Kostucha

Thank you everybody for your input thus far! Excellent, excellent stuff!

Hi. I've brought this topic up a number of times in an odd sort of way in the past. I want to get right down to business here with what I'm contemplating. Some of the reasoning, and so on and so forth... *have I lost anyone yet?* The 1/24 Scale is limited in what's out there. We all know it. We also know why, be it interest in the scale, or for the most part, the simple size and cost (read: a big factor why most that want the Mosquito but don't get it is both of those reasons - so big, and a price tag to boot). So, let's not dwell on what we know. What about something that could be done? Well, we've heard many people talking about it over the years, here and there (there being other sites as well)... limited run kits, vac forms, etc., etc., etc... Now before anyone rolls their eyes about the prospect of me wanting to make limited run vac forms of 1/24's... that's not what I'm talking about here... I want to open up this discussion mainly about the short comings, how I see it, but mainly, what the general populus of this wonderful site and its members (that's you all), what you see as the problems. The way I'd like to do it is have the problems, and possible suggestions, ideas, or insight (possibly even solutions that some of you out there have made) to nippin this in the butt, and making it both more realistic for these kits (be it 'one-of's' or limited runs) for some of us to make. A collective bit of information that hopefully, if compiled right, wont make it such a daunting challenge - not just in 1/24, but any scale for that matter. I'm just picking 1/24 because admittedly, I'm heavily biased towards this scale. The way I look at the problem of a completely scratch built and viable aircraft to make is not the subject, or the scale, but quite simply, the shell of it. The shape of the aircraft. The guts are the easy part It's getting the right shape, the right dimensions, and the right thickness of the fuselage and wings to make the model look the way it's supposed to look. This problem can be solved as we've seen many different ways. Cutting the fuselage out from wood and shaping it in, and then removing the cabin/cockpit areas (read: Again, SkyKings Trimotor). But, what about something that is a complete shell, or have enough panels/bomb bays opened up to make it one, such as a Ju 88 or He 111 from the Luftwaffe, or a P-61, B-25, -26, or other similar aircraft. The answer is - and I'm sure you're all saying it - vac forming. The problem that arises though, is the rediculous amounts of complaints I've read researching this matter - ya, lots of homework has gone into this for some time now - about the kits that are out there, no matter the scale. My question then about this specifically, is it lack of quality, lack of reference, or the manner in which they are usually made (meaning, with fuselages for example, the traditional two halves of the fuselage joined together), all of these things, or even more problems? Would better research, a more developed vac form, and a more multi-piece fuselage (for example) work better? With a little thicker plastic or provisions for reinforcement incorporated into the pieces solve this problem? Another one, engines. Mainly Radial engines. Recreating the air cooling fins on the cylinder casings so that all the cylinders look the same seems to be a daunting challenge. In a large scale, EVERYTHING is seen. So, would a specifically shaped punch, putting out a large 18-24 layer stack of sandwiched fins be the solution? Yes, it would, but that's a lot of punching for a P&W R-2800... and with no real aftermarker radials out there, especially not for the large variety of radials, the solutions seem limited, and those that are there, are quite difficult and mind numbing, but unless there is a good resin mold to replicate these parts off an accurate master, there is no other real solution... unless someone were to make that, right? This is not to take away at all from the amazing work we've seen on this site at all. I just want to be clear about this. I'll leave it at that for now, and look forward to your feedback on this matter. Again, I hope that this can really become something that will help any and all who are interested in something like this... Who knows... perhaps in the near future, we'll start to see a scratch-built P-61 or an Me 110 show itself in 1/24. Cheers and happy modeling! Mark.

The work you're putting into this blows me away. This is turning into one great looking bird. I have to agree with you too, the parts on the tail, how they married up, turned out really well! Following this one quietly, but very attentively. Cheers! Mark.

