Ratch Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Some of you may know that quite recently I built the old 1/72 Matchbox Walrus. It will be interesting to see how the hobby has advanced over the 44 years between the issue of these kits. Of course, with the Airfix kit being 1/48 scale we can expect greater detail, but what about the basics? I will be building straight from the box, but using consumables I have to hand, and corrections to colours I deem necessary, rather than sticking with those specified. I intend to build option B, a Mk. I of 700 NAS, HMS Sheffield, 1941. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john redman Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I built a 1/72 Walrus years ago too but I can't remember whether it was the AFX one or the MBX. Either way, they're a bit pricey now so the sooner AFX issue the Walrus in 1/72 scale the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Before starting the build I airbrushed all the interior surfaces with Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green while still on the runners. Details were picked out with a brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 22 Author Share Posted April 22 The interior detail is exquisite in quarter scale and the hull is crammed with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 23 Author Share Posted April 23 I was a little apprehensive cutting the spar from the hatch in step 18, but as I’d allowed the glue to fully cure, the cut was simple and clean. Just a run over with a file removed the burrs showing. The transparencies were fixed with G-S Hypo Cement and masked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 26 Author Share Posted April 26 Just a few decals added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 I fitted the instrument panel and winch under the nose panel and then fixed that in position. A smear of filler was used on the joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 I assembled the engine, but did not fix it to the fuselage, I will paint and decal before that. I then fitted the tail, rudder, and ailerons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 This kit offers the possibilities of folded or extended wings. My choice is for the folded configuration. Some scalpel work is required before the centre part of the upper wing can be assembled. Here it is dry fitted. Several steps are now omitted, and work resumes with the Pegasus II M2 radial engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 The interior canopy frame was picked out with a brush. To have folded wings a slot must be made in each of the upper wing parts. The instructions recommend doing this with a file, but I’m happy to use a scalpel. The upper and lower wings were assembled, and the floats. Next will be airbrushing the under surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 The sub-assemblies have been primed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 10 Author Share Posted May 10 I airbrushed Vallejo Model Air 71050 Light Grey over the under surfaces as FAA Sky Grey. Masking was done and I airbrushed Vallejo Model Air 71053 Dark Seagreen as the Extra Dark Sea Grey Temperate Sea Scheme. I then brushed Vallejo Model Color 70867 164 Dark Bluegrey as Dark Sea Grey Over side, lower wings, "shadow shading". The disruptive green were also hand brushed using Vallejo Model Color 70833 80 German Camouflage Bright Green as the Light Slate Grey lower wings, disruptive "shadow shading", and Vallejo Model Color 70895 88 Gunship Green for the Dark Slate Grey disruptive Temperate Sea Scheme. These may sound like the wrong colours, but the chart I use had these as the FAA matches (or nearest to). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 Looking good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 12 Author Share Posted May 12 Thanks James. The shadow disruptive green needed another coat of paint. I then removed the masking to reveal some bleed, which required touch-ups to the paintwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 18 Author Share Posted May 18 I had painted the top wings the wrong way up/down and have corrected this. The decals are now going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 Looking good, can't wait to see it complete. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 19 Author Share Posted May 19 I had already painted the propeller tips with Humbrol Acrylic 24 Matt Trainer Yellow and the blades with Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black. This was then fitted to the Pegasus engine. I sprayed a coat of Klear and then applied the decals using Microset. Then the engine was mounted on the fuselage. When it came to fitting the top wing, I had a disaster. Somehow, I managed to drop the fuselage, snapping the port undercarriage strut and the rudder. I hope I’ve fixed the undercarriage; time will tell. I shall leave the rudder until the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 So it is practically done, all that needs doing by the looks of it is a few decals and the window masking removing and the it is a brilliant model of an unsung, unheard-of aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 19 Author Share Posted May 19 One big job - the rigging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Is it still a monoplane at this stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 20 Author Share Posted May 20 Yes, the lower wings have to go on too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 So a bit more than I first noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul71 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 looking good ratch, we have all dropped one at some point at least a piece that came off didn't go to the carpet monster looking forward to seeing the rigging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted May 21 Author Share Posted May 21 The first lower wing is going on. I won't be rushing this. It will sit on one side and make sure that the glue is fully set before I attempt to fit the other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 I’m enjoying this build, thank you for sharing it. I am familiar with the ‘shadow shading’ concept. In this case, I am interested in the green used on the lower wings - is it specified in the instructions? If not, which colour did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.be5580842a11593b051319c249d760ad.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now