T2B Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 This is my current build which I started a few days ago, but first the preliminaries. Yes I know this aircraft was posted recently with an excellent build thread by Pretty Mediocre Modeller and I hope mine is somewhere near as good as his, learning from some of his tips. Mine will also have a slightly different twist, as the title may give a clue to where I'm going? But first the box and plastic parts. /media/tinymce_upload/b2bc0fb9c9d8550f7e4db52e79ef7cf1.JPG/media/tinymce_upload/4783f8d00c30266195ea8931cf624727.JPG/media/tinymce_upload/f9d76eb848ad55e4eecee97545d3cae6.JPGAirfix do 2 very good decal options, 1 of which was covered by PMM. However with the anniversary of the 6th June just passing I wanted to do a D-Day aircraft and with the Mitchell sitting on my modelling desk, I opened a browser page. /media/tinymce_upload/8b227ea554f1b3eadf2f5016f91790e8.jpgNot the best image in the world but I'd found a late Mk.II Mitchell over flying the Overlord armada. Some of the information on early and late Mk.II's can be contradictory but eventually I was convinced I could produce a good enough late version. And with more research I found an aftermarket decal set to reproduce the aircraft in the image - North American Mk.II FW130, MQ-A of 266 (Dutch) Squadron RAF, RAF Hartford Bridge June 1944. So now my decision was made, it was on with the build ........... ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth ONeill Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Comment on the box painting; did British Mitchells really carry US bombs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Yes Paws we had this discussion on PMM's build thread and although Airfix show US style ordanance on the box artwork I'm am fairly confident that the RAF would have changed the Mitchell bomb shackles to accept British bombs. So it's 1 of the small changes I shall be making to the build and have already dug into my spares box for some RAF 500lbers from a scrapped Hampden kit. They need some rework and fresh paint but it's on going ............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter s Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 I'm doing a d day dakota at the moment and wasn't sure if the stripes should be painted over the deicing boots or not. It's 50/50 with 2019 flying aircraft. Your original pic clearly shows that wasn't done on your original aircraft. That's valuable info. Good luck on the build. It's a great kit but complex for its size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Thanks Peter s. It is a complex build, but easier than my recent Wellington build and progressing well at the moment so I should be uploading some build photo's tonight. I think the invasion stripes might be a challenge though! And I'd be interested in seeing your Dakota as I have 1 waiting in the wings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 A wee note to point out that MQ codes were used by 226 Squadron.No. 266 [Rhodesia] Sqn flew Spitfires and Typhoons during the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Sorry Dominic, it was a TYPO and poor proof reading late last night, you are correct it should read MQ-A, No.226 (Dutch) Squadron RAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 No. 266 [Rhodesia] Sqn flew Spitfires and Typhoons during the war.Whilst at Wittering they also had a Miles Magister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Now some build photo's. But first here's the Decal sheet I meant to post last night./media/tinymce_upload/16bbe1eafc5981965150faf9aa59dfb9.jpgThe set includes decals for 8 aircraft from June 1944, including a Dakota and a Glider, and most importantly the decals for my intended MQ-A build./media/tinymce_upload/fc97a84f5560aef446c099fc10f344f7.jpgAnd a Mask Set was waiting for me when i got home from work tonight 😀! But I don't know why thes images are being rotated and appear sideways when I upload them?/media/tinymce_upload/393b1e233a77a87692ec924c9020079e.jpgBut on with the build, and as always we start with the cockpit and fuselage interior, and in my case I start with prepainting of these parts. At this stage I used U.S. Interior Green./media/tinymce_upload/be15c0b6ef607edfbacd8b536964a952.JPG/media/tinymce_upload/897a6d3322f67e757c2a718e1701db7b.jpgThe detail painting is then done and the cockpit parts are assembled. And on the below photo I noticed a bulkhead face had eluded the paint booth. That has now been touched up!/media/tinymce_upload/5a9768939ef84ba26860709f0988f67f.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/f61e10041f6dfff7d47985f4b7a67c32.jpgThe only addition at this stage is Tamiya tape for seat belts on the small seat on the nose cone bulkhead, and the omission of the small bicycle seat right at the front of the nose. I then moved onto the bomb bay and the bulkheads with the wing spars attached./media/tinymce_upload/c113c2a4fa5580dd95b0ed750d5cf639.