Tom's Japanese Walrus **Finished**

[SteveC]

Thanks Tom,

I was just going to ask for a copy of the rigging diagram, but if you aren't using the PE rigging, that will be very much appreciated.

I will send you a PM with my address.

Best Regards,

Steve

[TomW]

PM received Steve, I'll get both away after christmas (It could take me that long to rig this thing )


I got the canopy in place yesterday evening so today has been all about struts and struttery. Somewhere in the mass of tape and Jiggery you should just be able to make out the engine nacelle supports and the inner bay struts in place. I'll be letting these dry rock-hard before I even think about removing the upper wing to fit the outer bay struts.






Regards

Tom

[TomW]

Its been a busy few days on the work front so apologies for the lack of recent updates


To make amends here is the current state of Laura with all the main struts in place and painted:






Whilst waiting for the paint to dry on the struttery I've been playing with some of the other bits, here's my attempt at a wooden prop:







Next stage is rigging those bits that'll be too inaccessable with the upper wing on.

Regards

Tom

[Barry]

Great prop

[MDT]

Looking a great build there Tom - Getting the order of building , painting and rigging can be an interesting challenge.

[TomW]

Thanks guys And you're very right MDT, not being a seasoned biplane builder this has caused much head scratching as I try to work out what I wont be able to reach/do once certain things are done


Still I've forged ahead with the rigging this evening and am quite glad that this bit is done and dusted:






Lots of painting and decalling next.

Regards

Tom

[JohnRatzenberger]

Good looking rigging there ... it'll really be neat when finished !

[JamesPerrin]

Looks like some mad aerial on a NightFighter

[Dirkpitt289]

Excellent build Tom. That prop is extrordanary

[TomW]

Thanks very much for the positive waves guys


Not much to show for the last week as it has mostly been about painting. The WEM colourcoats that im using for this build are very nice paints but take an extremely long time to dry, I've managed only three thin coats in a week.

This is how the upper wing looks at the moment:






I have found to my cost that the paints need to be 100% dry before the next coat can be applied or they 'roll up' just like a Tamiya acrylic does.


I hope to have the bulk of the painting over by the weekend and then I can think about Klear coats and decals.

Regards

Tom

[TomW]

Well 11 days with the family and a bit of hassle with the paint has seen progress slow to an absolute crawl on both my build, this is the current state of play with Laura:









I am at last at the Klear and decal stage so am pretty confidant I can get this one complete before the deadline

Regards

Tom

[TomW]

3 days to go and the Klear is on and decals have begun:






Just test fitting the prop and upper wing but im very pleased with the general effect they give :







Im confident that this will be finished in time, albeit still damp in places

Regards

Tom

[JamesPerrin]

It's going to be nice to see this one finished Tom.

[mightymikeD]

Looking superb so far Tom.. with the Japanese markings it's going to be one heck of a striking model..

[TomW]

Thanks both of you No photo's as yet but the decals are all on and the klear is drying, all the other small bits (floats, prop and beaching trolley) are ready to be attached, then the upper wing and a matt coat to dull the shine down.

Fingers crossed!

Tom