1/48 scale ICM Hampden Mk.1

[PrzemoL]

Gorgeous project underway! Despite the problem with the glue on the glass, I am sure it will turn out just perfect, as always.

[lone modeller]

The figures are very impressive - I would have guessed that they were in a larger scale had you not told us. The exhaust collector rings look the part too - in all a very impressive model in the making.

Stephen.

[gedmundson]

Thanks for your comments Nigel, Rick, Stephen & Prze - I appreciate them very much.

To paint the upper camo I chose XF-81 RAF Green and a mix of Tamiya acrylics for the dark earth colour. I've always considered Tamiya's XF-52 Flat Earth to be a bit too dark & reddish...and tried to mix up a colour to resemble the old Humbrol #29 enamel.

Since all photos of the early Hampden's seemed to have a hard-edge finish, I airbrushed on the green first, then masked the pattern using Tamiya masking tape...utilizing all kinds of left-over bits from previous builds which I save (in a miserly kind of way) on a pane of glass. I did question the demarcation pattern of the black underside and upper scheme on the instruction sheet, and made my decisions on photos I'd studied from the Internet and a copy of FlyPast magazine Oct. 2012.

The markings were also airbrushed on using the 1ManArmy masks. They have a system of using "transfer tape", and I was supplied with some complimentary clear tape from Kit Masx here in Canada which was for that purpose. The idea being that you place this stuff over the multi-part segment of masking...peel it off the backing paper while it all holds together under the transfer tape, then place it on the model without it separating, buckling and twisting out of shape. The stuff didn't work at all with the masks not adhering to the transfer tape in any fashion, and the segments had to be carefully placed on the model as they buckled, twisted and were non-cooperative using two pairs of tweezers and a lot of colourful language. I had better luck transferring the masks using regular 18mm Tamiya masking tape to hold everything straight.

And I'm still determined to not break off the lower gondola MG barrel and tail wheel as I plod on. All the other tiny bits can be added near the end.

Cheers!

DSC_3290c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr

DSC_3292c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr

DSC_3296c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr

DSC_3297c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr

[NigelR]

More masking......what fun! The results are looking very good though, worth the effort.

[DaddyO]

Looking good 

Transfer tape is used a lot by signmakers for picking up vinyl lettering and comes in different grades of stickiness; the low tac stuff is for putting on window graphics and medium or high tac are the standard ones. It does seem to dry out when left on the shelf and this reduces the tack quite noticeably. There is also a clear version (rather than the regular paper), but it's a bit of a pain to use unless the surface is flat because it doesn't conform in the same way as the paper version - Sign graphics lesson over, please continue with your regular programme 

Paul

[RAGIII]

I am impressed by the masking work! I would have just slapped on some silly putty in the shape of the camo pattern. Not enough patience to do it right 
The masked and painted  ::)code letters are fantastic!
RAGIII

[gedmundson]

Nigel, Paul & Rick - thanks again for the kind words. I was hoping to have better progress on this one and take it down to the Canadian Bomber Command Museum in Nanton Alberta for the model show this weekend, but that was too much ambitious thinking.

I realized to day that the ITA engine assemblies sit about 1.25mm too far forward on their mounts, and have to make some corrective surgery. I've shaved about the right amount off the starboard mount, and am assuming the same will have to be done with the port side. The DSPIAE grinding tool and sanding sticks leave quite a bit of styrene shavings to clean up.

Cheers,
Gary

DSC_3303c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr

[RAGIII]

A shame you couldn't make the show with this one! I am sure you will sort all out with no problem!
RAGIII

[Brad Cancian]

Some stellar work here Gary as always. I too am becoming more and more inclined to do marking with masks. Yours have come out beautifully, as has the rest of your paint work.

Great stuff!

Cheers,

Brad C

[gedmundson]

Thanks for the encouragement, Rick & Brad.

This project continues to challenge me at each step. To attach the engine assemblies to their mounts I cemented thin styrene rings to the rear of the resin engines with cyano, enabling me to position them in place with Tamiya Extra Thin glue. This gave me the time to align them as best I could with the upper intakes.

I also had to adapt the propellers to the openings in the front of the engine, which required using a shaft of styrene rod inserted into a pre-cut length of styrene tubing. For some reason, the kit's propellers have an attachment hole that is not quite centered (??).

Contrary to the instruction sequence, I left off adding the bombs & their mounts until this point in time. One reason is the amount of handling necessary up until now, and also the poor fit of the 500lb bombs to their mounts made it necessary to assemble them first, then add them to the bay after adding the doors. The landing gear legs were also added at this point. And I was able to look at adding some of the tiny bits soon - I improved the small venturi by drilling out the ends and adding a small styrene centre piece.

Cheers!

DSC_3304c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr
Rings of styrene attached with cyano to the resin engines helped to align the asseblies to their mounts with styrene cement.

DSC_3306c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr
The propellers needed to be adapted to their new mounts using rod and tubing.

DSC_3308c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on FlickrThe bombs had to be cemented to their mounts first, and then placed into position after the bomb bay doors & hardware had been added. I used dark oil paint and a sponge to add the rough look that these bombs seemed to have in period photos.

DSC_3314c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr
The tiny venturi received some detailing with styrene.

DSC_3310c_01 by Gary Edmundson, on Flickr
With the bomb bay completed and landing gear added, it is now time to begin on completing the upper parts. Tape was placed over the lower MG since it could easily be broken off.

[Alexis]

Really like how the camo turned out on this one Gary , love the weathering on the underside , black is not easy to do . You seem to be over coming those challenges very well .



Alexis

[NigelR]

Coming along very nicely and I agree, that black underside looks superb, really well handled.

[PrzemoL]

Gorgeous. Including the black faded undersides!