1/32 Fi 103 or V-1

[stona]

So, back to the job in hand.

I've more or less completed the V-1, grand total of five parts and a bit of stretched sprue (in the intake) so far.

The fit is near enough, though I will have to do some remedial work on the seam which I have made on the bottom. Better the bottom than the top and it has to be one or the other!

This kit actually has locating pins, though in order to use them I had to drill out the corresponding holes on the opposite side, which had not molded correctly.

As an aircraft modeller the absence of a cockpit or any clear part to mask has made this a lot like making an oversized drop tank



Also, notice the raised detail. That makes cleaning up that bottom seam a bit of a bugger, because I don't want to get into stretching sprue etc. to replace any I lose.

Cheers

Steve

[yak face]

Nice progress steve , theres a lot to be said for not having a canopy! No tricky masking , no cockpit to do , no dramas . I did a rq4 global hawk UAV a while back and found it a refreshing change just being able to crack straight on with the airframe . As for the raised lines , you know Ive done a fair few old classic ( read ancient dogs) kits and dont mind raised lines in fact sometimes they can be as accurate as recessed . What ive done with some success in 1/72 and 1/48 is to sand the seam then run a sharp knife across the missing bit of panel line . This does leave a cut but more importantly also leaves a slightly raised bit which once painted looks ok in these scales and matches with the rest of the raised lines. If you have a look at the build thread for the heinkel he 112 I did recently for the under a fiver GB , I used this technique on that . HTH , cheers tony

[stona]

Right, I really have built the missile and part of the trolley, which brings me to a bit of a conundrum.

The trolley is quite different from the ones used by Luftwaffe units, which incorporated a lift to raise the missiles into position under the carrier aircraft, so I am now going to paint this one in a different scheme, as one more traditionally ramp launched. This was technically an artillery job, so the question is, what colour the trolley? Any guesses (educated or otherwise) or wise and informed opinions to the usual address please!

Here we are as bad light stopped play this evening.



Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

If it’s ground troops using them, I would expect equipment like trolleys to be dark yellow in colour.

[stona]

If it’s ground troops using them, I would expect equipment like trolleys to be dark yellow in colour.

Thanks Jakko.

My extremely rudimentary research into the subject (about which I know quite literally nothing) turned up a colour called 'Dunkelgelb', which may well be to what you refer. It seems that this colour generates almost as much debate as the US Olive Drab!

Anyway, dark yellow I can do, I'm sure I can mix some passable approximation

Thanks again.

Cheers

Steve

[yak face]

Like Jakko I reckon a dark yellow would be reasonable . My thinking is that it’s a similar type of equipment to the scheuch schlepper tractor used to pick up returned me 163s to put them back on the trolley wheels , which are generally accepted as being dark yellow.

[stona]

Thanks Tony. I've got various yellows as a starting point and I'll go with this mythical 'Dunkelgelb', or at least my version of it
Cheers
Steve

[Guest]

It’s simpler to buy a bottle of model paint from one of the many manufacturers that sell it

But if you want to mix it yourself, it’s basically a light-medium–coloured sand with a bit of a greenish hue to it.

[stona]

Too easy Jakko, and anyway, I'll probably never use it again. I'm sure I can knock something up from the dozens and dozens of tinlets I have in stock.

It's only the few bits of plastic that make up the trolley and I might overspray the base colour with some 'imaginative' camouflage as well...'cos I can

Cheers

Steve

[stona]

The V-1 is now essentially built and is now resplendent in a coat of RLM 76. With a bit of luck I can take a swing at the camouflage tomorrow.

The trolley is also nearly done, but it is resplendent in a still wet coat of my version of 'Dunkelgelb', which looks a lot like the British 'Buff' colour, and is therefore not for manhandling for its moment in front of the lens. I only mention the Buff because I've got a tin which I could have used instead of faffing about mixing a colour remarkably similar!

I have included the He 100 fighter which is nearing completion. It is resplendent in its gloss coat (though it doesn't look like it in the photo!) having just been decalled. I've done this because, obviously, these two models are in the same scale. We tend to think of the V-1 as being rather small, but in fact there isn't much between it and a pre-war, 1930s, German single seat fighter.



Cheers

Steve

[stona]

And the trolley, now ready for it's moment in front of the camera.



I can hear those armour guys tittering at the back of the class. Careful, or you'll be sent to headmaster Ron's study!

On a serious note, that little trolley is more fiddly to build than the missile it will carry.

Cheers

Steve

[papa 695]

Just seen this one Steve, A nice quick build, and the trolley looks very good.

[stona]

I've got the basic camouflage on.

I'll leave this for a few hours before shading and then doing a bit of a touch up (oooh errr).

Edit: a better photo with the thing propped up.



Cheers

Steve