Molly-News Matchbox Halifax***Finished***

[bromo]

Looking good chip,regards the windows you could use micro crystal kleer to make windows.

[Molly-new]

I have read about people using this and it seems to be quite useful stuff. I need to add a couple of extra windows so may have to bite the bullet a purchase some for myself.

[Molly-new]

The nose has had it's first bout of sanding which showed up a couple of low spots, so they have been filled ready for final shaping. In the meantime I have put the fuselage and wheel wells together:



I have also discovered that one of the top engine covers is missing, so have gone into "Fullscale Vaccuform Machine Building Mode". Watch this space

[JamesPerrin]

I'm watching!

[Ian]

It seems to be fighting you all the way!

[Molly-new]

It seems to be fighting you all the way!

Too true, but most of it is of my own doing!! Getting over ambitious again in my subject choice, I know I should stick to OOB builds.

The Vaccuform Machine building went quite successfully, and behold "Super Vac Mk 1":



I decided to test it on the lower engine cowl:



Not too bad for a first attempt.

I have also been creating some more accurate exhaust manifolds, as depicted here:



I am using some spares from the Revell Lancaster that I built a couple of years ago:



The adapted one is on the right Makes a nice change from sanding anyway.

[SJPONeill]

The Vaccuform Machine building went quite successfully, and behold "Super Vac Mk 1":

The SuperVac Mk.1 looks pretty damn fine - do you just insert the vacuum nozzle over the screw thread or do you have an attachment that screws into it?

[ShaunW]

This looks like a tough build! That vac form machine is inspired!!

[Narayan]

It's coming along really well. You seem to be coping with the challenges well.

_________________
Narayan

More effort, more aluminium and more aircrew went into the Liberator than into any other flying machine ever built.

A:B
2012 03:00 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 176:46

[smethwick]

Flippin hell...awesome stuff

[Jagewa]

Oh yes, great stuff.

What plastic are you using to vacform? it looks very thin.

Cheers
Jim

[Molly-new]

Thanks as always guys.

do you just insert the vacuum nozzle over the screw thread or do you have an attachment that screws into it?

It just pushes on to the nozzle and clicks in place, just lucky with the type of bottle I went for to be honest.

What plastic are you using to vacform? it looks very thin.

This is from a 4 pint plastic milk container from a well know supermarket. It is quite thin, but being a cheapskate I like to recycle as much as I can. It is more of a fun challenge that way as well.

[Molly-new]

After my success with "Super Vac Mk 1" I decided to make another smaller unit:



Here it is ready to form the replacement top engine cover. I use a heat gun for warming the plastic:



The piece prior to cutting out:



And with a coat of paint. Not perfect but I think it will do.

[Molly-new]

After all the messing about with replacement parts I have finally been able to get some construction done. This is where it stands at present:

Having seen other builds on here (and pinching all the good ideas ) I have drilled out the engine grills, and fitted blanking plates:



The engine cowls have now been painted and fitted:





The fuselage has had the seems tidied up, and has been re-scribed. I have devised a retaining strip to hold the rear turret secure, and created a cargo bay door from shaped plastic strip:



The nose has had it's final shaping (I hope) and just needs a couple of circular windows drilling.



Although the windows are back in, I am not happy with them as they seem to have a sink mark in each one. They are only in to ease painting and will be replaced with micro crystal kleer once the LMS gets some in.

[ShaunW]

Looking good and the nose re-shaping seems to have worked - I suppose the paint will reveal just how successful you've been or whether it's time to slap on some more filler