Piprm

So guys with the latest developments on the Beaufighter front, well possible, who thinks it is worthwhile for me to continue with my sets?
Just thought I would ask…….

Please do!

Pete I promise I have not forgotten. Life has had lots of twists and turns, they have been going on a little to long, and projects have suffered unfortunately. Some distractions have been model related then others a little more personal.
I have this project and others still in the works and hope to complete them, I just do not want to make any more promises that I cannot keep. 
However I will keep you guys informed and you will be the first to know as and when these get done, I am hoping soon, but have said that before.

An early Boston would be nice  I could scale up some of our first releases.
 
Bob

Thank you John! I appreciate your feedback, especially since your Me 262 B build is THE benchmark that I try to replicate as good as I can. I spent some time trying to scratch build the throttles. They had small spring-loaded levers in front of the push buttons that had to be actuated in order to change the position of the throttles. I made these small levers out of think plastic sheet and glued them onto the main levers. The buttons at the top of the throttles were used during start up to inject starter fuel from the small annular tanks in the forward section of the Jumo 004s.
 
It's been a while since my last update. I was on holidays and the hot weather in Europe kept me more outside in the evenings than at the bench. But I made some very good progress. The cockpit is basically complete except the seat harness, the wiring on the backside of the main panel and the side walls, which need some modification on the landing gear wheel bay sides before I can paint and attach them. I made the following modifications:
 
INSTRUMENT PANEL
I already covered the scratch built ZSK 244 auxiliary panel and other modifications in my first post. I used mainly decals from the Airscale 1/32 Luftwaffe instruments and placards sets. For the AFN2 I used the 1/48 Airscale decal set as both inlcude an AFN1, which had a diameter of 80mm while the AFN2 had 57mm. The decals for the ZSK 244 come from the Eduard Fw 190 cockpit resin and PE set for the Revell 1/32 Fw 190. I also added some decals from scratch, i.e. cut out of black and white decal paper. I used a die and punch set to cut out the decals and after a flat coat added gloss varnish to imitate the instrument glass faces. 
 
The red and yellow rings around the fuel content gauges, fuel pressure indicators, oil pressure and differential pressure indicators is the correct coloring of a standard mid-production example as I wrote in one of my earlier posts.
 
THROTTLES
I first used the kit's throttles, but removed the buttons and added my own ones built from scratch using the die and punch set. They looked to massive / broad compared to the rest of the console so that I decided to build them completely from scratch. I added the small levers, a small piece of wire to imitate the spring that was attached to them and a yellow painted wire as a cable that was attached to the push buttons. The tank selection levers as well as the trim lever were also completely scratch built. The Eduard PE levers looked too small in my opinion. I used a tiny strip of yellow decal paper that I added to the red tips of t he tank selector levers. It was a lot of work, but paid out in the end. It's a bit difficult to see the details in the photos as I am using a smart camera, but in real life it looks very good. The cockpit of the Me 262 is relatively well visible once the model is complete and it is worth to spend some more time with the cockpit.
 
The tank selector lever tips in the German Museum's Me 262 are yellow. However, wartime photos show that they too had been red/orange-yellow back then. I assume they were either overpainted yellow at some point later or replaced with yellow plastic tips. 
 
COCKPIT FLOOR
No modification, but I used a sponge and light brown paint to imitate the wear. The original was made out of wood painted in RLM 66 and even in the restored NASM Me 262 you can see the wood due to some wear.
 
CONTROL STICK
The only modification is that I sanded the top lever down to a more realistic thickness. I added also the metal bracket that attached the side button used for manually charging the MK 108 canons to the stick. I painted the stick brown as some of the KG 13Bs had this color (anodized finish), e.g. in the German Museum's Me 262. The external wires still need to be added once the column is installed. I have already drilled the corresponding holes in the side button and wire terminal. 
 
SEAT
The only modification is that I added the attachmet points for the shoulder belts at the top. There was also a separation line in the center and two small holes next to it that I added. Chipping was done using a sponge. The leather effect was achieved by painting it dark brown first and then using a sponge again applying the light brown color in a random way. 
 
Seatbelts and the side walls are next and then I can finish the cockpit and move to the landing gear bay.
 
Roger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As promised, here are the results of my tests. As they came out of the printer:

1:48 files with supports provided by the designer: (I forgot to print the little caps for this one). As you can see, they printed well and the supports were well designed, though the rafts against the build plate were a bit thin and broke easily during removal. Not really a big issue.


 
1:48 with supports generated by Lychee: Lychee has better rafts that come off the plate easier, but it also filled the nose with supports, which are a pain to get out.

