HKM 1/32 Boston test prints.

[rtfoe]

Hi guys,
A fellow local modelling member friend was offered by Neil from HKM to build the test prints for 'modelmaker' feedback to see where the potential problematic areas could be or where improvements can be made. Neil is a great guy, passionate to make great big models. For this my friend thinks this will be a winner.
These are his words...the stress skin is done well and at parts where it is supposed to be. A bit consistent and that is where the modeller should just adjust a bit to personalise the model. Took a while for this feature to be seen in models. Thanks to Wingnuts for planting the idea first.
Here are the images...

He said again... Absolutely gorgeous amount of details. Since they made a kit with openable hatches, all the lock mechanisms are also moulded in.
More images...

Will get more info once he has put it together for fit and what nots.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Del640]

Looks really crisp!

[stillp]

That looks good. Interesting aircraft too.
Pete

[Jim R]

Certainly looks a beautiful kit. Lots of lovely crisp details. I hope it goes together well.

[spanner570]

Not wishing to put a bit of a damper on an excellent looking model, I wonder, whilst it's a good attempt, the 'Skin stress' is a little bit too much?

Don't shout at me, just my initial thoughts...

[rtfoe]

Correct as explained by my colleague that it's consistant throughout which gives the modeler the opportunity to customise and lessen the amount by sanding rather than trying to build up the stress. It would have been better if it was naturalised for the novice or those who don't have the time and skill. I would rather personalise it.

Cheers,
Wabble

[BarryW]

She looks great to me. I certainly have this Havoc on my must have list. But do we know whether the RAF Boston version is actually being produced as well as the Havoc?

[rtfoe]

Will check with my friend if Neil had planned for the British version of the Boston. The one with the bombardier glass nose and turretless rear gunner position.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Ian M]

It sure looks a nice kit. Maybe your friend could ask why it is, that in a kit of this scale and with the level of detail in it Cables, pipes and wires are still moulded onto bulkheads and fuselage parts and not made as a separate part.
The problem with stressed panels is that it changes. A Ship with oil-canning is one thing the deformation is pretty much set. An aircraft the skin flexes with the load. The top side of the lifting wing would be more 'crumpled' due to compression than the opposite wing...And an aircraft on the ground would look different in the air due to the loadings.

[rtfoe]

It sure looks a nice kit. Maybe your friend could ask why it is, that in a kit of this scale and with the level of detail in it Cables, pipes and wires are still moulded onto bulkheads and fuselage parts and not made as a separate part.
The problem with stressed panels is that it changes. A Ship with oil-canning is one thing the deformation is pretty much set. An aircraft the skin flexes with the load. The top side of the lifting wing would be more 'crumpled' due to compression than the opposite wing...And an aircraft on the ground would look different in the air due to the loadings.

True, as this is a test print I don't know how far corrections can be made. Will post that question to my friend. Haven't seen the Border Lanc stress skin panels, are they better?

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

On the stressed skinning, even Neil wasn't happy that it was too consistent. He would have preferred variation...this was what my friend said.

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

Hi Barry, on the British version it would be a bit of work. This is what was mentioned...

It appears that for this initial version its the A-20G which is mainly used by the Americans. The British used an earlier version. Frankly, if they need to produce that version, the whole Hull needs to be redone as it is actually slimmer by 6inches ( around 5mm in scale) and there are apparent differences. Nose is partially transparent, tail a bit different.

Brits used the version marked Boston. See Boston I/II tail is way different. Shorter fuselage too. Different engine too. Early Boston have short on nacelle also. I think too many parts to change but you never know. Already came so far. Maybe he will do a version for that for the French, Brits and Aussie makes.

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

It sure looks a nice kit. Maybe your friend could ask why it is, that in a kit of this scale and with the level of detail in it Cables, pipes and wires are still moulded onto bulkheads and fuselage parts and not made as a separate part.
The problem with stressed panels is that it changes. A Ship with oil-canning is one thing the deformation is pretty much set. An aircraft the skin flexes with the load. The top side of the lifting wing would be more 'crumpled' due to compression than the opposite wing...And an aircraft on the ground would look different in the air due to the loadings.

Ian, the bomb bay has them separate from what was said...
Only at the bomb bay where you can opt to model it open. Not easy to scratch that without drilling holes on all the section ribs to pass the wires thru.

Cheers,
Wabble

[rtfoe]

Will go through the fit issues and some innovations taken for granted next.

Cheers,
Wabble

[Mini Me]

It sure looks a nice kit. Maybe your friend could ask why it is, that in a kit of this scale and with the level of detail in it Cables, pipes and wires are still moulded onto bulkheads and fuselage parts and not made as a separate part.
The problem with stressed panels is that it changes. A Ship with oil-canning is one thing the deformation is pretty much set. An aircraft the skin flexes with the load. The top side of the lifting wing would be more 'crumpled' due to compression than the opposite wing...And an aircraft on the ground would look different in the air due to the loadings.

As an aircraft mechanic I wish to put my two cents in the jar,. If you see an aircraft skin that is crumpled or even slightly oilcanned, it is MANDATORY that a FULL structural inspection be performed IMMEDIATELY as there is obviously a failure in the underlying Primary and or at the very least Secondary structure of said airframe. I think Model manufacturers need to go back to Airframe school and stop trying to make things look better by playing around with their molds.