discussion StDs 1/72 AModel Hawker Hector

[Steve-the-Duck]

The wheels in the kit are separate hubs and tires, which is a nice idea to make painting easier
And to make up the balloon tyres for my planned Hardy conversion to the AZ Audax

Both this and the Amodel Hart have two pair of large and small hubs with appropriate tyres

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Well, here we are then

Main struts are on, next for the cabane struts, which are sadly lacking in adequate mounting points. The strut pieces themselves are VERY thin, and pliable. I was expecting one to break, especially as they have like SIX mounting points to the sprue. The airspeed indicator thingy is moulded on,another nice touch, but I KNOW I'm going to break that while rigging

Put a very small stream of filler along the coaming / fuselage join. Unfortunately, the brush silver is a different shade to the spray,. Doesn't show too much though

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Okay, so once this and the SE.5A are done, this will be next, the 'plane I wanted to do for this GB in the first place!
It's a big, hefty resin piece, and will need a full interior with all those big windows, but I've stuff left over from another, similar, aircraft build...

I'm also considering this

Yes, it is, indeed a vacform! I mean, it can't give me any more trouble than this Hector can it?

Can it?

Hmm, when WAS the last time I attempted a Vac (and got halfway-through?)...

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

I am persevering...

So, the control column just dropped out and broke, for no apparent reason. and the left wing struts detached...
But the top wing IS going on....

 

[yak face]

Keep at it chris its going to be worth it . The Breda looks lovely , like an italian take on the De havilland DH89 dragon rapide . cheers tony

 

[Mickc1440]

This one is certainly fighting you Chris but I'm sure you can sort it

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Keep at it chris its going to be worth it . The Breda looks lovely , like an italian take on the De havilland DH89 dragon rapide . cheers tony

Yeah, the Breda is a Rapide-a-like, and they are contemporary designs. Some sources say Breda had the licence to build the Rapide, but modified the airframe and wings rather than do a straight copy. And then they changed the engines they originally used for Gypsy Sixes, just like the Rapide. I may get another Rapide rigging kit to do this! While I do have a monograph filled with lots of useful pictures, it's in Italian, so I can't read it
Maybe I'll Google translate!

This one is certainly fighting you Chris but I'm sure you can sort it

Oh goddess yes. So, in trying to get the top wing on, the struts parted company from the lower wing, because they should be at a very steep angle, which I was carefully repositioning them to
And no bleeping locating pins to help!

No, not giving up just yet...
But, it won't be like the Pegasus Gauntlet I did WAAAY which frustration levels stopped me finishing for TWELVE years!

Back to the SE.5A

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

So, this build is now, officially on hold, until I can get or make a jig to hold the damn thing while I try and attach the wing.
I know I'm going to have to drill ALL the struts and wire them to pin them in as the butt-joints, I know will not be adequate to hold

I know now fully what awaits me with the other Amodel kits I've got, like I didn't already suspect...

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Welcome back to the studio!
Now the Fox is finished I've gone all in on getting this bugger completed, which it now is
Yay!

So, here's the last build pics, and the finished article is over in a Completed thread
I do not like AModel kits one bit, and I've got another four to do: Genet Moth, Cirrus Moth, Fury II and Hart to convert to the trainer

And only two months late!

Top wing on, with much fiddling and use of the big wooden jig. One arm of the port V-strut was too long, so I had to cut that short in situ. And, of course, cut too much off
Cabane struts are from spares and strip, not having enough of the strut material to use. Typically, the kit parts have thick runners in the middle, which are a swine to remove
That, and I'd managed to use some of them for the tail supports by mistake. Oh, and the forward struts are about 3mm too long anyway! Three days work there
Nose re-silvered with adhesive foil

Rigging in

Tail control lines added

Undercarriage and 'ook added. Again, no pins or mounting points in evidence
Turned out a little wonky, but there you go
After this was the gun, radio aerials, windscreen, and paintwork touch-up. Everything creaked every time I moved it around, so was expecting it to come apart somewhere. Even managed to get the rigging spacers in, which defeated me on the Gladiator
And then I dropped it taking the finished photos

So, maybe I'll try the LF Ro.1 as the next biplane as a break from silver stuff...