discussion Letov s16 in 1/72 KP models

[yak face]

Definitely an obscure kit for me but the name surely "letoff" a loud chuckle. You're doing wonders with this kit, Tony. Good thing you solved old kit issues with out a "letoff" of expletives. I just had some curry so expect some "letoffs"...what a name.

Seriously I like these weird subjects...I mean obscure planes and tanks.

Cheers,
Wabble

Cheers richard , yes its definitely a bit obscure but like yourself that only attracts me more . Plus its an old unloved kit that needs a bit of care to get the best out of it .

Todays update - after gluing the interplane struts on the top wing was then fitted . The fibre optic strands were individually glued on , then the short interconnecting rod glued between the front and back sets. I’m chuffed with how they came out , looks just like period photos , a very sturdy rod .
The aircraft had quite strange nav lights , stuck up on little poles , which are supplied in the kit but stuck on the outside of the sprue and tiny - would be so easy to overlook them and throw away the sprue . Anyway they are now fitted just needing a bit of red/ green paint .

 

[yak face]

After the rigging rods were finished all the ends were painted silver and any spots of superglue touched up with the appropriate colours.Its now had another quick coat of matt to tie everything together . While its drying I made a start with some of the last bits to be added . The propeller was painted woodgrain style and the multi part lewis machine gun assembled despite the not very helpful instructions! I also looked at the tiny screen , which is almost completely surrounded with flash , so a careful clean up is needed .

 

[PaulTRose]

I love obscure stuff..... So much more interesting than yet another spit/me109/p51 etc

And an iffy kit is a satisfying challenge if it doesn't give too much hassle

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

That's a very interesting rigging solution. I'm assuming the paint stiffens the fibre optic stuff somewhat. I've given up using superglue to attach my metal rod rigging as it does mark the silver too much, and have gone over to PVA, which seems to work fine so far

The guns and mounting seem to have a decent amount of detail on them, not that a lot would show after painting them black! There are some massively over-complicated (and fiddly!) gun sets out there (I'm looking at you Eduard!)

And that's a very nice polished wood grain effect on the prop!

 

[yak face]

I'm assuming the paint stiffens the fibre optic stuff somewhat.

The fibre optic strands are quite strong and stiff steve , the paint is just cause they look like theyre painted in the upper colour in photos . I’d recommend trying to get hold of some of these if youve got a rod rigged aircraft to do

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Y'know, that's probably the thickest rigging 'wires' I've ever seen on a plane. They're definitely more 'rod' or bar than 'wire'

I may just give the fibre-optic strands a go some time

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

As for the nav. lights, many of my silver wings have teardrop shaped light on the wings and tails. So far, I've been using the ends of bomb cradles from my Ju.88 spares, and usually resisting the time and effort to add a mounting post out of wire and sticking the piece straight on the wings

As if biplanes weren't fiddly enough!

 

[yak face]

Y'know, that's probably the thickest rigging 'wires' I've ever seen on a plane. They're definitely more 'rod' or bar than 'wire'

I may just give the fibre-optic strands a go some time

I think they had to use hefty rods because of the massive size of the bay . For a 50 ft span aircraft to have only 1 bay between struts is unusual .

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Like I said, those are looong wings!

Which does beg the question why they didn't have a double bay,,,

 

[yak face]

Like I said, those are looong wings!

Which does beg the question why they didn't have a double bay,,,

Dont know ,but I do know it makes my life easier - only 1 bay to rig ! When I see biplanes like the SE5 or Bristol fighter I tend to back away cause they have loads of rigging - how people manage to do things like the Gotha bombers or Ilya Muromets is mind boggling

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Dont know ,but I do know it makes my life easier - only 1 bay to rig ! When I see biplanes like the SE5 or Bristol fighter I tend to back away cause they have loads of rigging - how people manage to do things like the Gotha bombers or Ilya Muromets is mind boggling

Well, I've done both the SE5A and Bristol Fighter, fully rigged (they're both on here somewhere), and I've always wanted to do Zeppelin-Staaken R.6 (ever since it appeared in an episode of the Chaley's war comic) and the Ilya Muromets appeals too
I had an R.6 vacform, but backed off it. Maybe both in 1/144...

 

[yak face]

Well, I've done both the SE5A and Bristol Fighter, fully rigged (they're both on here somewhere), and I've always wanted to do Zeppelin-Staaken R.6 (ever since it appeared in an episode of the Chaley's war comic) and the Ilya Muromets appeals too
I had an R.6 vacform, but backed off it. Maybe both in 1/144...

Masochist !

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Masochist !

True, but what's your point?

Model making is a form of Masochism! The things we put ourselves through for the satisfactory result, when we could, I dun no, just do some gardening...

 

[yak face]

Last few bits going on now , the screen ( which is about the same size and shape as a toenail clipping !) was cut out of its flash , cleaned up and fitted . The twelve bombs had been painted ready to go on but I decided not to fit them. The aircraft never saw combat so I doubt they would have had it fully bombed up even for training missions .
The winglets on the top ailerons are supplied in the kit but are not good so replacements were made and fitted .
The leather around the cockpits was painted then the lewis gun was fitted. The radiator which was painted separately had a small filler cap added and was fitted last off along with the tiny generator prop .
Its now done , a lovely build that really grabbed my interest , heres a few pics before I do a completed set , thanks to all who have been watching / commenting , cheers tony

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

That windscreen must have been 'fun'. Still the surround protected it, I guess. Me, I'd have cut a piece out of one of the big sheets of acetate I've got
But that's just me

Now they're painted and fitted, the guns look a bit more basic than I first thought. But how much detail can you add before you end up replacing the whole thing with aftermarket

I do like those position lights

Altogether a very nice turnout

 

[yak face]

That windscreen must have been 'fun'. Still the surround protected it, I guess. Me, I'd have cut a piece out of one of the big sheets of acetate I've got
But that's just me

Now they're painted and fitted, the guns look a bit more basic than I first thought. But how much detail can you add before you end up replacing the whole thing with aftermarket

I do like those position lights

Altogether a very nice turnout

I usually replace screens like this with acetate too but this one has a lump in the middle of the screen so thought it best to use the kit one . I get what you mean about the guns being a bit simplified but for a quick build I’m not too fussed , plus the cost of an aftermarket replacement would probably be double what I paid for the kit !

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

I get what you mean about the guns being a bit simplified but for a quick build I’m not too fussed , plus the cost of an aftermarket replacement would probably be double what I paid for the kit !

Which is why I snap up every Aeroclub Vickers K (and I think a Lewis gun too in there) I can find cheap at a show, and replace the weird blobs I've got in some kits!. AZ and Amodel guns aren't bad, but don't get me started on the nightmare that is the Eduard Scarff ring! The Aldershot gun is Aeroclub, which actually had a one piece ring and bars