HPH Helldiver dive flaps

[Clunkmeister]

I've reached the point in my build where there is no putting it off anymore. The dreaded PE flaps must be dealt with. 

Is there anyone here who has actually built the flaps from start to finish, with no shortcuts, nothing?  The kit itself was actually quite pleasurable, with little to no fit issues at all, and if one can master the flaps, this'll be little more stress to build than a regular Trumpeter kit.

[1to1scale]

Wow, i am jealous you have one of these. I have wanted one for a while, but the flaps scared me at first, but now I am thinking I might be able to tackle them. 

Have you tried "Flexy" CA glue? They make a formula for PE and one for Resin, it stays slightly flexible, so it does not dry out and become brittle.

 

https://www.michtoy.com/item-VMS-CM01-PE-FLEXY_5K_CA_Glue_for_Photo_Etched_25ml.html 

https://youtu.be/dSNKh3rFTSA

 

[Clunkmeister]

I tried one of the lower inboard sections, and made a semi mess of it. It eventually turned out OK, but it took a full three weeks of messing with it.   There HAS to be a better way. As was pointed out to me, the flaps were almost always retracted while on the ground, , so you'd think that would be the right way to display the model.

The rest of the kit was about as nice as a resin model ever could be, and if those flaps weren't so scary, ythen one could get JohnB Corsair happy on these...  Right John? 

[mark31]

Im not yet there for making the flaps

im almost done with the intirior but the flaps scare me a bit

like you say its a nice kit to build

but now its on hold for a time other things on my haed

 

Mark

[JohnB]

2 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

I tried one of the lower inboard sections, and made a semi mess of it. It eventually turned out OK, but it took a full three weeks of messing with it.   There HAS to be a better way. As was pointed out to me, the flaps were almost always retracted while on the ground, , so you'd think that would be the right way to display the model.

The rest of the kit was about as nice as a resin model ever could be, and if those flaps weren't so scary, ythen one could get JohnB Corsair happy on these...  Right John? 

Ya never know Ernie! LOL I have the kit but haven't been inspired to build it yet. I'll be watching to see what you do to get the flaps sorted out as I do intend to build mine "one of these days".

[1to1scale]

If anyone wants to trade a Helldiver for a B-24J, let me know, I have a spare!

[Bill_S]

Pictures, Ernie!

[Bomber_County]

We need pictures, we need pictures, we need pictures, please Ernie.......

[Clunkmeister]

We will supply a full build review with pics etc, as soon as it's done.  I wasn't sure going into this that this wouldn't end up being another abandoned HPH build.  we all know how some silly unexpected mistake turns into a major issue on these things, or it gets knocked moff the bench and shatters into 3 million pieces, or whatever. It can and does happen, and I don't want to jinx it now.

So give me time, and I hope within a month or two I'll have you a full build review.

[smitty44]

A lot of pictures of them parked with them up. I guess we figure that p.e set is so huge and must have contributed a fair amount to the cost of the kit we have to build them?

[Clunkmeister]

Yup, so it seems.  I’d like the lower flaps open, but it all depends.

[Clunkmeister]

There’s nothing simple about the flaps/dive brakes. 

If you backdate the kit to a -3 or a -1C, you get solid flaps/dive brakes. Late production -3s got the perforated flaps with serrated trailing edges.  So if you wanna do a -4 like me, you better like PE.

[Clunkmeister]

SO much like fun. And it’s a unique feature of this big ugly thing, so they gotta be at least partially open.