1:32nd scale RAF BE2c

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
More corrections required.

The kit instructions indicate that the left and right tailplane's should be attached to the rear sides of the fuselage, using two rods.
The illustration shows the inboard ends of the tailplane's being 90 degrees to their leading edges and noticeably clear of the fuselage sides along their entire length.
However, it seems that in reality, the inboard ends of the tailplane's were angled to follow the sides of the fuselage and the only noticeable gap was at the rear, where the fuselage tapered to its end.

Also, the plywood rear decking is tapered to align with the linen covering over the fuselage stringers.
I think 'Lukgraph' assumed that as wood, it wasn't profiled, but fitted horizontal.
Unfortunately it can't, like the nose profile, be sanded, as the fuselage skin is too thin and would be open up.
A more obvious, but not as easily rectified, error on the kit.

Mike

[Martinnfb]

Your research and its sheer implementation is mesmerizing Mike. Incredible work as always.

Cheers

Martin

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Tailplane's:
I cut the inboard ends of both tailplane's to match the fuselage sides.
This only needed a small amount of trimming so doesn't alter the span of the tailplane's much.
The fuselage was drilled through with 0.8 mm diameter holes at the tailplane location points.
Two lengths of 0.8 mm diameter Brass rod were secured through the fuselage using thin CA adhesive.
Both tailplanes were drilled with 0.8 mm diameter holes to match the added rods.
The tailplane's were test fitted to ensure they were horizontal to the fuselage and at 90 degrees to the fuselage centre line.

Now the fuselage (possibly),

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I'm moving my hosting server for the forum build logs photographs to another server.
In the meantime, all of the build log photographs in the forum will not show.
I'll post once I get them back online with the new server.

My web site (link in signature) is OK,

Mike
 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Mike for the heads up.

Keep 'em comin

Peter

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Back online and with the same URL links,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Here's the re-profiled fuselage rear decking panel.
This was done by sanding away the decking panel, the cutting a new panel shape from 0.2 mm thick plastic card.
That was glued in position then sanded with the flats of the fuselage stringers re-instated by scrapping.

Mike

[harv]

Wow Mike, just finding this jewel ! Excellent work....harv 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few more areas of the model that anyone building it might want to be aware off.

1. The instructions have no call out for the parts, apart from the supplied photo-etch parts.
This could cause some confusion with the cockpit, as parts are supplied to make a trainer version.

2. The instruction give the impression that the lower wings butt up to the sides of the fuselage.
In face there should be a gap between the wings and fuselage, exposing the front and rear spars and attachments.
This is important as if the lower wings are not positioned correctly, the interplane struts to the upper wing will tilt inwards at the bottom, when they should be vertical.
I've added a brass rod through the fuselage for extra support and added tube spacers for the necessary gap between wings and fuselage.

3. The rigging diagram in the instructions fails to show the interconnecting aileron control wires between the upper and lower ailerons.

Also only one drag wire is shown from the engine bearers to the upper wing, whereas there were two, one to the top of the forward cabane struts and a second to the top of the forward, inboard interplane struts.

4. The rigging diagram in the instructions shows only two bracing wires for the fuselage cabane struts, whereas there were actually four.
A wire was attached to the tops of the two rear cabane struts and also the forward cabane struts.
These wires were routed through openings at each side of the pilots decking panel and into the cockpit, where there were attached to the cockpit side frames.  

5. The gravity fuel tank (behind the engine) and the main fuel tank (under the observers seat) were interconnected with a fuel transfer pipe.
A fuel supply pipe was also connected between the gravity tank and the engine.
That pipe won't be seen on the model, but the gravity to main tank pipe can be seen from the observers cockpit.
I added this pipe using flexible black tube.

 

6. The 3D printed tail skid is intended to be butt glued to the rear, underside of the fuselage.
I felt, given the size and weight of the final model by prove to be too weak.
Therefore I reinforcred the centre strut of the tail skid using 0.5 mm diameter rod.

Apart from that, it's all going quite well

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Another fix required.
The rigging diagrams in the kit instructions fail to show a single bracing wire fitted outboard from the bottom of the inboard front interplane struts.
This wire was routed diagonally up to the underside of the front spar of the upper wing, midway between the inboard and outboard interplane struts.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few updates.
I've primed then masked off the wings, fuselage and other flight surfaces, then pre-shaded the internal structures.
This was over sprayed with white primer to 'knock back' the pre-shading.
The linen effect decals will be applied before the kit markings.
The fuselage nose was painted with 'Tamiya' Neutral Grey (XF53) and the cockpit decking panel and under fuselage with Dark Yellow (XF60), in preparation for applying wood effects.

