LetLetLet ~ Warplanes
Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on September 24, 2013, 11:53:05 PM
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Time to start a new topic on one of the last biplane fighters, the Gladiator. I've had a very old Inpact kit on the shelf for some time and will also build the more "modern" Roden kit in parallel. My intention is to build both kits at the same time.
First a couple of photos of what I've got to start with:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator001_zps82a0ddfb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator001_zps82a0ddfb.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator002_zps21b54d01.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator002_zps21b54d01.jpg.html)
The instruction sheets give an idea of each kit's complexity--the Inpact is one sheet printed on both sides, the Roden takes 13 pages!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator003_zps9f51d221.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator003_zps9f51d221.jpg.html)
The parts sprues (many parts are already removed but you see the idea) with Roden on left of photo and Inpact on right:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator004_zps02c286a8.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator004_zps02c286a8.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator005_zps37c7ca56.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator005_zps37c7ca56.jpg.html)
The fuselage halves:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator006_zpsf2ab0cd6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator006_zpsf2ab0cd6.jpg.html)
The builds are under way, more later! :-flo
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This is great idea, I have one in smaller scale and hesitate for a long time to start build
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As you might expect, the old kit has a very basic cockpit. Since the Roden cockpit is fairly detailed I decided to scratchbuild the same elements in the Inpact kit. Basic styrene and metal parts and a seat from the spares bin will make this more "busy". I must say that much less is visible with the entry door left closed!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator007_zpsef461534.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator007_zpsef461534.jpg.html)
Then both taped together for comparison:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GlosterGladiator008_zpsa6dcb673.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GlosterGladiator008_zpsa6dcb673.jpg.html)
One item I can't quite understand is the Roden cowling. It is molded in three pieces that don't exactly match as they should. Since this will create a lot of filling and sanding I've decided to make an RTV mold of the Inpact one-piece cowl. Not only is it easier to construct, the small cylinder-head fairings are more correct than the Roden ones. While the RTV is being mixed I've decided to make a mold of the excellent skis in the newer kit for future projects!
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Bottom look like have a bit longer fuselage
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The fuselages actually measure quite the same from the cowling back. The way that the fuselage tapers at the front (where it goes under the cowl) is very different and this probably makes them look different lengths.
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Thank you for explanation :)
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I placed the two halves together after you mentioned this, and they are nearly identical except for the turtledeck opening on the fuselage. On the Inpact the small rear windows are a little shorter than the Roden. When laid on my drawing the Roden looks to be the correct one This is very easy to fix on Inpact by trimming the turtledeck back a little. I'm going to use vacuformed canopy parts on the Inpact kit at any rate so this will pose no problems!
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And you will do that too !!! :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump
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Here is the start of some interior scratchbuilding on the Inpact kit. After I finished making the parts to go in this one it was time to seal the fuselages on both machines:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GladiatorA001_zpse56365a7.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GladiatorA001_zpse56365a7.jpg.html)
Then I brewed a pot of coffee and decided to continue on with lower wings and tail surfaces, then the main landing gear legs. Both of these kits have a slightly annoying joint where the landing gear slips into the fuselage. The Roden kit required some careful filing of plastic to get a nice looking installation and the Inpact needed a bit of filler for proper fit. After all these parts were cured I slid the new resin skis on one and Roden's excellent tires on the other for perspective:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GladiatorA006_zpsa9a1db3a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GladiatorA006_zpsa9a1db3a.jpg.html)
Next step was underside camouflage:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GladiatorA007_zps205f1be6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GladiatorA007_zps205f1be6.jpg.html)
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I have built this kit many years ago as a Lindbergh kit.
Must have been some 40 years ago when I did not even bother to wire wings and tail.
I am almost sure it is the same as your Impact kit!
As you see; never throw things away!
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Good old kit ;)
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Great results on that one, Nico, and nice to see this here! We can call this a "Gladiator Group Build" now, even though yours was built a few years ago. ;)
This is the same exact kit as my Inpact, even down to the decals. The series of biplanes was marketed by Inpact, Life-Like, Pyro and Lindberg if memory serves. Lindberg still has the molds and this Gladiator is currently in their product line, I think. It is such fun to build that I may find the rest of the series and build them as well. I did build the Hawker Fury thirty years ago and still have parts of it in my spares bin.
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Except for the Gladiator and the Hawker Fury Lindberg also had similar kits of the Fairey Flycatcher and the Bristol Bulldog. I also have built kits of these three from the same period.
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Nico , :-obey :-obey :-obey :-obey :-obey :-obey
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The top camouflage coloring has started on each. Not much progress on these, I'm afraid--other chores :-wall :-wall again!(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/SACOct13008_zps6d7b5299.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/SACOct13008_zps6d7b5299.jpg.html)
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This is good progress, take your time mate :))
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I have no time right now! :-eek :) That is my problem...... but they will get finished sometime. ;)
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Take what is most important for you mate :)
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Well, it isn't something I want to do, but I must do some maintenance on our vehicles.... I reckon that is the price you pay for driving cars with many, many miles on them!
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I did find a small amount of time last night to mask the Inpact airplane for the other top colors. The RAF "four color" camouflage makes for some extra work on this biplane..... After paint dried I couldn't resist temporarily placing the main elements together to see how it will look:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GadiatorInpact002_zps3875780a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GadiatorInpact002_zps3875780a.jpg.html)
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Very specific camouflage, this one will be nice when completed :-ok
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I questioned my choice when doing this camouflage scheme. I didn't realize the RAF had this multi-colored scheme on their Gladiators until now! Lots left to do still, but the main colors are in place.
