discussion Modelcraft 1/48 F82B ‘Twin Mustang’

[Dave W]

The vacform canopies I sent for have arrived. For some reason a couple of extra canopies have been supplied. Probably because there is a black mark on two on the main sheet. But the marks are not on the clear areas. So I’ve got an extra one for the F82. Good to have a spare in case of mistakes. I will mask them before cutting them from the backing sheet. Will be easier that way I think.
View attachment 319122View attachment 319123

 

[Dave W]

I’m pleased to say the new canopy looks to be a good fit with the fuselage halves clamped together. So I’ve finished glueing one set of fuselage halves together. I glued the tail section a couple of days ago. Now that’s set I can coax the forward section together. A few clamps needed!

View attachment 319124

 

[Guest]

Dave .
A sensible approach to the canopy, with the masking before removing from the backing sheet .:thumb2:
John .

 

[rtfoe]

Very neat build approach, Dave. Used to see these kits long ago and thought they were what ifs. Thanks for the info.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Dave W]

Old fashioned modelling requires old fashioned filler. So I’ve dug out my old tube of Squadron Green. It’s several years old but hadn’t dried up. Must be all that lovely harmful Toluene in it!.

View attachment 319155

 

[Dave W]

I’ve now got the two fuselages together. On the right hand fuselage one half was deeper than the other. So I’ve hand to do a fair bit of sanding to make them even. This plastic is really hard. I’ve had to start off with a 100 grit sanding block!. Never used one that course on a kit before. Some filling and more sanding needed.Then a bit of panel line scribing.

View attachment 320581View attachment 320582

 

[Guest]

Dave .
That was some hard plastic alright to use 100 grit, but looking good.
John.

 

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Dave, that old filler has done a good job.

 

[colin m]

Great progress on a very interesting subject.

 

[Guest]

On the right hand fuselage one half was deeper than the other.

That’s exactly what I was talking about earlier in this thread: why didn’t they just produce a mould for one fuselage and put two identical sprues into the kit? That would have avoided any and all problems with parts being unequal.

 

[Dave W]

That’s exactly what I was talking about earlier in this thread: why didn’t they just produce a mould for one fuselage and put two identical sprues into the kit? That would have avoided any and all problems with parts being unequal.

Probably molded like it is because the inner fuselage halves have locating points molded in for the tail plane .

 

[Guest]

Better planning on the part of the kit’s designer would have resolved minor issues like that too

 

[Dave W]

Better planning on the part of the kit’s designer would have resolved minor issues like that too

Oh well, it is what it is.

 

[Guest]

Of course. It’s just the way my brain works: I look at something like this and wonder out loud why the designer didn’t do it in a more clever way

 

[Dave W]

I’ve been fitting the radiator rear scoop and a blanking plate tonight. Both parts needed trimming to fit. And I had to cut down the sides of the scoop to get it to fit how I wanted it. Next job is to rescribe some lost panel lines on the fuselages.

View attachment 320743View attachment 320744View attachment 320745

 

[Jim R]

The kit is old school with lots of filling and fettling involved.

You seem to have it sorted and maybe there is more satisfaction in producing a nice model from a poor kit than from an expensive, state of the art one. Glad the new canopies are a good fit 'cause those kit ones were never going to look right.
Jim

 

[Dave W]

You seem to have it sorted and maybe there is more satisfaction in producing a nice model from a poor kit than from an expensive, state of the art one. Glad the new canopies are a good fit 'cause those kit ones were never going to look right.
Jim

I get satisfaction from both types. I’m also putting the finishing touches to a Zoukie Mura 1/48 Phantom. Superb kit and great to build. This kits at the other end of the modelling spectrum. But still fun to build.

 

[spanner570]

Nice work Dave and refreshing to see someone tackle something that needs sorting - and a build away from the norm', so top marks all round.....

 

[Dave W]

View attachment 321983View attachment 321984View attachment 321985View attachment 321986View attachment 321987Fin tips are separate on this model to cater for different variants. They will need filling and sanding. The exhausts are solid.So I’ve started drilling them out.And the fuselage recesses for the exhausts are too deep.So I’m packing them out with thin plastic card.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Looks like it's still fighting you although it does look as if you are winning. The two fuselages look fine after all the fettling. The very hard plastic is not going to make things easy. Strange how the plastic varies so much between kits.
Jim