That link you provided sure does show some amazing model work there. The maticulous steps in creating that G were something else. Your build though is without doubt off to a great start. I said it before, and I'll say it again. The detail painting you added... well, not so much added, but used very effectively to make the details pop on those parts is working very well. If things continue along much the same way, this is going to turn into one smokin' Ju 87 G-2. Really looking forward to following this build along. Cheers! Mark.

Looking really good! Very crisp work indeed!

Thank you both very much for the kind, kind words. I'm hoping to get this Stuka done by Christmas, and getting back at 'er sooner than later. A few small things on the go right now, but it'll be picked up and carried on fairly soon. Thanks again! Mark.

If interested, fire me a PM, I've got a crap load of information. It'll be easier if you let me know specifically what you've looking for.

Great project! I spent the last couple of hours reading through this thread, and also looking at the amazing work on your website. I've never seen such detailed and accurate work around all areas, especially the wiring in the engine compartments. Then my heart sank when I saw your cut away Stuka. Boy oh boy, I thought I added a lot, but looking at yours good Sir, you built the real thing. I admire your point of view with regards to scratch building and imagination! Cheers to you! I can't wait to see more work. Mark.

Simply stunning work. The effect of the worn and chipped paint around key areas on those magnificant engine panels is really popping. This is one Hurricane that is definitely going to come out looking like a doll. Sure, one with a hard life, but a doll none the less! Cannot wait to see more!

Great topic! I'm in a bit of a pickle right now but there is a silver lining. My posting up in Winnipeg will be in an apartment, while my wife and son stay 2 hours away in Shilo. Under her request, we're taking a split posting because of a number of (very good) reasons. So... for the next 3 years its a dream, as I wont have the space to do this, nor the ability to in an apartment. But once we move out to an operational squadron (East coast, likely (hopefully) Greenwood), this is what I will be setting up (and thus, the silver lining). The room doesn't have to be too big, but at least 8 x 16. The bench would be an 'L' shape completely running two walls, about 36 inches off the ground, and between 24-36 inches wide. I would like to have the bench top white. At the shorter span of the bench, a 48 inch tall peg board running the length of that, to hang any (most) of the tools, and other items. Being able to hang the paint bottle, and spray can racks from this would also be nice. Along the longer wall would be shelves, for reference books, etc. On this longer bench the computer screen would also be there, on a swivel mount (mounted from above). Seeing how useful a computer/internet is to have at my finger tips for reference information, I want to have it readily available, yet not actually sitting on the bench and being in the way. Lights, lots of lights. Even at the small computer desk I had while on course, I hung no fewer than 5 lamps. Can't stress that enough. On the opposite wall/corner to the bench I want to have a setup for a paint booth. Being limited to painting on nice, calm, sunny days has really frustrated me many a time. That, and given that I'll be working with aircraft the size of the 1/24 Mossie, I want it large enough to allow free movement of both the model, and my painting arm (so ya, that'll be a decent size on it's own. And last but not least, the importance of being able to vacume-form parts is also becoming very evident, so looking at the need for something to heat the plastic, and a vacume form machine large enough to make something down the road like the wing half of an He-111, or the booms of a P-61 is very impractical in a setup like this, unless it's in a basement. So, as far as I'm concerned with this, a large vacume former and an old oven in the basement by itself is not too grand of an issue. Should I be lucky enough to find a house down East with an unfinished basement, I've already been given the green light (a number of times by the 'boss') that the basement is mine and I can do with it as I please... which would be GREAT! Big scales, need big workspaces it seems... or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Someday gents... someday... Cheers! Mark.

I did get the hood done too. I cut off the two mounting posts for the pad, and used a round piece of evergreen plastic rod to get a nice clean rounded look. When it came to colours, I've found many pictures of both black top, RLM 02 bottom, an black top and bottom. I did find one definitive picture of a B-1 from the same unit showing quite evidently that the hood was black underneath, so that's what I opted to go with. The pad was left slightly glossy, it'll be hit with some darker pastels later on once everything is mounted on nicely: I opted to leave the Revi gunsight off until just before I mount the canopy on - I don't want it getting wrecked, but here's some shots of before, with the hood mounted on, and a mock up with the canopy over top of the hood: Thank you all for looking. More hopefully in the next couple of days. Mark.

