The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

Thats some fast work John, looking good!

Regards

Tom

It's painted and Futured. The main wing is just sitting, not yet glued.



I used Tamiya rattle-can, the 3 new RAF colors. I had my usual difficulty of masking the wrong side of the lines and had to make 3 corrections to get the bands in proportion. I'm still not happy how the upper wing pattern merges into the lower wing pattern -- Tom, don't display it from the rear …

I'm off to the IPMS/USA Nationals this week, so this is probably all you'll see until after I'm back. I may get rigging and/or decals started before I go. I intend to use gray EZ-Line for rigging, but could change my mind.

John, Pretty sure that the upper surface camouflage on the lower wings should have been in lighter shades of the main camouflage colours and was specified so on air ministry Camouflage drawings for biplanes.

David.

David, I'm aware of the shadow-compensating scheme but the info I have suggests it was applicable to those in DE/DG scheme and naval aircraft. The Air Ministry info I have does not mention the lighter colors for OG/DG - I suspect because by the time OG/DG was applied, any RAF biplanes were second line. Not that I really trust color profiles, but the ones I am using as reference don't mention the lighter colors, either.

If you've got something different, please let me know; it's not too late to fix

I don't have any info that applies to these specifically but do know that Tiger Moths and gladiator fighters had the shadow shading on the lower wings, however these THUM Gladiators may just have been painted locally without this- only a clear, sharp and well lit photograph could clear this one up.

David.

Painted, decals on, dull-coated, and ready to rig with EZ-line (.003, gray). Not much drama so far, except that I had minor problems with the serials and I hope I've got the silvering out; if not it's not going to be on the side I recommend we show anyway. I should also mention the upper wing roundels are slightly oversize, but it's all I have.



I have most the rigging mounted at one end. I have a few more pieces to put on, then it's a matter of running it neatly while installing the interplane struts. I made a planning error on the rigging and I'm not going to use the "rig while top wing off" method that Bruce/M-J uses, but it'll be close enough, …. as long as I don't break the wing off the center section.

Late to this but since I have several of these in the stash, will watch the ending.

Nice work on the gladiator,

Its looking very good.

Justin

A good build of a good looking model John, when I need to build Gladiators for my collection I think this has to be the kit to use.


David.

The Heller kit is wonderful, it's now my Gladiator of choice.

BTW, I forgot to point out that my Fortress I is also in the picture, getting it's innards decorated ....

And here we are, rigged except for the tail-plane which I'll probably do tomorrow, then it's paint touchup and move into the final stages ….

Believe me, this kit lines itself up, it's really nice ....






Nothing will happen next week, traveling …

I am behind and heavily involved in a community event through next weekend. Nonetheless, I have had dribbles of bench time.

Working on cleanup from rigging, add underside aerial, fix paint, add roundels, then dull cote it



Be back as soon as I can …. still plan on finishing "in time" ….