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ICM Gladiator slow build. Finished!


quang

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Hello all,

 

You might as well know that I'm standing on Max's @mozart shoulders while doing this WIP. Max led the way. I just followed.

 

As a modeller, my main interest has always been the Cold War period with the occasional incursion in the late WWII.

Although I have a fascination in the between-the wars planes and their shifting technologies, I never had the chance to build one.

Let me also add that this is my FIRST BIPLANE.

 

So hang on tight and let the ride begin!

 

A picture of my Belgian Edition ICM Gladiator,

1-AE61-A5-E-EDAB-4930-9-BDE-15-F5-C11-DC

 

basically a regular release with a sheet of Dutch Decals added.

98-B4796-E-8-A64-42-FD-8-EE6-42-E87-B90-

 

I won't repeat what has been already said about this kit. Let me add that the design of this kit is exceptionally clever, making the building a real pleasure ...  except on one point. But more of it later. ;)

 

As usual, a fine coat of Mr Surfacer 1200 is sprayed on all the parts with the sprues still on.

It helps to bring on the details as well as the blemishes we'll have to deal with.

Then a careful study of the parts, especially since I'm new to the subject. Similar-looking parts are hand marked to avoid confusion.

69-AEDE77-F4-BE-4-E58-8205-7187-E85-ECFA

 

followed by a dry-fit of the different components.

C3816-AC1-31-EC-45-FD-B8-F6-FF6-F1763-E4

111-B8632-FC65-41-A0-B886-3-C43-B65-B4-F

 

The cockpit is correctly detailed while being basic. It can be easily improved by refining and adding some smaller details like switches and map cases, ...

88-B7910-B-5-C6-E-400-C-9-F83-2-C0718-A1

26295541-DB22-4-C57-AEE6-3-AF0076-F0030.

 

Gun shell ejectors added

75-AB39-D1-CD40-41-E8-A973-0866518-BC8-C

 

Wing gun pod ejector slots

904-B33-F5-F823-453-E-9071-1796-F0-BD42-

 

Side doors opening latches refined

B3-A75-EFF-D138-4-ED4-9-BD5-3-E2468-A8-B

 

Refined throttle

2556-C338-20-E7-4-C4-B-8-BC4-DFD12-B11-C

 

Instrument panel is correct for MK I. Looks convincing with stock decals added

0165-EB18-4415-4-EF2-BFE1-BC52-FDCB60-D1

 

That's it for today, folks.

Hope you like it.

 

Cheers,

Quang

 

 

 

 

Edited by quang
adding photos
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Hey Quang, really great to see you along, and what a fabulous start!  I like your methodical approach, augurs well for the future but I'll be interested to see what the "pleasure exception" is!  Such a tease. :o

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31 minutes ago, mozart said:

Hey Quang, really great to see you along, and what a fabulous start!  I like your methodical approach, augurs well for the future but I'll be interested to see what the "pleasure exception" is!  Such a tease. :o

Pleasure exception? You already know about it. You’re the trailblazer, remember? ;)

Edited by quang
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@MikeMaben @Biggles Thank you for your encouragement.

 

I think there's no better choice than a Gladiator for a first biplane. The structure is strong and sturdy much like a metal monoplane, the struts and wiring are reduced to a minimum.

Still there's this beginner's block about aeroplanes with 2 wings too many ! :BANGHEAD2:

Cheers,

Quang

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Back to the build: THE COCKPIT

The interior can be finished in a variety of ways: aluminium-dope overall, grey-green overall or a mix of the two. I chose to do mine with the skeleton armature in aluminium and the rest in grey-green as I find the contrast interesting.

 

Left side

3-B85-A0-A5-5-B9-D-4621-8-A12-BA591-E88-

Paints are decanted Tamiya AS12 and Vallejo acrylic Green. All details in Vallejo acrylics.

 

Right side

C413-E746-825-B-485-E-A950-97-FA08473-DB

The side door is glued in closed position.

 

Seat and cockpit 'floor'.

5-E9-F8-F70-68-CC-4-D3-A-AC4-C-F5-B6-AC6

 

RB Productions Sutton harness prior to be installed

2-FC99-F0-E-F4-E0-4-FA2-96-B9-07-E9-EB92

 

Interior installed in right fuselage half, dry-fitted and stuck in position. Black goo under the cockpit after-deck is 2-part epoxy glue

B45-EB822-94-A9-448-B-BD2-A-0-EF1-C577-C

 

Everything in place with IP in situ

8-F84-D666-4-FA4-465-B-9-C1-A-CDEF08-B2-

 

Some other views

797633-E9-9-F95-4094-9-F30-690-B0-D89779

 

EF4-EA397-11-FA-4909-B725-D2482-CF64036.

 

That's it, folks.

Hope you like it.

Have a good day,

Quang

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