1:32nd scale RAF BE2c

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
My build of the Fokker D.VI is nearing completion.
Therefore I thought I'd have a crack at one of the 'Lukgraph' model in my stash.
I'm going to have a crack at the resin and 3D printed 1:32nd scale RAF BE2c model.

The subject aircraft has been changed - see the current aircraft further down in this thread.

Mike

[Martinnfb]

This is going to be epic, can't wait

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,

First up will be the engine.
As you can see the complete engine is 3D printed, with probably only ignition leads to add.
So in theory just separating the five parts from their supports, removing any residual support tags and sanding away any obvious layer striations.
We'll see

Mike

[Landlubber Mike]

I like the lines on this one - very cool subject!  Looking forward to another masterpiece.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The engine is completed as far as possible.
I've added the ignition leads and support rails, even though in reality the leads passed through the internal engine firewall.
As expected, painting a complete 3D printed engine wasn't that easy.
Sanding any print layer striations is not really possible on such detail.
I've not fitted the exhaust manifolds yet as I want to align them correctly to the exhaust stack pipes and fuselage later in the build,

Mike

[DocRob]

Te engine looks very nice. These 3D printed ones are really hard to paint, you mastered that beautifully.

Cheers Rob

[Bomber_County]

Mike, words fail me……

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Preparation of the fuselage and basic cockpit.
The fuselage halves were sand to remove resin artifacts from the mating edges.
Plastic 0.8 mm thick strips were secured to one fuselage half to aid with fuselage alignment during assembly (no locating pegs or holes).
The 3D printed cockpit side frames and bulkheads were assembled, including sanding the top curved edges so fir the contour of the fuselage when joined.
The actual aircraft had 'windows' in the fuselage to allow daylight to illuminate the instrument panels.
The two instrument panels were secured to the cockpit frames to align with the windows.
These are moulded as solid, to be painted silver and covered with acetate sheet.
Instead, I've cut out the three windows to match the supplied photo-etch window frames, which will have just the acetate sheet inserts,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
After checking how the pilots seat was fitted in the BE2c, I believe the kit supplied photo-etch seat cradle is based on the 'Vintage Aviator' reproduction aircraft.
However the actual Wicker seat seems to have been mounted on a plinth which was attached to the cockpit side frame and cross member and braced by wires at its front corners.
There I've represented this using 0.5 mm thick plastic card and 0.8 mm diameter plastic rod.
The following photographs shown the modification as well as the dry fitting of the assembly with the 'Barracuda' resin pilot and observer seats.
Note that in general, the observers seat had a higher back rest than that of the pilot.

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've been given further reference information on the pilots seat fit.
It seems the later BE2c operational aircraft, fitted with the RAF 1a engine etc, had an armoured seat cradle.
Earlier BE2c aircraft, fitted with the Renault engine etc, had the earlier Wicker seats fitted.

As the 'LukGraph' model has the later RAF 1a engine etc, the armoured seat would be correct.
Given this information, I can now either modify my 'modification' or remove it and fit the cradle,

Mike

[Peterpools]

MIke

Nice start on the Lukgraph Be2C and no doubt, in your capable hands a beauty is in the makings.

Will be following

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The cockpit assembly is finished.
Note that I changed the scratch built pilot seat support frame as the kit armoured seat 'cradle' is correct for this version of the BE2c.
Built OOB apart from:

The kit supplied 3D printed seats replaced with BarracudaCast’ British wicker AGS seats (BR32234).
Instrument decals replaced with ‘Airscale’ Generic WW1 instruments (AS32 WW1).
Added a observers half firewall as protection from the engine.
Ckpit bracing is 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes.
Kit photo-etch seat belts/straps replaced with ‘HGW’ seat belts for the RE8 (HGW132027).

The forward engine support frames and fuel tank are still to be fitted,

Mike

PS: I forgot to add a fuel contents indicator tube onto the pilots instrument panel.
Added now using 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube, partially dipped in 'Tamiya' Clear Yellow (X24).

[Landlubber Mike]

Looks fantastic Mike!  Those wicker seats are really nice.

[Fran]

Really nice work in a not easy kit!!

[sandbagger]

Thanks.

The only down side to this model is its essentially all resin.

As such only CA adhesive can be used for assembly of parts.

