Dr Fester Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 (edited) Hi all, Just a recap I'm building the 1/48 Tamiya Swordfish Mk.I with PE from Tamiya and Eduard. The cockpit will be fully detailed and colour scheme will be the half camo pattern as worn by 765th Squadron. So the build starts but as I'm still waiting for Eduard goodies from Hannants so the cockpit is out of bounds, therefore I have started attacking the wings with a scalpel. I'm intending to model the leading edge slats open as most were in this position when the aircraft was parked....or should that be moored. It would have been so simple for this to be included in the kit with the option of closed or open slats, but hey who am I to criticize the big 'T'. The crisp molding of the Tamiya kit enables a good guide for cutting. Simply using a scalpel and repeated cutting along the molded line enables the part to be removed. This operation was repeated for all sections of the upper wing. The cut away parts of the slat are then glued together and the edge profile thinned for scale effect. I will need to add some plastic to the hole left in the wing and also the 6 slat actuators need to manufactured from metal and sprue. Doc Edited December 9, 2006 by Dr Fester Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bugfan Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 LOOKING GOOD Doc!!! I am interested in following this build to the end, please post lots of pics, and dont worry about "KNOCKING" the big "T", just goes to show you, they all aint perfect!! Jack aka BUGFAN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 With a little time to fill before I start attacking the build proper I have been scouting around for the materials for the diorama. A local shop was having a closing down sale and a couple of pictures caught my eye. For the princely sum of 50p each I nabbed them, for the frame you understand not the s**t thats inside them. Got them home ripped out the junk that it contained and cut some solid foam to fit the back. Voila.. the start of the dio base. Obviously I can spray the base an appropriate colour before the resin gets chucked in. The cost for this build is escalating with PE and resin so its good to get a bargain along the way. More to follow..... Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 please post lots of pics.... Thanks Jack, I intend posting some progress pics I just wish I could get stuck into the cockpit stuff I forgot to mention a big thankyou to Mike Williams (mikeew) for sending me the superb 'Swordfish' book which contains some great reference material. Thats another beer I owe you! Cheers Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hector Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Pete, looks very good, what you have done to swordfish,Pete slowly slowly I have some cockpit pics made form a friend would you like me to send to? Reagards. Héctor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 (edited) That would be great Hector Thanks. Reference photos for the Floatplane version seem pretty scarce though. I have a few blurred photos but nothing too clear, plenty of photos of the Stringbag land planes. In particular I'm looking at the cable runs for the float rudders and only found this so far. Any help appreciated. Doc Edited December 9, 2006 by Dr Fester Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nev Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Following this one with intrest Doc. I may build this kit for the FAA GB next autumn - then again, if you pull off another one of your masterpieces I may take up knitting instead Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zdenko Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Nice one Doc. Eager to see more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zdenko Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Just forgot to ask, how on earth have you make water on your diorama? I tried witg candle gel, but its sticky and with Valejo acrilic water and it sets for ...months? And I dont think it will ever get clear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 (edited) Just forgot to ask, how on earth have you make water on your diorama? Zdenko Hi, I have only tried this sort of dio once before and everyone is probably tired of seeing the pictures but if you are interested have a look here. The method I used was straight from the ARC tools & tips guide, and excellect article by Dana Geraths using a clear casting resin. Its the stuff you see paper weights made from and when set is absolutely clear, which enables you to dye the water whatever colour you want by just adding paint to the resin. Also by building the water up using layers of resin allows you to give a false sense of depth by colouring the resin darker at the bottom and clear towards the top. By simply pressing crumpled aluminium foil into the resin as it sets gives the surface an impressive wave effect, although remember to remove the foil before the resin sets hard! This is just one way of creating a water effect you can use plaster, filler, silicone even a sheet of glass but I can only comment on the process I used. HTH :D Doc Edited December 12, 2006 by Dr Fester Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zdenko Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Thanks doc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 17, 2006 Author Share Posted December 17, 2006 (edited) Hi, Well good news that I've eventually received the Eduard PE so I can make a start with the cockpit. Not sure if anyone else has noticed with this kit but I have been surprised with the amount of sink marks found on the cockpit interior. I did try and fill these but without much success as they are difficult to get at. So eventually I just ignored them and painted with interior green, the canvas areas painted first with a light brown and then rust red powder brushed in to simulate the red primer staining the fabric. Then on with the cockpit proper and assembling the raised pilots position. The pilots seat with alterations allowing the lap belts to pass through the seat. Next up the observers box of tricks, most of which will be buried deep in the cockpit and never seen, so I have only added a little detail but I might wire it up, not sure yet. The gun which has PE added, shows the magazine for the Lewis is a white colour and I have to produce a few more of these for the cockpit sides. The rest of the cockpit is slowly coming together in sub assemblies, observers seat w/out belts yet and the centre bulkhead. Further areas of the cockpit are being detailed and weathered as I go, still to add cabling and wiring to the cockpit sides. More to follow....... Doc Edited December 17, 2006 by Dr Fester Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eaglebeagle Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 (edited) very nice work! more pics please i like the wood effect on the mg what method, colours did you use? cheers Brad Edited December 17, 2006 by eaglebeagle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erwin Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 Very nice detail. I like the gun ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 17, 2006 Author Share Posted December 17, 2006 i like the wood effect on the mg what method, colours did you use? So much for my detail painting....... the machine gun shell collector was a canvas bag which was the effect I was trying for.... :blink: Basically a coat of XF-57 Buff and a wash of burnt umber oil paint. Thanks for your comments Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 17, 2006 Author Share Posted December 17, 2006 I forgot to add a pic of the IP, in the process of scratch building the compass assembly on the dash. Cheers Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miduppergunner Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 Huh - piece of cake compared with the Mavis - not only have you got references but also AM bits as well. And it looks nice to boot! OK I want to enter the Spruce Goose!!! David. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zdenko Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Doc, this is just amazing. I wish I could do something like that. :blink: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Great start Doc! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eaglebeagle Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 So much for my detail painting....... the machine gun shell collector was a canvas bag which was the effect I was trying for.... :blink: Basically a coat of XF-57 Buff and a wash of burnt umber oil paint. Thanks for your comments Doc oops my bad, sorry Doc, now that i take a second look, it obviously is a canvas bay -totaly wrong shape to be a gun butt had i been a little more learned on swordfish i would'nt have made that mistake! . ok now its time to take my foot out of my mouth and shove it in another orifice Cheers Brad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miduppergunner Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Doc, this is just amazing. I wish I could do something like that. :blink: You are just trying to get round Doc so that you win a prize - shame on you. I am not going to say a word about the Spruce Goose, Mike, - if he (Doc) wont let me enter it then Ok it is my secret! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 18, 2006 Author Share Posted December 18, 2006 (edited) Dave here is the deal........ You complete the Mavis first thats the deal and then the monster will be entered. As for taking bribes my conscience is clear (a footnote that Doc accepts kits, personal cheques and cash all in the pursuit of his own research you understand! :blink: ) Cheers Doc Edited December 18, 2006 by Dr Fester Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted December 18, 2006 Author Share Posted December 18, 2006 oops my bad, sorry Doc... Hey no apologies needed Brad, to be honest now you mention it, to me it looks more wood than fabric. Cheers Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Mullen Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Great start Doc, looking forward to following the progress Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miduppergunner Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Huh - this is fast becoming the Doc Fester Appreciation Group rather than the floatplane group build!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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