LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on October 13, 2015, 11:23:03 PM

Title: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 13, 2015, 11:23:03 PM
Here is another of the long series of releases from our friends at Eduard of the P-39/-400, the dual set #1161.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2493_zpsx2saubkp.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2493_zpsx2saubkp.jpg.html)

Inside are two complete kits, Brassin resin wheels of numerous designs, four photoetch frets, two sets of masks and a wonderful decal sheet with eight SWPA P-400s and P-39s. Also the excellent instruction sheet as contained in the Eduard kits:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2508_zps8xfr6c1i.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2508_zps8xfr6c1i.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2509_zpsa5evcmpr.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2509_zpsa5evcmpr.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2510_zpslefmfj3e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2510_zpslefmfj3e.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2512_zpslwvbyezz.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2512_zpslwvbyezz.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on October 13, 2015, 11:30:49 PM
This look great!!!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 14, 2015, 01:25:35 AM
Indeed, it's a lovely package! I've had an earlier packaging of this product (the four-blade propeller was used on my P-63 project) but did not start to build one until now. Today I fitted the wing and fuselage parts together for a quick fitting test, and it looks like this will be a good one. The fuselage on this example is ever-so-slightly warped (most likely from shipping) but this is easily corrected during assembly. I also shot yellow chromate on the appropriate areas as a first step on this build:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2513_zpssni5gbbb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2513_zpssni5gbbb.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2514_zpsylbzqhgf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2514_zpsylbzqhgf.jpg.html)

As much as I've enjoyed building the ancient Monogram Airacobra, this one is so much more advanced in matters of detail.....
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on October 14, 2015, 05:07:23 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Jicehem on October 15, 2015, 11:49:40 AM
Hello :-salut

I'm impatient to see the end of building (both ?). I like the "Airacobra". I've one specimen of the old Monogram issue in my stock.

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: modellius on October 20, 2015, 03:08:29 PM
nice start
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 22, 2015, 11:09:17 AM
I've decided that I would review this twin set in a different way, one kit with the excellent Brassin and PE parts, the other with only the plastic kit pieces. This gives the viewer a good contrast between a ProfiPack kit and a Weekend Edition version. With that idea in mind, the second kit was started and the build goes easy. A couple of photos:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2530_zpswazct7et.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2530_zpswazct7et.jpg.html)

Here you can see the contrast between the great PE parts and the kit parts:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2525_zpspoqhjslx.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2525_zpspoqhjslx.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2531_zpszuzyxp9a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2531_zpszuzyxp9a.jpg.html)

Cockpit "B" has been enhanced just a little with some wire for details and masking tape seatbelts since the cockpit is so visible on the Airacobra. "A" has all the Eduard enhancements installed.
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on October 22, 2015, 11:21:42 AM
Good idea and pity that instrument panel was not provided as decal, this can be good solution too ;)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 22, 2015, 11:54:45 AM
Yes, that would be a good solution. I've included this plastic one as a contrast and still have more PE panels for later! In fact, I have another complete kit that will receive all of the second set of enhancements. :-jump
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on October 22, 2015, 05:07:51 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: modellius on October 23, 2015, 09:34:37 AM
Very good idea to compare the two kit options. Nice job so far
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 25, 2015, 02:56:27 AM
Time to finally make some small progress on these.......today I joined the fuselage halves and now starting to apply filler to the seams.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2532_zpsgthlaeyv.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2532_zpsgthlaeyv.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Jicehem on October 25, 2015, 08:10:01 AM
Hello,

Work goes well on. That seems to be wonderful.

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on October 25, 2015, 12:21:02 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on October 25, 2015, 03:06:36 PM
Thanks, friends!

This one takes a bit more filler than the newer kits from Eduard as you can see. One of my fuselage halves (in one parts tree only) was warped just a bit as I mentioned before so it took a little more care to glue this one together and keep it straight. I also managed to misalign the upper wing panels when gluing them to the lower half on one kit so the wing-to-fuselage joint is somewhat larger than it should be. Nothing some styrene strip and putty can't fix, though!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 02, 2015, 12:35:35 AM
The last couple of days have seen small movement on these.......the wings and horizontal stabilizers finally fitted and filler applied:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2535_zpsq5srwm5w.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2535_zpsq5srwm5w.jpg.html)

 Also, this was the time to decide how much weight had to go into the nose to keep the airplanes on three wheels. Thankfully Eduard molded the fuselage with the forward gun fairing separately--mostly to allow different cowls depending on the version built. This makes a great opening for me to add my favorite ballast, lead shot that I've had for so many years:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2536_zpsvbwcszxj.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2536_zpsvbwcszxj.jpg.html)
I should mention, and I forgot this earlier, that I added a small sheet of styrene sheet to each nose compartment above the propeller driveshaft so that the weight won't fall out the bottom.

