1:32nd scale RAF BE2c

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
My build of the Fokker D.VI is nearing completion.
Therefore I thought I'd have a crack at one of the 'Lukgraph' model in my stash.
I'm going to have a crack at the resin and 3D printed 1:32nd scale RAF BE2c model.

The subject aircraft has been changed - see the current aircraft further down in this thread.

Mike

 

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by sandbagger
aircraft changed

[europapete]

Awesome. Pulling up a chair and a pint. 

[spartacus2000]

[scvrobeson]

Great to see you get straight to work on this one.  Mine is still making its way to me, can't wait to get it.  Love to finally have a Be.2 in 1/32

 

 

 

Matt 

[iamjohnsname]

So glad you've picked this for your next build! If my kit arrives in time I might even try to keep up as you go.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Whilst compiling the basic PDF build log for this model I've already made one observation.

Reinforcing rods are moulded internally within the wings, axle and struts, additional support is required for locating some parts.

The lower wings have a single reinforcing rod moulded internally within the wing, intended to prevent lateral warp of the wing.

However, although the instructions show that two locating rods are required to locate the wings into the fuselage, the wings have no locating rods fitted.

There are no guide marks for drilling the location holes in either the wings or the fuselage.

Care is needed when fitting the wings to avoid misalignment of the lower wings to each other and the fuselage.

 

Building this model should not present major problems for the average modeler, but care and attention will be required.

Particularly regards providing adequate support for the larger and heavier resin parts, especially the lower wings.

 

Mike
 

Edited April 17, 2022 by sandbagger

[europapete]

Thanks for the heads up Mike.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
First up will be the engine.
As you can see the complete engine is 3D printed, with probably only ignition leads to add.
So in theory just separating the five parts from their supports, removing any residual support tags and sanding away any obvious layer striations.
We'll see

 

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The engine is completed as far as possible.
I've added the ignition leads and support rails, even though in reality the leads passed through the internal engine firewall.
As expected, painting a complete 3D printed engine wasn't that easy.
Sanding any print layer striations is not really possible on such detail.
I've not fitted the exhaust manifolds yet as I want to align them correctly to the exhaust stack pipes and fuselage later in the build,

Mike

 

 

[LSP_Kevin]

Fantastic work, Mike! Engine looks great.

 

Kev

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Preparation of the fuselage and basic cockpit.
The fuselage halves were sand to remove resin artifacts from the mating edges.
Plastic 0.8 mm thick strips were secured to one fuselage half to aid with fuselage alignment during assembly (no locating pegs or holes).
The 3D printed cockpit side frames and bulkheads were assembled, including sanding the top curved edges so fir the contour of the fuselage when joined.
The actual aircraft had 'windows' in the fuselage to allow daylight to illuminate the instrument panels.
The two instrument panels were secured to the cockpit frames to align with the windows.
These are moulded as solid, to be painted silver and covered with acetate sheet.
Instead, I've cut out the three windows to match the supplied photo-etch window frames, which will have just the acetate sheet inserts,

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
After checking how the pilots seat was fitted in the BE2c, I believe the kit supplied photo-etch seat cradle is based on the 'Vintage Aviator' reproduction aircraft.
However the actual Wicker seat seems to have been mounted on a plinth which was attached to the cockpit side frame and cross member and braced by wires at its front corners.
There I've represented this using 0.5 mm thick plastic card and 0.8 mm diameter plastic rod.
The following photographs shown the modification as well as the dry fitting of the assembly with the 'Barracuda' resin pilot and observer seats.
Note that in general, the observers seat had a higher back rest than that of the pilot.

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've been given further reference information on the pilots seat fit.
It seems the later BE2c operational aircraft, fitted with the RAF 1a engine etc, had an armoured seat cradle.
Earlier BE2c aircraft, fitted with the Renault engine etc, had the earlier Wicker seats fitted.

As the 'LukGraph' model has the later RAF 1a engine etc, the armoured seat would be correct.
Given this information, I can now either modify my 'modification' or remove it and fit the cradle,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The cockpit assembly is finished.
Note that I changed the scratch built pilot seat support frame as the kit armoured seat 'cradle' is correct for this version of the BE2c.

 

Built OOB apart from:

The kit supplied 3D printed seats replaced with BarracudaCast’ British wicker AGS seats (BR32234).
Instrument decals replaced with ‘Airscale’ Generic WW1 instruments (AS32 WW1).
Added a observers half firewall as protection from the engine.
Ckpit bracing is 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes.
Kit photo-etch seat belts/straps replaced with ‘HGW’ seat belts for the RE8 (HGW132027).

 

The forward engine support frames and fuel tank are still to be fitted,

 

Mike

 

PS: I forgot to add a fuel contents indicator tube onto the pilots instrument panel.
Added now using 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube, partially dipped in 'Tamiya' Clear Yellow (X24).

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by sandbagger

[MikeMaben]

Super work Mike.