The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : *** DNF ***

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PropWash
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The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : *** DNF ***

Post by PropWash »

This wasn't my first choice (which was going to be a Meteor NF), but, in the end, it is probably a more realistic build for me under the circumstances. ;-)

The Bell X-1 aircraft would be the first in the series of X-Craft which would study the effects of high-speeds (Mach 1 and beyond) on aircraft and pilots. The Bell X-1a was used for testing high altitude (above 90,000feet) and high speed controllability (Mach 2 and beyond) of aircraft. I hope to complete a build of this aircraft model.

The 1/72 kit is from Special Hobby and appears to be well made.


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Painting instructions provide several different schemes as used during testing. Looks fun.
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jssel
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A +++ TBA +++

Post by jssel »

That one looks great. Never built a Special Hobby /MPM kit before. Will be tuning in.
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A +++ TBA +++

Post by splash »

That looks good Blitz fodder.

I look forward to watching this.

Regards Splash
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A +++ TBA +++

Post by ShaunW »

That looks like an excellent choice, PW. Best of luck with it.
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A +++ TBA +++

Post by PropWash »

Well, I was hoping to have done my build this past Monday (it was the President's Day holiday). But the weather, of all things, put a stop to that idea. We cannot get rain in California, but we sure can get super-cold weather courtesy of Canada. Saturday I was working in the yard, in shorts, as it was a high of 75 degrees (F)! Monday the temps plummeted to highs in the 40's. Since I needed to paint with a spray-can it was just too cold.

Hopefully I can get to it this weekend and avoid the dreaded "DNF" moniker. :oops:
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A +++ TBA +++

Post by jssel »

I will be in the bush this weekend but will check in Sunday.
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by PropWash »

And I'm off. Here's the place and time for the start of my first Blitzbau.


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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by DavidWomby »

Good luck! Looks a nice kit.

David
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by PropWash »

Wow. Time is flying past while progress is painfully slow. I'm still working on the cockpit (which really shouldn't be that big a deal). I did a mid-build change and decided I wanted to do a wheels-up version of the model. As this kit really wasn't intended for that, I had to do some trimming and fitting of the wheel doors to get them to fit in the closed position. This was somewhat of a challenge as they had lots of flash and poor molding issues to contend with. I also had to locate, and do some amputations, on a pilot figure.

So here's where I am after almost three hours. :oops:

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Oh, and I had two disasters - spilled a jar of thinner on my blotter and found my red enamel paint had formed itself into a solid mass :evil:

Lunch break!
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by iggie »

Good luck!
Best wishes

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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by splash »

The first part with the cockpit is always the slow part in a Blitz, one you get the body together the rest just flys together (excuse the pun).

Nice pen and holder in the background.
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by PropWash »

Thank you David, Iggie, and Splash. :grin:

Splash: I love fountain pens. ;-)

Progress has been made and Chuck Yeager is now at the controls.


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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Going well.

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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by DavidWomby »

Keep up the good work.

David
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Re: The Propwash Blitz build- Bell X-1A : Feb 24 @ 1030 hrs

Post by PropWash »

Thanks David and Nigel. I appreciate it. :)

Ready to go get some primer on it. I need to also work on its base (garage work).

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I did not like the way the kit attached the rudder. It's very clumsy and needless (not to mention it looks terrible). The instructions had some strange ideas as to how best to attach the pitot tubes so I threw those aside and did it the way I thought best. I think that if I had some nice wire/tubing, of the proper dimensions, it would look much better.
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