Marky's Gladiator ***FINISHED***

[DazDaMan]

Hope your rigging goes better than my previous efforts!

[fredk]

If you can get it I recommend fine fishing line. 6lb b/s strength is good. Superglues well. If the tension is a bit loose one can use the hot end of a burnt match close to it and it will tighten up.

[MarkyM607]

Thanks Fred. Will see if the fishing shop is still going in Eynesbury.

[fredk]

or failing getting fishing line try invisible mending thread.
Fishing line - some £1 shops have fishing stuff in right now
Inv thread - sewing section in ASDA or Tesco as well as fabric shops.
I buy the fishing line by thickness; I get 0.25mm, preferably clear, but if its coloured I just put a light coat of paint on it.
My Gladdy in the 'previous built' was done with fishing line, holes right through the wings.
A few lines weren't tight enough so a stick was lit to flame, blown out and brought near the line and it tightened up. This does need doing with great care as the line might shrink and break, as one did on me.

[MarkyM607]

Getting there. Gladiator New tool has wheel legs and top wing on, as well as tail surfaces..
Old tool has engine on and wheels painted. She's nearly done actually, a bit of tidying up to do. The cockpit is the old flat surface and pilot head deal.

[MarkyM607]

Getting along now. Into rigging so the top wing of the new tool (as well as my fingers), has smatterings of superglue all over!!. Probably better ways than holes, cotton and CA but it's the way I'm best at so on we go!..

Old Tool. Just the basic rigging on this one, enough to fool the casual observer!!. It's not accurate according to the new tool diagram but I didn't drill anymore holes and I've broke enough struts to want to leave it alone!!.

If anyone has, or is thinking of getting the new tool Gladiator I would say mind the cabane struts above the nose as they aren't super strong, and leave the wheels and legs off until last if you are handling the model a lot as the tabs the wheels attach to are small and quite weak. I've been lucky so far in that they've bent and been pushed back without breaking but I would have liked not to have them in the way!!.

[SteveC]

Those are both looking really good!

Regards,

Steve

So, does the new tooling have a comprehensive rigging diagram included?

[MarkyM607]

Those are both looking really good!

Regards,

Steve

So, does the new tooling have a comprehensive rigging diagram included?

Thanks. And yes, there is a page dedicated to the rigging guide. Takes a few looks over to work it out (well it did me!!), and getting certain what goes where but it's good to have. Plus the kit has small 'dimples' where the wires should meet the wing.

[MarkyM607]

Nearly there. Haven't got much done since Monday but she's all but ready for decals. Underside is is white/black with the wing underside in silver!. Other than that both should be done soon. I think

[MarkyM607]

The old tool Gladiator is done. Will get pics up asap. The new tool is very close to decals and she'll be done too..

[fredk]

Both lookin well,

[Kitaholic]

Nice builds of a very attractive aircraft

[Molly-new]

Very smart, and extra kudos for doing a twin build.

[MarkyM607]

Thanks all . Strangely, although the new tool has a better detailed engine, and a cockpit, I seem to find I prefer the old tool in some respects. The struts were either easier or stronger and the wheel axle joins were stronger. The old tool does have the flat surface/pilot's head thing going on with takes away from it!. Nice also to do one in pre-war (1937), and one in wartime colours.

[SteveC]

They are both looking really good.

I certainly couldn't work on two different toolings of the same kit at once.

Regards,

Steve