 
1-32 with supports provided: Worked VERY well, and left the nose clean and hollow. 


 
I need to tweak the settings a bit, as it didn't come out quite as smooth as usual.

 
1-32 with supports by Lychee: Also printed well, but again, too many internal supports, and the raft stuck so hard that it broke during removal.

Also some texture issues to work on:

 
The verdict: Use the supported files provided for either scale, or manually add supports in whatever software you use - don't let the software do it for you. I can't speak to fit, as I don't have a kit to test them on, but they look well done, and at least one other person on Cults3D scaled them up to 1:32 and said they fit very well. I'd say it's worth 10 bucks. 
 
Tim
 

Thanks for the status update, Ali. Sounds like you've got your hands full, so I wish you all the best in bringing these new items to fruition.
 
Kev

Oh, YES please! And thank you.
 
D

Just a short note here, to say and make my customers aware that I have taken the decision NOT to attend the show.
I took the decision a few weeks ago and notified the organisers. It was a difficult decision to make but in many ways I am glad that I did. The stress of keeping the orders rolling and trying to develop and release new sets in conjunction of trying to prepare for the show, all single handed was placing me under extreme pressure and stress, something that I am trying to avoid. 
I am hoping now that this is clearing the way for me to bring out some of the long promised projects that I keep putting off and letting many of you down on. Not all may happen that fast , but I am certainly trying to work through them as best as I can. Added to this there are some fantastic new unannounced projects that are being worked on.
Here are the some of the projects that have been long promised, that I am still hoping to finish off as soon as I am able to.
1/24 scale Hellcat conversion for the Airix kit, to back date it to the -3, this will happen as I have had decal sheets printed and laying waiting for 2 years…… how bad is that.
1/32 scale engine and canopy upgrades for the Revell Beaufighter
1/32 A-7 Corsair stuff even though Reskit have announced and already are being out bits and pieces, I hope to still produce a few sets.
Added to this still hope to add more parts to sets for 1/32 Phantoms and BAC Lightnings.
There are many more sets and ideas that are in the background across scales so there will be new items across the main aircraft scales but there could be some surprises even down to 1/144 scale . 
As many you would have seen from some of the new products Chad Summers (Flying S Models) is supporting and helping me to develop brand new products. (thanks Chad) I have already launched some of his products and although some are quite unique and more esoteric, they are being well received, and we are only pleased enough to bring more unusual sets to the modellers.
However Chad and I are working on a couple of brand new full kit ideas, the one is fairly well progressed, and this will be made announced in the next month or so. Once again we have ideas across the scales, and some projects may appear in more than on scale.
Well that is enough for now, please keep following my blog and the new releases as alway shared here on LSP.
cheers Ali

This is a set that is 3D printed set as previously seen and developed by Chad of Flying S Models.
https://www.aerocraftmodels.com/general-dynamics-f-111-aardvark-undercarriage-and-wheel-set-213-p.asp
 

Hope to move these along soon, the table space is clearing a little.
 

I have a lot going on at the moment, some modelling related and others not. I would just ask for patience, I know all the items and sets that are promised and some have been going on a long time. I loose my mojo, move onto other projects etc and sometimes just get tired, so products are getting to the point that when they are done they will be done.

Yes!!

Just received an email from Heinz, a close friend of Jiri at HpH/Infinity.
 
The Kate is going to be released under the HpH label, Infinity is now in the past, the larger parts will be resin, with the already tooled smaller and clear parts in plastic.
 
Added to the future HpH releases of the S.M. 79, Bv-138 and He-177, are a B-26 Marauder and  Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in 1/32, with a B-47 in 1/48 - this a priority project.
 

 

 

Oh My Goodness - Really! 
This Model should be exhibited in a Museum somewhere - anywhere!
We know who the cherry on the cake is now.
Congratulations on this spectacular mod.... no,  it isn't a model .. this word diminishes this astonishing creation (in my eyes) ... I think it would be better served by calling it :
     Scaled Creation Aviation Replica Yardstick
    ...... Or SCARY for short
Pip

hello again fellow modellers
 
 
 
Hi Jay - it's just a cheap Chinese one, but seems perfectly adequate for my needs - I just need to learn how to use it
 

 
 
 
 
Ahh - that is one good looking Spit - but having done one, I doubt I will do another (especially as it was my favourite Mark..)
 
 
 
They are really useful - thanks Chek, I have lots of resto shots, but very, very few of it actually finished so these are brilliant!
 
..I have been away much of the week, so just a little more done - but each part is one more step towards completion!
 
