The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

The project:




I have now purchased a blank canvas (and a tub of white gesso primer) to serve as the backdrop, and a pack of 18x44mm planed pine for support structure and the base.



The Stuka is in a poor state and will need some restoration before attempting to mount it. I have completely lost the tail wheel and it is not easy to replace even if I got the parts required from Airfix Spares as part of the mount is actually a moulded part of the fuselage. I'll see what I can scratch build to take its place and hope nobody looks too closely.



The Stuka in the background will probably have be a repainted 1/144 diecast as soon as I can source one - unless anyone knows of an injection moulded one which would obviously be lighter and easier to mount?

I think the base will be a flat beam at the bottom of the canvas frame, such that it can be G clamped to the table at the show to stop it toppling over. That's the plan at the moment anyhoo, let's see how it goes...

Cheers
Al.

Good luck Al, this one is going to be mighty impressive

Regards

Tom

Brews wrote: Are you sure that you need one that small?

I reckon so Bruce - take another look at the box art - my first photo above - at the smaller Stuka above in the background - certainly too small for 1/72 I'd say.
I'd rather mount a small plane close to the backdrop rather than paint it on but that is an option too, just a less 3D one!

I'll have a quick search for those Eduard Stukas you've mentioned and see if I can source one over here, if not I may get back to you.

Cheers
Al.

How about a paper model, suitably reduced on the copier ?

Zvezda also do one for wargaming for about £3!

JamesPerrin wrote:Zvezda also do one for wargaming for about £3!

Brilliant!
Thanks for the heads up James - went straight to eBay and ordered one

cheers
Al.

Any more progress with this biggy? Would make a lovely bookend with the Saturn V.

Very very cool.

JamesPerrin wrote:Any more progress with this biggy? Would make a lovely bookend with the Saturn V.

I've sourced the Zvezda 1/144 Stuka, but thats about all, but I do have all this week off work as my "last ditch attempts before Telford" week so watch this space...

This one begins with a hefty restoration project...





Here is the piece of angle iron I have obtained to fashion the wing support that will mount the big Stuka to the back board - I hope. Out with the angle grinder next...

Do we need to apply for planning permission?

The bottom of the photo here shows the result of my CSE metal work grade 'C' (@1976) ability and an angle cutting tool taken to the bracket shown in the photo above. After several minutes of melting metal and showering sparks everywhere (and nearly setting fire to my hair in spite of doing it outdoors!) I actually found it easier to finish the cut off with a hacksaw



I cut a slot in the wing with a razor saw (see below - the "E" decal used to be a "B"), scraped away some plastic to profile a wedged "lip" into the wing, and then inserted the odd looking bracket and was delighted to get a nice tight fit which supports the weight of the Stuka and is very rigid. Most of the bracket will be invisible when inserted into a slot in the backdrop board.







I've managed to re-discover the shades of paint I originally used on her 6 years ago - Revell enamels 39 Dark Green and 40 Black Green, however, 39 looks too much like Humbrol 30 to me, so I am using Revell 65 Bronze Green instead to redo the 39, which is a pain having to carefully paint round decals with my ham fists.

I now have to fashion a prop blur acetate - I'll probably airbrush one onto a thick sheet as the Overhead Projector film I normally use for smaller scale props will be too flimsy. Then I have to paint Hans and Fritz, as the original build did not have figures in situ.

Cheers
Al.

Note. CSE = Certificate in Secondary Education - for people not bright enough to manage O-Levels - I believe the GCSE type of exam sat today is an amalgamation of the easier CSE and harder O-Level type of exams.

Now that is modelling taken to the extreme! can't wait to see it on the stand Al.

Regards

Tom

JamesPerrin wrote:Do we need to apply for planning permission?

Good point, James ...

Also, can Al stand there the whole show behind the backdrop holding that bar ... steady ?

Well, having got in from work and rushing out the Sunderland/ Fw.200 Condor, I was left with a few minutes to kill before bed time (wouldn't sleep anyway, too excited about going to Telford tomorrow ), so I though I would bash out another quickie...

















Hope you like it.
Cheers
Al.