Aerocraft 1/32 Miles M.52

[scvrobeson]

It's been awhile since my last build on here, but I'm very happy to be back with a new LSP project, and a dive into 3D printed kits. 

 

This is Aerocraft's first full kit, and it's a wonderful little paper project from England in the 40s. This was meant as the UK's response to the Bell X-1, but was canceled unceremoniously before taking flight. The Aerocraft kit contains only 28 printed resin parts, and a shockingly clear cast resin canopy. Of course, we're used to seeing clear resin canopies from Ali.

 

Decals are provided for two schemes, one as a yellow prototype, and the other in RAF Silver, which is what I'm going to be doing. There's also a jig included to help set the angle of the wings, landing gear, and even support the fuselage as you work. Great inclusion there Aerocraft.

 

 

So far, cleanup and priming have been the order of the day. Dedicated a day at the bench to getting everything freed from the support structures, and fixing a chip at the end of the exhaust.

 

The cockpit is nice, if a bit basic. Then again, there's no real documentation on the plane, and the X-1 was similarly simple inside. A seat, control stick, instrument panel (molded gauges or not), and some light detail on the sidewall.  I added a few toggle switches and buttons from Anyz resin to liven up the cockpit, but once it's all painted black, it'll tough to see it.

 

 

There's the start to the nose weight, which will require a lot. Ali recommends about 60 grams, but there's thankfully a ton of space for it in the front of the fuselage.

 

 

I chose the instrument panel without the molded dials so that I could add Airscale decals later on. The nose wheel well is molded on underneath, and slots in very securely to the nose egg. There's certainly some layer lines there, but it will be very hard to see them in there.

 

The cockpit section slots very securely into the front of the fuselage, and to help with nose weight, I added a circle of plastic to create a dam, then filled it with Liquid Gravity mixed with white glue

 

 

 

 

This looks like it'll be a fun project, where the surface finish and color will be the most important part. It's basically a big silver cigar with little wings.

 

Should be back soon with progress on the cockpit.

 

 

Matt 

[Shoggz]

Cool subject and nice progress!

[RCPlym]

Imagine the noise level over the cockpit if it was allowed to be completed?

 

Super looking work there! 👍👍👍👍

[scvrobeson]

Thanks very much guys.  Yes, I imagine the noise would have been incredible. I think the Leduc aircraft in France had a similar system, and they actually flew.

 

 

Matt 

[Newoldguy1977]

Ahhhh I love this airplane. I started scratchbuilding one in quarter scale last year but got side tracked by wingnut wings lol. 

[Duncan Doenitz]

The Bell X-1 was developed after Miles were forced to share their research and data by the UK government. The programme started in 1943 and an unmanned test model was flown over the Wash (the North Sea to our American chums) and tracked on radar, achieving a speed comfortably over Mach 1. The legendary Eric "Winkle" Brown would have flown the manned version.

 

The government stopped all research and ordered that the aircraft and jigs be destroyed. There is however a museum which retains an original engineering model.

 

Alas, what could have been.............

[malc]

Nice!

Good to see the 1:32 version of this getting built.

Malc.

[scvrobeson]

Thanks guys!  The cockpit is almost done, I'll get pictures of it up today.

 

 

Matt 

[scvrobeson]

The cockpit is just about done for the M.52. I still need to add the HGW seatbelts that I bought for it before I can close it up.  I decided to add a bit more detail using Anyz switches, and then Airscale decals on the instrument panel.

 

Being all-black, and with limited visibility, it was tough to bring it to life. I started with a coat of Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black, then highlighted it using some Gunze RLM66. Small bits were touched in with various shades of black Vallejo acrylics, then it was all drybrushed lightly with Vallejo London Gray.  Thin wash of black oil paint put the shadows back, and it was all sealed under MRP Semi-Matt.

 

I know that it will be tough to see inside the canopy, and then plugged into the fuselage, but we'll always have the photos to remember it by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please let me know what you all think about it.

 

 

Matt 

[Newoldguy1977]

Dennis Bancroft and George Miles would be proud 

[scvrobeson]

Thanks very much. One question I have about the plane right now is how in the heck the pilot was supposed to get in and out. Not really room for the canopy to hinge open with the intake ring there.

 

 

Matt 

[LSP_Kevin]

That looks great, Matt!

 

Kev

[geedubelyer]

Superb paintwork Matt. You've managed to create substantial depth and the details are so crisp. 

[Newoldguy1977]

3 hours ago, scvrobeson said:

Thanks very much. One question I have about the plane right now is how in the heck the pilot was supposed to get in and out. Not really room for the canopy to hinge open with the intake ring there.

 

 

Matt 

He is bolted in, kinda like Bell X1, but the canopy not a hatch was removable. Capt Eric Brown was scheduled to be rhe first to fly because of his 5,6 hight. 

[Newoldguy1977]

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/miles-m-52-transonic-research-aircraft.37428/ here is a good bit of detail.