ThomasProbert Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share Posted March 8, 2014 A little more to share with you this evening... I've painted the upper cockpit internals and added them to the engineer's/pilot's bulkhead. I added some thin wire to represent the radio mast wiring that runs down the left side roof strut: I've also had a final test fit of the cockpit glazing, and have also started to prepare the nose transparency. They fit superbly, and I'm glad I spent a lot of time earlier in the build trimming and test-fitting as is't paid dividends now: I've also added the internal framework to the wing-cell bomb winch apertures: And have finished off the roof escape hatch framework: And finally I've made the trim tab actuators on the elevators and rudders from card and stretched sprue: A few more small steps completed. The next job will be to attach the cockpit transparency and paint the internal framing, as well as continuing to add the smaller details such as fuel tank vents and various other aerials. Until next time, Tom 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Tom, There is a quite thick yellow wiring loom running from the overhead panel in the Top of the canopy that runs down the canopy frame on starboard. If you take a look At my cockpit you can see it. It is very prominent. That is if you are fitting the Overhead panel too. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Tom, There is a quite thick yellow wiring loom running from the overhead panel in the Top of the canopy that runs down the canopy frame on starboard. If you take a look At my cockpit you can see it. It is very prominent. That is if you are fitting the Overhead panel too. Cees Thanks Cees - typically I've read this too late and have attached the glazing... not the end of the world, and once the thick framing has been applied it'll hopefully not be too noticeable... The cockpit glazing is now complete, and has been faired into the main airframe: The de-icer units have also been made from plastic card and stretched sprue and added to the front of the windscreen: From the front the distinctive shape of the Halifax cockpit becomes apparent - I feel the kit captures this well: I've also made a start on priming the model - I've begun at the tail end and will work my way forwards. Halfords' white primer was used as this shows up any blemishes well. So far, so good: And a couple of shots with the cockpit complete: Jut a final few aerials to add now... Until next time, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Hi Tom, That looks great, you won't miss the counduit cable running down the frames by the look of it. Sorry to say that the kit doesn't really portray the look of the Halifax. The nose and tail did not taper at all. The assymmetrical section in front of the windscreen was almost flat. I spent hours cutting to get that right, even to the point to transplant plastic. But it seems to have worked very well. You are doing a fantastic jobj. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Hi Cees, When I compare the fuselage now to an original I have, I see what you mean. The hard graft was certainly worth it! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 It was Tom, the scribing looks good in the pics too. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruZz Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Huge model, great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Well I'm finally in a position to declare construction work complete and the big Halibag is ready for the painting process to begin. Before I start painting I wanted to get the exhausts done in case there was any major alterations needed to the nacelles - this would be a bit of a headache if the painting was complete and I had to cut/sand things. The Halifax I am replicating was fitted with Merlin 22s and drove the four-bladed props, and was fitted with the late style of exhaust. I was relieved about this as they would be much easier to replicate than the 'saxaphone stacks' found on the earlier Merlin-powered Halifaxes. Here's what they looked like on the real aircraft (used for illustrative purposes only): My effort was produced using some U-shaped Evergreen strip, cut into individual stacks and shaped accordingly, and then mated to a plastic-card backing piece, which in turn will attach directly to the nacelle: They still need a bit of refining, but you get the idea. Whilst paint is drying I'll be able to make the rest. I've also scratch-built a few more of the aerials found on the real aircraft - the DF loop was made from Milliput, and the small grab- handle was made from Evergreen strip: The balance horns on the ailerons were also made from thin steel tubing bent to shape and Milliput: Other aerials will still need to be made and added, but these will go on after primer as the whole model will be micro meshed and I know I'll end up knocking any finer bits off! The cockpit has been carefully masked and the frames primed with green: And now here we are, ready for painting to commence: The first job will be paint the squadron codes and wing roundels so I'll keep you updated as I progress. Until next time, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUY5Y Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Simply superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators James H Posted March 23, 2014 Administrators Share Posted March 23, 2014 This is just amazing. Now I want someone to release an injection mould kit so my soft-ass person doesn't have to replicate all your hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawman56 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Utterly beautiful! Maybe someday,( probably after they up my brain meds ), I'll attempt to scratchbuild something that I can't find commercially Until I then, I'll just drool over my keyboard at the fantastic work you guys do and share with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Fantastic job Tom, The canopy framing looks especially like the real thing. Do you have photographic reference on that grab rail on top of the fuselage? That was one of the first things they removed in the cleaning up process. On the Mk I series I A they were deleted. The balance weight was fitted further outbord at the end of the ailerons. