chris meek 1 Posted July 5 Author Share Posted July 5 Well that’s it for this week - wings painted and decals on! I’ve had a quick go at vac forming the canopies - observers cupola went ok but no joy at all with the pilots canopy! There was some spider webbing from the observers canopy so it wasn’t perfect - I think I need to make a bigger vac former. Ah we’ll all good progress anyway! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 5 Author Share Posted July 5 23 hours ago, gillyg1 said: After the brown paper, you need to seal it first, before applying any paint, i use a mix of dope, banana oil few drops,( stops the shrinking effect) as passed on by the late BT, and cell thinners, 2x coats light sanding in between, then prime, then my painting is done with BnQ match pots, now £4 ish ago. And i fuel proof using automotive matt lacquer, sprayed on. Cause i prefer glow i/c . Just my preferred finishing method. I use a water based finishing resin over the brown paper which I give a light sand before I put the paint on - not sure I have the patience to squeeze a load of bananas! 🤣 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 5 Author Share Posted July 5 First attempt at the observers cupola. A couple of imperfections but if it wasn’t for the spidering I’d have been happy to use it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 19 Author Share Posted July 19 A little more progress - pulled a new observers cupola which came out nicely so happy to use it. Still working on the cockpit canopy plug but hopefully making progress with that as well.. anyway - I cut out the observers area and glued the figure in place with a machine gun - the barrel is removable to stop hanger rash! Then I glued the cupola on (sat for 40 minutes holding it in place while the glue set! 🤦♂️🤣) and started on panel lines and rivets as per Richard’s technique on the warbird replicas models.. once done I’ll try some weathering with some chalks to muck it up a bit! Got to say - panel lines and riveting didn’t take that long and the effect they give is quite impressive! 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Superb work Chris - that's the best observer's cupola that I've seen on any model Beaufighter and the panel lines bring the aeroplane to life. 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyg1 Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 That sure is looking good Chris. Nearly there, well done 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 Weathering started on port side… what do folk use to seal everything down at the end? Heard some form of varnish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 I just gave my FW190 a very light covering with satin water based polyurethane varnish, applied with an airbrush and was pleased with the result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 Thanks - I’ve only got a small airbrush I’ve used in the past on plastic kits - don’t want to shell out on a bigger one so will try that, if it fails I might have to resort to brushing it on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 A small humbrol one is enough 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Looking fab Chris . I dont know why more people havent had a go at Tony's Beau . I dont bother varnishing Chris . My Heinkel 111 is five year sold at least and matt finished in B and Q with chalk weathering . I dont let rain get on it but otherwise take no precautions . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyg1 Posted July 20 Share Posted July 20 Richard, you know if ever you decide to do a rerun of this kit, you can count me in 👍 Cheers Graham ( Cornwall) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 1 hour ago, RICHARD WILLS said: Looking fab Chris . I dont know why more people havent had a go at Tony's Beau . I dont bother varnishing Chris . My Heinkel 111 is five year sold at least and matt finished in B and Q with chalk weathering . I dont let rain get on it but otherwise take no precautions . Thanks Richard - from other blogs I’ve seen I think people are put off with the fuselage curvature at the nose, but with some patience (and ammonia!!) it’s not that difficult- the biggest challenge so far has been the plugs for the canopy/cupola! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 20 Author Share Posted July 20 Last one for this week! 🤣 finally got the cockpit canopy plug finished, after a little trial and error I got a canopy I was happy to use - this is it temporarily fitted until I get another pilot figure and detail the cockpit. Again, it’s not perfect but it will do me! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 So back at it today. Couldn’t bring myself to do any soldering so did some more weathering! 🤣 Need to sort esc placement in the nacelles - at the moment I’m thinking under the battery trays then the lipos go on top - will need to mount the trays higher up in the nacelle to allow this to give space above the retract units but hopefully once done there’ll still be space in them for a 5s lipo if I decide to go up to one - current plan is to go 4s as I’ve got a stash of them… Couldnt resist another set of photos with it together! The good news is, with lipos and electrics in, when using the ‘finger method’ the c of g is close/on the suggested mark so I’ll hopefully not need much (if any) extra weight in the nose. Once everything is finished I’ll make a Vanessa rig to check it accurately but I’m pleased it seems to be in the right ball park….. