. I eventually cut out the ruined section and worked in some old PE material from the spares pile, not my greatest modelling moment nor best results. I had to add a small insert in the center to support the PE and it's a little rough on close examination; probably not apparent once she's closed up but it bothers me knowing it's there!

   And a few more views taken later on posed on the floor/rear fuel tank assembly:


   I'll leave this post at this point, want to ensure the Photos are working OK.
Cheers,
Lance

[lcarroll]

Update #2
The cockpit side frames were given the same (but lighter) woodgrain treatment as the panel and several additions done. In no particular order I added fuel lines, throttle etc rod linkages, a brass resevoir or accumulator with plumbing above the throttle quadrant, a double lever control(?) on the left upper longeron, a control and linkage above the radiator shutter contol upper right, and then the cross bracing wires (guitar wire and 1mm brass tubing from Bob's product) The Lewis drum magazines were given scratched leather (thin styrene) handles once painted with Mr Metal Color and hilighted by dry brushing with flat aluminum. Last, the aluminum sheet panel in the Gunner's cockpit, right side, and it's fairlead/gusset "thingy" for the tail incidence control wires was scratched and added. These are photos of the cross bracing install #1, there have been at least a dozen more since as I have become extremely proficient at knocking them off while working on adjacent components!


This shot was taken before the addition of the brass resevoir above the throttle quadrant.

   Next (in the next few hours) pre-rigging of the Flight Controls, completion of the floor portion, and installing the let frame to the floor assembly after final cockpit additions.
   Thanks for looking in.......
Cheers,
Lance

[Chris Johnson]

Outstanding Lance!

It's all looking very good and I can see that you've put in a lot of time and effort into the office. With results like this, your time has been very well spent. Nice woodgrain effect all around, and especially on the instrument panel, and all of the extras will make the cockpit look properly busy.

Looking forward to seeing more!

Cheers,

Chris

P.S. After seeing this, I'm fully satisfied that there are actually two ringers in this mini GB of ours!

[mgunns]

Hello Lance:

At  last a progress report on the Mckeever project.  Well worth the wait, your instrument panel is the bees knees.  I like the placard.  Your logic works for me as well, adds a little interest in there.  I have yet to try that sanding off the molded in bezels, but will give it a go at some point.  Your interior framing is coming along nicely.  Nice wood tones that will stand out against the fabric color.  Obviously you were a pilot as a lot of what you covered I know nothing about, so........I will be watching with interest as  you progress and comment.  This a/c is high on the "to do next" list.

Best

Mark

[lcarroll]

Thanks Chris and Mark. I'm going to speed up the next update, more photos, less talking! As for a "Ringer", Chris, I think not. If so a very very slow moving one for certain!
Cheers,
Lance