Happy New Year everyone!
2021 seems to be ending a lot like it started. Most notably, Covid is in the news again, with rapidly increasing infection counts. It resulted in cancellation of the World Juniors after Canada had played 2 games. And once again, it is unbelievably cold out. We aren't even walking the dogs, let alone trying to do anything outside.
Christmas was good to us but just one modelling related item - a wooden Avro Arrow kit from Dave - thanks Dave!
C-47 Dakota
Continued progress on the Dakota but not much physically to show for it.
The clear parts proved more challenging than expected. The side windows alone the fuselage fit really well, but the cockpit windows didn't. Airfix designed the cockpit windows as 3 parts - a V-shaped centre section, and individual parts for the two side windows. I couldn't get the V-shaped centre section to fit regardless of how much fiddling and sanding I tried. The best I could get was a small step along the top of the copilot's side that needed some filler.. The copilot's side window was too large, and required sanding along top, bottom and front section to get it to fit. I expected the same on the pilot's side window, but was surprised/horrified to watch the window fall thru the opening and disappear into the interior. The loose window seems to be wedged in there tightly as it stopped rattling almost immediately. A new window section was fabricated out of an old CD jewel case cover. Much sanding and polishing was needed to get the replacement to mate with the kit center section.
I had previously bought an Eduard precut masking set for the windows. A great idea and it saved much time.
Photo 1 - the replacement pilot side window installed, and a liberal application of Future applied. The step along the top of the copilot's window is clearly visible as a white line.
Photo 2 - Sanding complete and the masks installed.
Photo 3 - primer applied and looking good.
Photo 4 - First layer of neutral gray applied to the understand. The paint is intentionally mottled.
Some additional progress pictures.
CL-52
The CL-52 has progressed thru final assembly and into painting
The Iroquois engine pod to fuselage joint took a lot of fiddling and filler to get a good joint. A layer or primer was then applied to check for defects. The engines and wings have also been assembled and everything primed.
Photo 1 - The replacement drop tank nose in place and filler added.
Photo 2 - The engine pinned in place. The engine slants 3 degrees down along the centreline, and is rotated 10 degrees down below the horizontal.
Photo 3 - The engine pod finished and a coat of primer applied to check for defects
Photo 4 - Wings and engines installed, ready for primer
Photo 5 - Primer applied to the entire airframe.
Photo 6 - A white undercoat applied to the tail and around the rear fuselage as an undercoat for the fluorescent orange.
Photo 7 - The inner flaps have been painted white per photos. The white undercoat at the rear of the fuselage is also visible.
I haven't forgotten about these little guys. I had primed them previously, and was waiting until I sprayed white on something else. The detail appears after painting and is really amazing. They are about a centimetre long to give some sense of size. They are actually smaller than the rear B-47 wheel well doors, seen flanking them on either end.
Take care and stay warm.
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