Simmo.b

Hi Rob,
Yeah I showed the kit in both Brisbane and Melbourne.
I used Uschi woodgrain decals on the side panels.
For the cdl I used Aviattic cdl decals, now days I paint cdl, mask around the ribs, paint the ribs dark brown, remove the masks, then paint the cdl, I use the excellent MRP paints which have 3 shades of cdl, start with a darker shade then mottle the lighter shades, the paint is quite translucent so the pre-painted ribs should just be seen.
I used bobs buckles brass tube for the turnbuclles, they look fine and are are easier than gaspatch to use, I did use the gaspatch anchor points though.
Don't get too hung up on the interior, great fun to paint and weather but most won't be seen.
Hope this helps!

That's a shame as your models are outstanding!!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

So Here is my entry to the great 20th anniversary group build!
I picked up the HK Models kit last June at a swap and sell for a mere $150 Aussie dollars, the seller even included the Zotzs Heavenly bodies decal set!!
Then came the aftermarket! Oh well I saved on the kit so no worries!
All motivated I began construction and completed a wheel bay (figured that if the build got shelved then it could go back in the box and not get damaged).
Well shift work returned and I started on my HpH macchi M5 so the wheel bay is as far as I got, well under 25%.
With the Wingnut lanc on the horizon and no cash for the HK version I figured that if the Doll didn't get done then there was a risk of her never comming out of the stash, so when this GB was announced I figured that now was her time!

Here are all of the bits and bobs!

Progress so far, I intend to complete the wings first rather than the interior as this will remove large swaths of plastic from the sprues which= motivation!!
Good luck everybody!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

So Here is my entry to the great 20th anniversary group build!
I picked up the HK Models kit last June at a swap and sell for a mere $150 Aussie dollars, the seller even included the Zotzs Heavenly bodies decal set!!
Then came the aftermarket! Oh well I saved on the kit so no worries!
All motivated I began construction and completed a wheel bay (figured that if the build got shelved then it could go back in the box and not get damaged).
Well shift work returned and I started on my HpH macchi M5 so the wheel bay is as far as I got, well under 25%.
With the Wingnut lanc on the horizon and no cash for the HK version I figured that if the Doll didn't get done then there was a risk of her never comming out of the stash, so when this GB was announced I figured that now was her time!

Here are all of the bits and bobs!

Progress so far, I intend to complete the wings first rather than the interior as this will remove large swaths of plastic from the sprues which= motivation!!
Good luck everybody!

Thanks guys!!
On to the motor, HpH supply a nice motor for this kit however they have missed a fair bit of detail, no magnitos, spark plugs and wires as well as those radiator shutters that Matt pointed out.
HpH also supply the engine covers however it is my firm opinion that they never intended them to be fitted to the model as they don't even come close to fitting...seems to be a pattern with this kit!
Not wanting to scratchbuild all of the missing engine components I opted to fit the engine covers especially as most photos of the M5 operating show them in place.
Here we see before and after pics of the timing gear, as can be seen the detail is soft so I cut the part up, drilled through the various bits and inserted a brass tube.

Before.

After.
The engine recieved Tauris spark plugs and solder leads before being painted in various shades of Alclad.
The engine cover was cut in half, fitted to the engine then all gaps shimmed with plastic strips, all seams and rivets were completely filled before the detail was reapplied with a scribing tool and ponce wheel.
I painted the covers MRP italian red over a dark green base coat, here is the end result.



Thanks again for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Since I had completed one wheel bay I figured that I would re-start the build by finishing the other.
Then I figured that I would complete the wings as doing this would remove a large swath of plastic from the sprues and at least give me the impression that I am making good progress!!
The bays were painted MRP black followed by various shades of Alclad, I applied a wash using Flory dark dirt, I went with Flory as being clay based this wash negated the need to seal the Alclad with clear (I would have used Tamiya X22 not floor cleaner!)
Fitting the bays required much thinning of plastic both on the completed bays and the inside of the wings, this may have been my fault as the fit tolerences are tight and any slight fit issues on the bays caused by errant paint on mating surfaces causes issues with joining the wing halves.
I eventually got the wings together however the engine nacels required much shimming up and filling.