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Beautiful work , keep going and relax :-salut :-salut :-ok :-ok :-wave :-wave :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-clap :-clap
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Here's a little bit of progress on the second Gladiator. This shows a test-fitting and alignment check of the wing struts. So far, so good.......when I have time I'll add the strut "X" bracing wires, then glue the upper wing in place.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/GladiatorStripes001_zpsb07ef9f7.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/GladiatorStripes001_zpsb07ef9f7.jpg.html)
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Great colors!!!
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Your devotion in detail is remarkable.Well done pal.Look forward watching it finished.
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This update should have been done last week but time didn't allow for photo-taking.
Here is the first Gladiator of this first pair. This is the Inpact "vintage" kit with the propeller and skis from the Roden kit. It represents one of the Gladiator II machines sold to Finland. The decals are from the Roden kit for the most part:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished001_zpsf3e7604b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished001_zpsf3e7604b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished003_zpsb339db2c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished003_zpsb339db2c.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished010_zpsf7cf11e3.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished010_zpsf7cf11e3.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished013_zpsf696a4dd.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished013_zpsf696a4dd.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished007_zps0aca1b6d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished007_zps0aca1b6d.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/InpactFinished011_zps0c4f4eeb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/InpactFinished011_zps0c4f4eeb.jpg.html)
There's still work to do on the other model.........mostly rigging and final assembly. Perhaps this weekend I can get in the correct mindset to finish it.
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:-ok
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COOL
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:-ok
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Thanks friends, and sorry about the long time between posts here. I'm finally able to share some photos of the second Gladiator, this one the newer kit from Roden. It depicts one of the Swedish machines that fought alongside the Finns and is one of my favorite schemes for the Gladiator.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished003_zpsed821432.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished003_zpsed821432.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished005_zps20f5e49b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished005_zps20f5e49b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished011_zpse83b537b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished011_zpse83b537b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished007_zpsf39547e3.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished007_zpsf39547e3.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished014_zps15f9330b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished014_zps15f9330b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/TomahawksFinished016_zpsbe4d7cbd.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/TomahawksFinished016_zpsbe4d7cbd.jpg.html)
This one needs a little weathering yet and is in line with the two Tomahawks..... :-/
I really liked building this kit quite a lot except for the cowling. I simply replaced it with one of the old Inpact cowls which looks more accurate to me and is easier to prepare. I also used the Inpact propeller and spinner so I could save the Roden one for the next project. Other than that, this is a really fine build and the rigging even went pretty well.
I have another of the vintage ones started, so more will come along here in the future!
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Excellent, this is one of my favorite Gladiator :)
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:-ok
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Here's some progress on the third Gladiator. I've been able to spend some time on this as we have a bit of snow and cold here and a quiet weekend.
This is another old-style kit, the same as the Inpact I've already built but now packaged by Pyro. The parts inside are identical:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/PyroGladiator001_zps5f5f2541.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/PyroGladiator001_zps5f5f2541.jpg.html)
I did the same interior additions as the first one so no photos are really necessary of that part. These are really relaxing to build, I must say! Again, I am not doing anything special to this, no contest quality here, just a nice time spent building in a warm model-room.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiator_zpsf9a2b883.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiator_zpsf9a2b883.jpg.html)
First test-fit of top wing, removed later for painting:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/LapdogDecember2013003_zps0371b7ac.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/LapdogDecember2013003_zps0371b7ac.jpg.html)
First camouflage spray. This one will use another set of decals from the Roden kit, this time a machine that was used by the RAF in Norway:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/LapdogDecember2013004_zps447ed89e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/LapdogDecember2013004_zps447ed89e.jpg.html)
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Gladiator mania :))
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:-ok
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More painting has occurred:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiatorRAF001_zpseb17ad73.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiatorRAF001_zpseb17ad73.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiatorRAF002_zps4d7db3a3.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiatorRAF002_zps4d7db3a3.jpg.html)
This one has been something of a challenge in the painting department. The plastic is very smooth as it comes from the box and I scuffed it lightly with very fine sandpaper. When I masked some of the different areas and pulled the tape off I took LOTS of paint along. I should have done the scuffing a bit harder with coarser-grit paper. So, if you wish to build one of these vintage kits, take extra care when preparing for paint!
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Fast work mate!!!
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Very nice!
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Thanks, friends!
These Gladiators are almost as fun as the Bf 109 to build, and there are certainly some interesting markings choices! In time I would like to add a Latvian one, maybe also a Luftwaffe glider tug.....
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Here are some pictures of this third Gladiator. I've used the wheels and propeller from the Roden kit as well as the decals. Other than that it is Pyro parts and was relaxing to construct.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete001_zpsedb8c665.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete001_zpsedb8c665.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete009_zps80d3c0aa.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete009_zps80d3c0aa.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete012_zps725aa643.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete012_zps725aa643.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete007_zps79b10bd6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete007_zps79b10bd6.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete010_zps82d66e07.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete010_zps82d66e07.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ThirdGladiaorComplete006_zpse59d429e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ThirdGladiaorComplete006_zpse59d429e.jpg.html)
This machine is one of the initial eighteen 263 Squadron Gladiator IIs that were ferried to Norway by HMS Glorious. Interestingly, the airplanes were painted in FAA colors during the voyage as this was felt to be a better camouflage scheme for the battles to come. Most of these airplanes were lost almost immediately upon deployment.
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Great work again mate :) And it is sunny in your area, no snow?
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Yes, the snow vanished quickly. For the next three days the temperature is supposed to be around 17C, but on Friday it will be cold again with a chance of freezing rain.......the weather can change quickly here!
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:-ok
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nice and clean...well done!
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:-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-jump :-obey :-obey :-obey :-obey :-obey :-ok :-ok :-ok :-clap :-clap :-clap