Airco DH.9. 1/72 Blue Rider conversion

[Tim Mixon]

My next project is kind of an ambitious one. Blue Rider has made a correction set to convert the Airfix DH.4 to an DH.9. The conversion set includes injection molded fuselage halves, white metal details and engine, and excellent decals for four aircraft. My plan is to make #D2854, 221 Sqdn RAF, Russia 1918

The Blue Rider fuselage halves have great accurate details on the exterior. The excessive wall thickness is a big issue though. Considerable grinding with a rotary tool was necessary to thin down the fuselage walls. I managed to do some damage to the exterior and fuselage seam along the way. Nothing that can’t be fixed.

  The kit components

  My reference material

 Thick walled fuselage halves

  One half has been thinned with a rotary tool

  Airfix wings match the datafile reasonably well. I’ll reduce the rib effects considerably

  I’m replacing the supplied white metal Siddley Puma engine with an Ardpol resin one.


That’s all I have for now. Thanks for looking in!

[DaddyO]

Literally just put down the squadron/signal book on the DH9 which I picked up at the weekends show  (I also picked up teh KP version of this which is staying in its box until I've finished a couple of other projects though)

Will be following this with interest
(Personally I like the look of B7620 markings though and noticed that this one was interned by the Royal Netherlands AF so had an interesting set of markings)

Paul

[KiwiZac]

I'm very intrigued and excited by this build. A great start thinning the cockpit - as soon as you said "white metal" I figured they'd be a scale foot+ thick!

[Tim Mixon]

I agree Paul about 7620. I’m building 2854 as a trial run. I have another Blue Rider set (with Hellenic AF decals) that I’m saving for that aircraft.  I didn’t know that KP made a DH.9 I’ll have to look out for one.

[Tim Mixon]

I'm very intrigued and excited by this build. A great start thinning the cockpit - as soon as you said "white metal" I figured they'd be a scale foot+ thick!

I’m sorry, the fuselage is injection molded.  The engine and other details are white metal.

[enathan]

Tim, the KP kits are DH.9A's.
Ardpol had a resin kit of D2854 that looks excellent but they no longer exist and their kits are only available second hand.

[IanB]

I'll definitely be following this as I have the same Blue Rider conversion, but the Belgian version. (Only because I couldn't find the RAF one!)
Making notes!

Ian

[Tim Mixon]

I don’t know if Wingnut Wings leaving their website up is a blessing or a curse!  I didn’t intend on adding a lot of interior details to this model because of the rough and inaccurate interior surfaces. Once I started the fuselage framework, AMS kicked in and at 2am this is where I stopped:


This all the details I can add before painting the wooden effects.  Once that is done I’ll continue adding more details.



I primed the interior gray.  While that cures I started sanding down the rib effects on the wings. 



That’s all for now. Thanks for looking in!

[KiwiZac]

A great start thinning the cockpit - as soon as you said "white metal" I figured they'd be a scale foot+ thick!

I’m sorry, the fuselage is injection molded.  The engine and other details are white metal.

Ah, gotcha! I did think white metal fuselage halves seemed like overkill!

[Stuart Malone]

Tim,

Looking mighty fine.

Stuart

[gedmundson]

I continue to be amazed at your work in this scale, Tim. Very good start indeed.
Cheers,
Gary

[Tim Mixon]

Part III

Painted the sidewalls and framework. Now I’m ready to start the equipment details.



Scratch built wireless, observers sliding seat, ammo storage bin, and others

[KiwiZac]

Excellent work Tim! I'm following this with great interest.

[Alexis]

Starting off with excellent results so far , will be following for sure


Alexis

[Tim Mixon]

Part IV

This is the instrument cluster.  Very busy little item.  I don’t have all the dials and gauges as per real one.  Looks a lot better without the magnification. 


Left fuselage half:






Both fuselage halves ready to join. I had to add a false bottom around the camera area to cover the gaping hole I ground into the fuselage. 



I’ve joined the fuselage together. Not too bad on the topside



Bottom is horrible!



Milliput to the rescue!





That’s all for now. Thanks for looking in!