Be12b conversion

[DaddyO]

Fantastic work on this. I've been reading the Windsock volume, and the BE12 has been on my mind a lot lately. Thank you too for the heads up on the C&C article. I just ordered Volume 46 Number 4, so I'll be sure to check it out! 

Cheers William 
There are a few C&C articles that might be of interest depending on which version you choose. I'll dig out the Be12a articles, spread over a couple of issues, which show a number of interesting variations and include drawings. From memory, apart from the expected differences there are some with extensively cut away upper centre sections, exhausts cut down to stubs, internal control wires to the tail surfaces and one with a battery of no less than three Lewis guns mounted above the wing    Sadly still not a great aircraft, but did stirling work everywhere.

Spectacular work on an unusual project. I will be watching with great interest

Thank you Prze 
Really enjoying this one now I've gotten into the swing of it and of course there are so many possible Be2 conversions it's difficult to know which one to choose next . . .

[lone modeller]

Sorry to have missed this - a very interesting conversion indeed, and extremely well done. The details are first class.

The whole BE 2 series of aircraft are very interesting and combined would make worthy display in their own right. They are also under represented in kit form and always have been, which is a real shame.

Stephen.

[DaddyO]

Sorry to have missed this - a very interesting conversion indeed, and extremely well done. The details are first class.

The whole BE 2 series of aircraft are very interesting and combined would make worthy display in their own right. They are also under represented in kit form and always have been, which is a real shame.

Stephen.

Thank you Stephen 

You're right about the Be2 range (and let's not forget the derivatives that used the same wings such as the Re9 and Fee's which are another area under-represented)

Just been making up some undercarriage for this one. In retrospect using the Airfix's offering would have been much easier 
First up bent the legs from brass wire, then added some plastic filets to the back of these and filled the gaps with Mr Surfacer before sanding to section. I tried various ways of getting the wrapped effect (tape, foil and thin paper strip before deciding they all looked a bit too much and deciding paint would be the easiest and probably most scale. The legs rather than stick directly into the fuselage bottom at the front mount into the sides slightly away from the surface with a funny little aerofoil section on this. After much fiddling and abortive attempts I eventually settled on drilling a hole in a length of sprue, sanding roughly to shape, cutting off a section (approx 2mm long), then slotting the hole on the bottom edge so it would project beyond the upright slightly - fiddly, but ultimately quite satisfying (I'll post a pic tomorrow of what they look like)

I keep telling myself it's not about the destination, but the glory of the ride 

Paul

[DaddyO]

As promised here's what the new undercarriage legs look like. They'll probably get a bit of tweaking when fitted, but quite tricky to hold when off the model 

Be12 undercarriage legs , on Flickr

Here's a peek into the cockpit; Combing added with putty for the front and just paint for the thin edging. As you can see I've added a couple of Lewis drums in their storage racks under the dashboard. Control column is stretched sprue and although it's not visible in this view there's a lovely basket seat which can be seen for once. I've not added the belts which I may dangle over the sides as if the pilot is about to climb on board (That also means I'll need to sort a pilot . . . )
You can also see the details added to the cowling top which are taken from the photo of a crashed one which shows a handy close up view of the cowl top, including what looks like a piano hinge down the centre line.

Be12 cockpit by Paul S, on Flickr

[enathan]

Excellent progress Paul!
I don't know about the larger scales but the BE.2 range is quite well represented in 1/72:
BE.2a, BE.2c early, BE.2c, BE.2c night fighter, BE.2c single seat, BE.2e, BE.12a & BE.12b, though most of them OOP and hard to find now.   

[NigelR]

That cockpit looks really nice, the Lewis drums are a great addition and what's more will be visible on the finished model (which makes a pleasant change!).

[Flamingo]

Great progress, looking very good! Like the undercarriage.
Joachim

[DaddyO]

Thank you gents. Makes a nice change to be building a cockpit that will be seen rather than hidden under the top wing 

[Tim Mixon]

Exceptional build Paul. Your scratch details really enhance the overall look. Very impressive interior work.

[Alexis]

Hmmmm , nice pair of legs there Paul 



Alexis

[Skyhook]

this looks excellent. Looks to become one of your best so far!

cheers, skyhook

[DaddyO]

Hmmmm , nice pair of legs there Paul  ;

Alexis

  LOL

Sadly they're not quite right (The model had just been varnished and was drying when these were made using dimensions on the plan; either I cocked it up or the plan is slightly wrong, but either way the axle position came out a little too far back so currently making a new set up. At least these are quicker to make now I know what I'm doing)

this looks excellent. Looks to become one of your best so far!

cheers, skyhook

Cheers matey. 
Really enjoying now I've got into the swing of things. I've just added some extra rigging holes before I get the cabanes in place and see how it all goes together. There's a surprising number of wires when you add the double flying lines . . .

[Alexis]

Been there many times before having to remake parts when some where down the line everything seemed to fit and look good , until glue hits the parts and it becomes a duh situation .
At this point , really looking forward to those new legs !


Alexis

[DaddyO]

So glad it's not just me Alexis 

Anyway here, for your viewing pleasure, is one of the new legs (I don't want to spoil you by showing both)

New legs , on Flickr

Thought I was ready to add the top wing, but, of course there's a lot of bits and bobs that need sorting before that can happen. I could do most after the wings are fitted, but that would make it rather awkward such as drilling holes and fitting lines in those little spaces. Rushing I did these before realising that I should also add a touch of weathering to the insides of the wings before rigging (This meant that I pulled out a couple of lines that needed re-drilling and installing)

Anyway for those interested in the rigging technique - I drill a 0.2mm hole and add a 0.06mm fishing line with medium superglue. In this case I've also coloured the lines using a grey Sharpie. NB - If you cannot see the line against the model a dash of black Sharpie on the end makes it easier to locate.

Weathering is done with oils; using Paynes grey, burnt umber, raw umber, white and yellow ochre. I tend to dab or streak a touch in position then scrub with a clean dry brush to distribute if needed. Using white and raw umber mixed together gives a nice 'faded' tone to areas of the PC10. To differentiate between the metal and canvas areas I used yellow ochre/raw umber on the 'hard surfaces. Effect of the oils is quite subtle when it dries, but its easy to add more to build it up slowly. I also avoid using thinners if possible because this can lift the acrylic varnish I use . . .

Exhausts came from the Roden Se5a; they're a tad short really, but varied between aircraft anyway so I thought I'd use them. They just needed a slight crank downwards to lower the ends below the cockpit opening. Painted in a mixture of black, silver and 'aged rust' with the colour dabbed on and varying slightly along the length. I also painted the filler caps in brass although in reality they would likely have been gloss black I used a bit of 'artistic licence' here to add a touch of colour 

BE12b weathered, on Flickr

[lone modeller]

Thanks for describing your (subtle) weathering techniques: that is a process which I never seem to get right so therefore I frequently do not bother. 

Progress on this one is excellent - looking forward to seeing it finished.

Stephen.