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 Looking brilliant there Chris - a real inspiration.👍 With the WR FW190 finished and successfully flown, having done a few minor repairs and a wee bit of fettling of recently donated aeroplanes to get them back in the air, it was back on with the Flair Beaufighter today. I'd left it at the stage of being ready for primer, but since I pulled out my ancient Pilot kits Zero and seeing the lovely panel lines again, I've introduced an extra step pre-primer, which I hope can replicate those panels. That involved spending the day putting thinline tape on the fuselage to mark the panel line locations. These are 1.5mm wide self adhesive tapes and working from a Revell 1/32nd scale Beaufighter I've put those on the fuselage so far - moving onto the wing tomorrow. Once applied there are some thicker duct tape dummy ribs to be added to the control surfaces, which I'll then cover with tissue, over the laminating film. Once all that is done I'll give the Beau a spray with auto primer, which should leave the impression of panel lines when the tape is removed. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 31 minutes ago, leccyflyer said: I'll give the Beau a spray with auto primer, which should leave the impression of panel lines when the tape is removed. I use that method too, but I would suggest giving in 2 or 3 coats over the panel lines, the extra depth really does help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 36 minutes ago, leccyflyer said: Looking brilliant there Chris - a real inspiration.👍 With the WR FW190 finished and successfully flown, having done a few minor repairs and a wee bit of fettling of recently donated aeroplanes to get them back in the air, it was back on with the Flair Beaufighter today. I'd left it at the stage of being ready for primer, but since I pulled out my ancient Pilot kits Zero and seeing the lovely panel lines again, I've introduced an extra step pre-primer, which I hope can replicate those panels. That involved spending the day putting thinline tape on the fuselage to mark the panel line locations. These are 1.5mm wide self adhesive tapes and working from a Revell 1/32nd scale Beaufighter I've put those on the fuselage so far - moving onto the wing tomorrow. Once applied there are some thicker duct tape dummy ribs to be added to the control surfaces, which I'll then cover with tissue, over the laminating film. Once all that is done I'll give the Beau a spray with auto primer, which should leave the impression of panel lines when the tape is removed. Thanks for the positive comments, they really are appreciated and have helped keep me motivated! I’d considered doing similar but wanted to try the warbird replicas approach - after watching some of Ron’s videos on the fw190 I thought I’d give it a go and tbh think for me it’s the way I’ll go in future again - quick and easy and gives an impression of panel lines etc without adding weight (always a worry on this for me given the short nose length!) Ive got the WR tempest on the board next but already thinking of possible projects for the new year…. Possibly a hawker typhoon but I’m a fan of twins/multis so might end up changing my mind several times before then! 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 Unless that is anyone has a WR ju88 in their shed they don’t want! 🤣🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 Messerschmitt 110 isn't too different than a Ju88 - Richard's thinking of doing a short run of those. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted July 30 Author Share Posted July 30 On 25/07/2024 at 20:21, leccyflyer said: Messerschmitt 110 isn't too different than a Ju88 - Richard's thinking of doing a short run of those. I may have added myself to ‘the list’ for one… 🤦♂️🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyg1 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Yes Chris, saw you pop up on the 110 thread,😉 I lost mine due to an engine out, con rod big end broke. Mind you, flew 1/2 a circuit on landing approach ( single engine) before she went in, my fault instigated a turn using aileron instead of rudder.top tip . Cheers Graham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted August 12 Author Share Posted August 12 Final bits of progress on the Beaufighter! Pilot sourced/painted/installed. After advice from Paul Johnson (thanks Paul!) I got some 3 blade props which should give enough pull on the setup I’m using…. Question for the group though - I fly using radiomaster tx16 on open tx, I was looking for a new stabilised receiver to fit in the beaufighter, it looks like the frsky s8r is out of production (I’ve got one of them in another model and it works well). I was looking at using an archer plus as a replacement but not sure whether they’re compatible? Can anyone let me know please? 🙏 if not I’m hoping I can get a refund for the ones I’ve just bought… 🤦♂️🤦♂️ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 No, Archer won't work with mpm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris meek 1 Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 While I try and figure out what receiver to buy that has built in stabilisation (can’t get any more frsky s8r’s!) I thought I’d connect everything up … I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself - it’s looking awesome! 🤣 still need to do final c of g checks and test how much power the motors make, but other than that it’s just about ready to fly… 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.