I just need to re-scribe and rivet some lost detail and the wings are done.

More soon, thanks for stopping in!

Driving down next year so spot on Bev!

So Here is my entry to the great 20th anniversary group build!
I picked up the HK Models kit last June at a swap and sell for a mere $150 Aussie dollars, the seller even included the Zotzs Heavenly bodies decal set!!
Then came the aftermarket! Oh well I saved on the kit so no worries!
All motivated I began construction and completed a wheel bay (figured that if the build got shelved then it could go back in the box and not get damaged).
Well shift work returned and I started on my HpH macchi M5 so the wheel bay is as far as I got, well under 25%.
With the Wingnut lanc on the horizon and no cash for the HK version I figured that if the Doll didn't get done then there was a risk of her never comming out of the stash, so when this GB was announced I figured that now was her time!

Here are all of the bits and bobs!

Progress so far, I intend to complete the wings first rather than the interior as this will remove large swaths of plastic from the sprues which= motivation!!
Good luck everybody!

So Here is my entry to the great 20th anniversary group build!
I picked up the HK Models kit last June at a swap and sell for a mere $150 Aussie dollars, the seller even included the Zotzs Heavenly bodies decal set!!
Then came the aftermarket! Oh well I saved on the kit so no worries!
All motivated I began construction and completed a wheel bay (figured that if the build got shelved then it could go back in the box and not get damaged).
Well shift work returned and I started on my HpH macchi M5 so the wheel bay is as far as I got, well under 25%.
With the Wingnut lanc on the horizon and no cash for the HK version I figured that if the Doll didn't get done then there was a risk of her never comming out of the stash, so when this GB was announced I figured that now was her time!

Here are all of the bits and bobs!

Progress so far, I intend to complete the wings first rather than the interior as this will remove large swaths of plastic from the sprues which= motivation!!
Good luck everybody!

There are 4 struts (2 each side) that support the lower wing, they run from the hull (fusalage) to under the lower wing.
They support the lower wings as opposed to struts that support the top wing to the lower wing.
Hth
Brent

As far as length of spar goes I would make it as long as I could drill a straight hole, the longer the better, replacing key struts with brass or bronze items would be a great idea especially the struts that go from the hull to the lower wings

As far as length of spar goes I would make it as long as I could drill a straight hole, the longer the better, replacing key struts with brass or bronze items would be a great idea especially the struts that go from the hull to the lower wings

I think it's a case of the plastic struts not being able to bear the weight of the top wing, the struts under the lower wing are under huge strain, thats why the outrigger trestles are essential.
Mono rigging may help (I used ezi-line) but I would consider inserting piano wire into the lower struts. Problem is that due to the nature of the interior a longitudinal spar is impractical  but having said that, if I were to do another I would probably insert a spar and sacrifice internal detail that can't be seen anyway

Great project.
Would you consider some kind of spar to ensure your wings don't droop?
Even the regular Felix could use one.
Would compromise interior detail but man that's a big wingspan!

thanks for the tips
 
"Don't get too hung up on the interior"....your kidding, right???
 
 

So Here is my entry to the great 20th anniversary group build!
I picked up the HK Models kit last June at a swap and sell for a mere $150 Aussie dollars, the seller even included the Zotzs Heavenly bodies decal set!!
Then came the aftermarket! Oh well I saved on the kit so no worries!
All motivated I began construction and completed a wheel bay (figured that if the build got shelved then it could go back in the box and not get damaged).
Well shift work returned and I started on my HpH macchi M5 so the wheel bay is as far as I got, well under 25%.
With the Wingnut lanc on the horizon and no cash for the HK version I figured that if the Doll didn't get done then there was a risk of her never comming out of the stash, so when this GB was announced I figured that now was her time!

Here are all of the bits and bobs!

Progress so far, I intend to complete the wings first rather than the interior as this will remove large swaths of plastic from the sprues which= motivation!!
Good luck everybody!

Took me 6 months to do mine, fantastic kit, you will need the trestles to support those wings though or else sag and strut bend are inevitable.
Have fun, I did the same scheme, photobucket wiped out my thread here but she is still up on the WnW customer models page.
Cheers
Brent