Sopwith 'Swallow 1:32 scale

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Thanks for the encouraging comments - things should move a little faster now.
The cockpit area always take the most time on models I modify.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've re-profiled the forward fuselage area from what was the Sopwith 'Camel' to that of the Sopwith 'Swallow'
It required the removal of panel 'nail' lines, spent ammunition chutes, re-positioning of panel joins, extending the lower 'cut-out' and filling/blending in the 'Camel' lower wing area.

Mike

Sopwith 'Camel'

Sopwith 'Swallow'

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've started the painting in preparation for the application of the 'Aviattic' linen effect decals (CDL and PC12).
The external fuselage, wing, tail plane, elevator, rudder and fin were primed using 'AK Interactive' white (AK-759).
The fuselage forward side panels and front decking panel were airbrushed with 'Tamiya' ocean grey (XF82).
The rear decking panel and fuselage side panels were airbrushed with 'Tamiya' deck tan (XF55) the brushed with 'DecoArt' Burnt Umber acrylic oil paint, to create a wood effect.   
The undercarriage struts, fuselage cabane struts and over wing cable support pylon were treated the same.

I still have to create the 'in-fill' between the rear and front decking panels and paint the cockpit surround padding.
Then it's onto fitting the two weapons and ammunition feed and ejector detail, 

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I painted wood effect on the fuselage rear panels and rear decking, but that was not correct as they should be grey.
Luckily the oil paint used is water based so I've removed the wood effect and airbrushed with 'Tamiya' ocean grey (XF82). 

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've used 'Milliput' two part putty to fill the gap between the resin front and rear cockpit decking panels.
Painted with 'Humbrol' leather (62) and highlighted using 'Tamiya' hull red (XF9). 

Mike 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The engine cowl and after market ‘CMK Master Models’ Le Rhöne 9J (110 hp) has been fitted, which is the correct engine for the 'Swallow'.
The next step is to create cowl plates that were fitted to replace the 'Camel' strap type fasteners at the top of the cowl.
The bottom strap fasteners were retained.
Then final fit the two 'Vickers' guns and feed chutes.

Mike 

[airscale]

just wonderful

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Both 'Vickers' guns are fitted along with their ammunition feed belts.
The 'Swallow' did not have ammunition ejector chutes, as fitted to the 'Camel'.
My assumption is that the ammunition was fed to each weapon from inboard of the breech blocks and spent rounds were ejected outboard over the fuselage sides.

Next is to sort out the wind screen and 'Aldis' gun sight.
None of the available data show an 'Aldis' sight fitted, other than the information supplied with the resin conversion set.
As the 'Swallow' was a 1918-19 design, it's quite possible that this sight was fitted,

Mike 

  

[LSP_Kevin]

Incredible detail, Mike!

 

Kev

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The forward fuselage and cockpit area is nearly done.
It included a fair bit of modification, no surprise there.
It includes adding the two machine guns, wind screen and 'Aldis' gun sight with cockpit support frame, adding access holes in the front decking panel and side plates in the decking panel cut-outs.
Also nail lines up the fuselage side panels and changing the retaining straps at the top of the engine cowl to those for the 'Swallow', which were metal retainer strips.

Next is to add the twin pitot-static pipes onto the forward right cabane strut and the cross bracing rigging between the cabane struts and across the forward two struts,

Mike 

[MikeMaben]

Nice Mike 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The undercarriage assembly has been fitted.
Also added are the panel fasteners to the rear of the undercarriage, a drain pipe and the cross bracing anchors in the fuselage under shield,

Mike 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've spent the last day or so applying the decals to the 'Swallow'.
The PC12 upper surfaces and the CDL undersides were 'Aviattic' linen effect decals. The decals are supplied as A4 sheets and are not 'cookie cut', so each has to be templated and then cut.
The white fin marking (AMA.E) and the name 'SWALLOW' of the fuselage sides were created, letter by letter, from 'Xtradecal' sheets.
The specific serial number of B9276 was also created from number/leterrs and white strip from 'Xtradecal'.
The biggest problem was the wing roundels, as the wing of the 'Swallow' had a wider wing chord than that of the 'Camel, therefore the 'Camel' decals were way too small.
In the end I resorted to Cutting up and re-assembling decals from both the 'Wingnut Wings' Sopwith Pup (RNAS) and the SE5a, both of which I had as spares.
For example the wing upper roundels were created from four separate cut decals.   
The colouring of the blue (lighter shade) on these roundels reflects that used towards the end of the conflict.

Mike

[scvrobeson]

Which Xtradecal set did you use for the serial code on the side? I need to do a custom number for a build coming up, and that would be a huge help.  The build looks rather excellent, and hopefully it will convince someone to produce a Swallow.

 

 

 

Matt 

[sandbagger]

Hi Matt,

The serial number B9276 was created using the 4 mm wide strip from ‘Xtradecal’ white stripes (XPS2) and the black number/letters (X72157).

The black fonts are not quite correct for that period, but are close enough.

The serial number strip was cut to length then applied and sealed. Then each letter and number were cut out, with most of the carrier film cut away, then transferred wet to the strip, positioned then dried.  

The fin marking of ‘AMAºE’ and the fuselage names ‘Swallow’ were created using ‘Xtradecal’ white number/letters (X72158).

 

Mike 

Edited September 18, 2019 by sandbagger