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The Clear Doped Linen (CDL) decals have been applied on the fuselage, wings, ailerons, fin, tail plane's and elevators.
The 'LukGraph' supplied CDL decals supplied with the Premium kit are very much like those from 'Aviattic'.
They are quite strong and adhere well to the model surfaces.
The kit supplied marking decals were applied onto the CDL decals.
The Serial No.2635 had to be made from spare decals, as the kit does not have the markings for this particular aircraft.
The black stripe marking for No.13 Squadron was from the 'XtraDecal' black strip set (XPS1).

Now onto applying the wood effects to the fuselage,

Mike

[harv]

......harv

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Wood effect Applied using 'Windsor and Newton' Griffin Alkyd Raw Sienna.
Some shadowing applied to wings and fuselage using 'Tamiya' Smoke (X19).
Cockpit padding brush painted with 'AL Interactive' Brown Leather.
Nose number 1 airbrushed with mask cut on a 'Cricut' Air 2 cutter.

Now onto further weathering,

Mike

[HubertB]

Looking very good Mike . I'm enjoying your build, as all others.

Hubert

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Well it happens 🥴
I accidentally spilled a bottle of White Spirits over my modelling workspace and, unfortunately the model.
I tried to dab it off but it had already dissolved areas of the applied decals on all of the models parts.
As I had no CDL decal replacements and no wanting to purchase and wait for replacements, I decide to go to Plan B.
This required the removal of as much of the decal as possible, leaving some in place as weathering effect.
The fuselage took the main hit, but fortunately not inside the fuselage.
So I've stripped all of the decals (CDL, roundels and black stripes).
The black stripes were airbrushed and replacement roundels and 'lift here' decals were applied.
My plan is to apply 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt and Grime fine clay wash (which I normally apply anyway).
Hopefully the wash will compliment the residual CDL decal to give the model a well worn, war weary look.

We'll see,

Mike 

[npb748r]

what a great build, shame about the White Spirits but sounds like you have a workable plan B !!  I had the pleasure of watching the real aircraft fly today at Stow Maries WW1 Aerodrome along with several other aircraft including an Albatross.  Once in the air you realise how fragile looking the aircraft is compared to the Albatross.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
PLAN B.
Damaged CDL decal, fuselage decals removed.
Black squadron stripes airbrushed, fuselage and 'Lift Here' decals replaced.
'Flory Models' Dark Dirt and Grime clay washes applied.
Sealed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311) clear lacquer.

Hopefully a more dirty, 'war weary' finish.

Mike 

[HubertB]

I don’t know if this thinner spill turned out a blessing in disguise, or it’s sheer talent (I’d lean towards that latter option  ), but it’s looking great as a war-weary workhorse … Maybe the fuselage roundels could do with being dirtier, in line with the rest ?

Hubert

[harv]

I agree with Hubert.....harv 

[sandbagger]

4 hours ago, HubertB said:

I don’t know if this thinner spill turned out a blessing in disguise, or it’s sheer talent (I’d lean towards that latter option  ), but it’s looking great as a war-weary workhorse … Maybe the fuselage roundels could do with being dirtier, in line with the rest ?

Hubert

Hi Hubert,

Thanks, although the roundels are in fact weathered.

It's just that being primarily white, the model/roundels reflect the light and tend to mask out the effect when photographed,

 

Mike

[Bomber_County]

Awesome as ever Mike, wish I had a 16th of your skill set……

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The kit supplies a photo-etch carrier for three spare ammunition drums for the Lewis machine guns.
Various profiles and photographs show these carriers to have storage for different amounts of ammunition drums.
The photograph below show a captured No.13 Squadron BE2c with a four drum carrier, as does the colour profile I'm using for this model.
Therefore I chose to make this type of carrier from 0.2 mm thick plastic card.
This was primed white then airbrushed with 'Tamiya' Dark Yellow (XF60).
I then brushed Windsor and Newton Raw Sienna (Griffin Alykld).
The four ammunition drums are those from the replacement 'GasPatch' Lewis Mk.1 stripped half heatsinks (32-32052) set.
They were airbrushed with 'Tamiya' Gloss Black (X1), then with 'Alclad' Steel (ALC-112).
The rounds were brushed painted with 'Mr. Colour' Brass (219) with 'AK Interactive' Brown Leather (AK3031) for the hand straps.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The engine is now fitted, including the upper auxiliary fuel tank and it's tube connecting it to the main fuel tank under the observers seat.



The kit supplied top cowl is supplied as either resin or photo-etch, but neither seem curved enough at the top when fitted.
Also the RAF 1a engine had baffle plates fitted between the engine cylinders and these are not provided for in the kit.
Therefore it looks like I'll need to make the cowl and baffles instead,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few more observations of areas of the model not included.

Later versions of the BE2c had an access panel on the right side of the fuselage and rear of the pilot’s cockpit. This panel is not included on the kit fuselage and will need to be created.

Later versions of the BE2c had either one or two circular access panels on the left side of the nose, on the triangular panel. This panel is not included on the kit.

Also most BE2c aircraft had a twin pitot tube fitted to an outboard interplane strut. Also not included in the kit.

Mike