sandbagger

Hi all, The cockpit is now complete. Just about everything has had to be either modified, replaced or scratch made. I still need to weather and clear coat the surfaces. Then it's onto creating the coolant pipes needed before I can fit the engine, Mike

Hi all, I've prepared the fuselage internal parts ready for construction. Wood effects done with ‘Windsor & Newton’ Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Burnt Umber). The kit does not supply any decals or fuselage internal equipment parts. The following are either purchased, scratch made or from my 'spares' collection: Decals from ‘Airscale’ generic WW1 dials (AS32 WW1) and spares. Photo-etch seat belts (spares). Cockpit equipment (spares). ‘GasPatch’ un-jacketed Schwarzlose 07-12 machine gun (17-32112). The engine is very basic as only the top of the cylinders are visible on the finished model. Some of the side detail on the 3D printed engine had to be removed (not visible anyway) to allow the engine side access panels to fit. For ease, the ignition leads are attached to the bottom of the engine cylinders as that area can't be seen with engine side access panels fitted. The engine still needs to be modified to fit the three radiator coolant pipes to the underside of the upper wing (not supplied in the kit). So now moving towards assembling the fuselage at last, Mike

Hi all, Here's some progress shots of the kit parts after priming. I won't go into details of what needed to be straightened, deleted, added or modified. Suffice to say it's taken a while to get to this stage. Everything done and why will be detailed in my PDF build log on completion, Mike

Hi all, Apart from what I've previously mentioned, here's more that has had to be addressed: No instructions or decals supplied. Resin cast upper wing halves - warped, over scale access panels, no underside details, trailing edges thick, missing detail. Resin cast lower wings - warped, trailing edges thick, no support into the fuselage. 3D printed ailerons - warped, no control horns, no aileron hinge attachment points in upper wing. Rudder - no control horns. Elevator - no fuselage control horn. 3D printed upper wing centre section - Incorrect top panel, no underside detail at all, over scale detail, missing detail 3D printed tail plane - warped, trailing edges thick, no control horns. Cockpit - virtual rebuild from floor, rudder bar, control wheel, no internal detail or equipment. Cockpit decking panel - incorrect shaped pilots cockpit opening, thick sides, observers gun ring, incorrect machine gun, lightening holes missing in fairing sides. Landing gear - axle end too short to attach wheels fully. Engine - propeller shaft too short to mount propeller, engine support required, no radiator to wing pipes supplied. Propeller - rectangular cross section. Engine access panels - fasteners, hatches and panels over scale, incorrect panel right side. Fuselage - hatches over scale, some missing others not located correctly, no external compass housing. Now I need to address the wing struts: Interplane struts, which are 3D printed with no internal support rod, weak, some warped and rectangular cross section (not aerofoil). Side cabane struts, which are 3D printed, thin and very weak. Rear cabane struts missing. Maybe soon I can thick about building this 'kit' ::) Mike 🤔

Hi all, The only model I have ever shelved is the 1:32nd scale KatModel Phonix C.1. I bought it back in 2023 when it was first released. I shelved the model as it proved too troublesome, for various quality and detail reasons. However, while I wait for 'Flying Bears' Thulin K to arrive from Sweden, I thought I'd have another go at the Phonix. I've replaced most of the external details and am currently building the cockpit from scratch. The only part used from the 3D printed cockpit assembly is the floor. Everything else was removed and/or replaced. I'll post progress shots soon, Mike

Hi all, Here's the 'Eduard' 1:48th scale Sopwith F.1 Camel, No.209 Squadron, (RAF), Bertangles, France 1918, as flown by 2/Lt Wilfried 'Wop' May. Figures from 'Model Cellar'. Mike

Hi all, The completed model is now in the '1:48 Ready for Inspection' page. Thanks for your support and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, The 1/48th scale figures are completed. Both are from 'Model Cellar', Mike

Hi all, The aircraft model is complete. Rigged with 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament. I added tie down rings to the lower wings. Also the pitot static tubes and pipe from the Rotherham pump on the landing gear. Now onto the figures and display case, Mike

Hi all, The struts were only partially cemented in the lower wing and fuselage until the upper wing was located. With the upper wing fitted, the struts were fully cemented. Mike

Hi all, The interplane and cabane struts are fitted. Also the windscreen, gun sight and gun cooling jackets fitted. Landing gear bracing wires fitted and upper wing pre-rigged with 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament. Next is to fit the upper wing onto the struts, Mike

Hi all, Weathering applied using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt wash. Overspayed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311). Now its onto the pre-rigging!! Mike

Hi all, The kit decals have been applied. Being 'Eduard' I tried the method of removing the transparent carrier film once the decals had set. It worked by rubbing over the decal using white spirits with a cotton bud. However, too much rubbing can remove the decal as well. Too risky, so I just applied the decals in the usual way. Now its onto weathering before I start the pre-rigging!! Mike

Hi Kevin, Just 'Tamiya' Red (XF7) with Rubber Black (XF85) added to darken it, Mike

Hi all, Just a quick update as I was away last week. Wood effects have been applied. I used 'Windsor & Newton' Alkyd oil paints. Raw Umber, Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna, Mike