Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum

Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: Roger on February 25, 2017, 03:03:39 PM

Title: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on February 25, 2017, 03:03:39 PM
Here is the next project, a pair of Fouga CM175 Zephyrs. This is the navalised version of the Fouga CM170 Magister.  The kits are Special Hobby, and the scale 1/72nd.  I'll be using Modelart decals for both kits.

The other model was a gift from my brother in law who delivered a new oven today.  It's a charity shop find from Whitby - he thought it was a bit complicated for him when he opened the box.  Looks like fun, and appears to be complete, so it is on the to do list (although don't get too excited - it's a big list!

No photos of progress yet - I've assembled both cockpits and undercoated them in Matt Black so the pictures don't work.  Hopefully I'll get some more paint on tomorrow.

Cheers for now,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: MSea on February 26, 2017, 05:38:41 PM
Welcome to the "dark side" Roger - even if it is only on the list.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on February 27, 2017, 02:31:43 PM
Noooooooo!!! Dont do it Roger!!! Build a plane out of it!
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: MSea on February 28, 2017, 09:10:12 AM
Don't let C3PO-Kiteman sway you Roger -- come over to the dark side.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 01, 2017, 08:52:11 PM
Don't worry Kiteman, I'm not going anywhere!!
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on March 01, 2017, 10:31:48 PM
Ooh when I saw Fouga, I thought another aeroplane, possibly similar to the Magister, but it turns out to be just another boat.

Bridlufc
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 02, 2017, 06:59:46 PM
Never fear, we are talking Fouga - the naval version of the Fouga CM170 Magister.  Here are some photos of progress so far.
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Haddock on March 03, 2017, 08:36:05 AM
Nice. All your work has a certain "finesse" to it, a joy to behold.
Haddock.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on March 03, 2017, 01:33:22 PM
Very nice indeed. I too enjoy watching your builds.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 10, 2017, 08:09:43 AM
Thanks Chaps.  Here are the wings glued together, not much cleaning up will be required here.  I have pushed the wings in place on one kit and they seem to be a good fit.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on March 10, 2017, 06:25:15 PM
Looking good Roger,
I think we are all in for a treat with this build.
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 16, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Major assembly all done.  I took these pictures to show how good the wing joins were - this was without any cleaning up.  The first two shots are of the top and bottom of one model after gluing.  Just to show this level of fit was no accident the third picture is of the other model, and the wings are just pushed in place without glue.  You have to say that Special Hobby have really raised their game, and I think they are right up there with the best now, with the new technology they are using.

Of course,two steps forward, one backward.  During assembly I have managed to break off and lose both arrestor hooks - doh! Shouldn't be too hard to replace.

Happy modelling,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on March 17, 2017, 05:08:01 PM
Looking good.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Wizzel on March 18, 2017, 08:35:09 AM
Lovely detail for a 1/72.  I expected nothing less from you Roger  :)

I have a few of the older Special Hobby kits and they're impressive enough to look at though I haven't tried building them yet.  Are they something that may take a bit of thought and work?
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on March 18, 2017, 11:58:14 AM
Whats the plastic like to work with? It looks like the plastic from Amodel kits which is a bit soft

Bridlufc
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 19, 2017, 04:59:18 PM
Wizzel, I think the older ones are fine, you just need a bit more care cleaning up parts, and sometimes a bit of strengthening of joints, particularly wing to fuselage and tailbone to fuselage.  A short length of brass rod does the job.  They are really nice kits of cool subjects though so get them made.
Brid lufc - the plastic is about the same as the stuff new Airfix are using in my opinion.  The parts are best cut from the runners with a fine razor saw (and I mean a razor saw, not one of those chunky miniature tenon saws I used for years - see pic below of my small collection of saws, the razor saw I like best is the wooden handled one), but they clean up fine.  The detail looks a little soft in the close up photos, but don't forget these models are pretty small and the camera lens was very close.  Not tried an A Model, are they OK?
I have also included a photo of the clear parts.  I have painted the clear Zephyr parts with black acrylic on the edges to reduce internal reflections.  Hopefully you can see the difference between the treated Zephyr parts and the unpainted Magister parts on the same sprue.
Happy Modelling,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on March 20, 2017, 06:08:47 PM
Now that is an interesting tip, thanks.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on March 20, 2017, 08:03:58 PM
Hi Roger,
Love the build so far. The tip of painting the edges of the transparencies' is a good one. I too have found that it reduces the optical refraction in the plastic.
My biggest headache with it, is using the right glue to attach the now painted surfaces together.
I use Microset 'Kristal-Kleer' and it seems to do the job okay. However, if you've got a better solution, I'm all ears!!   
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Wizzel on March 21, 2017, 03:44:10 PM
Every day's a school day at www.bridscalemodelclub.org.uk.  Many thanks Roger.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 21, 2017, 04:14:20 PM
I used to use Krystal Klear (fairly thin PVA glue), until I got GS Hypo off the internet - £1 a tube from somewhere in Bradford if I remember correctly.  Seems to make a stronger join, and the hypo needle applicator is really good.
PVA asked products do have the advantage of being water soluble, so you can wipe any excess off with a damp cotton bud of course.
I thought it was you that recommended the GS Hypo to me BigKev, but I am getting old!
Anyone else got any tips here?
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on March 21, 2017, 05:36:28 PM
Tis true, Young Roger.........

