Ians Blood Sucking Starter Kit * * FINISHED * *

[ShaunW]

Good to see some pics Ian and that's a great start. These new tool kits have a nice bit of cockpit detail in them, saves a lot of effort with bits of plastic card

[Ian]

Look, the next day and more pics! Aren't I good?

So the main assemblies are kind of together now.


Like most I have some big gaps. But fear not, for I have a cunning plan!
The upper wing section is currently only glued at the front end and only across the supporting section underneath. This means that while everything is in place now, I still have quite a lot of flexibility in the whole structure. I have worked out that if I force together the gaps on the underside this will have the effect of making the tails more vertical. I can also pull back on the intakes and get rid of the step and gaps that others have seen with theirs. I did have to sand some of the top wing away to be able to get this to work but I am pretty confident.
I won't be doing all this just yet because, as you can see, it's not the warmest out in the conservatory just at the moment and I am a soft southern nancy boy who would rather stay a bit warmer.


So I think I'll go and clean the downstairs toilet while I wait for the sun to move round the house a bit.

[Sissel]

One thing that strikes me with this kit is how some say the fit is perfect, but several here seems to have gaps at the wing roots?

12.3C. It's warmer outside here! Been 15C for many days, odd. Blue sky today, forest hike, sun still warming. In October.. Something is off, I'm worried about our winter.

Hope your plan works!

[Ian]

This is more like it!


And so is this!!!!!!


By gluing into the gap and forcing the gap closed I now have no gap at all on the underside wing joins. In doing so I've also gotten the vertical parts vertical!


The only issue I am left with are some small lips on the intakes.



I think if I'd sanded back slightly on the wing section behind the intakes before assembling (as I did with the upper wing) I might have avoided these too.

Onwards and upwards!

[AndrewR]

That's looking good Ian. Nice work getting rid of those gaps, they looked pretty scary

[Sissel]

Your plan worked. Neat!

[Ian]

Thanks guys. I'm quite chuffed how those gaping holes have gone, too.
I've just slapped on a little silver to see how things look under paint. I've also masked and glued the canopy in place.



I'm very very happy with those underside joins!
For everything else I am going to use PVA as a filler as I think that'll keep the joins in keeping with the rest of the panel lines. I do need to do some work around the front sides of the intakes however but nowhere near as much as I was worried about.

This is coming together quite quickly now. Shame I have to work at the weekend. I would take it with me but I have a Sea King, a Typhoon and an Ar-196 that are all nearly there. I should get them polished off over Sat and Sun.

[BlohmWolf]

Looks good from where I am, but I think even though it isn't meant to be reflective, can it be a bit more shiny?


Also, I actually think leaving the intake filters un-filled keeps in pace with all the other panel lines. But that is just my view on it.

[Clashcityrocker]

Those gaps looked scary big. Good work getting them all closed up.

Nigel

[Ian]

I think even though it isn't meant to be reflective, can it be a bit more shiny?

Give me chance. It's only had a quick coat so I can see what needs filling......

[BlohmWolf]

I think even though it isn't meant to be reflective, can it be a bit more shiny?

Give me chance. It's only had a quick coat so I can see what needs filling......

Sorry, I thought you were actually onto the painting stage.

[Ian]

Goodness no. I have a seam line on the nose, on the underside and behind the canopy. I do need to fill around the intakes, canopy and the boom/wing join. I wish I was on the painting stage.

[ShaunW]

Heck, that needs about half a ton of filler yet

Only kidding Ian, it's coming on very well.

[Sissel]

Looking good, Ian!

But why have you only painted two thirds of the plane? This a new trend?

[Pugz636]

its so he doesnt get his hands dirty...;)