Toby's Airfix Alcedo Atthis.

[TobyC]

Aka the Kingfisher
This will be in the markings of the USS Arizona.
I intend to do all the rigging and as some are double rigs it'll be a challenge. It'll also have the land wheels attached.
Many thanks to Lancfan who was going to do this in his trilogy but on seeing my plight let me go ahead with mine.

[TobyC]

Started work with the float assembly. Drilled .4mm holes for the bracing wires which hopefully won't be too much of a problem as the float comes in a top and bottom piece so I can fit the bottom half once the wires have been rigged. I've also found a USN round back seat with belts that I'm going tio use rather than the very spartan one the kit comes with. I've just checked on Scalemates and this kit dates back to 1967 with no new tooling since then. No wonder the interior detail is how can one say bloody dire.

[TobyC]

Well this is a bit of a bummer. The eagle eyed of you will have noticed I am missing part of the tail assembly. I didn't until this morning which means I will have to abort this build so David you can build yours now. I will see if I can find something else to build.

[lancfan]

Toby, I have some spares for this kit including both tail planes so if you PM your address I may be able to help.
PM sent.

David.

[TobyC]

Toby, I have some spares for this kit including both tail planes so if you PM your address I may be able to help.
PM sent.

David.

Lovely David thanks very much.
PM received and replied to.

[lancfan]

Toby, your tail planes have just been posted and should be with you early this coming week.

David.

[iggie]

And that in three posts is why I love this forum

[TobyC]

Yes. David very much saved my bacon on this.

[TobyC]

Back to work now that lancfan has saved the day.
I needed to dry fit the main float so I could drill in the holes for the rigging on the fuselage.





One other addition is that I've finally got myself a really comfortable swivel chair. This has made a lot of difference as the height is adjustable and allows me a better angle for working on the table. Already I can feel a whole new aura surging through me.

[TobyC]

I've finished off the interior. I found a USN seat so that went in to add some detail to the inside. As I don't use crew in my models I cut out the cross member of the rear gunner's position and added a small box next to the RDF to make it less sparse.
The canopies are so far out of kilter I've had to put them into hot water to try and get them in the right place. Also the ribs on the canopy are so fine I can see myself getting inventive when it comes to painting them...or not

[DavidWomby]

Nice looking cockpit (both on the Kingfisher and at your desk). Are the Kingfisher wings corrugated then - the roots look a bit that way?.

David

[TobyC]

Nice looking cockpit (both on the Kingfisher and at your desk). Are the Kingfisher wings corrugated then - the roots look a bit that way?.

David

Yes but I think they're anti slip corrugations

[TobyC]

This really is one dreadful kit. The canopies are an awful fit. I've had to cut them about and I'm still not happy with what I've achieved and tbh I don't think I can make them any better. I'm beginning to think this one was definitely a Friday before Christmas party special. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced such issues with the canopies. I honestly can't believe it was that bad from the outset.
Anyway here is where I am atm.

[Dazzled]

I hope the new chair makes the fight with this kit easier Toby.


So what comes after the comfy chair? The rack perhaps?

[TobyC]

The Spanish Inquisition would be preferable to this build. I've deliberately left it alone for a few days A) hoping it might fix itself and B) I was close to smashing it to smithereens.