The Cave of RudiB

[Ratch]

I'm going with the B option and using some decals from Hannants to turn it into XD818, which surprisingly isn't an option OOTB.

I'll be building XD818 as she was at Wittering using AirDecal sheet 7214
Looking forward to this build

[RudiB]

I'll look forward to your build Ratch, seems only a few have built the Valiant on here. I'll be using decal sheet 7222, which looks pretty much identical to 7214.

Further work today, the wings are on! It's really starting to take shape now, a few more minor fuselage parts to go and it'll be ready for a few more coats of paint.





I really like the bomb bay option on this kit, and it gives you three different bomb load configurations.

[PTB11]

That looks great. Definitely on my to do list.

[RudiB]

Made a bit of progress on the Valiant build, the main airframe is complete and has had several coats of white primer.

Meanwhile my thoughts have turned to a future build, does anyone know where I can get a model kit of one of these vans? Google hasn't turned up much, its a 1984 GMC Value Van I think.

[Clashcityrocker]

I think Hasegawa have a van like this in one of their aircraft accesory sets. Can't recall if it's a GMC or 1984 model.

Nigel

Just had a look and it's the US Pilot/Ground Crew set

[ShaunW]

That Valiant is looking great Rudi and it's good to see one as they tend to get built less often than Vulcans or Victors.

[RudiB]

Thanks Shaun, it really is the forgotten V Bomber.

Further work on the Valiant today, here she is at the start of today.



And this is what I've done today,
landing gear is partly assembled, still to add wheels



Removed masking from bomb bay and wheel wells



Removed masking and fitted the cockpit, I'm really happy with how the masking turned out.



I also gave the landing gear doors a coat of paint before they're assembled, a job for next weekend.

Rudi

[iggie]

That looks very sharp indeed!

[AndrewR]

That looks good.

[jssel]

Looking quite nice Ratch.

[ShaunW]

That looks great Rudi, very sharp work

[Asoka]

Wow, nice job on the Valiant!

Cheers,
Asoka

[Ratch]

Looking quite nice Ratch.

Where.... who..... what.....

[RudiB]

The Valiant is finally on legs, I fitted the undercarriage yesterday, this evening I turned it over and had a slight issue, the front gear was nowhere near the bench, in fact the whole model was sitting on the main gear :(
I double checked the nose weight before it was fitted so no problems there, and I had fitted the wheels with the pre moulded flat area on the bottom
I had to file down the front pair of wheels on each mid section landing gear even more to create an angle for the plane to sit at, after doing this it doesn't look like it is on an angle, a quick repainted of the wheels and issue solved.



Note the enlarged flat area on the front tyre compared to the rear tyre.

Anyway that was tonight's tinkering, a few minor details left then it'll be on with the decals.

[skypirate]

Cunning and practical solution!
Great job!

David