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/bd9cc8eddfc33f73f1cd606dd996b70b.jpgFollowing advice from PMM's build, these were completed in Aluminium/Silver. It's almost a shame that most of this detail will later be covered by the bombs? That's it for tonight ........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter s Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Thanks Peter s. It is a complex build, but easier than my recent Wellington build and progressing well at the moment so I should be uploading some build photo's tonight. I think the invasion stripes might be a challenge though! And I'd be interested in seeing your Dakota as I have 1 waiting in the wings?I'm taking pics now. Had a slight drama with fuselage stripes and ended up touching up by hand which has given it a "done quickly the night before d day" look but the rest is great. I changed my mind about the door configuration at a late stage, went for para drop config rather than cargo doors open and didn't prime the doors properly.... You live and learn..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter s Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Ps I did my b25 in us colours. If I did another i personally wouldn't load the bombs. In place they fill the bomb bay and all you see are the lower 2. Left out there's a lot of detail in the bay. Just something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Yes the bombs loaded will hide some lovely detail on the bomb-bay walls but they will be fitted and the reason will become apparent as the build progresses. However I'm waiting for the B-25B release (hopefully/probably in the Doolittle Raid scheme) and I would probably omit the bombs on that build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Now for the bombs. The bomb-bay walls have been cemented in the fuselage halves with the vertical bomb rack fitted./media/tinymce_upload/fff48827c879f35d0b1588e6d763cbf2.jpgAs mentioned earlier I recovered some RAF bombs from my spares bin, but it was apparent I wasnt too concerned with seam/join lines about 15 years ago when the Hampden was completed so some rework was required. And back in the day I just painted my bombs black! Once they were made more presentable the painting process began./media/tinymce_upload/a5e72485c2b94f2f2c8489b216fb2e7f.JPG /media/tinymce_upload/67d4201c923042b1916aa4de16d872e6.JPGThe start of a new set of clothes. And after a couple of days work (masking, spraying, masking etc.) they were completed./media/tinymce_upload/f5c8116c49428292dc93838aa461ce00.jpgThe fuselage is just about ready to be closed up and hopefully I should make some progress over the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter s Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 That's nice masking. I normally just find a surplus decal and cut a thin strip of suitable colour decal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Thanks Peter I'll remember that tip if ever I get some suitable leftover decals. The masking was a pain with the curve at the front of the bombs with a small amount of bleed, but as the stripes were apparently hand painted and at times quite rough, mine have turned out rather authentic lol!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 Progress over the weekend shows the RAF bombs fitted with my amended shackles./media/tinymce_upload/2531bc9beb8c6bda58230a1b0204a842.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/bc009064e8a8fe92c6619d59c2dc7db4.jpgThe cockpit tub is such a good fit, very little cement will be neded when the fuselage halves are closed./media/tinymce_upload/b1a7b0e5715bcb820c6cac47a2fda277.jpgThe bomb bay roof and rear ventral turret framework were added next./media/tinymce_upload/1ce017a3d9774ae0c7850d72b8c9a15b.jpgWhilst I worked on the fuselage sections I also painted and assembled the tail and rudder sections. I didn't think it would be easy to mask the de-icing boots on the tail section once the aircraft had been completed so I decided to complete it as a sub-assembly./media/tinymce_upload/44ffb97b307f5dd583247598b30d0cf6.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/948bd7f7ec829020d73401d458cc05b8.jpgThe top surfaces were sprayed using Vallejo US Olive Drab. The elevator and rudder surfaces were canvas covered so these were sprayed with 'a lighter olive drab' and feathered in to replicate fading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Thanks Ratch I might be able to post a little more progress tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth ONeill Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 I looked again, and love the "messages from erks" on the bombs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 Yeah thanks Paws. I just wanted to break up the expanse of bronze green on the bombs, and not having any correct stencils in white, I raided my un-used decals and selected some random 'messeages'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 The fuselage was closed up with minimal filler. The fit of all the parts is generally very very good./media/tinymce_upload/c576b54a183495d24ee8911c268820b4.