A little more work continued tonight. Between watching playoff hockey, I was bouncing between areas while I waited for paint to dry. The first thing I did was see if there was a way to save those clear pieces I used before as masking covers while painting the body. Here's the pilots canopy: And believe it or not, using Q-tips, lots of Q-tips, a nicely ventilated outside, and super glue accelerator, I got this result - like new! I also built up the antenna spool a little bit too, more work left, but this was a "time killer" piece tonight: And these two shots showing the horizontal stab on: more in a few minutes...

Kevin and Phil, thank you both very much. Progress tonight is in the details - rather, the small pieces that are almost forgotten - well, I almost forgot one. Starting off, repairs continued, I wanted to get the seat back in, along with that scratch built radio. Here's the seat in, and the radio: While putting the radio in, I realized I've got the deck I made for the Morse-code system, wires and all, but, no actual pressel switch: So, work started, going through a couple books, and getting the details I needed, I threw something together: And here it is mounted in: So, with that in, there's a few pieces left to work on, the cable wind up spool, the back strap for the rear gunner, as well as the hood for the front end: I'm hoping I can get another update in tonight. Until next time though, take care all, and thanks for looking Mark.

Looking really good! I love the idea of adding the dents. Along with the spinner and the engine panels, don't forget about leading edges of the wings, and horizontal stabilizer as well too, it'll help give a more rounded look of use/abuse of this Soviet bird. Just my 2 cents. Mark.

Thank you very much Marek, I really appreciate your words. I managed to get myself setup quicker than expected, and once I had a chance, I went right to work on the Stuka. Here are a few quick shots of the work on the wing and what I got done. Using a mix of medium glue at the ends of the cracks, and thin glue I got the leading edge glued together. Here's a shot before: And after... well, while drying: After roughing up the surface of the joints with 100 Grit, and drilling in a couple of rods and tubes (1/3 from the front, and 1/3 from the back), the joints were glued together. The top edge butted up very nicely between the wing root and outer wing half. I was honestly surprised by how well it went together: A quick shot of the... errr... very technical setup I used to get the wing angled at the right height. Knowing that the LH wing is sitting true, I purched it up nicely on a box of issued sunglasses, ziplock bags and the wing was angled up and held using a Q-tip box from underneath, and two paint bottles from above: (you can also see how I've transformed my study desk into a hobby desk - but they gave me two, so no concerns there I suppose... Once the initial glue was dry, I measured again. The LH wing tip measured an even 110mm above the desk, so making sure that the RH wing tip was the same - which it was - I then poured more medium superglue in from underneath. Here's a shot with the unsupported wing, nice and level, and strong as can be: It may have been a bit premature, but I decided to see if the wing can support the weight of the kit, and sure enough, just inside the removed panel on the outer end of the wing, I held the kit up without any give. She's good to go for the next step - smoothing the joints up, and paneling the RH wing. Thanks for reading! More updates soon. Mark.

Looking GREAT!!!

Kevin hit the nail on the head perfectly, they add a great touch to the kit - not to discredit you at all - anyone who's worked with the PE sets like that (not just from Eduard) know exactly how frustrating it can be at times to get all those parts to work perfectly. Ever get the feeling that those PE sets were made for every molding of your kit, except for the one you bought? Looking really good!