I did recommend Hypo GS, but I did not and still do not use it on 'painted' surfaces.

We are all getting older, just some of us look older quicker.............

Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on March 22, 2017, 08:53:29 AM
Ah, got you.  GS Hypo seems to glue OK with Acrylic paints (though they would presumably give even more adhesion without the paint), but I haven't tried it with oil based paints (i.e. enamels).
Incidentally, i have found that Tamiya extra thin will glue acrylic painted parts, though not enamel painted parts.  Not much use for clear parts, as it would run and ruin them.
I do scrape paint off wherever possible of course, gluing canopies is one of the few exceptions. The Bronco canopies were all glued on with GS Hypo and stood a lot of handling throughout the painting and finishing process without any problem.
On the zephyrs I will glue the fixed glazing on with GS Hypo, and then tack the sliding sections in place with Krystal Klear so that I can remove them later to fix in the open position.
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on April 13, 2017, 01:51:44 PM
Progress has been slow on the Zephyrs. Prompted by Zak sharing why he hasn't done so much modelling, I thought I would share the project that I have been working on that has slowed me down.

It is a 1/1 scale 1976 Honda XL125K, purchased new in April 76 from Freddie Frith's in Grimsby.  It was a rusty heap in the back of a barn when I found it, and has taken me two years of very stop/start work to get to where you see it today, with a concentrated effort in the last week or thereabouts.

Anyway, sorry for the diversion - when I have finished my coffee I will go and paint the Zephyrs.
Cheers for now,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: zak on April 13, 2017, 03:27:17 PM
Looks just the job.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on April 13, 2017, 10:14:22 PM
The plastic of Amodel kits is rather soft and some parts are thickly moulded and they tend to not have locating pins and corresponding holes. Considering the price of some of the larger kits I would be very reluctant to pay the asking price knowing how much work needs to be done to get anything near a decent finished model.  Shame really, because they produce model kits of some rather interesting aircraft, have a look on ebay for Amodel and  you will see what I mean about the kits and the prices.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on April 13, 2017, 10:51:28 PM
To avoid painting the edges that need to be glued you can mask it off with thin strips of masking tape, it is a bit laborious and time consuming but it is easier to peel a bit of masking tape off rather than scraping the paint off and risk scraping and slipping and gouging somewhere you don't really want to.

Bridlufc
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on April 14, 2017, 08:57:09 AM
I have build a couple of A Model models and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on April 15, 2017, 06:43:52 AM
As promised I have slapped some paint on.  That silver looks a bit bright, but will get duller as I weather it a bit.
Happy modelling,
R
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on April 15, 2017, 05:06:10 PM
Nice bike by the way, I used to have a TL 125 in the 70`s.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on April 21, 2017, 03:24:05 PM
I liked the TL, and thought about using the xl engine with a sammy  miller frame, as I do a bit of trials. As you see I just went down the restoration route in the end.
No progress on the Zephyrs, currently waiting for the rain to stop and go out on a horse again!
Happy modelling,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on May 03, 2017, 01:22:36 PM
Finally some Zephyr progress.  The last bit of paintwork was the inside of the wheel wells.  Sometimes it is easier to do this last, to make the masking simple.  Just cover with tape, cut out the bit in the middle with a sharp knife and airbrush in the appropriate colour.
The last pic shows just how many undercarriage doors there are on two Zephyrs.