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/6dd094682b8563e501e64c00d29fcb1b.jpgThe downside being that alot of the detail in the bomb-bay is now consealed. Then the wings and engine nacelles were assembled./media/tinymce_upload/c3f560490b7329e27cc76774d6357e16.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/15c3e41da9b4dba7eda11bfa71bce353.jpgNext up will be the engines and cowlings .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted July 3, 2019 Author Share Posted July 3, 2019 Sorry for the delay in updates but work and life got in the way of modelling, however back on track now ........ for a little while! The second row of engine cylinders are shown in half relief on a partition bulkhead with detail on the front and rear however once the engine cowlings are fitted the detail on the rear is completely hidden. I cemented these to the front of the main nacelle bulkhead so the cowlings can be slipped over for the purpose of masking and painting./media/tinymce_upload/bd0632aafe7b0549f1da176d9f1cf235.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/34a00deb5212a07d1138f7d0e5a1cba2.jpgEarlier in the build I completed the crew, which included a spare bombardier from the reserve crew pool ..../media/tinymce_upload/ed764bef08212534b067c156012f9749.JPG/media/tinymce_upload/f911f3d445d971142377daf7fee3343e.jpgThe 2 pilots were fitted next, and the front row of cylinders/gearbox were completed although these will not be fitted at this stage./media/tinymce_upload/9cf43c0b71598072dc7db1e98624c69f.jpgNext up is the masking. The front 2 canopy sections over the nose cone have only been secured with a spot of PVA as these will be removed once painting etc is completed for some final detail touches./media/tinymce_upload/c7a9f153aa597f1da112805e736015a7.jpgI used a mask set which on this occasion wasn't cheap but still worth it for the expanse of canopy glazing that needed to be masked!!/media/tinymce_upload/377cc2c8a8588b94ee270e126b1a56b0.jpgAnd I used the closed bomb bay doors from the un-used parts with some foam and tape to try and mask the open bomb bay which is the only drawback with this type of build sequence, but it is worth it for the extra bam bay detail and secure bomb bay doors. I did break off 1 of the fitted bombs during the masking but that should be easily repaired later. Once I have got some paint on I will return with an update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted July 4, 2019 Author Share Posted July 4, 2019 Last night's work consisted of simply spraying the canopies in US Interior Green before the primer so when finished the internal frames look correct./media/tinymce_upload/7c2ac67433a6f681d154a1d62ab1f20c.jpgThis highlighted a gap between the main canopy frame and the fuselage on both sides. Bad part fit or bad fitter? The jury is still out but a smear of filler should have cured the problem! I will find out tonight the primer is sprayed on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Primer applied ....../media/tinymce_upload/868a8f580a8ceca3cc3660ae4abf6551.jpgAnd I'm still practising this pre-shading lark!And the US Light Aircraft Grey was added to the under surfaces. /media/tinymce_upload/ff8e11abe3717cbcd49d0f15f9018036.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2B Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 Update from the paint booth ...../media/tinymce_upload/e0f955dda53902ab4ce0112fe3658b06.jpgThe US Olive Drab upper surfaces have been added followed by masking for the white band of the invasion stripes./media/tinymce_upload/8ca01d94475a7ba3b2c9ec23dd4964ed.jpgI deliberately left the white a little blotchy as if not fully covered?? Then once that had full dried it was on with the masking./media/tinymce_upload/4405d7661d838aa9179f2c6a1f5e0ba7.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/6adc121412e147d435f3834f6f1881e6.jpgAnd the black stripes were added. I hope it all looks ok, even good beneath all that tape? I know some modellers complaint about a large decal of invasion stripes, but masking them all is quite a tiresome task! And I wish you could get 8mm masking tape!? Then it was on with more, yes more masking! I should have bought some shares in Tamiya Tape./media/tinymce_upload/8964fd5e6bc744a7a472fcaa1f848d24.jpgWhen it is all dried, all will be revealed? Hope it's not a mess 🤔? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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