JR, WOW! Thank you very much. It means a great deal to get words like that from you. You hit the nail on the head with regards to the old kits. I love the old Airfix kits. I have a horrible tendency not to be able to build anything OOB, or leave anything stock. These Airfix kits fit the bill perfectly, in that they are good representations of the aircraft they're modeled after, yet, you're not breaking the bank either buying the kit, or wasting the detail the kit comes with when replacing things. They're a great place to start, this Stuka especially (along with their Hurricane) would build nicely OOB, but are a kit perfectly open for scratch building or added detail. If I had the choice between the Trump Hurricane or the Airfix Hurri, I'd go Airfix in a heartbeat - and same with the Spits, the 109's... the 190 is a different story though. Thank you again! Thank you very much Max. That's a great compliment about the landing gear, knowing that it's come very close to looking like the real thing, that's the ultimate goal, and I'm glad it's achieved that look. I can't wait to see your 190 engine - is it the inline or the BMW 801? If it's the 801, and you need some reference material or photo's, I'd be more than happy to share the stuff I've used in building up mine. Thank you Paul. I'm hoping that in about 12 weeks - when this next course is done, that I'll have the Stuka on a display case, ready to be moved with me, in a well protected box, in the truck out East, and far, FAR away from the hands of the moving company. The support on this site has been great! I'm really glad to be back at the Stuka. She's boxed up, ready for the drive to Winnipeg this weekend, and I went out and picked up a few more tools ready to get going. I'm using vinyl tape to hopefully cut out the right shape for the masks to duplicate the panel lines inside the canopy pieces that I got with the Montex masks. In this scale, with so much glass, one really needs to make the framing outside AND inside these pieces. Aside from that, I'm thinking of how to set up the display base to get the Stuka to sit nice and secure on the base - a piece of glass inside of a wooden base/frame. Unfortunately I didn't think of this sooner and with rotating landing gear that's completed, there's no way to drill through the bottom. The display case though is something I'll worry about more down the road. Right now there's quite a bit to do to get to that point. All in all though, I'm hoping to have the wing cleaned, setup, glued and drying by Sunday night - we'll see how it goes though. I'll also throw up some pictures of the setup I'll have in the room while on course - sure, priority lies with the course, but the floorspace in my room is going to building and finishing this Stuka. Thanks again everyone! Mark.

Thanks Kev, I'm hoping that it works out well with the canopy pieces that I used as masks for painting the primer - that they don't fog up on me. BUT, if it does work, than I'm not going to need to wait any longer for the Airfix replacements. The first thing I'm going to be doing, is cleaning up the joints between the outter wing and the wing root, drilling in some 'posts' from brass (a tube in the root, and a rod in the outer wing). The space between the two near the landing gear leg will need to be filled in with evergreen, and a hole scribed in without drilling through for the landing gear post (no need to mask it then when I'm painting). The hope is that the method I'm thinking of will be able to give me enough space between the two main parts to use a combination of thick and thin superglue to join up the two pieces for a good strong joint without worry about cracking later on with the plastic tabs that the kit was engineered with - a real weak point - while at the same time, gluing the split in the outter wing together and fixing that part as well. In a nutshell, once the wing is on, I'm laughing... easier said than done I suppose. Thanks for reading, more updates soon! Mark.

