sandbagger

Hi all, I've now added the pilot's Vickers machine gu ('GasPatch replacement), gun sight, ring site, mirror and coolant header tank. Also the wind driven pump/generator, with pipe from 0.4 mm diameter black tube from 'MFH'. Just the ailerons and control cables wind screens and observers weapons to add, then it's onto the figures, Mike

Hi all, I've added the vent pipe from the fuel tank, using 0.4 mm diameter black tube from 'MFH'. Also the four wireless wires, made from annealed and twisted 0.2 mm diameter copper wire. Now onto the front end parts, Mike

Hi all, At last the rigging is complete. I've added the side bracing wires from the fuselage to the underside of the upper wing. Also the upper and lower drag wires from the engine bearer frame to the underside of the upper wing and leading edge of the lower wings. The flying, landing and fin bracing wire infills have also been painted with the same colour as the undersides of the wings and fuselage. I chose CDL as it's difficult to know if these infills were CDL or blue (as for the rigging wires. My assumption is that blue would has stood out too much against the camouflage surfaces, so I opted for CDL. So now it's onto the four wireless wires from the cabane struts to the underside of the upper wing. Also the fuel tank vent pipe, Mike

Hi all, I've fitted the linen wrapped infills between the pairs of flying, landing and fin bracing wires. I tried my previous methods of using baking parchment paper and 0.2 mm thick plastic card strips. However, the length of these pairs of wires are long and they flexed too much. Therefore, I cut strips of 'Aviattic' CDL decal to 1.75 width of each pair of wires. The water I used to release the decals was cold, as this tends to release the decal in a more rigid state than warm water would. That made it easier to position the decal strips onto the wires. The decals were laid centrally onto the top sides of the wires and left to allow the residual decal adhesive to grip to the wires. I then applied 'DACO Products' strong setting solution across the top of the decal strip. As the decal started to soften, I teased the edges under the wires to fully wrap them with the decal. Not easy but I think it should look OK once I've painted the decals. This is necessary as the decal is thin and the blue rigging wires shown through. Then it's onto finishing the rigging (drag and side wires), Mike

Yes there is very little, if any colour change to the base coat as those decals are clear. Your problem could be that the edges of the 'Aviattic' decals are overlapped slightly. If so, the effect is to double the decal thickness and that will cause that area of overlap to darken. Mike

Hi all, The tail unit is done. That includes the rudder and elevator control cables, the twin bracing wires for the fin and the fin and tail plane support struts. These twin wires, like the flying and landing wires, will need infills and wrapping. Mike

Hi all, The twin flying and landing wires are now fitted, as are the incidence wires between the interplane struts.. I still have the two drag wires and two side bracing wires (each side of the aircraft) to fit. Now the 32 separate infill strips between the flying and land wires to do, Mike

Hi Rob, I think these linen weave effect decals from 'Aviattic' would suit any aircraft of mainly one colour, such as the Eindeckers and the Taube. The only disadvantage is the number of sheets you'd require. This Salmson took three sheets, and they're not cheap. Also you'll need to cut out the various decals from the sheets, as they are supplied as A4 sheets and not cookie cut for particular models., Mike

Hi all, The upper wing fitted, Mike

Hi Rob, Yes more or less. I apply the kit decals over the linen decals, as in real life these would have been painted on, so covering any visible linen weave. The linen weave effect decal sheets are transparent other than the printed linen effect. Whatever paint colours are under the decal will shown through. I find these decals are best for adding linen effect over painted surfaces. Prime then paint the camouflage. Then clear gloss coat. Apply the 'Aviattic' transparent linen weave effect decals over the relevant surfaces. Then apply the kit decals. A sealing clear semi-matte coat and once dry, apply weathering. Finally a light clear semi-matte coat to seal it all. Mike

Hi all, The flight controls are now pre-rigged. The control horns for the ailerons, rudder and elevator. Now it's on to pre-rigging the fin/tail plane twin bracing wires, Mike