..firstly, the control column was finished & painted - I just need to work out what to make the canvas gaiter from as all the materials I have the weave is over scale..
 

 

 
..and dry fitted in place..
 

 
..next, the rudder pedals... these are in Lopes Hope... a very obvious feature is the writing on the faces
 

 
..this was taken care of by making PE parts - here the rounded shape is being imparted by taping & rolling over some brass rod..
 

 
..soon the base pedals were made..
 

 
..then a kit of parts assembled, including the forks that hold them..
 

 
..I checked and only the bottom of the assembly can be seen, so all the upper gubbins was pretty much ignored..
 

 
..and these were then painted and some light scuffing - washes & weathering will come much later...
 

 
..thats it for now..
 
TTFN
Peter

evening all
 
thanks for saying such nice things
 
 
Thanks Jay - always appreciate you helping me understand the airframe I have made the covers but will not attatch them until much later so they don't get squashed..
 
 
 
 
Now that is an offer I can't refuse Hawk! I will definately be in touch
 
I added the hatches & panels to the underside and rivetted - there are a number of small fragile cup shaped air scoops to be added both sides of the main structure, but I will do that much later so I don't damage them..
 
I will also do the doors for the oil & radiator coolant exhausts at some point down the line..
 

 

 

 
..with that done - I need to stop skinning and get the cockpit finished & installed as the scary bit will be building up and skinning the rear canopy area. I learned from the Spitfire not to race too far ahead with skinning as when you need to do major bodywork & filler it can be really difficult not to damage it and to work around it..
 
so remindingmyself where I was, I found a few assemblies to do...
 
..first the Hydraulic Hand Pump seen here..
 
..nice turned handle, a tubular & hex section piston case and some cast bracketry..
 

 
..I made up a kit of parts - the most complex of which was the piston housing - this was done from hex brass stock on my lathe... I have so much to learn using that tool...
 

 
..the parts were painted & assembled..
 

 
..and a dry fit to check it all fits in..
 

 
..next the Landing Gear Control Handle.. the black funny shaped thing seen here under the vertical trim wheel..
 

 
..this was made from two chunks of square brass stock, shaped with a cutting disc in my dremel...
 

 
..not perfect, but near enough for me..
 

 
..and painted and it's decal added..
 

 
..lastly, the control column and mount..
 
..I actually made the column ages ago and don't know what I did with the WIP pics, but suffice to say the pistol grip was shaped from a chunk of plastic and had various fittings & the trigger added, the shaft was turned in my dremel with it's subtle taper..
 
The torsion tube mount thing is again ground from a chunk of brass and is very simplified as all it needs to do is represent the shapes as it all sits under a cloth gaiter..
 

 

 
..it is articulated, so you could go flying
 

 
..not painted it yet, but in situ for reference..
 

 
..should get another good stint in tomorrow so may be back soon..
 
TTFN
Peter

hello again folks
 
 
 
Hi Craig - I only do this when using annealed litho, or the soft ali I use for compound curves - a good example of this comes in a minute when doing the stabiliser fillets - it's a really good way of getting a virtually invisible seam rather than trying to butt two complex edges together..
 
So, fillets....
 
they are all curved as you woulkd expect, some in multiple directions - I was hoping the dorsal fin was the last panel as the very tip of it overlaps the fuselage skin I can't add until the cockpit is in.. but no, it's the first panel down - I guess as it's the least removed in service..
 
..to get an idea of the area, this is for a P51C without a dorsal fin - I couldn't find too much on one with a fin and all the resto pics I have of Lopes Hope do not yet have all the fillets fitted so some assumptions were made from what I could see that they are pretty similar to a 'D' model..
 
..you can see curvature & shapes and the fittings that fasten them too
 

 
..I did the dorsal fin but forgot to take pics, so this is the upper forward fillet first..
 
..a sheet is bent & taped down to start the forming process..
 

 
..a ball pein hammer is used to gently beat it into shape, and helped with balsa rubbing blocks and hard wood coffee stirrers..
 
..here I am trying to get it to conform to the leading edge and the curved part that runs out onto the fuselage..
 

 
..after shaping a number of scaled templates were used to derive the shapes - these are side views so I have to allow for the shape as it curves away from the eye..
 

 
..and soon all the fillets were in place ready for final shaping & smoothing - at the leading edge you can see where the panels overlap - by sanding away the overlap a perfect seam results - in fact on the full size one this is a butt weld which is finished on the outside..
 

