ICM Gladiator Mk.1 - 87 Sqn RAF 1937

[DugyB]

5 hours ago, Iain said:

Tonight I have mostly been noticing two things:

• I haven't built a biplane for a long time
• I remembered why I hadn't built a biplane for a long time

Stay tuned for more adventures in getting strutted... 

 

Iain

 

Oh boy, do I understand that feeling well … and I’ve never built a biplane before ….. 🤔

[MikeC]

7 hours ago, Iain said:

Tonight I have mostly been noticing two things:

• I haven't built a biplane for a long time
• I remembered why I hadn't built a biplane for a long time

Stay tuned for more adventures in getting strutted... 

 

Iain

 

 

I know the feeling.  Good luck, and I'm sure you will do a fine job.

 

Get in there, it's time to strut your stuff

[mozart]

The important point about getting the struts in place and the top wing on is to NOT try to hurry it. My Fury is at this stage too, it took me most of yesterday to get six struts and the top wing on using 5 minute epoxy. The Gladiator, being plastic, could take longer, though the way ICM have designed the kit means it’s an “easier” build with its chunky strut locations. 

[Iain]

Looks better today... 

 

I made the mistake of trying to add all the struts at once last night - something I should have learned was a very bad idea decades ago, but I'm obviously waaaay out of practice.

 

Removed the cabane struts before bed - just leaving the interplane struts in place - with the top wing dry fitted in place and objects suitably placed to hold everything in the correct alignment whilst the lower joints on the interplane struts dried off.

 

Just had a look - and everything straight still!

 

Will pour a wee dram and take a look at the cabane struts again over next few days.

 

Iain - you're a complete NUMPTY!  🤣

 

 

[DrDave]

If it’s not too late, and you are probably ok anyway, it’s easiest so settle the top wing first on the cabanes. The outer struts are nicely bendy and literally pop into their holes to have liquid cement touched on with a brush.

 

I hold the wings with my daughters elastic hair bands over the strut load point- not too tight.

 

Do the wnw tip of standing it end on the 4 leading edges tail up and alignment is assured.

[Iain]

All sorted now I think Dave... 

 

Iain

[DugyB]

On 12/4/2024 at 5:16 PM, DrDave said:

If it’s not too late, and you are probably ok anyway, it’s easiest so settle the top wing first on the cabanes. The outer struts are nicely bendy and literally pop into their holes to have liquid cement touched on with a brush.

 

I hold the wings with my daughters elastic hair bands over the strut load point- not too tight.

 

Do the wnw tip of standing it end on the 4 leading edges tail up and alignment is assured.

……and now you tell me ….. 

[DrDave]

We bipe frequenters keep these secrets close, until the reveal is too late to help, so that we maintain smug superiority in our ivory tower!

[DugyB]

2 hours ago, DrDave said:

We bipe frequenters keep these secrets close, until the reveal is too late to help, so that we maintain smug superiority in our ivory tower!

Next time I’m standing next to a pipe smoker near a cliff I know what’s gonna happen …. 

[Iain]

OK - so this is where we are - if I can get the canopy on I might be able to prime the model!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obvs - upper wing is just dry fitted at this stage... 🙂

 

Have also been doing some stuff on the 1:24 Spit IX - so may have an update on that one soon...

 

Blue skies...

 

Iain

[mozart]

It has been “blue skies” today Iain, makes a welcome change from unrelenting grey! 

[Iain]

Canopy masked and added - and port side access door held in place temporarily with PVA.

 

Almost looking like an aeroplane - and almost ready for a coat of primer...

 

 

 

 

I *may* actually be in danger of finishing something - although whether I make it before the end of this GB remains to be seen.

 

Iain

[Dpgsbody55]

It looks very good so far.  Keep at it

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

[Furie]

It's all very beautiful, Iain.
I can't wait to see the next stage of painting, and I'm sure it's going to be superb!

[Iain]

Primer is on - this is getting dangerous... 

 

Iain