RalphSarc Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Aces High Basement Air Force FB Group Build Entry. Revell 1/32 Bell X-1 Glamorous Glennis! On October 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Piloted by U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of 1,127 kilometers (700 miles) per hour, Mach 1.06, at an altitude of 13,000 meters (43,000 feet). Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis" in tribute to his wife. Air-launched at an altitude of 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) from the bomb bay of a Boeing B-29, the X-1 used its rocket engine to climb to its test altitude. It flew a total of 78 times, and on March 26, 1948, with Yeager at the controls, it attained a speed of 1,540 kilometers (957 miles) per hour, Mach 1.45, at an altitude of 21,900 meters (71,900 feet). This was the highest velocity and altitude reached by a manned airplane up to that time. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Awesome for sure and will be onboard for the build. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Looking forward to seeing what's involved with the build. I started this kit but haven't gotten past engraving some of the panel lines. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 3 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said: Looking forward to seeing what's involved with the build. I started this kit but haven't gotten past engraving some of the panel lines. Not sure how far I’ll go with it either. I built this kit 13 years ago so looking forward to building it again at my present skill set! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 Completed step 1 assembling the rocket motor. Since it will never be seen once the fuselage is closed up I’m going to present it as a stand alone next to the X-1. That way I can do some painting using actual pictures as a reference. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 Complete step 2 assembling the cockpit. My first build years ago was a wheels up version. This time I’m building it wheels down with the cockpit hatch open minus the pilot showing off the cockpit interior. I was unable to find any PE cockpit parts including harness however I think I have enough old parts and decals to really do the cockpit justice this time around!! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 I rummaged around my leftover decal bag and found a few things I can use to add interest to the cockpit!! Even found some cloth seatbelts!!! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 Priming the cockpit and rocket motor with Stynylrez. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 The instructions suggest paining the cockpit interior grey but the Smithsonian pictures clearly show it’s a military green color. Almost looks like a Tamiya XF-13 JA Green or XF-61 Dark Green. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Looks like a Dull Dark Green to me. Nice progress too. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 Sprayed an undercoating of XF-16 Flat Aluminum so I can spray with hairspray then paint with XF-13 JA Green to add some chipping and scratch details. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Nice progress on the X-1. Completely agree with Carl, the interior does look like Dark Dull Green. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 After letting the hairspray dry while I ran to HomeDepot I over coated the cockpit with a base of XF-13 which compared to pictures is pretty darn close I think. might do some shading using Dark Green XF-61. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 I’m also going to use my Artistro Acrylic Paint Pen Set to highlight as many cockpit switches as possible. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Ralph Nice progress and the Artistro Acrylic Paint Pen Set sounds more then interesting. When you are using it, how about a mini-how too, would be much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 2 hours ago, Peterpools said: Ralph Nice progress and the Artistro Acrylic Paint Pen Set sounds more then interesting. When you are using it, how about a mini-how too, would be much appreciated. Thanks Peter. The Artistro Acrylic Pens are a game changer when adding fine detail. I highlighted all the X-1 cockpit switches plus I used it exclusively to paint and highlight the X-1 rocket engine. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Something new for me. Did some scratch building behind the pilots seat to add some interest rather than a blank bulkhead. The reference photo clearly shows equipment mounted there! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 Did a bit a shadow shading using XF-61 Dark Green. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 Worked of and on all afternoon detailing the X-1 cockpit. While slightly embellished I think it has plenty of interest especially with the hatch open. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 Ralph Some mighty nice work in the front office - detailing and weathering look spot on the money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 1 hour ago, Peterpools said: Ralph Some mighty nice work in the front office - detailing and weathering look spot on the money. Oh thanks Peter. I’m enjoying building the kit a second time using my current skill set. I’m essentially a Dark Side kit builder now however I do enjoy the odd aircraft build one in a while. The X-1 is for a FB group build over at The Basement Air Force. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark64 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Such a great subject. Been following your progress. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 1 hour ago, shark64 said: Such a great subject. Been following your progress. Oh thanks. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphSarc Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 With a bit of help from HobbyTown’s Tammy Tyrannosaurus I was able to find the correct paints needed to complete my Bell X-1 kit. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark64 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 Would the 3 color mixed together give you International Orange.? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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