Gloster Gladiator.....finished :)

[quang]

IIRC the BL lever is the engine mixture ( rear position: lean mix, front position: rich mixture).
The G lever is the throttle.

 

Cheers,

Quang

[mozart]

Thanks for your reply and those links Mike, very useful indeed.  I'm working on the IP right now (tea break!!), the dials used are approximations I'm afraid but in this case good enough!

 

Thanks Quang, good to know.  The purpose of those two levers don't affect the model as such but it's always helpful to have as much knowledge and understanding of what you're building in my opinion. 

Edited December 15, 2019 by mozart

[mozart]

Lots of bits and pieces to do in the cockpit area before the fuselage halves can be joined.  One thing that has had me slightly puzzled is how far in the machine guns go but this afternoon a "penny dropping" moment!  There's a small "flange" on the outer face of the m/g which locates into a slot on the fuselage....sorted!  There's no positive "click" which lets you know the two parts are mated, so I just put in a light pencil mark as a guide:

 

 

Another time consuming part is the IP.....finally done using Airscale dials, and here waiting for the Krystal Klear to dry completely:

 

 

And also finished is Sgt Smith:

 

 

Just a small (literally) matter of giving him some Sutton seat belts now:

 

 

But his "office" is finally coming on:

 

 

[Out2gtcha]

Looking good Max! 

[Bruce_Crosby]

Hi Max,

 

Are you bringing the model along on Thursday evening so we can have a good look at it?  
 

 Regards,

 

Bruce Crosby

[mozart]

24 minutes ago, Bruce_Crosby said:

Hi Max,

 

Are you bringing the model along on Thursday evening so we can have a good look at it?  
 

 Regards,

 

Bruce Crosby

Sadly I can't make it Bruce (out with friends for dinner) but I'll bring it along in January......it may even be finished by then!! 

[monthebiff]

Some seriously good progress this weekend Max, cockpit is looking the part now.

 

Regards. Andy 

[dennismcc]

Great progress, and a great "how to" guide

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[mozart]

Getting all the parts ready for closing up:

 

 

Sutton harnesses being prepared:

 

 

Test fit to make sure Sgt Smith is going to fit:

 

 

 

Sutton harnesses fitted (I've left off the PE attachment fixings since they won't be visible) and drying:

 

 

Off now to finish off fitting Smith then closing up, followed immediately by locating the fuselage into the lower wing.  More later I hope!!

[Out2gtcha]

Nice, model on Max! 

[mozart]

And before you know it, she has wings!  The joining of halves and wings went as seamlessly as I'd expected, a light swipe with a sanding stick will clean it up with no need for filler.

 

 

I love the way ICM have thought out a realistic rudder hinge mechanism, here inserted into the tail fin.  Like the elevators there's a substantial tab for location, but again I want my rudder slightly offset so I've started trimming off the tab:

 

You'll notice two aerial masts, one will be cut off depending on your references or preferred colour scheme.  My 56 squadron plane has the fin-mounted mast so the rudder one goes!

 

Might just get a coat of primer on next after the seam clean up.

 

 

[quang]

Great progress, Max. You’re really trailblazing for those who follow. 

[mozart]

1 hour ago, quang said:

Great progress, Max. You’re really trailblazing for those who follow. 

Thanks Quang, luckily I have a whole day (and evening!) of bench time today!  I hope you're going to build one, she'd look great in Belgian colours! 

 

Edited December 17, 2019 by mozart

[Out2gtcha]

Yes indeed, great progress Max. I doubt anyone will have any fear of building an ICM Gladdie after your thread!    Looking forward to more. 

[mozart]

22 minutes ago, Out2gtcha said:

Yes indeed, great progress Max. I doubt anyone will have any fear of building an ICM Gladdie after your thread!    Looking forward to more. 

I have it in mind to build another two Brian to make up a larger diorama than the one I originally intended.  It would be "Blue section" of "B" Flight 56 squadron, with the pilots standing around chatting, part from poor old Smith of course!  There's certainly no fear in this kit.