realworkingsailor

There is a replica of an earlier model Caudron racer:
 

 
Is that closer to the blue you’re after?
 
Andy
 
 

Check out that pointy data link pod. Very unusually shaped pod I have not seen on other aircraft. Pointed in the front and bulbous in the rear. I'll show better photos of it tomorrow or when I'm finished.

Canopy got masked and painted. Weapons and pylons got painted. Need to finish with decals on the TV Martel missiles and pylons. Everything needs a varnish to seal in the decals. Canopy is posed in place no glue for now until varnish is done. Also need to add navigation beacon and front LG light. After all that, should be able to call this finished.
 
@AJohnson pay close attention to your weapons pylons and the holes in the wings to mount them for your particular version choice. The pin/hole spacing on the outboard pylons is incorrect for the "A" version I chose. Not a big deal but easier to deal with before the wings are assembled.  

So, I’ve run in to a little frustration. (Not with my tiffy, though. It’s safely on the shelf)
 
After closely examining the parts of my recently acquired Beaufighter kit, I decided that a little upgrade was required in some areas. Namely the cockpit details and the engine exhausts (and the wheels too, but only as a bonus, the kit wheels are okay-ish). So I went hunting around for what was available, I already have the Yahu instrument panel, but I found the resin offerings from CMK, especially the cockpit set, look really nice. This is where things get annoying. While I’ve been able to find CMK detail sets all over the place, I haven’t been able to find a hobby retailer that offers a decent price on shipping (and has the item in stock).

Squadron hobbies has all the items I want in stock, but for a $23USD order (of small detail parts), they’re asking $24 in shipping. Uh.. nope!
 
Hannants: same thing (although their quote was in Canadian $)
Special Hobby: ditto (back to USD, or EUR)
BNA: out of stock ($11.50 est. for shipping, though, so if they ever get back in stock…)
Sprue Brothers: no stock (although a more expensive Eduard PE detail set would have cost the same after shipping)
Wheels and Wings (in Toronto): no stock
Ebay: Nope. Not even.
 
For what it’s worth, I’ve ordered larger quantities of detail parts from Chuck, but the shipping cost was about $10 USD (sometimes less). I don’t know if I should be frustrated with the hobby shops themselves, or the postal services…. 

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, that would be great. I would like to up the detail level for this kit, but I really can’t justify the shipping costs. 
 
Maybe I should just pour another Scotch and percolate for a while….
 
Andy

So, I’ve run in to a little frustration. (Not with my tiffy, though. It’s safely on the shelf)
 
After closely examining the parts of my recently acquired Beaufighter kit, I decided that a little upgrade was required in some areas. Namely the cockpit details and the engine exhausts (and the wheels too, but only as a bonus, the kit wheels are okay-ish). So I went hunting around for what was available, I already have the Yahu instrument panel, but I found the resin offerings from CMK, especially the cockpit set, look really nice. This is where things get annoying. While I’ve been able to find CMK detail sets all over the place, I haven’t been able to find a hobby retailer that offers a decent price on shipping (and has the item in stock).

Squadron hobbies has all the items I want in stock, but for a $23USD order (of small detail parts), they’re asking $24 in shipping. Uh.. nope!
 
Hannants: same thing (although their quote was in Canadian $)
Special Hobby: ditto (back to USD, or EUR)
BNA: out of stock ($11.50 est. for shipping, though, so if they ever get back in stock…)
Sprue Brothers: no stock (although a more expensive Eduard PE detail set would have cost the same after shipping)
Wheels and Wings (in Toronto): no stock
Ebay: Nope. Not even.
 
For what it’s worth, I’ve ordered larger quantities of detail parts from Chuck, but the shipping cost was about $10 USD (sometimes less). I don’t know if I should be frustrated with the hobby shops themselves, or the postal services…. 

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, that would be great. I would like to up the detail level for this kit, but I really can’t justify the shipping costs. 
 
Maybe I should just pour another Scotch and percolate for a while….
 
Andy

So, I’ve run in to a little frustration. (Not with my tiffy, though. It’s safely on the shelf)
 
After closely examining the parts of my recently acquired Beaufighter kit, I decided that a little upgrade was required in some areas. Namely the cockpit details and the engine exhausts (and the wheels too, but only as a bonus, the kit wheels are okay-ish). So I went hunting around for what was available, I already have the Yahu instrument panel, but I found the resin offerings from CMK, especially the cockpit set, look really nice. This is where things get annoying. While I’ve been able to find CMK detail sets all over the place, I haven’t been able to find a hobby retailer that offers a decent price on shipping (and has the item in stock).

Squadron hobbies has all the items I want in stock, but for a $23USD order (of small detail parts), they’re asking $24 in shipping. Uh.. nope!
 
Hannants: same thing (although their quote was in Canadian $)
Special Hobby: ditto (back to USD, or EUR)
BNA: out of stock ($11.50 est. for shipping, though, so if they ever get back in stock…)
Sprue Brothers: no stock (although a more expensive Eduard PE detail set would have cost the same after shipping)
Wheels and Wings (in Toronto): no stock
Ebay: Nope. Not even.
 
For what it’s worth, I’ve ordered larger quantities of detail parts from Chuck, but the shipping cost was about $10 USD (sometimes less). I don’t know if I should be frustrated with the hobby shops themselves, or the postal services…. 

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, that would be great. I would like to up the detail level for this kit, but I really can’t justify the shipping costs. 
 
Maybe I should just pour another Scotch and percolate for a while….
 