 

 

 
..after final finishing and finessing some of the edges, the fasteners were added - this was a vet labourious process as each one must be punched, then marked with an awl for the fastner, then flattened, then added - there are about 60 each side..
 

 

 

 

 

 
..once the other side has it's fasteners (I can only do so many at a time without getting bored..), I will move along the underside to the air scoop & exit under the fuselage..
 
TTFN
 
Peter
 
 

morning folks
 
 
Hi Jay - the wheels & tyres are 3D modelled already, just tweaking the design with some help as the treads and the flat spot are a bit too complex for my limited knowledge
 
 
 
..thanks KUROK - the Awl set I have has about 25 sizes from a pinprick to about 1.5mm in diameter - the slot for the screw is then added with  a scalpel blade point ground down to a tiny flat blade..
 
..I set myself a target of getting the wings skinned before I go back to work tomorrow, and it is pretty much done..
 
..I went by this factory photo of where the filler was used on the leading edge (posted under fair use) and as can be seen, it does not extend to the wingtip so that panel was left detailed..
 

 
..a tape template for the main panel..
 

 
..and after annealing the leading edge and some fine fettling to fit all the rear panels the skin is added...
 

 
..a piano hinge was added to the forward gun door by scoring lines on a sheet of litho and bending it double so the edge is upright - this was let into a slot in the wing..
 

 
..the gear leg mount access panel & gun ports..
 

 

 
..and the basis of the wings is done..
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
..getting there...
 
TTFN
Peter

Oh My Goodness - Really! 
This Model should be exhibited in a Museum somewhere - anywhere!
We know who the cherry on the cake is now.
Congratulations on this spectacular mod.... no,  it isn't a model .. this word diminishes this astonishing creation (in my eyes) ... I think it would be better served by calling it :
     Scaled Creation Aviation Replica Yardstick
    ...... Or SCARY for short
Pip

You guys are amazing - thank you so much
 
I hope you all realise you directly contributed to making it - it is my hunger to do work of a standard that will be appreciated and approved of that has moved the bar in my modelling as it means every single part must pass the 'audience test' and be of appropriate quality
 
Thanks again folks, so kind
 
Oh and Chuck, good spot on the tailwheel, but don't worry, it's just loose on it's axle on some pics - the whole structure is brass so inherently strong enough
 
TTFN
Peter

hi folks
 
 
Hi Jay - as always thank you for the info - that drawing really helped and hopefully the positioning is right when the time comes!
 
 
That is a fantastic film Torben thanks for posting - I actually took a few stills from it early on for things i didn't have photo's of. The only thing it shows that I won't be doing is the acid etch staining on a lot of the panel lines - it may be as it should be, but it is beyond me to do it and get it to look right
 
 
Hey Geedub - now that is going to be hard - I wish i could actually blue the metal with a heat gun, but that would end disasterously! I haven't figured out how I will do it yet, but suspect I will just try standard airbrush & paints / powders, rather than go for the rainbow effect seen in the vid
 
I find nearing the end of a build to be a tricky period - there are lots of little bits to do and the order of assembly is important as the model is quite large details can be added then damaged if appropriate planning is not done. I started to add some of the decals onto the airframe that cover all the little hatches etc and after a test, found the ones on the alclad wing went on with no visible film after setting solution so didn't bother with a gloss coat...
 
I think it will look fine when weathered..
 

 

 
..added the gun camera - no idea how I missed that..
 

 
..for the stencils on bare metal I have no choice - I can't varnish the aluminium as over time it will degrade as the ali oxidises, so it is straight decal & setting solution.. I have to just accept it as is..
 
...in most cases it's passable..
 

 

 

 
...I decided to focuson getting as much on the top half done as possible, so there is less handling with all the gear & doors hanging out - the first part of this was finishing up the cockpit...
 
..I added the switch panel at the bottom right of the windscreen and made up the flourescent cockpit lamp..
 

 

 
..on the other side, I added the throttle quadrant and control rods..
 

 
..I have made a Gunsight pad and the first aid kit that hangs from the headrest from milluput, but won't show you that until it's finished (& if it's good enough..)
 
..otherwise, the cockpit is pretty much complete..
 

 

 
..will probably start to sort out the rest of the glazing next - here a dry fit of the right cockpit windows...
 

 
..still lots to do, but it's all bitty stuff
 
TTFN
Peter
 
 

of course!
 
here with a pot of Tamiya paint
 

Hi Peter,
This is Popping some of my brain - cells.
Erh, so is the engine going to run on Ethanol or Aviation fuel?
Pip

A few peaks of the engine set, note there will be an early and later style cowling. Just sorting out a few details over the next little while.