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Fantastic job Tom, The canopy framing looks especially like the real thing. Do you have photographic reference on that grab rail on top of the fuselage? That was one of the first things they removed in the cleaning up process. On the Mk I series I A they were deleted. The balance weight was fitted further outbord at the end of the ailerons. Cees Hi Cees, Thanks - I was pleased with how the canpoy turned out considering the grief it had given me. It's not perfect, but it'll do! I used a profile drawing of the aircraft I'm making as a guide, and it had the handrail pictured - however as it's not an actual photo this must be taken into consideration. It'll be easy enough to remove, but it'll be a shame as I was actually quite pleased with it! I used the Granger plans for the positioning of the balance horns, but I think they show the wing of the MkI so you are likely right about their position - I'll have a look at some pictures and move them outboard if it's the case. This is just amazing. Now I want someone to release an injection mould kit so my soft-ass person doesn't have to replicate all your hard work. It's bound to happen - story of my life! Utterly beautiful! Maybe someday,( probably after they up my brain meds ), I'll attempt to scratchbuild something that I can't find commercially Until I then, I'll just drool over my keyboard at the fantastic work you guys do and share with us! Get yourself a vac and have some real fun... Thanks for the interest chaps! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Tom, You could always explain that it was a personal mod by the crew to have the grabrail. Nobody could tell you it's wrong.Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Tom, You could always explain that it was a personal mod by the crew to have the grabrail. Nobody could tell you it's wrong. Cees That's very true... until some smart Alec comes along once I've finished and shows me a picture of the real thing! Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 It's been a while since the last update as painting this model is taking some serious time... I have finally settled on a colour scheme, and have gone for a Halifax GRII Series IA, that began life in Bomber Command and was then transferred to Coastal Command. The serial number was JP328, and she flew with initially with 502 Squadron (wearing the codes V9-H) and finally with 58 Squadron (coded BY-H) at St. Davids throughout the summer of 1944 until the end of hostilities, being SOC on 6th May 1945 and sold for scrap. Interestingly, this aircraft retained its Bomber Command colours, with the only change being the serial and codes painted grey rather than the more familiar red codes in her previous role. JP328 was fitted with Merlin 22 engines driving four bladed propellers, and was fitted with the late radiator intakes and Morris Block radiators - perfect for the model I have chosen. Another reason for choosing this scheme is the fact that the Halifax served with distinction within Bomber and Coastal Commands, and this hybrid scheme represents both services and is my own little tribute to them. I initially primed the model with Halfords' white primer - I feel this shows up blemishes more easily than grey and polishes better with micro-mesh. After I had rectified a few surface blemishes I pre-shaded the upper surfaces with matt black, and then sprayed the area where the fuselage codes go grey. The codes were carefully measured and then masked off with thin Tamiya tape in preparation for the top coats. Next came the roundels - a coat of slightly darkened Humbrol gloss red, which was masked and then followed by the 'roundel' blue from Xtracolour, which was again darkened slightly as I felt it was a little 'too' blue. The whole roundel was then carefully masked in preparation for the camouflage colours. I really like Xtracolour's range of enamels, and I used gloss dark earth, followed by gloss dark green. The camouflage pattern was sprayed freehand using a Badger 200 airbrush, and with the pressure low and the nozzle screwed tight, it was easy to get a nice and tight feathered edge. I then picked out random areas of the upper surfaces with with slightly lightened and darkened versions of the base colours, trying to follow pictures of real Halifaxes as best I could. The following pictures show the current state of play - it doesn't look the best due to the high-gloss sheen but this will be matted down in due course: I will now turn my attention to the black undersides and will update you again when that's done. Until next time, Tom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkranias Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulster Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Off the hook Tom! Nice and inspirational to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Oh-Four Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Seriously good lookin'!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Holy cow that look great. That's a vacuform kit correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikester Posted April 10, 2014 Members Share Posted April 10, 2014 Great stuff, Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Holy cow that look great. That's a vacuform kit correct? Indeed. If you look at my first post you can see what I started with: in essence the basic exterior shapes. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. Tom, what a beauty. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasProbert Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. Tom, what a beauty. Cees Thanks Cees... she's getting there! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingco57 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Certainly looking like it. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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