Alan 45 Battle of Britain Aircraft , RAF, Luftwaffe

[Alan 45]

First part of the cockpit is now assembled and there is a bit of fiddling it get this together , Ive had to widen all the guide holes to get it together and it's still not as flush as you'd expect


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Still it is better detail than the tamiya release

[Alan 45]

Here's the complete cockpit [ATTACH]106278.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]106279.IPB[/ATTACH]

I decided not to put the harness in because it looked crap and I decided to paint the instrument panel even though the decal for it is quite good , for a change

[Alan 45]

Cockpit is in and no problem in fitting it all the lines matched up well [ATTACH]106303.IPB[/ATTACH]

the cowling just in front on the cockpit is not a great fit , Ive had to remove all the guide pins to get it to sit properly and it's still not perfect [ATTACH]106304.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Alan 45]

Really moving with this today the joys of being an insomniac lol[ATTACH]106306.IPB[/ATTACH]

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no issues with putting this together other than the port side tail stabiliser, there are no guide pins on the tail wings they just fit together and I thought I'd aligned it right but must have moved it out of alignment when placing it down so it's out slightly , my mistake

[Alan 45]

After my little adventure with the glue I have got back to this this morning and filled some gaps and file one are so I could get the rear section of the cockpit canopy for a new tool it does have the little annoying problems of ill fitting parts or parts just that little bit over size but at least I never had the problems with the cockpit one of the lads in my club had with the same kit


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I always paint the inside of intakes and vents before fitting it makes it easier in the long run [ATTACH]106348.IPB[/ATTACH]

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I have left off the aerial until last I only knock them off when painting

[Alan 45]

Main paint scheme now on [ATTACH]106529.IPB[/ATTACH]

I have given the underside a burnt umber oil wash and just left it I think it's dried out nicely and given it a bit of a discolouration without ruining the base coat [ATTACH]106530.IPB[/ATTACH]

just a black oil wash and gloss clear on top and then decals and weathered next extra bits like aerial, that L shaped thing and the wheels to go on oh and the cockpit canopy and she's done

[Guest]

That Airfix cockpit has got more detail that the Academy 1/48 XIVc that I've got Alan!


But although it looks good, why do you apply the wash before the gloss coat? It's much harder that way!

[Alan 45]

That Airfix cockpit has got more detail that the Academy 1/48 XIVc that I've got Alan!
But although it looks good, why do you apply the wash before the gloss coat? It's much harder that way!

It's a very good cockpit and better than the tamiya release I think


I find that I can limit the overspill on a matt coat and I can use a clean brush to pull it a little so I get more of a streaky look than a puddle , I find it drys quicker as well

[Guest]

It's a very good cockpit and better than the tamiya release I think
I find that I can limit the overspill on a matt coat and I can use a clean brush to pull it a little so I get more of a streaky look than a puddle , I find it drys quicker as well

But with a gloss coat, there's no need to worry about where the wash goes - a tissue will wipe it off very easily! I only wait a couple of minutes before wiping away the excess (of which there isn't much due to capillary effect)

[Alan 45]

But with a gloss coat, there's no need to worry about where the wash goes - a tissue will wipe it off very easily! I only wait a couple of minutes before wiping away the excess (of which there isn't much due to capillary effect)

Yes that's correct but I want the discolouration for a weathered look and it's easier to get it where I want it to be by using a clean dry brush at application instead of doing it after

[Alan 45]

Wash has now gone on and is dry [ATTACH]106551.IPB[/ATTACH]

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next up is a gloss coat and decals

[stona]

It looks really good!


Do us a favour! When you add the 'L shaped thing' by which I think you mean the pitot tube and its attachment pylon, please don't paint the whole thing in the underside colour. It should look like this:


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The actual pitot head should be a brassy colour:


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Seeing the whole thing in Sky or whatever is one of my pet hates


The pitot tube is part of the system that measures air speed. The electrical connection is for heating. An iced up pitot would leave the pilot unable to know his airspeed which might well have fatal consequences.


Cheers


Steve

[Alan 45]

Thanks for the info Steve I always wondered what it was called and what it was for


I usually paint it in the sky colour but will change now

[stona]

Thanks for the info Steve I always wondered what it was called and what it was for
I usually paint it in the sky colour but will change now

No worries Alan, it's the whole point of the forum! Now your excellent model will be just a tiny little bit more accurate


Cheers


Steve

[Guest]

Great thread, just caught it, the German fighter looks ace - I think its a Stuka but I am very ignorant of old planes - something that threads like this will correct in time, I really really like the look of them and want to build some, your builds are pushing that feeling!