After determining the amount of ballast the appropriate nose pieces were glued on and work continued on filler for wings and fuselage seams:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2537_zpszjh6znqp.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2537_zpszjh6znqp.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Jicehem on November 02, 2015, 09:56:41 AM
Hello,

Good work. To ballast the nose of P-39 is often a problem. Thanks to the choice of gun cowlings, Eduard facilitates the work.

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on November 02, 2015, 10:48:52 AM
Excellent!!! :-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 02, 2015, 11:46:53 AM
Yes, I really like that Eduard has this "hatch" for ballast! I have an earlier issue kit that included a lead weight precast for the shape of the kit nose. This is really a nicer solution but not included in the Guadalcanal set. No problem though to use my "ammunition".
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: modellius on November 03, 2015, 07:50:13 PM
nice use of " ammunition ", great work so far
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 15, 2015, 11:34:15 PM
So long since I last worked on these....... Finally these two have received a first coat of grey primer for inspection and corrections. After the surface is satisfactory the canopies will be masked and installed prior to the next painting steps.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2565_zpsphqaspdj.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2565_zpsphqaspdj.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Jicehem on November 15, 2015, 11:49:48 PM
Hello,

Good work. I think the result will be amazing.

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on November 17, 2015, 05:22:21 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Akinator98 on November 21, 2015, 12:13:40 AM
Nice work mate!  :-ok :-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 24, 2015, 01:22:49 AM
Thank you for the encouragement, my friends.

Last night was devoted mostly to fitting the transparent canopy sections. In this area I must say the ancient Monogram kit has a nicer method to installing the clear parts in that the rollover structure (behind the pilot that goes over the top) is part of the fuselage halves. I spent more time fitting and testing the Eduard canopies in order to get a good fit and even then required some filler on both kits. It isn't a huge problem, but the old Monogram goes together easier in this area. After fitting the transparencies a coat of interior green was sprayed for the inside framing and also on the variety of landing gear components and doors:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2572_zpse3upt6jg.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2572_zpse3upt6jg.jpg.html)

Next up was to prepare some wheels, and here the Eduard product really shines! Some plastic wheels for the out-of-box machine and the Brassin parts for the fully detailed one:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2573_zpsmpbjypdi.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2573_zpsmpbjypdi.jpg.html)
Here is one wheel fully assembled, note the excellent detail showing through the openings in the outer face:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2574_zps9f0lrtau.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2574_zps9f0lrtau.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on November 24, 2015, 04:49:17 AM
I guess that molds deteriorate during the time and this cause problem in fit. But Brassin always work ;)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on November 24, 2015, 07:45:26 PM
Great work anyway!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 25, 2015, 01:43:14 AM
I guess that molds deteriorate during the time and this cause problem in fit. But Brassin always work ;)

Well, I learned from building these that I must be extremely careful with the fuselage and cockpit assembly. The first one was wider across the area just behind the door openings than the second one, and that made a difference in how the rollover structure on the clear part fits. By doing a little filing on the cockpit bulkhead just behind the seat the fit should be near-perfect, and I'll do that on the next one I build.
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: modellius on November 28, 2015, 12:50:29 PM
getting better and better every time
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on November 29, 2015, 11:02:34 PM
Thank you!

S l o w l y moving ahead....... :-wise Finally some painting of major components on both builds:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2575_zpsvkfdz5rh.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2575_zpsvkfdz5rh.jpg.html)

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2576_zpsrbbdmtac.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2576_zpsrbbdmtac.jpg.html)

Honestly, it's taken me some time to select the two paint schemes--Eduard sends decals for eight very interesting machines and I've had a hard time picking the first two for this review.
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on November 30, 2015, 04:30:03 AM
One with black ad other with metal propellers, very start look good!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Jicehem on November 30, 2015, 07:52:20 AM
Honestly, it's taken me some time to select the two paint schemes--Eduard sends decals for eight very interesting machines and I've had a hard time picking the first two for this review.

