Marky's Gladiator ***FINISHED***

[MarkyM607]

I shall attempt at least the Airfix Gladiator (new tool), might do some more on my own time (seeing as it a biggie on the anniversary scale), or in the GB depending on how this goes.

[fredk]

Good-o. Nice choice.
247 sqd Gladiators were full Mark II so you need to use the three blade prop. You probably knew that already.

[DazDaMan]

Looking forward to it, Marky!

[MarkyM607]

Good-o. Nice choice.
247 sqd Gladiators were full Mark II so you need to use the three blade prop. You probably knew that already.

Of course I did!! . Thanks fred, that's helpful, will remember to do that.

[Old_Tonto]

Great choice.

[MarkyM607]

Thanks OT. As much as I want to do the usual Hurricane and Spitfire, especially considering it's the 75th, I recently got the issue of Flypast which has stuff on the anniversary. It also concentrates mainly on 'lesser' or less reported types and their contribution so I thought this was a good way to go without out simply re-doing the 'usual suspects'!. (I will probably still do my 48th Spit and Hurricane!).

[MarkyM607]

Got started yesterday and thought I would (for interest and comparison), build the old tool kit alongside it. In the first step I got the new tool seat attached to the base, as well as the control stick in the second....

Rubbish picture, couldn't get the close up sorted but will try again later. Doesn't always look bad on the camera screen. It's only when you see it on a computer monitor that you see how blurry/crap/rubbish it looks!!.
The old tool on the other hand, in one step of construction..

The old FROG idea of a solid area with a pilot head sticking out of it going on here!!.

[MarkyM607]

Getting along on the Gladiator, something has failed as I'm struggling to keep the interest that made me pick this in the first place, perhaps the Flogger from the MIG GB has spread it's mojo killing germs!!.
The NEW Airfix one first...

And the OLD one...
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Unfortunately, and in no way down to me , the outer struts don't reach the top wing...

On either side....

But at least their equal!!.

[fredk]

Looks very much like too much dihedral on that top wing and none on the lower. Each set of wings had 3* of dihedral.
Flatten top wings, bend bottom wings up and the struts will reach.

[MarkyM607]

Looks very much like too much dihedral on that top wing and none on the lower. Each set of wings had 3* of dihedral.
Flatten top wings, bend bottom wings up and the struts will reach.

Thanks Fred that makes sense, wouldn't have sussed that.

[SteveC]

I take it that the struts fit much better on the new molding.

Regards,

Steve

[MarkyM607]

I haven't got that far on the new tool Steve, will let you know asap!. The old tool now fits to an acceptable level thanks to Fred's advice! Ta. I didn't realise how small the Gladiator is, or seems to be, always thought it was a bit bigger!.

[MarkyM607]

Not much to add, put the underside cowling part on the new tool Gladiator, added a bit of pre-shading (or my attempt at it!) on the old tool..

[MarkyM607]

Got the top wing on the old tool. The new tool is still slogging through the mass of engine parts!!.

Just some tape to convince the wing and struts to stay friends!. Have drilled holes through both wings on both toolings as it's the most workable way of doing rigging for me!. Maybe cotton but will see if I can get something a little better, cotton is good but it can fray a little and become 'bitty'!. Otherwise it's fine.

[MarkyM607]

Getting there slowly.
Old Tool with some basic rigging.

New tool with the lower wing painted before the top wing makes in largely inaccessible.

I've painted the green since this pic and another coat of it and the brown will be needed. Underside of the top wing is also done. Have drilled holes for rigging with the cotton/superglue method. Not the tidiest way I know but it's the one I'm comfortable with!.