ThomasProbert Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 I love being on school holidays as there's lots of time to make models! I've been busy again over the last day or two and have done some additional work to the three bomb cells found in each wing wing. I have added the dividers (these were made and saved from earlier in the build): I've added the ribbing in the bays to the sides and roof from various thicknesses of Evergreen, and I've also boxed the bays in with more Evergreen to ensure they are exactly the same sizes and the edges nice and square: I haven't added any bomb-racks or such like at this time as it will make painting these areas even trickier - I'll scratch build these and add them at a later time. I then turned my attentions to the retraction mechanisms and struts for the main undercarriage. Once again it was more Evergreen and plastic card to the rescue, as well as cotton buds and nails to make the hydraulic jacks. Top sides: Undersides: The hydraulic jacks are adjustable so when it comes to attaching the gear for good they can be moved into position and glued. Here's a test fit: This general view of the underside shows the gear looks as it should, as well as the H2S radome which has now been attached and filled - just a quick bit of sanding is needed here: I will now have to raid the spares box to see if I can come up with something for a tail wheel. Stay tuned! Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators JeroenPeters Posted December 17, 2013 Administrators Share Posted December 17, 2013 I just can't get over this. You just make it look soooooo simple. Please post a boo boo. Would make me feel a lot better. The gear looks really good and solid. Nice going! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanReed Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Gorgeous! Simply amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkranias Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 scratch head, wrinkle nose while jaw hits table...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 Thanks for following along and your compliments, I must say I'm having a ball and am on a roll with this build at the moment A little more to update you on today... I've had a go at making a tail wheel, and upon raiding the spares box came up with the following: a white metal leg from god-only-knows-what; an old 1/72nd scale Airfix Lancaster main wheel, some spare 1/24th scale Airfix Me109E engine bearers, and some unused flap tracks from a Trumpeter 1/32nd F/A-18F Super Hornet. Oh and of course the ever useful Evergreen tubing: After an hour or two I had something that resembles a Halifax MkII tailwheel: A whole was then drilled into the lower fuselage, and the tail wheel popped into position. The Evergreen tubing was inserted into the fuselage before hand and was secured to the roof to ensure a nice and strong structure; the white metal leg then slid into that: I've also got the radome faired in nicely too: Until next time... Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Tom, Nice touch, using a Lancaster wheel for the Hally's tailwheel. Some would call it blasphemy. I call it ingenuity. You are ahead of schedule, 2013 isn't out yet. Any idea on an identity? Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 Tom, Nice touch, using a Lancaster wheel for the Hally's tailwheel. Some would call it blasphemy. I call it ingenuity. You are ahead of schedule, 2013 isn't out yet. Any idea on an identity? Cees Amazingly, the 1/72nd Lanc wheel was about 1mm in diameter too small! Just shows how big these models are in 1/32nd scale! Regarding a scheme - I'm leaning heavily towards a GR.MkII Series IA, serial HR982 and coded BY:B, based at Holmsley South. I particularly like this scheme as this Halifax was delivered in standard Bomber Command colours (dark earth/dark green over night black) and retained this throughout its service, but was operated by Coastal Command, and had medium sea grey codes. If I do this aircraft, it will be a small tribute to the Halifaxes flown by Bomber Command (hence the night camouflage) but also Coastal Command, who used the Halifax extensively too. From my research thus far, this aircraft was originally fitted with three-blade props, but then had an engine upgrade and was fitted with the four-bladers more commonly seen on Coastal Command Halifaxes, as well as the late type of exhausts. I haven't decided which stage of its career to model it in yet, but am leaning towards the later months of its service with the four-blade propellers. However, there are plenty of options still on the table, but it will definitely be in 'standard' Bomber Command colours come what may. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 I like that Tom. The four bladers were used to solve vibration problems. So would make a nice Deviation from a standard Halibag. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_ Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Blimey...! You're on a run all right Tom... You're cantering through this faster than most would an injection moulded kit... Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 Time for another update... I had been a little concerned about the fairing for the rear turret, as this area of the fuselage is poorly represented in the ID kit. The first job was to cut out the turret itself - here it is offered up against the plans and as you can see the shape is pretty close: However, when put in place the problems are clear - gaping holes and no sign of the distinctive fairing that holds it snugly in place on the real aircraft: My solution was simple: using 0.5mm plastic card I cut out a basic fairing - there is still a fair bit of shaping to be done at this point: This was then attached to the aperture and blended in with filler - I also added the smaller fairing for the pivot from sprue sanded to the correct shape. After some sanding this was the result: And with the turret fitted now you can see the improvement (I hope!): Before priming I'll reinstate the missing panel lines. This is another headache out of the way... now what to tackle next? Tom 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Tom, You have solved the most important problem of this kit. The rear fuselage Opening does not represent a Halifax. Nice fix. I thought the Type E turret in the kit looked much better shapewise. Yours looks almost like a ballturret. