Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

[NARSES2]

Well got a Spitfire I and a Trent Meteor at Cosford plus some new filler I've heard good reports on. I'll report back on that when I've used it.

The Meteor will be a FAA type as discussed previously the early "flat canopy" Spitfire  will be Belgian.

Wanted a RS Models late Swiss built Morane but none in stock. This when purchased will be the "ultimate" French mark of the type built in their Algerian factories after the French Government moved there to continue the fight in 1940.

Also wanted another Skyrocket but again couldn't find. If I can get one it will be a mid war bomb armed USN bird  I've even though of looking at how a Hellcat engine might ft a Skyrocket ? Not the cowling just the engine 

Because I've wanted another Skyrocket (EBay here I come) I've trawled the traders at my last couple of shows, which is something I rarely do to this level. Jeez there's some overpriced (IMHO) stuff out there and the price disparty between traders can be amazing  Plus the state of some of the boxes ?? They might just as well take them out and bag them. But if you want it enough you will pay for it I suppose and I suppose to some it's the "thrill of the chase" ?

Chris

[NARSES2]

Found a Skyrocket kit on-line but it's on a Zambian website ! Don't think I'll be going down that route 

[NARSES2]

Picked up the new Airfix Typhoon (Hawker) today in Modelzone. Looks very nice in the box.   Will be a real world bomb armed Canadian AF example as in the box, 439 Westmount Sqd (the other option is 247 Sqd). I must have built at least 6 Academy Typhoons all of which have been wiffed. Be nice to do a real one.

Also got 2 RetrokiT 1/72 WWI guns. A 60pdr and a 15" Howitzer. These are to be built for a friends 70th birthday present. His grandfather was a regular in a R.A. (Heavy) regiment in WWI. Joined in 1912 and started the war with 60 pdrs and finished on 9.2". I couldn't get the 9.2" but the 15" was basically the same but obviously with a bigger calibre. Pete has researched his family history back to 1790'ish and I spent a few hours at Kew with him going through his grandfathers old regiments diaries. Absolutely fascinating. At the start of the war they are very, very detailed : by the end they simply state how many rounds per day were fired, except during the Great Retreat of 1918 when they are very, very poignant ; especially about the "waifs and strays" from the infantry who were protecting them from the advancing Germans whilst they emplaced, fired and withdrew over a couple of hours. A process which in 1914 took 6 days.

[NARSES2]

Finally got around to some modelling after a couple of weeks away. Always takes me a few days to get going again.

Got the vacform canopies on the 2 Skyrockets. Now just need some touch ups and finishing off. Hopefully done this week.

Primed the Moonbat. Pleased with my blending in of the tail feathers, just a couple of other chips and scratches need looking at.

Started on the new Airfix Typhoon and the newish Spitfire I/IIa. The Typhoon has an interesting construction sequence which means that you need to look at the insructions. So far it's fitted together very well. A couple of parts don't really need glue they are that good a fit. In comparing the two kits while building it's noticeable that the Typhoon sprue gates are slightly smaller and definitely easier when it comes to separation of parts. Haven't had to many of the "scars" you can get with the Spitfire. Also the panel lines are finer then the Spitfires. Some will still complain but after a couple of brush coats these will look quite good I think. Time will tell anyway. All bodes well for the Hurricane and Gladiator.

 

[Radish]

Looked at the Hobbyboss Glad at Cosford; looks nice as does their Macchi C.200.
I'll see what's around at MK. I have lots of Gladiator "projects" to have a go at.

[NARSES2]

I'm waiting for the Airfix Glad, Rad (not Glad Rag) 

Anyway I've got all the detail painting done on the Typhoon and the Spitfire so construction begins tomorrow. Got some filler on the couple of chips on the Moonbat and got the gaps between the Skyrocket vacform canopies and fuselage almost sorted. Get that finished tomorrow as well hopefully.

I used micro masking tape from Little Cars for the framing on the Skyrocket canopies. Measured carefully (for me and my astigmatism anyway) and I'm really please how it's turned out. Far neater then I can mask and paint and looks more realistic IMHO then transfer sheet. I'll be using this method again.

[Radish]

"Glad Rad"....sounds like an idea...

[NARSES2]

"Glad Rad"....sounds like an idea...

Oh dear...what have I done  

Anyway major construction on the Typhoon and Spitfire is complete.

The Typhoon is a little beauty  Gos together very well although it pays to follow the construction sequence in the kit as it's a little unusual for an Airfix kit particularly. The smaller parts all click fit and don't really need glue. Cockpit fits like a dream and is well enough detailed considering you can't see anything in the Typhoons tiny aperture anyway. The upper wings to wing root get there at the eventually but I've an idea I did something slightly wrong initially ? She will need some filler, mainly Mr Surfacer and some of my new Perfect Plastic Putty under the chin radiator. Every Typhoon/Tempest I've built (and it's double figures) has needed putty there regardless of manufacturer. Anyway I can see if the PPP is as good as it's cracked up to be.

Not much progress now until next week as I've a busy few days - 

[NARSES2]

Can report that the PPP is as good as the adverts 

[NARSES2]

A little work yesterday until I went out up Town 

The Typhoon has an oddity in the instructions. There is a part labeled D52 which is the prop retaining pin. Now part D52 is/are the rocket rails and no part even resembling said pin can be found on any of the sprues by yours truly. Now this is of no consequence as the assembly doesn't really need it and the fit of the prop assembly into the fuselage is extremely snug with some neat "flanges" or whatever you want to call them to retain it. Prop wont spin but will turn and can be posed as you want.

Anyone else with the kit noticed this or found the part ?

[Thorvic]

Yeap its there Sprue D between the Rocket rails and the tail plane next to the central sprue

[NARSES2]

Doh, so it is  No idea how I missed it. Same part No as the rocket rails though

Anyway Spitfire and Typhoon are primed, Moonbat has it's first coat of Neutral Grey on the underside. This will be USAAF in the Phillipines circa 1946 and will be being used on dawn/dusk interdiction missions, whence the camo. That and I'm useless at natural metal finishes, silver dope is ok but not NM

[Radish]

Age

[NARSES2]

Age

That or insanity 

Progress on most kits that are W.I.P. The Skyrockets are just about ready for the photographer. Started on a RS Models Airacuda

[Radish]

Sklyrockets...got a couple of 1/48th ones to build....
I'd thought Portuguese coastal patrol with rockets.....and one other