**** DONE: GB-49 1/72 Gloster Meteor FIII - Favourite A/C of WWII

[fastmongrel]

User Name: ....... fastmongrel
Name: ................Stu
Category: .......... Intermediate
Kit: .....................Dragon
Scale: .................1/72
Accessories: ..... seatbelts from the spares box, Pavla vac form canopy.
Unit......................616 Squadron
Location.............. Belgium
Date.................... March 45

Had my eye on this kit for a while and this GB is the ideal time to have a go. The sprues look beautiful I have only had a quick look but I can't see any flash, sinkholes or even any raggedy edges. The clear sprue is surprisingly a bit crude in comparison and it might get replaced with a Pavla vac form. The wheels are also a bit below par so might be replaced but I will paint them first and make my mind up.

The box could do with a better artist

The instructions are a bit brief

Wheels look a bit crude

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Good choice, looking forward to the build.

 

[fubar57]

Cool. Never heard of this maker before. Don't glue the rudder

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice one Stu.

 

[T Bolt]

Good one

 

[fastmongrel]

The thing that's worrying me is the weight to stop it tail sitting. The instructions just say glue weight here >. No mention of what weight is needed my occasional builds of nose wheel kits have never had enough weight leading to frantically gluing lead in every nook and cranny.

 

[Airframes]

Bung some weight in the nose - I normally use fishing lead shot or air rifle pellets, embedded in "Plasticine" - then tape the fuselage halves together. Calculate where the CoG should be, by checking the location of the main wheels relative to the fuselage ( or if possible, tape the wing in place ).
Then, hold the model at the estimated CoG ( or wing tips, if wing in place ) on the tips of the index fingers of both hands.
If the nose drops down, there should be enough weight - if not, add more !
The formula for calculating the required amount of weight is :- Drop (of nose) = weight x P, where P = Plenty !!!

 

[rochie]

Nice one

 

[fastmongrel]

Making a start on the cockpit. I have dry fitted the parts to check and just given them a blast with flat black. I will dry brush some aluminium to give the surface features some depth.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

Cool

 

[fastmongrel]

Shiny lead balls Batman.

I am going to put lead wherever it fits I am determined there will be no tail sitting.

 

[Crimea_River]

Good start.

 

[rochie]

Yep great start

 

[fastmongrel]

Reckon I can pack some lead in around the cockpit tub.

 

[fastmongrel]

This gives you a good idea how big the Meaty whore was compared to a Vampire

 

[Wurger]

 

[Snautzer01]

I googled meaty whore... my eyes still hurt.

 

[Wayne Little]

Most interesting, great choice.