Sanding joints flushh to the surrounding area can be problematic.

The resin is softer than the set adhesive so if you're not careful, you can sand away the resin, leaving the adhesive proud from the surface.

Either that or the sanded surface can end up not being flat as the resin can cause the sander to 'rock' over the joint,

 

Mike

[HubertB]

Have you tried HPH’s epoxy resin ? Whilst slower setting than CA, it’s excellent on resin.

Hubert

[sandbagger]

11 hours ago, HubertB said:

Have you tried HPH’s epoxy resin ? Whilst slower setting than CA, it’s excellent on resin.

Hubert

Hi Hubert,

Thanks - I'll take a look.

I use 'VMS' Flexy 5K adhesives (slow and thin types).

They have a specific adhesive for resin , but I've not seen any great advantage in using it,

 

Mike

[Peterpools]

Mike

Some very nice interior work - looking mighty good.

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[Sasha As]

Great cockpit turned out! 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Change of plan.
I've decided to model a different BE2c squadron aircraft.

No.13 Squadron:
No.13 Squadron RFC was formed on the 10th of January 1915, equipped with twelve newly built RAF BE2c aircraft and was dispatched as a Corps reconnaissance unit to France in October 1915.
The squadron served at Savy in France during 1916. Later the Squadron was also equipped with RAF BE2d and BE2e versions.
The role of reconnaissance was maintained until the armistice. In April 1917 the squadron was re-equipped with the R.E.8. 

BE2c Serial No.2635:
RAF BE2c, Serial No:2635 was built by Ruston-Proctor and was delivered to the newly formed squadron as factory fresh.
The aircraft were finished overall in Clear Doped Linen (CDL) with white wheel covers and battle ship grey painted nose panels and cowls.
The wheel covers were painted as roundels, which was at the pilots preference.
On the 23rd of April 1916, a squadron making was allocated , which consisted of a narrow black horizontal stripe, which was applied to the sides of the fuselage and spanned between the front of the pilots cockpit and the leading edge of the tail plane.
This marking was retained when the aircraft were replaced with the R.E.8.
This particular aircraft has a Type C camera mounting rack on the fuselage starboard side.
The aircraft was also fitted with racks for carrying 112lb ‘Cooper’ bombs.
A Lewis machine gun was fitted for the observers and a second for the pilot. Ammunition drums were carried in racks mounted on the sides of the fuselage.
It’s unclear whether BE2c Serial No.2635 was lost in action or retired and struck off charge. 

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The fuselage is now closed up.
The join between the two halves (CA adhesive) needed some filling and sanding.
I airbrushed grey primer over the fuselage which shows up any joint or seam gaps etc.
Then re-filled and re-primed and sanded until a smooth joint was achieved.

After test fitting, I'll be leaving the engine out until towards the end of the build as it makes it easier for painting and applying decals etc. 

Mike

[JohnB]

On 5/3/2022 at 1:51 PM, sandbagger said:

Hi all,
The cockpit assembly is finished.
Note that I changed the scratch built pilot seat support frame as the kit armoured seat 'cradle' is correct for this version of the BE2c.
Built OOB apart from:

The kit supplied 3D printed seats replaced with BarracudaCast’ British wicker AGS seats (BR32234).
Instrument decals replaced with ‘Airscale’ Generic WW1 instruments (AS32 WW1).
Added a observers half firewall as protection from the engine.
Ckpit bracing is 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes.
Kit photo-etch seat belts/straps replaced with ‘HGW’ seat belts for the RE8 (HGW132027).

The forward engine support frames and fuel tank are still to be fitted,

Mike

PS: I forgot to add a fuel contents indicator tube onto the pilots instrument panel.
Added now using 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube, partially dipped in 'Tamiya' Clear Yellow (X24).

Looking mighty good! Very nice!!!

[Peterpools]

MIke

Very nice progress  - looking so good

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
One area of the fuselage may need to be addressed.
The underside of the nose is too square in shape and should be more rounded.
This can be seen on the following photographs, the last of which is the reproduction BE2c at the 'Vintage Aviator Ltd'.

The kit nose looks more like that of the R.E.8. 

Whether this can be rectified remains to be seen,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
With careful sanding (to avoid breaking through the corners) the kit nose can be re-profiled,

Mike