jenshb

The 787 is a surprisingly large aircraft. The 767 isn't small, but the 787 makes it look a fair bit smaller. And the engine diameters of the 787 are almost the same diameter as the 737 fuselage. And another vote for Milliput or similar epoxy putty applied inside the fuselage, squeezing it through the window apertures, then sand smooth.

Afterburner - I have the Aires one which I bought way before ResKit even showed up on the radar, and I decided to purchase the ResKit one. ResKit also makes a closed nozzle if that is what you would prefer, and the rivet detail on the outside can be removed if you're careless with the primer and micromesh. Aires has a problem with shrinkage of their parts, and case in point, both the main and nose wheel wells are too short by a couple of millimeters. The detail is beautiful, but the size discrepancy make them unuseable for me if I was to build my model wheels down. Cockpit? Again, the detail is beautiful, but as my model will have the canopy closed and in flight, the trouble of installing it is not worth the effort. I will use Quinta Studios instrument and console placards (that does include the yellow "spider" that Juggernut talks about). There is a noticeable difference in size between the Aires seat and the kit seat. For wheels, I'd take a good look at ResKit again. Can't comment on the CMK or Avionix parts.

To make a high back XVI you will need the E-wing armament from the low back XVI kit to combine with the Mk. IX kit. If you plan to expose the engine, you may want the additional pieces for the Packard Merlin too. The high back fuselage has a piece at the rear that takes the non-retractable tail wheel in the IX kit and the retractable tailwheel for the Mk. VIII, so it is possible to get the sprues you need to make a Mk.IX from the VIII kit. Both those kits have C-wings, so a late IX will require the relevant E-wing sprues from the XVI kit.

Kits World also do a fair number of British subjects, including 1:32 scale. Maybe they've got something lined up?

The carbon fibre effect is excellent - are the decals printed to fit the surfaces or do you need to cut them to shape from templates?

Magnificent! Only one word for it. It also pleases me to see a subject relevant to my native Norway:)

Yes, but some countries haven't signed the treaty. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7763500.stm

Lovely piece of metalwork there Rainer.

The Spitfire VIII and IX kit uses a two-stage compressor, whereas the Mosquito has a single-stage compressor, so even if the kit block is the same, you will need to use the two stage (with intercooler) parts from the Spitfire kit.

Have the Greeks actually signed the dotted line Derek?

Heck, even an accurate 1:72 kit would be nice...

Thank you Dean. Interesting...sounds safer than selling stuff on eBay.

Although you will leave the hatch covering the computers open, would you be able to close it? THere seems to be insufficient clearance between the computer boxes and the support for the seat.

That's a good explanation Dean. Do you know if they have the same arrangement with things like Lego or model kits, or is it just books?

Tamiya's F-14 kit is sublime. Tamiya's F-16 is not bad either, but the Tomcat is better.

Another vote for the RP Toolz set.

Still no R107 Mercedes-Benz SL...:(

By the looks of it, the larger components are cast resin (probably from 3D printed masters), and the smaller and/or parts too intricate to mould and cast (like the flame holder for the afterburner) are 3D printed.

I guess the entire squadron drank for free in the officers' mess that evening:)

Shiny...precious...

Right then, here's the modification I did to the kit doughnut panel. I used 0.25 mm Evergreen strip laid multiple times to get a tight fit that would keep the exhaust duct centred. Like this: The nozzle was painted Steel on the outside of the nozzle flaps and Tamiya Deck Tan and Buff and a mix for some variation. FInally, weathered with a Van Dyke Brown oil paint wash and some streaks.

Thank you gents. The Res-Kit exhaust is far superior to the kit in terms of detail, comprising six resin parts and one photoetched part. Fit is really good, and the parts are keyed to ensure correct orientation relative to eachother. You will need to ensure the correct orientation yourself when joining it to the kit doughnut panel though, and you will also need to glue plastic strip or pads to correctly center it as the diameter of the afterburner is smaller than the kit. I will take some pics later. The nozzle exterior is a pretty good match for the doughnut panel though. I have the Aires exhaust as well, but decided to use the Res-Kit one simply because it is closed so looks a bit different on an in-flight model.

Don't worry about posting too much on WIP Anthony - I find such treads interesting to see how people solve problems. Doing good work - keep it up! Jens

OK, something interesting to show. First up is the ResKit turbine, flameholder and afterburner. They have large pouring gates that will require sawing and a fair amount of sanding, but go gently and there will be no problem or broken parts. The parts are keyed to make sure their orientation is correct, so assembly is problem free. Still have to do some more creative painting on the inner exhaust nozzle though. The extended tailfin base containing the brake chute and ASPIS antenna was taken from the Academy Sufa. The Academy part is somewhat deeper than the Tamiya base and about 0.25 mm wider. I glued one half to the Tamiya fin first, making sure it was straight in side and plan view, then added the other half. Will need to open up the end of the brake chute container to put some Magic Sculpt inside to reinforce before sanding the bottom, and some panel lines need to be rescribed as they don't match. The brake chute itself will be made from scratch with Magic Sculp as a rigid plastic part doesn't convey the look of fabric. The pilot himself will also get some Magic Sculpt. The hands don't quite grip the stick or throttle very well, so I glued the stick to the right hand and did the same with the throttle and the left hand. As the nozzle will be closed, the throttle lever is not fully forward. Don't know if this position is not correct for flight, but it's too late to change now - at least it's not all the way back. The left arm needed to be adjusted, so will require some Magic Sculpt and the hand will also need to "get a grip". The oxygen hose will be added later, the head will also be repositioned as well, hence hollowing out the recess for the head.

Good start Mark. Did the engine come with pistons and a crankshaft? Getting that gloss black finish flawless will be a challenge.