"Shelf Queen 2025 GB" - 1:32nd scale Phonix C.I

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
When the engine and the 3D printed side access panels were test fitted, I found the following:

The bottom edges of the engine side panels were bowed and did not align with the fuselage.
The top, rear edges of the side panels did not meet, leaving a large gap between them.

I removed the bow in the side panels using heat from a hair dryer to re-profile the panels.
The gap between the top, rear of the panels was filled with 1.0 mm thick plastic card then sanded to shape.

Mike

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
I had hoped that the kit 3D printed interplane struts would be OK after I'd re-profiled their flat cross section.
However, I had my doubts and sure enough one broke just by a gentle knock with my finger.
So all of the kit struts have been discard and I'll need to make replacements from Brass rod and tube.
I had to make the fuselage cabane struts anyway as the kit struts were frankly pathetic.
So, we'll see how that goes 

Mike

[Monty]

This is truly a 'reconstruction" kit, Mike! You are doing a very careful and comprehensive build though, well done! Marc

[Umlaufmotor]

@Mike Norris
Really excellent work here - very good craftsmanship.
Not just here, but in many of your previous models, where I have looked over your shoulders while you were building them.
You have the gift, the talent, to make a pretty honeypot out of a dull dustbin.

Servus
Bertl

[Mike Norris (UK)]

@Mike Norris
Really excellent work here - very good craftsmanship.
Not just here, but in many of your previous models, where I have looked over your shoulders while you were building them.
You have the gift, the talent, to make a pretty honeypot out of a dull dustbin.

Servus
Bertl

Hi Bertl,
Thanks and I hope I can defeat this kit.
I've always completed any model I've started,

Mike

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Well it's taken two days so far and 8 of the 12 struts required are done.
Only 4 more to go and I'll post progress shots,

Mike

[NigelR]

This one really is fighting back hard, but you seem to have it under control......

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Well that was fun!!
Fuselage cabane struts made from 'Albion Alloy's' 1.1 mm diameter Brass tube with 0.5 mm diameter internal support Brass rod.
Interplane struts made from 'Albion Alloy's' 1.4 mm diameter Brass tube with 0.5 mm diameter internal support Brass rod.
All strut tubes were compressed into an aerofoils shape using my 'Albion Alloy's' 'Strutter' vice jaws (no longer available).
Wings and fuselage were drilled to accept the strut support rods.
I used masking tape strips to hold the wings together as I made and fitted each strut, as the solid resin wings are not rigid and do flex.
Also, this enabled me to achieve the slight dihedral for the lower wings whilst keeping the upper wing horizontal.

Now it's onto:
Re-profiling the shape of the upper wing opening above the pilot.
Creating the cut outs in the trailing edge of the lower wing roots.
Creating the clear window ports in the decking panel each side of the pilots windscreen.

Mike

[RAGIII]

I am glad the GB has inspired you to get back on this one Mike. Your skills are amazing. Rebuilding as you go on almost every part has to be challenging even for you!
RAGIII

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The kit supplied wings have a cut out in the upper wing above the pilot and no cut outs at the lower wing roots.
These seem to be for earlier production aircraft.
Later production aircraft had the upper wing cut out enlarged and cut outs at the lower wing roots, both for better visibility for the pilot.
Also, clear window ports were located in the cockpit decking panel, each side of the pilots windscreen.
My assumption is that these were to allow daylight into the cockpit to better illuminate the pilots instrument panel, which was set forward under the decking panel.
Finally, earlier production aircraft had rear fuselage cabane struts fitted, but it seems later aircraft did not and the strut openings in the decking panel were blanked off.
Later in this build the clear wind recesses added will be filled with clear resin.

Mike 

[NigelR]

More excellent research work and attention to detail Mike, bravo!

[RAGIII]

More excellent research work and attention to detail Mike, bravo!

Agreed!
RAGIII

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The three coolant pipes (not supplied in the kit) have now been formed in shape.
They were made from annealed 0.8 mm diameter Brass rod and 1.0 mm diameter Brass tube.
The finished pipes were immersed in 'Black-It' solution then lightly buffed with a cloth.
They fit between the engine and the underside of the radiator on the upper wing.
Also the supply pipes from the auxiliary fuel tank in the upper wing to fuselage (not supplied in the kit) were made from 0.5 mm diameter Brass rod.

Now I could be wrong, but I think I'm ready to actually start building this model!!

Mike

[RAGIII]

Awesome! Your work is always amazing!
RAGIII

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
This particular aircraft (121.57) had the Austro-Hungarian ?wolkenartige Schattierung (?Cloud?) scheme of light and dark grey.
Although originally it was thought to be green and tan coloured.
The undersides of the wings and fuselage are painted white as those surfaces will have 'Aviattic' Clear Doped Linen (CDL) and 'Lukgraph' plywood decals applied.
These decals are transparent so require a light coloured base coat to show the linen and wood effect.
The two grey used for the upper surfaces were:
Light Grey - ?Tamiya? Medium Sea Grey 2 (RAF) (XF83)
Dark Grey - 'Tamiya? Ocean Grey 2 (RAF) (XF82).

The painted surfaces have to be smoothed and have a gloss clear coat applied before I apply the decals.
The interplane and fuselage cabane struts needed to be fitted to the upper wing so they could be aligned correctly to the lower wings.
Therefore, cutting and applying the CDL decals on that wing will present a challenge,

Mike