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

[NARSES2]

Well some progress

The Invader is being as uncooperative as ever but she's had her undersides painted and masked off. Can start her topside now which means the Caproni gets hers done as well.

The I-16 has had her topside painted, so now needs coating with Klear and then the markings can go on.

I've also done a fair bit of work on the smaller bits and bobs that go on after the markings for all these kits.

After this I found myself with an hour or so therefore I broke out the Airfix Do 17, mainly to fondle the sprues  Anyway as sure as night follows day I soon found myself doing some of the initial assembly  . Let me just say that this is a lovely kit but the instructions do need a good look rather then a glance. Some of the initial stages cover pieces with lots of framing and what look fragile bits. If you rush it then I can see some problems. However as long as you give the instructions a good look, dry fit and then apply glue they go together really well and the ensuing sub structures are surprisingly strong. All the parts have positive locations even though these may not be visable to start with and once constructed they disappear from view again  Fantastic detail internaly and a huge plus is the way Airfix number the parts on the sprue. No looking around for part No 17 the parts are numbered from No 1 to No x sequential, left to right on the sprue. I wish others would do this. Start the internal paintwork now

[Captain Canada]

Looking forward to the Invader !

I agree with the sprue numbering....makes sense to me !

[NARSES2]

I agree with the sprue numbering....makes sense to me !

Yup it seems such a simple idea (probably takes some careful thinking through though) and makes life so much easier    Wish some others I could think of would do it

[Captain Canada]

I've got a problem where as soon as I get a kit I rip it open and start cutting bits off of the sprues to test fit etc.....then I cut up the leftover sprue to make it easier to throw out. The problem is I end up losing bits, throwing out bit, cutting off numbers etc. 

[NARSES2]

I'm saying nothing Capt 

Anyway progress. The Invader and Caproni are now ready for the second top camouflage colour application and the I-16 is ready for transfers. Also got some work done on the detail parts of each.

Going back to my views on the Invader which can best be summed up by the use of the words disappointing and overly complicated., Italeri have re-issued the solid nosed version originally issued by Revell. Now this has a preview in April's Model Airplane Monthly. Only a pic and a few lines but the reviewer only states that the bombs are to small for the usual 500lb's and the props appear to be a little to broad and that apart from these "This is a simple kit, which with a bit of work will make up into a very nice model, recommended for all skill levels". Well I doubt he's built it and it's purely an open the box and rattle review. If wrong I apologise but I am going to look at my Revell boxing just to make sure I didn't get the bomb racks wrong and thus the fowling of the wings (the worst problem on the kit and would put a youngster/beginner off) is my fault. I have been know to be stupid before  I will report back.

[NARSES2]

Right the Invader and Caproni have had their top sides painted, but I get the feeling they will require some touch ups especially around the clear parts when the masking comes off tomorrow.

Work continues on the Dornier. I've been surprised by how many spare machine gun mags were stash away in the crew compartment. They are every where. Now I know why, but it did surprise me just how many of these there were, but then building models can be a learning tool. Considering Airfix have probably tooled the official fit it would be interesting to know how many more the gunners sneaked in ? 

I'm still basically working on the insides of the Dornier as there's a lot of it. Some of the parts look quite fragile and the fit looks a bit flimsy, but once you get them together the thing is surprisingly sturdy. Just be carefull removing parts from the sprue and clean them up properly and then it's all fine. I have noticed that when trying to fit some of these previously assembled parts to the fuselage walls I was not getting things lined up correctly (eye is a problem at the moment) but once you get them lined up correctly they just click into place beautifully. So if it doesn't appear to fit, it's you. Don't force it just move it along a tad or so and it will almost fall into the correct place 

Got some paint on the innards as well. Just used what is not much more then an RLM 02 wash as I don't want to hide  the detail so it will need a couple of coats but she's starting to look good.

[NARSES2]

Tape has come off the Invader and Caproni and my worst fears were not proven. Both need a little remedial work but nothing drastic.

Dornier continues to have work done on her. Making up a series of sub assemblies at the moment. Had a really stupid moment when I thought I knew best, yea  Read the flipping instructions Chris  . No damage done as glue wasn't applied but I did feel a (very naughty word) 

Got most of the transfers on the I-16. Using DP Casper ones from one of their Campaign sheets. I find them very good. Show them warm water and they come off the sheet (unlike the 2 I've used from the Hasegawa boxing where I could have had lunch while they soaked). They stay very strong and flexible and the sheets are very full. You only get the individual markings for the specific aircraft, national markings if unusual or from uncommon countries and that's it. No stencils but that doesn't bother me. Excellent value.

Won't get much done now for a couple of weeks, just be little bits here and there.

[NARSES2]

Well got back from my jaunt "oop north" to see my tribe. Well and truly knackered so couple that with my annual diabetic check up this week and having a new "smart metre" fitted tomorrow I'll make no progress until next week. Hopefully back to the bench next tuesday

[Captain Canada]

Welcome home ! By the sounds from the last few updates you're far enough ahead of the game that a few days off won't hurt 

[Thorvic]

Well got back from my jaunt "oop north" to see my tribe. Well and truly knackered so couple that with my annual diabetic check up this week and having a new "smart metre" fitted tomorrow I'll make no progress until next week. Hopefully back to the bench next tuesday

the flat or You ?

[NARSES2]

Well got back from my jaunt "oop north" to see my tribe. Well and truly knackered so couple that with my annual diabetic check up this week and having a new "smart metre" fitted tomorrow I'll make no progress until next week. Hopefully back to the bench next tuesday

the flat or You ?

The flat, although I might ask the doc about a new one for me tomorrow the way I feel 

The Seeboard electrician who fitted the smart metre was a rather attractive young lady. Now I know it shouldn't but female trades people still take me by surprise. She arrived on time and did a bloody good job in good time, so  She came from Catford and if possible had a better "Sarf London" accent than me  Marvellous although what the bloke outside the Swan in Durham would have thought is beyond me

[NARSES2]

Been reading the Beaufighter stuff that was in the May Airfix Magazine - yes I'm that far behind in my reading - and I've got to pondering if you could fit a proper turret to a Beau' rather then the cupola thingy it had ? Was thinking one of the late war Martin turrets perhaps with twin 0.303's or a single 0.5" rather then the two it normally carried. Anyway something to think on

[zenrat]

I've been pondering fitting a Lanc dorsal turret.

[Thorvic]

Been reading the Beaufighter stuff that was in the May Airfix Magazine - yes I'm that far behind in my reading - and I've got to pondering if you could fit a proper turret to a Beau' rather then the cupola thingy it had ? Was thinking one of the late war Martin turrets perhaps with twin 0.303's or a single 0.5" rather then the two it normally carried. Anyway something to think on

Isn't that the Beaufighter V a Merlin powered nightfighter with the BP 4x .303 Turret immediately aft of the cockpit ?

[Captain Canada]

First I've seen of that Beau but it's a neat idea, and the BP turret would be a natural choice for you now Chris with the new kit about, and then it gives you an excuse to do somat with the turretless Defiant.