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators James H Posted December 21, 2013 Administrators Share Posted December 21, 2013 Jeez, this is just awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators JeroenPeters Posted December 21, 2013 Administrators Share Posted December 21, 2013 what u are creating here is not just A model. it's a one of a kind representation in the only true scale. Museum worthy.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 oh man... I just love tuning in to see the master at work.. ..another case where you make it look so easy Tom... simply beautiful - I can't wait to see this in the paintshop Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Thanks for the compliments guys... I can assure you making vacforms is no harder than other mediums, it just takes a little more time to get a result and overcome problems you don't normally find with injection moulded models. Tom,You have solved the most important problem of this kit. The rear fuselageOpening does not represent a Halifax. Nice fix.I thought the Type E turret in the kit looked much better shapewise.Yours looks almost like a ballturret.Cees Indeed Cees - it is the correct shape in side profile but not great when viewed from the rear. It is going to take some work to get it presentable, but as you well know that is part of the fun with models such as these! I am going to dig out my ID Sunderland and have a look at the rear turret in that kit and see if it's any better. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Hi Tom, Now that one I would like to see. The Sunderland has Fraser Nash turrets though. The Halifax used Boulton Paul ones. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Hi Tom, Now that one I would like to see. The Sunderland has Fraser Nash turrets though. The Halifax used Boulton Paul ones. Cees Indeed, but turrets are much of a muchness with these kits. Even if it's supposed to be a different type of turret it may be better than what I've got! Will have a look today hopefully. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Tom, Just to be sure. When I got my first copy from Doug Feeney himself the turret parts looked to be accurate. Especially the Type E tail turret. Don't know if the original masters are no longer present and John had to make a new set. Will have a look at what I still have left.Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastzx Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Super work Tom. I am enjoying this build. Bomber Command aircraft are awe inspiring. I would love to see a Short Sterling in 1/32 scale too. Just really great craftsmanship here with this build. Cheers, Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted December 29, 2013 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 Time for an update on this project - I've got the flaps made over the last week or so. Almost every picture I see of parked Halifaxes shows the flaps dropped, so I wanted to do the same on this build. I'm no Halifax expert but I imagine a drop in hydraulic pressure allowed the flaps to drop after a while? The kit flaps were removed when I built the wings, but as this picture shows they are not really useable and I had to come up with my own: They are pretty easy to make. I use an off-cut of some old sprue and plastic card - this makes an aerofoil shape for the leading edge of the flap: The sprue is then sandwiched between a top and bottom 'skin' and the ends added from more plastic card.The join between the plastic card and the sprue is then blended with filler. Here I have already cut out the actuator slots: When everything has been made good and sanded in, it's time to add each individual flap to the trailing edges: And after a few hours work - a set of fully deployed flaps... This process will also be repeated with the elevators and rudders at a later stage. Until next time, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanReed Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 This is loking SOOO good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Tom, Are you sure you are not a Halifax expert? Could have fooled me. Doing great and you are correct about the flaps. Cees 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not the most exciting of updates but progress none the less... I have been continuing with the control surfaces and have now completed the elevators. As with the flaps, the kit items were very thick and the detail crude, so I have gone down the scratch-built route. The first task is to create a top and bottom surface for each elevator from plastic card using the plans and the model itself to make sure everything fits as it should. I also scribe the surface detail on at this point. The elevators on the real aircraft may well have slightly raised detail here, but my skill levels don't stretch far enough to re-create that so I've gone for the easy option: To create the aerofoil shape I once again attached spare sprue to the leading edges, making sure I left the apertures for the hinges: The leading and trailing edges are then filled, and the end plates made from more thin plastic card: Finally, the filler is given a good sand and polish: And then the elevators are fitted to the model: Now the same process will have to be completed with the rudders... Until next time, Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUY5Y Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I'm so enjoying this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Same here, Totally and utterly flabergastronomic mastermodelling. Fantastic Tom. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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