Jeff is taking the Dive.

[jssel]

This is pure impulse. I am looking at the Airfix Helldiver (MPC issue). Ever have a kit suddenly leap out of the stash and fall into your hands screaming build me. Or maybe I pulled the box out to put Migrant's decals in the box and never put it away. Whatever the reason, I am going for it.

SWMBO would be amazed at my impulsiveness.

Pictures up soonest.

[jssel]

Ok, here we go.

BoxArt:



The innards:





Decals:




MPC thought the kids would love this stuff. On the top is a Mike Grant Divebrake sheet. After reading the Migrant's article on building the Beast, I may have my hands full.

[Chris]

I have one of those in the stash, it should be a real challenge.

[jssel]

Opening up the zip lock bag and seeing what is ahead. Anytime you "get a deal" at a show it is always let the buyer beware. And I do have one missing part. It is the forward bulkhead for the gunner/radio position. That is an easy scratchbuild item. So I guess I dodged the big one here.

So I laid the parts out and re-read the Migrants build in AMW. Time to lay in the glue and putty. I started with the wings. Careful alignment and glueing. To support the joint, I added small bits of sheet stock in the form of tabs along the seam line inside the wing. Letting is set up overnight, I applied first white filler and than green filler sanding each down smooth before proceding. My intention is to remove all the rivets anyway.

Other than that, I putzed around with the two halves pieces and though about the load out. I also have to remove the leading edge slats to re-position them later.

Thats the bell that marks the end of round 1.



I might add that MPC included the modular stand for displaying AND a clear acetate prop blur which is all really cool.

[TomW]

A sensible and methodical start Jeff, the Beast is an aircraft with a lot of character.

Regards

Tom

[RayS]

Always like the Helldiver, These Airfix kits usually build up to a nice model with some care. Nice start.

[jssel]

Work is progressing with the wings and some of the interior bulkheads. This is a stage when you look ast the parts and say to yourself, "What a freaking mess!" Better get some primer paint on this stuff to cover up my scratchings.



The leading edge slat on the port wing. Not impressed yet. I think the panel lines on the part are to shallow and I will need to re-scribe deeper.




I do not want to over indulge on this project or it will stall out. But right now I am making good progress each night and so feel in track.

[jssel]

Todays update doesn't show much but steady progress has been made. One of the references I have used is a book issued by Squadron/Signal based on the old profile series. This one is on US Navy Bombers. A nice two page line drawing is provided which is helping a lot.



So the wings are done except for the leading edge slats. In order to stay fired up on this project a coat of gray primer covers the filler/sanding work and gives a sense of moving ahead. Along with this shot, various sub-assemblies are present. My load-out will be an open bombay with a 1000 pounder (I think) in it and depth charges on the wings. In the lower right corner of the picture you can see the wing center section with a while slab of sheet stock visable. That is the new floor board for the cockpit and gunner station.



As referenced in the Migrant's article, the wheel hubs are the same diameter as a standard three hole punch. I decided to use that to make solid hub covers that appear on some Helldivers,




So the effort moves forward. Cockpit and gunner station detailing is next up so I can get that part together.

[Martin R]

Good progress, Jeff. Keep the pics coming.

regards,

Martin

[AndrewR]

It's moving along nicely Jeff :-)

[Jagewa]

All the elbow grease is paying off Jeff. Great work.

Cheers
Jim

[jssel]

Latest update. Some under wing work and bombay done.



Propeller and wheels good to go.




Dry fit of the gunners station to check layout and fit.




Cowling piece was work on by thinning down the trailing edges and the engine was painted and put in place. The engine detail is pretty darn good for the scale.

[AndrewR]

Looking good Jeff. How riveted is this kit? As bad as the Corsair/Devastator/Buffalo?

[jssel]

Oh yeah, it's got rivets. Big fat tall standing rivets. Nothing at a little 250 grit on a belt sander can't handle. But it is coming along OK.

[Dazzled]

Don't forget to wear eye protection.....

and gloves.....

and boots....

and a leather apron....

I'm not implying that they're big rivets of course

Although I do have one in the stash and the rivets make the box twice as big as it should be