**** DONE: GB-48 1/72 S.M.79 - Carrier & Maritime Patrol A/C of WWII

[fastmongrel]

Looking good. I was not aware of the clamshell rear gunner area.

Me neither. There is also a sliding screen that comes down to close off the gap to the clamshell doors, I have modelled it slightly open. I have no idea how the gunner operated the gun he must have had a platform to stand on but the windblast must have been horrendous for the gunner and the flight deck crew. Any paperwork not weighted down would go whoosh straight out of the gaping hole.

 

[fastmongrel]

The propellers need to be aluminium at the front but the backside is black. Had a hell of a job to try and get an even boundary between the two colours. I tried masking but gave up after wasting several feet of tape. Done it freehand it's not perfect but I might have a go another day.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fastmongrel]

I have been wondering about 3 holes in the wing leading edge. 2 to port and 1 starboard. Oil coolers but there's no outlet, carburettor intake but seems a long route to the carburettor, machine guns they would need synchronization. I am stumped.

 

[Crimea_River]

They are indeed oil coolers inlets. The outlets should be on the top of the wing not far behind as seen here:

Source: Airfix Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero by Bruno Perfetto

 

[fastmongrel]

There's 3 of what I thought were access panels in roughly the right positions for the oil coolers.

Now I have to make my mind up wether to open them up or just paint them black.

 

[Crimea_River]

I tried to find a picture but was not successful. If you drill them, the holes should be on an angle and thus elongated. This poor image of a cutaway might convey the idea.

 

[fastmongrel]

Problem is the wing is glued up and the plastic is very thin. I think I might have to drill oversized and fit a plastic tube angled.

 

[fastmongrel]

I think I will paint first and see what it looks like

 

[Gnomey]

Good work so far!

 

[Airframes]

You could try "shadow" painting, which would probably be acceptable in this scale.
Paint the forward part of the "opening" as a black circle, and then create the "trough" by painting in a darker tone of the camouflage colour(s), perhaps with an even darker tone in the center.
A bit hard to explain, but I can provide a sketch if you think it will help. I used to do this, many years ago, when creating "NACA" ducts on small-scale car and aircraft models, and it looked fine.

 

[fastmongrel]

You could try "shadow" painting, which would probably be acceptable in this scale.
Paint the forward part of the "opening" as a black circle, and then create the "trough" by painting in a darker tone of the camouflage colour(s), perhaps with an even darker tone in the center.
A bit hard to explain, but I can provide a sketch if you think it will help. I used to do this, many years ago, when creating "NACA" ducts on small-scale car and aircraft models, and it looked fine.

I will give that a try.

 

[Airframes]

OK.

 

[Wayne Little]

Good progress, keep up the good work....

 

[fastmongrel]

Starting to paint. First coat of Gull Grey.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work so far!

 

[fastmongrel]

The Vallejo sand colour 71.327 is really thin stuff I reckon it will take at least 3 and likely 4 coats

 

[Wurger]

 

[rochie]

Looks good