- Thread starter
- #21
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Looks like I'm winning.
The removed nose section has had the required area cut off, and joined to the new, replacement nose, and the starboard nose section has been successfully removed, along the correct cut line this time !
Although there's still work to do, it looks like the messed-up nose half will be able to be grafted onto the fuselage, with the gap only around 1.5 to 2 mm (it varies slightly, top to bottom), and then filled with plastic card and probably some 'Milliput' to blend-in the joint.
The starboard side just needs the radius of the lower curve, on the fuselage section, to be reduced to match that of the replacement nose section and, once all the parts are fitted to the fuselage, some filling, sanding, clean-up and re-scribing will be needed, which should be straightforward.
The pics and captions explain the work to date.
Pics 1 and 2. The section removed from the discarded kit nose has this large locating socket on the inner surface, part of the attachment points for the kit cockpit parts, which won't be used. As this will interfere with the backing strips used to reinforce the joints, it had to be removed, using a long-blade razor saw. The area was then sanded smooth..
Pic 3. The part was then matched to the new nose, sanded to adjust as close as possible, and attached using poly cement initially, the 'new' nose being injected plastic. Once set, this will be reinforced with CA, and the joint cleaned up, filled as required, sanded and re-scribed if needed. Fortunately, this joint line is where the cowling panel joints are, so it should work out OK.
Pics 4 and 5. Removing the starboard side nose section from the fuselage. This time, the cut line was lightly scribed, and then a panel line engraving tool was used to progressively engrave deeper until the part was separated. This prevented possible damage to the fuselage, had a razor saw been used, and also allowed more control for an accurate cut around the curve of the wing root fillet, with the work being completed very easily, and relatively quickly.i
Pics 6 and 7. The first trial fit shows that the parts will match and fit as required, although the radius of the lower curve on the fuselage (arrowed) needs to be reduced to match that of the new part.
I might get this done later, although, as the new airbrush has arrived, I want to get the Dark Earth finished on the current GB Spitfire first. Just been waiting for better light, as, incredibly, it;s sunny today, but the sun's angle would mean I'd be in my own shadow. Another half hour or so, and the sun will have moved round, allowing good light, without glare or shadow.
Back, eventually, with another up-date.
The removed nose section has had the required area cut off, and joined to the new, replacement nose, and the starboard nose section has been successfully removed, along the correct cut line this time !
Although there's still work to do, it looks like the messed-up nose half will be able to be grafted onto the fuselage, with the gap only around 1.5 to 2 mm (it varies slightly, top to bottom), and then filled with plastic card and probably some 'Milliput' to blend-in the joint.
The starboard side just needs the radius of the lower curve, on the fuselage section, to be reduced to match that of the replacement nose section and, once all the parts are fitted to the fuselage, some filling, sanding, clean-up and re-scribing will be needed, which should be straightforward.
The pics and captions explain the work to date.
Pics 1 and 2. The section removed from the discarded kit nose has this large locating socket on the inner surface, part of the attachment points for the kit cockpit parts, which won't be used. As this will interfere with the backing strips used to reinforce the joints, it had to be removed, using a long-blade razor saw. The area was then sanded smooth..
Pic 3. The part was then matched to the new nose, sanded to adjust as close as possible, and attached using poly cement initially, the 'new' nose being injected plastic. Once set, this will be reinforced with CA, and the joint cleaned up, filled as required, sanded and re-scribed if needed. Fortunately, this joint line is where the cowling panel joints are, so it should work out OK.
Pics 4 and 5. Removing the starboard side nose section from the fuselage. This time, the cut line was lightly scribed, and then a panel line engraving tool was used to progressively engrave deeper until the part was separated. This prevented possible damage to the fuselage, had a razor saw been used, and also allowed more control for an accurate cut around the curve of the wing root fillet, with the work being completed very easily, and relatively quickly.i
Pics 6 and 7. The first trial fit shows that the parts will match and fit as required, although the radius of the lower curve on the fuselage (arrowed) needs to be reduced to match that of the new part.
I might get this done later, although, as the new airbrush has arrived, I want to get the Dark Earth finished on the current GB Spitfire first. Just been waiting for better light, as, incredibly, it;s sunny today, but the sun's angle would mean I'd be in my own shadow. Another half hour or so, and the sun will have moved round, allowing good light, without glare or shadow.
Back, eventually, with another up-date.
