sandbagger

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

Hi Peter, I'm no photographer and just take the shots using an Ipad. The model has only had a clear coat of light sheen, so the colours are essentially the unaltered. I think the lighting also affects the look of the colouring. In fact looking at the actual model compared to the photos, they all look different 🥴, Mike

Hi all, Here's the finished Vulcan. 'Flory Models' grey clay wash over the upper surfaces, Dark Dirt on the underside and landing gear. Sealed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311). I also used 'Tamiya' weathering master (soot and oil) around some parts and decals. I've also added a couple of antenna that are included in the kit and the upper navigation light. Now it's onto completing the display base, Mike

Hi all, The basic airframe has been built and painted. The underside was Tamiya White (XF2) with Deck Tan (XF55) added to dull it down. Flory dark dirt applied then gloss coated to seal everything, using Alclad Aqua Gloss 600. The upper surfaces were Tamiya Medium Grey (XF83 and Dark Green (XF62). I found the mask 'TopNotch' (TNM72-M185) set not of much use. In the end I masked the camouflage to surfaces with thin cut strips of Tamiya masking, in-filled with 18 or 6 mm masking tape. I've yet to coat and weather the top surfaces then its the decals, landing gear and probes etc to fit. I'm not sure as yet whether to use the Airfix decal or those in the KitsWorld set. I think Airfix based their decals on the only surviving all anti-flash white Vulcan B.Mk2, which is on static display at Woodford. I think the stencil markings on camouflaged Vulcan were darker? The model is the conventional bomber version which will be in the take-off position, Mike

Hi all, The Avro Vulcan served in the RAF from 1956 until 1984. The standard red/white/blue roundels and fin flashes were used until the 1970's, when the roundels were changed for camouflaged aircraft, including the Vulcan in its low level conventional bombing role. These were the red/blue only roundels and fin flashes. I'm building a No.44 Squadron aircraft from the 1970's onward. This squadron operated the Vulcan from August 1960 until December 1982, when they were disbanded. The decals supplied with the kit have only one wing roundel (camouflage scheme), which is the red/blue type. The following photograph is of four No.44 Squadron Vulcan's practicing over RAF Waddington for their disbandment ceremony in 1982. It clearly shows these aircraft with a red/blue roundel on both wings, not just the port wing, with fin flashes of the same colour. I would suggest anyone building this model researches the particular time period and squadron markings for their model, to ensure the correct type of markings are applied. Mike

Hi all, If you've followed any of my builds you'll know I build specifically 1:32nd scale WW1 aircraft. However, a friend of mine was a crew chief on No.44 Squadron, RAF, operating the Vulcan B.Mk.2 from RAF Waddington, Lincolshire in the UK. He retired from the RAF, like me, a long time ago and I'm building this as a surprise for his birthday later this year. So far the basic model, less canopy and landing gear has be built and primed ready for painting. I wanted to display the aircraft taking off. To that end I modified the inboard engine nozzles and the front and rear spars to accept 8 mm diameter acrylic rod. Two lengths of the rod were heated and bent to the required angles. The base board is 18 mm thick MDF which has been routed around the edges to accept the clear acrylic display cover. I've drilled into, but not through the base to accepts the two acrylic rods. Eventually the case will be wax polished around the edges, with a felt underside. The top of the base will be inset with the embroidered Squadron arm patch with coloured lapel pins of 23 mm diameter, representing the 10 Squadron that flew this aircraft. I just hope the recipient has room in his bungalow for the entire thing, or I'll be looking for another hole for it!! Mike

Hi all, I've decided to change the model to represent Salmson 2-A2, Serial number 381, of Escadrille SAL 28. No reason other than I like the unit's elephant marking, Mike