Hi all, The underside of the upper wing is now pre-rigged. This covers the twin flying and landing wires, twin cabane bracing wires, drag wires and interplane incidence wires. The turnbuckles are fixed on the lines, but the anchor point loops are left loose for final fitting once the wing is fitted. Now it's on to pre-rigging the aileron, elevator and rudder control horns. Also the twin bracing wires for the fin bracing, Mike

Hi All, The twin bracing wires between the front and rear cabane struts are pre-rigged. Also the win wires between the rear cabane struts. The turnbuckles are fitted on the ends of the lines, but the lines are left loose at the anchor points. This should make it easier to final rig these lines once the upper wing is fitted, Mike

Hi all, Last update for 2021. Landing gear fitted. 'GasPatch' 1:48th scale turnbuckles with 0.12 blue coloured mono-filament and 0.4 - 0.5 mm diameter brass tube. Tubes and barrels of turnbuckles painted with 'Tamiya' Medium Blue (XF18). Mike

Hi all, Just a few updates. The wheels have 'Aviattic' linen weave effect decal applied. The landing gear is painted ready to assemble. The two Lewis and single Vickers machine guns are prepared for fitting. The 'Proper Plane' laminated wood propeller has got it decals and semi-matte clear coat. All of these have yet to be weathered etc, Mike

Hi all, I've been fighting off a cold and cough (not Covid) for the past few weeks, so I've not posted updates. However, here's and update for the Salmson. I've used a combination of 'Tamiya' acrylic and 'Hataka' lacquer paints for the external camouflage scheme. This was all airbrushed with 'Alclad' Aqua Gloss 600 for applying the decals. I cut templates to create the various shapes required then transferred them onto the 'Aviattic’ Linen Weave effect (ATT32236) decal sheets. These were applied after which the kit decals were added. Everything was given a coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) lacquer as the base for applying weathering, which I'll be applying next, Mike

Hi all, Here's my completed model of Avro Vulcan B.Mk.2, Serial No:XM573 of No.44 (Rhodesia) Squadron. The squadron was reformed in 1960 at Royal Air Force Waddington in Lincolnshire, UK, initially operating the Vulcan B Mk.1 from August 1960 then converting in January 1961 to the Vulcan B Mk.1a. The Vulcan's were operated as high-altitude bombers as part of the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent. In 1964,and due to the use of Soviet Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs), the Vulcan became vulnerable and their role was changed to low level penetration bombing. In 1968 the squadron was equipped with eight of the B Mk.2 versions, which carried the WE177 'laydown' bombs. In 1969 the Royal Navy took over the UK's role for nuclear deterrent and the Vulcan force was assigned to SACEUR, for the support of land forces. In this role conventional weapons would have been used with the option to convert to nuclear weapons should the situation on the ground escalate. The squadron served in this role until 1982, when their Vulcans were involved flying combat missions during the Falklands War. The squadron was eventually disbanded in December 1982. The model is the new release in 1:72nd scale by Airfix. The decal markings are partly from the 'Kits World' (KW172214) set. Paints used were primarily 'Tamiya' acrylic: Camouflage - RAF Medium Sea Grey (XF83) and RAF Dark Green (XF81). Anti-flash white - White (XF2) with added Buff (XF57). 'Flory' Dark Dirt wash for panel line wash and 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311) used for final sealing. Display base: 18mm thick MDF with routed profile edges and 8mm diameter holes for the model support rods. Sealed and painted matte-black with felt pads on the underside. 8mm diameter acrylic rod heat bent as support rods into the modified internal structure of the Vulcan model. Top surface is 2mm thick black Perspex, bored through to accept the ten squadron badges, the two acrylic support rods and black edge screws. Ten 25mm diameter lapel badges, representing the Vulcan squadrons, with the rear face clamping pins removed and filed flat. A woven No.44 Squadron patch. A clear acrylic cover fits over the display as protection against dust or damage. Please excuse the quality of the photographs - not that great. Mike

