H.S. Buccaneer S2B, 12 Sqn., RAF, Lossiemouth, Scotland, 1985, Group Build.

[Airframes]

Ah! Revitalised with some real ale, I managed to win a mini victory over this bl**dy kit !
The port side wing trailing edge and jet-pipe housing have been joined, and partly sanded - only took about 80 minutes! Just got to do the same with the starboard side now, and then finish the clean-up and continue with filling and sanding, and more filling and sanding!
PIC 1. The joint on the port rear area, still needing more sanding and polishing here.
PIC 2. The same area on the starboard side, showing the huge gap, and, only just visible at this angle, the mis-alignment of the jet-pipe housing in the fuselage.
PIC 3. This picture illustrates the mis-alignment, front to rear, present throughout the length of the fuselage and stub wings. This should prove..er..interesting when it comes to add the outboard wing panels. These will be in the folded position, which might help, given that the wing-fold mechanism will fit !
Thanks again for your interest, and more pics soon.

 

[B-17engineer]

What gap Terry, I dont see a.....OH MY GOD

Good luck and great work!

 

[Wayne Little]

Is that the Grand Canyon I see....?

 

[Airframes]

They are the small gaps ! Thanks guys !

 

[Wayne Little]

Keep at it mate, I feel your pain!

 

[vikingBerserker]

to you my friend.

You have MUCH MORE patience then I'll ever have. By now lighter fluid and matches would have been used.

 

[B-17engineer]

M-80's are my personal favorite!

 

[Airframes]

There's time yet! A quick burst from a 'Jimpy' (GPMG) could possibly be in order, and very satisfying too !

 

[T Bolt]

You're going to need another set of needle files when your done with this one Terry!

 

[Lucky13]

Funny...read nail files.....not needle files, watch your manicure old boy! Great work sport, have all the faith in you to finish this one!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Oh my T, that is one big gaping warp you have there, you sure you got all the right bits for this kit.

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

With all the filler and sanding you'll need it may just become more of a sculpture.

 

[Airframes]

You're not wrong there mate! And yes, I think my set of files are becoming worn out!
The joint has been made - I think ! Had two attempts so far, and it's currentlt taped, clamped, and with a heavy weight on it. Just waiting for it to go 'Ping !' once the clamps are removed !
I'll have another update after this bottle of...er later!

 

[kgambit]

Jeez Terry, the Marianas Trench is smaller than some of those gaps! The kit manufacturer should be flogged!

 

[Airframes]

I could think of better things to do to the mould desingner ! The joint seems to have held - now all I have to do is line up the opening for the jet-pipe, and get that to stick! I'll be back in...er....whenever!

 

[Airframes]

In almost fifty years of building models, in all the popular scales, I've handled a wide variety of kits from most of the known manufacturers. Some have been excellent in every way, others mediocre, and some down right crude. But, in most cases, I've been able to produce a model that has been acceptable enough for display, exhibition or competition - until now!
I have to say that this is probably the worst kit I have ever handled, in terms of fit, alignment, and, most of all, getting the bl**dy parts to stick together!
What you are about to view is the culmination of a little over four hours work, fitting sub-assembly parts, already assembled, which should have taken no more than 45 to 60 minutes, absolute maximum !
PICS 1 and 2. The starboard air intake, showing the gaps and mis-alignment, some of it due to the poor fit of the fuselage halves.
PIC 3. A similar story on the port side.
PIC 4 . A view showing the underside of both intakes. The port one (left in picture) was worse, as the rectangular panel in the centre had to be removed in order to get the intake assembly to fit, and then glued in place as best as possible.
Both of these areas will be sanded, and then built up and contoured using Milliput, and the detail re-engraved, once I am convinced the parts have stuck !
PICS 5 to 7. The same, but worse, with the jet exhausts ! Due to the top half of the fuselage being longer than the bottom (!), quite a lot of cutting and filing was needed for the parts to even locate, never mind fit - ish ! The exhausts comprise a tube, fitted to the exhaust fairing, with minimal contact area to which to glue. Again, a lot of filing, followed by Milliput, contouring, and more filing and sanding is needed here.
On a more positive note, both the outer, folding wing panels have been assembled without too much drama, although I have yet to test them to see if they have stuck ! I also discovered that any type of masking tape refuses to adhere to the material this kit is made from!
More when my nerves have recovered !!!!

 

[B-17engineer]

Good luck mate looks good!

 

[Airframes]

Looks good?!!! It's worse than a Hippocroccofrog's armpit, and that's saying something !!

 

[B-17engineer]

What you fixed

 

[T Bolt]

You're going to need a belt sander Terry! At least it looks like you're getting the parts to stick together.