Thank you for the warm welcome. Pressure is on now for me not to disappoint
At this stage, am opting for von Althaus' E.II - simple scheme, but one I'm drawn to.
As with probably 99.9% of kits I make, this one will not be strictly OOTB and I'll add some 'improvements' as I go along.
First up, the hand pump fuel tank pressurising system needs some attention IMHO. It's moulded so it 'blends' in with the aluminium frame - obviously not the case on the real thing. So I'm remaking the the pipework from copper wire and brass tube...
An early foray into rigging as some is required for the cockpit. I could have kept it simple and used just Easy Line, but I believe in making things complicated when they don't need to be
I made my own turnbuckles with....
... which was annealed first in a flame before....
The centre section...
... cut into 2mm sections and the wire inserted into each end with a little CA gel to secure.
Have to admit that my first attempt wasn't that great....
After removing the rest of the parts from the sprues....
I decided to redo the rigging and much happier with the second attempt....
I usually depict wood using oils, but am over waiting so long for them to dry, so thought I'd give these a go....
You have to work fairly quick, but gives a decent effect for a first effort. Might try adding some retarder next time...
WnW suggest Tamiya colours for acrylics, but these aren't always the correct shade. Point in case, Interior grey-green XF76. Way too light so opted for Mr Hobby's H70 - RLM02 Gray. Rigging is picked out with flat amuminium with XF6 copper for the new pipework....
Mistake admission time. Added some flight control lines at this stage....
Those of you who have/are building the kit will see the issue. For those who aren't, the cables go though the seat support frame - which I didn't fit first
D'oh!
Not insurmountable, but a schoolboy error. Fixed....
The seat cushion is painted with Vallejo leather with a dark wash and the drybrushed with Mr Hobby Red Brown. The seat rear is RLM02 with a wash and then the inside is treated with Gun Metal pigments to simulate wear. Lap belts are as per kit, annealed first, primed and then painted with Tamiya Buff with flat aluminium buckles etc and then a wash to dirty them up a little.
Fuel tank and empty ammo belt box WIP....
Before final assembly, everything got a pin wash and some filters to bring things 'to life' and I used steel pigments to simulate wear ofn things such as the rudder pedals.
And cockpit 99% complete....
Still learning a few things the hard way. Especially moulding the harnesses to the seat shape prior to painting
Also that AK's xtreme metal Matte Aluminium, while it sprays nicely, isn't very matte
Finally, the intructions see to show some cross bracing directly below the ammo belt box but is very vague. Any ideas?
Cheers
Gary