Hello, :-salut

Is there a French one among these machines ?

Jicehem :-wave
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on November 30, 2015, 07:57:02 PM
Excellent!!!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 06, 2015, 02:32:06 PM
Jicehem, I'm using only decal selections from the Guadalcanal set for these two in order to review them, so no French machine this time. However, I have an earlier issue of the Eduard P-39 and it almost certainly will have French markings along with the second set of PE parts from this review article!

Finally the upper surfaces have gotten a coat of paint. The one with the white band is now ready for clear coat but the other will be masked and second color sprayed......hopefully today. :-think
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2577_zpsjz6265uo.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2577_zpsjz6265uo.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on December 06, 2015, 02:50:51 PM
Good!!!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on December 07, 2015, 05:42:08 PM
Yes, very nice!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 12, 2015, 08:41:12 PM
The final camouflage color is sprayed and clear gloss applied now. Time for starting decals maybe tonight.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2583_zpsxqtvtamr.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2583_zpsxqtvtamr.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on December 12, 2015, 08:48:43 PM
They look great side by side ;)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 13, 2015, 05:23:23 AM
Thanks, mate!

The decal application is started, first the many, many servicing stencils. As always, the Eduard sheet is comprehensive and it takes some time to put on all the stencils. Next will come the national insignia and other artwork.
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on December 13, 2015, 05:17:08 PM
Great work and good inspiration for me for my Eduard kit!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 19, 2015, 04:52:48 PM
Still moving ahead a little bit here, so busy with other things......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2587_zps8scxa0o8.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2587_zps8scxa0o8.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2586_zpsqjm6ls5o.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2586_zpsqjm6ls5o.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on December 19, 2015, 04:59:19 PM
But again, you are faster then many of us ;)
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: modellius on December 20, 2015, 01:22:44 AM
excellent !
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on December 20, 2015, 11:02:00 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 20, 2015, 02:27:54 PM
Thanks, friends!

The decals are completed now and weathering is underway. Perhaps they'll be finished yet today......
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: Second Air Force on December 22, 2015, 11:53:49 PM
Well, this took longer than expected, but here are the two finished machines of this Eduard review. I must say that I enjoyed building both the "plain" kit and the enhanced version with the excellent PE and resin parts and I highly recommend both!

First machine is the P-400 that was touted as the last surviving P-400 from the Guadalcanal battle zone, shipped back to the U.S. for a Bond Drive at the end of its use. I've built it as it was during the time it flew combat. This one has no PE parts and is from the box except for some masking tape seatbelts. The only modification to the markings was to spray out the red centers on the national insignia as was done in the combat zone.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2597_zpsryk5nbwr.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2597_zpsryk5nbwr.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2603_zpsjljguwff.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2603_zpsjljguwff.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2610_zpsgw3veiwe.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2610_zpsgw3veiwe.jpg.html)

The second machine is a later P-39D and is again marked with the decals provided in the kit. This one has all the PE bits and Brassin wheelset:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2598_zpstq2kftql.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2598_zpstq2kftql.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2608_zps78m9j6hh.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2608_zps78m9j6hh.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2604_zps80a0ot2x.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2604_zps80a0ot2x.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2615_zpsrvdv26hj.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2615_zpsrvdv26hj.jpg.html)

And a nose-to-nose shot of the two airplanes together:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2617_zpswwvflgzx.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2617_zpswwvflgzx.jpg.html)

So, in review, this is an excellent offering from Eduard that I gladly endorse for anyone who wants to build an Airacobra. The PE, Brassin and masks are of top quality and add much to the basic kit and the plastic parts are also of top quality. I've built a number of the old Monogram P-39s and these Eduard kits offer so much more detail and are equally fun to build.

Many thanks to our friends at Eduard for providing this review kit!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: No.1 on December 23, 2015, 12:18:12 AM
 :-clap :-clap :-clap Excellent work!!
Title: Re: Guadalcanal P-39 Eduard 1/48
Post by: draken35 on December 23, 2015, 10:20:38 AM
Wonderful! :-ok