Hello all, This last course is finally done. Finished last Friday. Finally. Only one more to go. I've been kicking myself over the last little bit about having a few large scale kits on the go with no finished product to show. There's this Stuka, the 190, the Mossie waiting to be started, along with the Hurricane that's waiting as well right behind it. The list of kits I want to continue with keep growing - the VFS Thunderbolt, the VFS P-40 (for the challenge of it), Trumps Zero and fixing up the nose problem, the Spit of course... etc., etc., etc... but, with the big move coming up in less than 4 months across country, why risk the big ones? They're all in their boxes, aside from the 190 and the Stuka. The Mossie, 190, and other kits were brought back this weekend to Shilo, and I've started to box up the Stuka. I want to get this one done, and finish it before I move. Nothing says I can't stick it in the truck with me when I move, and leave the rest of them in boxes, without risk of being damaged, or it they do get damaged, it's only a matter of replacing parts, and not redoing any work... military movers have a great reputation of damaging anything they touch... as I've seen with the move from my old place to the new house, even 4 blocks does a wonder on kits, as is whats happened to the Stuka. But, I've got 3 months to complete less than 3 months of work. There's more than enough work to be done - and I'm still waiting on a clear parts tree from Airfix. Though that's not the only thing that needs to be done, a majority of the work has already been completed - thankfully. All that's left right now is to begin work on attaching the LH wing, fixing up all the broken parts, and finishing work on the fuselage joints, and rivets that need to be done. That's the main thing right now I suppose. Resurecting ghosts from the work bench, as it were, and hopefully once this ones done, I can regain some piece of mind and be able to continue on with one kit at a time and not lose any focus. Here are pictures of what things are like after all the issues: Starting off here is the LH wing. Broken off at the joint between it and the wing root: And the large split running up the leading edge: Moving onto the fuselage, some more problems. Here's a quick shot of the upper deck of the fuselage with a big ole crack in it: Looking into the fuselage, all looks good aside from the missing parts: The missing parts: I'm going to try and use an extra canopy piece I had, clean it off, polish it up, and make my own masks to paint the internal and external framing on it, and rebuild the frame inside - or just make a new one altogether, as well as reinstall the wiring that broke off from the original: The landing gear also took some damage - the hydrolic brake line broke off, as well as some of the spat mounting rings, though I only ended up finding one, as well as the ID/Info plate came off - I did manage to find that: Luckily though, the engine remained undamaged: I'm still going to stick to the same plan as before - getting everything done on the Stuka except for the firewall and forward. Once everything there is done, then and only then I'll continue with getting work done first on the firewall, the plumbing, and then doing the "engine mount swap" manouver. Last thing to go on will hopefully be the reworked propeller blades, and exposed prop hub. Thanks for reading through, more updates hopefully this weekend. Mark.

SPOT ON! The edges are the typical 1 inch (on the real deal) fade - not too little too late I hope. The painting looks stunning!

Amazing work! I feel a bit slow and behind the 8 ball as I'm making all these notes from reference material and am waiting to show a step by step much like yourself. One day at a time I suppose. All that aside, your work is simply stunning! Excellent work. I mentioned it somewhere else before, but take a quick boo at reference books showing the cockpit floor on the Nav side, there are 6 discs on the Nav side of the floor almost directly across from the control column that are missing on the kit floor. The throttle quadrant looks great too. Excellent attention to detail. What are your plans for the plumbing underneath? Mark.

Dave, The Mossie I'm making is an FB VI of 305th Polish Bomber Squadron... I'll take this one on. So far, just looking things over, there are just some discs missing off the cockpit floor on the Navigators side. Other things like plumbing inside the bomb bay and under the nose where the 20's are, sure they're missing - NO KIT MAKER ever puts them all in. Other areas have already been made note of - details on the landing gear bays, some plumbing in the engine bay, landing gear bays, etc., etc., etc.,... again, NO ONE makes them in their kits to this extent. As for large or small detail issues being missed from the FB VI, I'll know when I go through mine step by step. That's about all that can be said on that right now. Can't wait for pictures of your build as it progresses! Mark.

Kevin, A bit of a break, yes. It'll give me a good chance to tie up a few loose ends on the 1/48 scale side of the house - Canadian Sabre, P-61, Typhoon, Voodoo... some kits that are floating around waiting to be started and finished. Fun little quick builds I suppose. Mark.

Just another quick note here that I've also found in a lot of references. The newly restored Mossies, or those under the works right now, all have what looks like a nice, smooth interior finish to the paint and all the wood working within. Going through pictures of the Mossies as they were when they retired (either war time or shortly there after) that haven't been restored... a whole heck of a lot different. Very dirty, uneven surface (rough), overpainted edges... (when I get at mine I'll post up a few pictures of this difference). A simple solution I would think would be to brush paint the interior cockpit green rather than spray/airbrush it, and aim to get a subtle yet, uneven texture. Just another 2 cents from my pocket. Mark.