Andy

So, I’ve run in to a little frustration. (Not with my tiffy, though. It’s safely on the shelf)
 
After closely examining the parts of my recently acquired Beaufighter kit, I decided that a little upgrade was required in some areas. Namely the cockpit details and the engine exhausts (and the wheels too, but only as a bonus, the kit wheels are okay-ish). So I went hunting around for what was available, I already have the Yahu instrument panel, but I found the resin offerings from CMK, especially the cockpit set, look really nice. This is where things get annoying. While I’ve been able to find CMK detail sets all over the place, I haven’t been able to find a hobby retailer that offers a decent price on shipping (and has the item in stock).

Squadron hobbies has all the items I want in stock, but for a $23USD order (of small detail parts), they’re asking $24 in shipping. Uh.. nope!
 
Hannants: same thing (although their quote was in Canadian $)
Special Hobby: ditto (back to USD, or EUR)
BNA: out of stock ($11.50 est. for shipping, though, so if they ever get back in stock…)
Sprue Brothers: no stock (although a more expensive Eduard PE detail set would have cost the same after shipping)
Wheels and Wings (in Toronto): no stock
Ebay: Nope. Not even.
 
For what it’s worth, I’ve ordered larger quantities of detail parts from Chuck, but the shipping cost was about $10 USD (sometimes less). I don’t know if I should be frustrated with the hobby shops themselves, or the postal services…. 

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, that would be great. I would like to up the detail level for this kit, but I really can’t justify the shipping costs. 
 
Maybe I should just pour another Scotch and percolate for a while….
 
Andy

Post Twenty-four
At this point I skip sections 165-191 and move to fit the keel, stem, and sternpost pieces.
I want the keel pieces in place to modify the build board for the upright hull which will be used for most of the fitting out and detailing.
All these pieces fit together nicely.
Note: The keel facings are numbered 437/439 (Fore) and 438/440 (stern) – not as shown in the manual. The pieces are  port and starboard specific.

0832
I found the trickiest part was fitting the stem facings. I needed to further tweak the planks ends using a micro chisel to allow the facing pieces to sit flat against the stem at all points, and line up with the peg slots.
 
The hull will remain inverted for hull planking and that board has been modified to protect the vulnerable stem piece.

0833

0835
The stem protectors can be swung in and out of position.
It would be a tricky issue if the delicate figure seating at the prow was to be broken off.

0840

0841
The upright building board has now been modified to support the planked hull.

0842

0838
Indy is now secure and sitting level, I don’t want this beast moving around whilst I am working on her.
 
On with the show.
 
B.E.
19/04/2023
 

You’re gonna hate me:
 
https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/italeri-r-wessex-uh-5-helicopter-facklands-40th-anniversary-1-48-scale-2720
 
Sorry…
 
🤭
Andy

Sooooo…..
 
https://uk.airfix.com/products/fairey-gannet-14-a11007
 
??🤔
 
😁
 
Andy

You’re gonna hate me:
 
https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/italeri-r-wessex-uh-5-helicopter-facklands-40th-anniversary-1-48-scale-2720
 
Sorry…
 
🤭
Andy

I found and ordered that kit on Ebay from a seller in Estonia...$38 plus postage. Now I'm thinking about this to go with it:
Black Dog 1/48 Engine & Folding Tail for Wessex UH-5 Helicopter (Italeri) A48172 | eBay

You’re gonna hate me:
 
https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/italeri-r-wessex-uh-5-helicopter-facklands-40th-anniversary-1-48-scale-2720
 
Sorry…
 
🤭
Andy

Some Ark Royal scenes  including  a Wessex.
 
OC.

And R/026    onboards  the Ark.
 
OC.

You’re gonna hate me:
 
https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/italeri-r-wessex-uh-5-helicopter-facklands-40th-anniversary-1-48-scale-2720
 
Sorry…
 
🤭
Andy

You’re gonna hate me:
 
https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/italeri-r-wessex-uh-5-helicopter-facklands-40th-anniversary-1-48-scale-2720
 
Sorry…
 
🤭
Andy

Sooooo…..
 
https://uk.airfix.com/products/fairey-gannet-14-a11007
 
??🤔
 
😁
 
Andy

Sooooo…..
 
https://uk.airfix.com/products/fairey-gannet-14-a11007
 
??🤔
 
😁
 
Andy

Sooooo…..
 
https://uk.airfix.com/products/fairey-gannet-14-a11007
 
??🤔
 
😁
 
Andy

I already dropped a preorder on it at Hannants after it was posted here.

Sooooo…..
 
https://uk.airfix.com/products/fairey-gannet-14-a11007
 
??🤔
 
😁
 
Andy

Starboard decals are down. Inching closer to the finish line.

Be still my heart. 

Post Twenty-three
The Sanding business

0811
This is a lovely hull to sand, large enough to sweep along it with flexible sanding sheets and blocks.

0812
At the stern the planks are feathered into the false keel to receive the top layer.

0815
There were a few low spots that I filled and sanded and once I was satisfied with a blind feel test I deemed the job complete.

0819
The whole process was completed over two days, and the hull was finally given a coat of sanding sealer.

0821
Sanding sealer contains Xylenes, and is nasty stuff, best done in the open air and wearing a mask and gloves.

0822
At this point I dry fitted the stem, keel, and sternpost parts.
The stem fitted neatly into place with a light tap of the hammer, but before final fitting I was interested to see how the facings related to the curve of the bow planking.

0810
These facings of 1mm stuff are engraved with the lines that denote the various parts of the head and provide a rabbet for the second planking.

0830
I fined down the plank ends a little to provide more leeway in the rabbet.
I find it always pays to constantly look a few steps ahead in a build, and check what’s coming up.
 
B.E
18/03/2023