Tom's MB326 **DNF - again**

[TomW]

Just setting up a placeholder thread for now chaps. Work will begin properly after Telford this weekend - I'm currently working feverishly to get everything ready for the big show

Oh and I might have actually settled on a build subject by then as well

Regards

Tom

[TomW]

Decision finally made on a subject - Italeri/Supermodel Aermacchi MB326 in 1/72. I still cant decide whether I'll finish it as an Italian airframe or one from the RAAF but that hurdle can be crossed later on. Photo's in a bit.


*EDIT* Now with photo's:









I've splashed a little black and grey around the cockpit but nothing fancy so far, this will be a simple OOB build as a post Telford rest.

Regards

Tom

[iggie]

I like the look of the RAAF decals....

[TomW]

As do I Iggie but I'm concerned that those white triangles might not be opaque enough - the airframe is painted International Orange and I'm in no real mood for extra masking if they don't work. Whichever scheme I choose it'll be a sunglasses build

Regards

Tom

[shangos70]

Nice, I like these Italian trainers. I have the 326k Impala single seater with SAAF markings plus the 339 with Argentine markings

[Old_Tonto]

Great choice top, this is a lovely kit.

Here is one I did earlier:

[TomW]

Nice, I like these Italian trainers. I have the 326k Impala single seater with SAAF markings plus the 339 with Argentine markings

Thanks Shane, I agree they have a certain charm and still have the 339 and 339K in the stash.

Great choice top, this is a lovely kit.

Here is one I did earlier:

That is lovely OT, looks good in NM and SAAF markings.



Update for tonight has the cockpit installed and nose weight wedged into the little space remaining:









I've also popped the wings together:






Though these intakes are going to need a bit of remedial work :






More later folks.

Regards

Tom

[rob_van_riel]

As do I Iggie but I'm concerned that those white triangles might not be opaque enough - the airframe is painted International Orange

If my experience with the Frecce Tricolore boxing are anything to go by, they won't be opaque enough by a long shot, nor will they match the shape of the plastic. If I wanted the Aussie markings in this case, I'd forget about the white area decals and mask instead; should be a fairly simple job anyway.

[Stuart]

Great work so far Tom.

[TomW]

As do I Iggie but I'm concerned that those white triangles might not be opaque enough - the airframe is painted International Orange

If my experience with the Frecce Tricolore boxing are anything to go by, they won't be opaque enough by a long shot, nor will they match the shape of the plastic. If I wanted the Aussie markings in this case, I'd forget about the white area decals and mask instead; should be a fairly simple job anyway.

Exactly what I suspected Rob, although these are Cartograf decals and not Italeri inhouse printed ones. I'm leaning towards one of the three Italian Air Force trainer options as they all have attractive squadriglia markings on the tails.

Great work so far Tom.

Thanks Sir T, it's a dead simple little kit but good fun.

Regards

Tom

[TomW]

Managed to sneak a couple of hours in over the last few evenings so its about time I avail you lot of my progress :







Looks like an airplane now A very simple build so far, just the wing fit was a little loose so took a bit of fiddling to get everything even. I've been trying out new materials for this build (Milliput and Tamiya adhesives) and they've been a revelation. Sorted the intakes too:







I'm going to have to do something about that rear bulkhead though The instructor could get lost in that. The nose has some alignment issues to address too:







Nothing some attention from my sanding sticks can't cure. Underneath its the same story; the airbrake is really designed to be built deployed but I wanted it retracted. A blob of Milliput was needed to let the parts sit level and some filler will be needed to smooth it all out:







Right now though I'm waiting for various substances to dry so I can finish preparing the basic airframe:







Slow but steady

Regards

Tom

[DavidWomby]

Big improvement to those intakes.

David

[iggie]

Coming along nicely!

It's an elegant little aircraft too

[TomW]

Big improvement to those intakes.

David

Thankyou David, a few minutes with a needle file makes a lot of difference doesn't it.

Coming along nicely!

It's an elegant little aircraft too

You're right there Iggie, like a lot of Italian designs form takes precedence. Although the MB326/339 series were not lacking in functionality mind you.



This is where things stood at the start of the weekend:





Airframe filled, sanded, masked and the Tip tanks on. One of the new products I'm testing with his build is Mr Masking Sol R :







Up till now I haven't gotten on very well with masking fluids - Humbrol Maskol in particular. I found it difficult to apply neatly and almost impossible to remove from a brush afterwards, probably because its ammonia based latex. This Sol R is water based so cleaned up neatly from my brush using only tap water, its also slower drying so you get a lot more time to do a neat job. The proof will be in the unmasking later on but it is less robust than the ammonia based liquids. You can see in the next picture where I've already scuffed the mask - luckily the primer coat was already on and its not in an area that needs any Orange applying so it wont be an issue:







The first coat of 'Blazing Orange' is on. Citadel Acrylic heavily thinned with water and brush applied. It'll take several coats but I'm hoping the grey base coat will dull down the orange enough to pass as 'International Orange' which is a redder hue than the paint I have at hand. Fingers crossed

Regards

Tom

[shangos70]

Looking good Tom, I've used that masking fluid, don't leave it on for more than a day or so if you have kleared the canopy. It almost etched itself onto one of mine. Was terrible to get off. I've started using copydex.