Lancfan's OT Airfix Blenheim ***FINISHED***

[lancfan]

This will be my second and final TPEB build, the classic old tool Airfix Blenheim IV from the VC Icons Set. The decals will be aftermarket and work will begin when the Heinkel is finished.


David

[fredk]

Good man. Nice to see another classic kit.
MDT [Matt] did a nice job changing the nacelles. Will you be attempting to do the same job?

[lancfan]

Yes I will improve this kit Fred. The nacelles do need reshaping towards the trailing edge, the rivets have to go and I will also embellish the cockpit using photographs as reference.


David.

[lancfan]

This model will be based on the preserved Finnish built Bristol Blenheim IV BL-200 kept at The Aviation Museum of Central Finland at Tikkakoski. I have gathered my references together ready for the start and began by correcting the tail end of the fuselage by adding filler to restore the correct cross section to the rear fuselage, I then corrected the upper nacelles and defined the wing break point outboard of the nacelles. The rivets were also removed at this point and then the model was ready to be built beginning with a new scratch built cockpit. This image shows the parts after they had been modified and as they are now ready for assembly to begin.


David

[fredk]

I know about the nacelles, I didn't know the rear fuselage needs fixing. By much?

[lancfan]

It isn't a big job Fred. The kit doesn't taper evenly down to the rudder post as it should, instead it tapers down short, about a scale foot in front of the rudder post and all it needs is a wipe of filler to match a picture of the rear fuselage of a full size example. http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/bl ... len_08.jpg;


David.

[fredk]

Ta. I must remember this for mine.

[Martin R]

Hi David,

Good work so far. According to the following link and piccies, the upper nacelle of the Airfix Blenheim is not 'humped' enough as well as being too long.

http://gregers.fr.yuku.com/topic/11650/ ... -Solutions

regards,

Martin

[lancfan]

All been sorted Martin.

David.

[DazDaMan]

I remember my granddad building me one of those many, many moons ago!

[lancfan]

It has lasted well Daren, let's hope the new toolings are as durable.

David.

[lancfan]

The wings have been assembled with the correct shape nacelles and positive, angled wing break points.


Ah, yes- I'm getting carried away again, this subject will be displayed as part of my "preserved Machines" theme and as there was so much information on the interior of BL-200 and it also differed so much from the British and Canadian - built machines I just couldn't resist.


David.

[iggie]

That interior detailing is magnificent!

[MDT]

Lovely work! I hadnt noticed a problem with the rear fuselage - now noted!

[fredk]

ooooooh, such loverly work.
I'm book-marking this build so I can copy it for mine.