The starting point of these two restorations are shown below. They were Esoterical 1/72 vacform kits that had been partly built and given to me as scrap. There were no other parts, not even broken ones.
My first step was to plunge mould the bulbous wheel wells. I carved the shapes from balsa wood then plunge moulded them into 20 thou. plastic card. The result was acceptable, just.
Both models needed new tail wings. I made them from plastic card.
One of the models did not have an engine and cowling. I made this one from spares and various bits. Both models also needed seats and other interior detail, though I did not go overboard on this. I drilled out all holes in the air brakes.
Undercarriage legs came from various spares.
I had one original but totally yellowed canopy for the BT-1. I packed it with filler, inserted some balsa wood as a handle, then plunge moulded some new canopies from 20 thou. clear plastic card.
Then it was on with the detailing and painting. They both needed the following: wing landing lights, pitot tubes, arrestor hooks, masts, gun sights, exhausts etc. Decals came from spares. And that was it, both finished.
And the good news is that I see I also have a complete kit also waiting to be built (complete apart from the metal parts that usually come with Esoterical kits). That's my next project.
As ever, some inspiring and impressive work to salvage two lovely finishes from a total devastation!
