1:32nd scale Halberstadt D.II

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Lovely work Mike, and nice use of the Aviattic decals. Are the rest of the decals from LukGraph? They look less translucent than the ones in the Oeffag Albatros kit.

You are going to make a stellar job of this one.

Hi Nigel,
Yes they are the kit decals.
They don't seem translucent once applied,

Mike

[PrzemoL]

Great work on the colours Mike. It is yet one more of your beauties under construction.

[Dutch522]

Gorgeous work, Mike, really looking forward to seeing this one done. I have several sheets of the Linen Effect decals; although I haven't used them on anything yet I'm looking forward to trying after seeing your results.

Dutch

[Tim Mixon]

Beautiful work Mike. This is such a rare subject until this kits release.  I’m sure your work will inspire many more sales!

[KiwiZac]

The camouflage is exactly what I see in my mind when I think "Halberstadt scout". Lovely work on the paint, Mike!

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
I've applied some weathering.
'Flory Models' clay wash (Dart Dirt), 'Tamiya' Weathering Master (Oil Stain and Mud).
Also dry brushing of 'Mr. Colour' Super Iron 2 over the metal panels.
The lower wings are also now attached.

Now onto pre-rigging before assembly starts,

Mike

[NigelR]

The weathering looks really effective, you have really mastered the Flory washes. I really like the contrast between the painted blue and the fabric sections.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all
A few more updates on the build
The machine gun is fitted and the windscreen (Wingnut Wings spare screen, not the kits)
The external exhaust pipe is wrapped with thin strips of plumbers PTFE tape, to represent the lagging
I chose to replace the kit photo-etch pipe support straps with flattened 0.5 mm diameter Aluminium tube as more in-scale
Rudder control horn made from 0.4 mm thick plastic card (rudder horn not supplied in the kit)

Now onto the landing gear before pre-rigging

Mike

[AngryJazz]

Wow looking stunning Mike! 

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Landing gear complete
I've added 0.5 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube to represent the axle attachments to the axle fairing
Also 'EZ' white line (Heavy) around the axle ends for the suspension cords
These were weathered using 'AK Interactive' Kerosone wash (AL3029)

Now onto the pre-rigging stage of the build

Mike

[NigelR]

Looking good Mike. I like the EZ Line bungee cords, I shall use that trick on the LukGraph Albatros.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all
The underside of the upper wing has been pre-rigged using 'Gasspatch' 1:48th scale metal Anchor Points, 0.12mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.5mm diameter Brass tube
The rudder and elevators have been rigged using 'Gasspatch' 1:48th scale metal turnbuckles (Type C), 0.08mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.4mm diameter Brass tube
The ailerons have been pre-rigged 0.08mm diameter mono-filament

Next is fitting the upper wing

Mike

[FAf]

Looking really good! I'm quite tempted to try those linen decals at some point.
/F

[PrzemoL]

Spectacular close-ups

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all
The upper wing is now fitted onto the eight interplane struts
The fuselage cabane struts will be fitted next

The struts are 3D printed with shallow recesses at each end for fitting short 0.8mm diameter rods, intended to locate into holes in the wings
As I suspected, this causes any stress on the struts to break the struts, leaving the rods in the wing
Despite being very careful, two of the struts broke this way before the upper wing was fitted and one after the wing was fitted
These needed to be repaired
This method of locating struts is not the best and would have been better made of cast resin struts with full length internal rods
However, the struts will hopefully be reinforced once the wings are fully rigged with the tightened mono-filament line

Mike