Author Topic: Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'  (Read 1250 times)

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« on: May 08, 2026, 11:49:23 PM »
Hi all,
The next model will be another 3D printed model from MDesign in Bulgaria.
An Armstrong-Whitworth FK.3 'Little Ack', Serial No.A1488 of No.50 Training Squadron, based at Narborough, June 1917.
This aircraft was fitted with dual flight controls for the student pilot in the rear cockpit,

Mike









Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Offline PrzemoL

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2026, 02:36:19 AM »
I am looking forward to your report of this build.
Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul,
Ash nazg thrakatuluk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

Offline NigelR

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2026, 03:45:55 AM »
Another interesting build on the way......

Offline Marcel van Genderen

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2026, 04:27:15 PM »
Are you doing a review on this kit? You're probably one of the first building one.

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2026, 01:28:09 AM »
Are you doing a review on this kit? You're probably one of the first building one.
Hi Marcel,
I personally don't think a review of a model can be done with just looking at the kit parts from the box.
That really only shows the quality and detail of the model.
The true review can only be carried out during or at the end of the build.
Also, what one person thinks may not reflect what others might think.
I cover what I find with a model whilst I build it and normally I'll show that in the build threads.
Additionally, everything to do with the build is fully covered in my PDF build log at the end of the build.

I leave it up to those viewing the model to decide if they think the kit was good or not  ;)

Mike


Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2026, 09:00:28 AM »
Hi all,
Royal mail has notified me of the delivery in the UK.
Hopefully I can start this model build soon,

Mike


Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Offline RAGIII

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2026, 11:22:13 PM »
Looking forward to this one Mike! You always take difficult projects, for Me, and turn them into masterpieces!
RAGIII
"A man has to know his limitations": Harry Callahan

"Don't slop it on" Lynda Geisler

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2026, 07:02:40 AM »
Hi all,
First up for working is the cockpit.
This particular aircraft was one of a contract batch, serial numbers A1461 - A1510, that were contracted out (87/A/475) during 1916 from ?Armstrong-Whitworth & Co. Ltd? of Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
They were to be built by ?Hewlett & Blondeau Ltd? of Oak Road, Leagrave, Luton.
The contract required dual controls were to be fitted as these aircraft were intended as trainers and not for service use.

The kit is intended to built as an operational aircraft of No:47 Squadron.
Therefore, it has a stool seat in the rear cockpit and no duplicated flight controls.

I chose to fit a pilots type Wicker seat in the rear cockpit and as such matched the pilot's seat with the same Barracuda Studio resin seats.
Seat support bars were cut from Brass tube.
To add duplicate flight controls in the rear cockpit required that a false floor be fitted to span both cockpits.
That was cut from 0.8 mm thick plastic card and CA glued to the kit floors.
The kit supplied control column assembly was drilled and pinned to locate positively into the false floor.
The control column and rudder bar for the rear cockpit were created from unused 3D printed parts with some Brass tubing.

There's only so much accuracy that can be added, mainly due to lack of cockpit information for this aircraft.
So some guesswork is necessary, based on similar aircraft types,

Mike



Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Offline RAGIII

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2026, 08:23:04 AM »
Once again you are off to a great start! The details look good.
RAGIII
"A man has to know his limitations": Harry Callahan

"Don't slop it on" Lynda Geisler

Offline NigelR

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2026, 06:07:59 PM »
You like a challenge don't you!  :) This will be another great build log.

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2026, 02:00:25 AM »
Hi all,
A couple of updates.
It seems there was a linen screen across the cockpit and behind the pilots seat.
This was made with 0.2 mm thick plastic card and brass tube.
I've also added photo-etch lap belts to the seats.
These were not used on a previous build,

Mike
 






Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Offline RAGIII

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2026, 12:05:13 AM »
Looking good Mike. I like the seats and belts. Should really look great painted!
RAGIII
"A man has to know his limitations": Harry Callahan

"Don't slop it on" Lynda Geisler

Offline Mike Norris (UK)

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2026, 12:14:04 AM »
Hi all,
Time has come to close up the fuselage.
The cockpit has been modified for a trainer aircraft.
The kit as supplied is an operational aircraft and is totally different.

The paints used are Tamiya acrylic and MRP lacquers.
Wood effects are Windsor and Newton oil paints (Griffin Alkyd).
Resin seat are Barracuda Studios and lap belts are spare photo-etch from WNW builds.
Control cables are Gaspatch Type A turnbuckles, 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube.
Rear cockpit control column, rudder bar and cockpit screen are scratch built.
Instrument panel has Airscale decals applied and two switch levers from ANYZ.
Weathering was Flory Models dark dirt clay wash and AK Interactive Kerosene wash.

Mike







« Last Edit: June 03, 2026, 05:50:38 AM by Mike Norris (UK) »


Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.

Online DaddyO

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2026, 12:21:25 AM »
Looking great Mike  8)

I'm quite tempted to convert an spare FK8 into its little brother seeing your build . . .

Paul
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Offline NigelR

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Re: 1:32nd scale Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.3 'Little Ack'
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2026, 04:41:35 AM »
Excellent work Mike, you seem to be making short shrift of this one!