ICM Gladiator Mk.1 - 87 Sqn RAF 1937

[Iain]

OK - no blowing raspberries you lot... 

 

Another build/project/squirrel.

 

Came to the conclusion before Christmas that a lot of the model projects I'm playing with are big and complicated - thought it might be a good idea to pick up a nice, modern, small(ish) kit and not overthink it - if it could be a test bed for other stuff I'm trying to learn - and a few new techniques - all the better.

 

Now I do have a bit of a 'thing' for pre-war RAF/FAA types - and have quite a pile of projects I really want to do - but they are mostly a little intimidating, and expensive, resin kits.

 

Max, and others, have provided great inspiration with Gladiator builds - and Max's beautiful Gauntlet.

 

Now - it happens that I have three ICM Gladiators tucked away - relatively cheap - and I have spares if I c*ck it up...

 

Modelling bench cleared over the break - and a start made.

 

Oh, and here's what I thought of the kit when it was released.

 

 

Aims decals - the 56 Sqn markings have already found a home elsewhere...

 

 

A selectuion of 'extras' - not as complex as it may look.

 

 

RB Productions flat rigging wires - sadly not currently available - and something I've been wanting to try for ages.

 

3d printed vinyl instrument panel - in this case Quinta - again - something I've been meaning to try for a while.

 

AIMS etched fret for the Mk.I and Mk.II - will only be using a few of the comprehensive collection of parts provided.

 

Plan is a little extra detailing - without going mad - and a neat build and silver paint job.

 

Oh - and a bit of 3d modelling and printing.

 

Back in a mo...

 

Iain

[Iain]

So, making a start...

 

First thing was to establish likely interior colours: looking at period photos, along with other sources, I've decided to do most of the interior below the inner cockpit sill in aluminium (AK Extreme metal used for this), areas above the inner sill in interior grey green (Xtracrylix) and fabric areas, that would have had a red primer applied externally, an off red/pink colour - probably too light - but keeping things simple I've used the MRP colour for the primer used on Corsair aircraft (not that you'll be able to see it).

 

Here's the kit cockpit - with compass from the quinta set, and a few items from the AIMS photo-etch:

 

 

One modification I have done is to the area behind the seat.

 

ICM provide a flat plate, with a 'bridge' doing the middle for the seat harness anchorage. In reality this 'bridge' was open on either side and you can see into the radio compartment.

 

So, this has been cut out and structural elements re-created using styrene sheet. I'm drawing up a TR.9D radio set in Fusion 360 at present, as part of my attempt at learning to use the software, and I'll print out on my resin printer. Not a lot will be seen - but it will be there if anyone looks.

 

 

 

 

Quinta throttle quadrant details - levers will be added later...

 

 

Lower panel in place underneath the cockpit sill:

 

 

And the main panel - I love the detail - and the reflection from the 'glass':

 

 

Many times larger than it is in reality:

 

 

Dry-fit mock-up to check everything fits together:

 

 

 

 

That's it for now - I'm going to try and do a little more each week - and not get too worried about things - just build...

 

I'm hugely impressed with the ICM kit, everything's been a joy to put together so far! 

 

Iain

[dennismcc]

Nice start Iain, will look forward to more.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Alex]

Wow, I had no idea you could actually buy those flattened rigging wires.  I will be looking forward to seeing/hearing how working with them goes…

[Panzerwomble]

A question from the ignorant to the wise if I may ? The silver Glads I've seen , Duxford, Shuttleworth, are silver and have silver wires . Is there any info regarding the wires on camouflaged aircraft . I cant imagine they would take a brush of paint to them ‘just because’ but then you never know. If you know the answer i’d be grateful to hear . 

[mozart]

Way to go Iain, so “Glad” (geddit!  ) to see you doing a more straightforward kit again, and I’ve no doubt you’ll work your magic and do those little things, like the TR9 that you’re already addressing, which make all the difference.
 

Now I’ve always fought shy of using pre-formed rigging wires, I’d love them to work because they make sense so I look forward to seeing what you make of them. Following my friend! 

[Iain]

13 hours ago, Panzerwomble said:

A question from the ignorant to the wise if I may ? The silver Glads I've seen , Duxford, Shuttleworth, are silver and have silver wires . Is there any info regarding the wires on camouflaged aircraft . I cant imagine they would take a brush of paint to them ‘just because’ but then you never know. If you know the answer i’d be grateful to hear . 

 

All wires I've ever seen have been plain metal finish - I'd imagine if there was any paint to be seen on the wires would be accidental/over-spray. 

 

No doubt there's something out there that will prove an exception to that... 

 

Iain

 

 

[Iain]

15 hours ago, Alex said:

Wow, I had no idea you could actually buy those flattened rigging wires.  I will be looking forward to seeing/hearing how working with them goes…

 

You and me both Alex! 

 

I *think* I have a simple and effective plan for their deployment - we'll see!

 

Iain

[Panzerwomble]

19 minutes ago, Iain said:

 

All wires I've ever seen have been plain metal finish - I'd imagine if there was any paint to be seen on the wires would be accidental/over-spray. 

 

No doubt there's something out there that will prove an exception to that... 

 

Iain

 

 

Thanks Iain , my gut feel was that painting them would be detrimental to adjuting ,as well as givin paint a way of working it's way into the weave of the cable , making it less flexible.  . Both of which could well be my imaginary problem .

 

 

I've never seen these "flat wires" althuogh I'm aware what they were .

Edited January 3, 2023 by Panzerwomble

[Iain]

As this was stalled and under 25% completed - and I was looking for something simple to take part in this GB - I've moved this build here.

 

Better than starting another new project - and may be a impetus to actually finishing this one! 

 

Will try and post an update this weekend...

 

Iain

[geedubelyer]

Is it done yet? 

[Iain]

Time to pick this up again I think.

 

Need to finish the Radio set I've been drawing up in Fusion 360, get it printed, and finish the interior.

 

Back soon.

 

Iain

[DugyB]

This is awesome, I now have a mentor to follow….. 

[Iain]

Finally had a chance this weekend to play with the CAD model for the Radio set and mountings in Fusion 360.

 

Test print:

 

 

Now - I was going to add a lot of the 'twiddly' bits - mountings etc. - but a test fit showed they really won't be seen:

 

 

As I'd painted it black you can't see much at this stage - but it *is* there - and fits perfectly...

 

Better quality prints being run off as I type...

 

Item the next was to address some of the rather stark/overly prominent surface detail on the ICM fuselage mouldings - these arewhere there are removeable panels on the real aeroplane - but I felt they really needed toning down - especially for a silver finish.

 

Here you can see the difference between the port side, which has been done, and the starboard side, which hasn't:

 

 

 

 

 

That's about it - a couple of steps forward and I *may* just get the fuselage closed up this week.

 

Blue skies,

 

Iain

 

[Azgaron]

Nice work! Looking good!

 

Håkan