Hi all, For those interested in the Vulcan, a quick update. To replace the jet pipes with the correct, longer versions. It's strange how 'Airfix' provide these parts, but there's no mention of them in the assembly instructions. All other model variations are shown, but only the shorter jet pipes are shown? Anyway, as the shorter jet pipes were already fitted and part of the wing structure, I chose not to try cutting them out and replacing the entire assemblies. Instead, I built the outer casings of the longer jet pipes, but without the inner jet pipes (internal jet pipes were already fitted). I then separated the four pipes and marked, then cut away the casing leaving 7 mm from the rear edges. These were then cemented onto the rear of the existing casings. This means the acrylic rods used to support the model from inside the two inner engines still works. I've yet to add the exterior plates around the front of each casing, which I'll do using thin plastic card. Then it a case of painting them. As for the re-positioning of the left roundel - I've received a replacement set of decals. The previous roundel has been sanded off, so I just need to mask and paint that camouflaged area and weather it to match the surrounding area. Then I can apply the roundel, in the correct position this time then final clear coat, Mike

Hi all, Just a quick update. I forgot to fit the generator drive belt. To represent the generator drive belt, I cut a strip of photo-etch 1.0 mm wide, then annealed it (softened over a flame). It was then bent around a 1.8 mm diameter drill to form a semi-circle. It was then brush painted with ‘Tamiya' Rubber Black (XF18). Once dry it was secured in position around the forward shaft of the generator, with the two ends onto the round ‘pulley’ on the rear of the engine. Mike

Hi all, I shouldn't build more than one model at a time!! I built the Vulcan B Mk.2 while still working on the Salmson 2-A2 model. Someone on another forum spotted that I'd placed the Vulcan's left wing roundel too far inboard and that the jet pipes should be the longer version for the 201 series engine. I can remove and replace the roundel. However, the shorter jet pipes that are currently fitted form part of the mounting for the acrylic support rods. Fortunately I kept the correct kit parts, but whether I can replace the existing jet pipes is debatable. This is a case where I didn't see the wood for the trees!! Mike

Hi all, The exposed fuselage side bay is finished as far as I can. There are no drawings or photographs of the is area on a French Salmson 2-A2, apart from aircraft that are either being built or that have crashed. Therefore there's no 'complete' French aircraft detail available. However, there is a photograph of an American Salmson 2-A2 that does show this area complete. Although the American aircraft were fitted with a Type 3-US generator, which was different from the French version, the detail in their bays look very similar. Therefore I detailed the bay with electrical conduit and wires, tubes and what I assume were aircraft batteries (the observers wireless had its own battery). The detail is a combination of scratch parts, 'ANYZ’ 0.5 mm silver braided line (AN011) and ‘MFH’ black 0.4 mm flexible tube (P-961). Decals used were spares from previous model builds. Out of necessity, the added detail may not be accurate, but at least is does represent that bay area. Mike

Hi all, I've been working on the areas of the model that will remain exposed. The fixed in position access panels have been painted and fitted. I've cut out the cable entry openings in the rear frame and removed pre-molded detail from the fuselage rear access panel area to allow for adding detail. This included twin crossed bracing wires, electrical terminal box, a fuselage rib and electrical wire conduits and pipes. Next is to add the electrical wires, Mike

Hi all, A few updates on the Salmson 2-A2 build. The front end is coming together now. The engine assembly is fitted with the painted access panels. The three on the left side are being left off as the intention is to have a mechanic working on that area. I've added the twin cross bracing wires to the front bay frame (0.08 mm mono-filament, 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube and 'GasPatch' 1:48th scale turnbuckles (Type C). I've also added the access panel metal support ring around the front of the engine support beams. The 'GasPatch' replacement Vickers machine gun and the mounting recess in the panel have been slightly modified to fit. Also the carburettor air intake pipe has been drilled out as it was moulded solid. Now it's onto adding more detail such as wiring, terminal box, cables etc to the exposed structure, using photographs as a guide, Mike

Hi Frank, Yes the main undercarriage strut takes the load but the forward hydraulic ram moves the bogie up or down. So when the aircraft is off the ground, the front wheels are slightly up from the rear wheels. You can see how it operates in this video. Mike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31ypGN0iREE