Happy modelling
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on May 03, 2017, 04:19:09 PM
Thanks for the photos, they show me how to and not just "I have done". Great work
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Wizzel on May 12, 2017, 12:48:26 PM
Thanks for the photos, they show me how to and not just "I have done". Great work
Agreed - and that's what I like about our club and site.  No secrets!
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on May 16, 2017, 09:03:02 PM
Now, one problem I've always suffered with is a lack of hands when applying decals to the side of aircraft - one to hold the aircraft, one to hold the decal in position, leaving a third hand needed to pull the backing paper out.
Anyway today the penny dropped.  I have plenty of Berna clamps which are great for holding things together, and one of those helping hands things for holding stuff in any position, so I thought why not combine the two - see picture for result.
I'm sure you all knew this was how to do it anyway, but thought I would share in case there is anyone else out there as slow as me!!!
Cheers from a happy modeller,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on May 16, 2017, 10:29:33 PM
I agree with you Roger, a modeller never has enough hands. That's a really good idea, I will give that one a try.  I tend to use ether foam packaging because it can be cut to any shape you want and can be glued with pva or even double sided tape to get the desired shape for holding a model for painting or applying transfers. Some modellers use lego blocks for the same purpose, although I've never tried them myself I would imagine lego blocks would be less forgiving than ether foam.  But would you have more fun building the lego blocks to the desired shape for your model or building your model?
Enjoying the build by the way.

Bridlufc


Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on May 17, 2017, 06:22:37 AM
Hi Roger,
That is a really clever way of holding the model.
I think I will be giving that one a go.
Also Bridlufc, I think your method of using foam is a good one too. I suppose its all about what your building, size, etc.
Again a method that I will try.
Thanks for the idea's gents.
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on May 17, 2017, 03:46:33 PM
I use lego as a jig for mounting bi plane wings.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on May 17, 2017, 05:02:57 PM
I got the rest of the decals on in double quick time, and was easily able to move the model wherever I wanted it.  I ended up with one clamp on a wing and the other just lightly holding the tailbone for stability - see photo below.
I'll let you know if I have any more bright ideas!
Panel line wash next,
Toodle pip
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 06, 2017, 06:20:48 PM
Slow progress, but only nine more bits to go on each one now.
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on June 08, 2017, 01:11:32 PM
Keep at it, it`s worth it.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on June 08, 2017, 10:07:04 PM
Nice looking models Roger, I really should add one to my stash, if I haven't got enough already!!

Bridlufc
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 08, 2017, 11:15:26 PM
Thanks, I would recommend this kit very much.

Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 10, 2017, 02:38:18 PM
Another rainy day, so I have finished the Zephyrs.  Last bits to add were the replacement arrestor hooks from shaped brass rod, and the twin pitots in front of the windscreen from 0.2 nickel silver.  I used the nickel silver as it is strong and the right colour, as painting would thicken it too much.

Hope you like them.  I've also included a shot with last years JP, although Angela points out they are a bit bright!  Sunglasses at the ready then.......

What to do for the rest of the day - time to dive into the stash.  I'll be back if I emerge.

I'll bring the Zephyrs to the next meeting that I can get to (not this week as I am working away on Wednesday).

So, what will be next?
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: zak on June 10, 2017, 03:17:25 PM
Nice looking models, well done that man.
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on June 10, 2017, 03:31:31 PM
Hi Roger,
I agree with Zak, very nice models they are....................

What will you treat us with next..........................?
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: MSea on June 10, 2017, 05:16:20 PM
Hi Roger,
I agree with Zak, very nice models they are....................

What will you treat us with next..........................?
Bigkev

I agree with Zak and Kevin -- but is it going to be a ship?????
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 11, 2017, 11:09:53 AM
Finally emerged from the stash - here is what's next.  Any ideas?

Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 11, 2017, 03:23:33 PM
I'm sure Big Kev will get it from one clue, but a second anyway.  Cleaned up props in the background, the shape was good but they were as thick as paving slabs.  40 mins scraping and sanding and they look much nicer.
More soon,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on June 17, 2017, 12:27:50 PM
Nice steering wheel...is it scratch build??? ;)
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on June 17, 2017, 05:19:51 PM
Hi Roger,
Methinks it could be a Boeing B-17?
Cheers
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 17, 2017, 08:56:22 PM
Well done Big Kev, new tool Airfix B-17.  I'll start a new thread.
Kiteman, I'm afraid I can't take any credit for the steering wheel, it's an original from the 94th Bomb Group at Bury St Edmunds that my Dad got from a friendly ground crewman at the end of WW2.
Happy modelling,
Roger
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: bridlufc on June 17, 2017, 09:00:36 PM
Nice to have a bit of history relating to a model Roger, gives it a bit more interest

Bridlufc
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Kiteman on June 18, 2017, 06:18:06 AM
There`s no stopping BigKev is there! Well done that man!
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 19, 2017, 04:03:36 PM
He's very good isn't he!
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Bigkev on June 19, 2017, 09:07:30 PM
Thanks Roger and Kiteman,
It was the control wheel that made up my mind. If my memory is correct, on the front face (boss/centre) of the control wheel is a Boeing trademark...............

Look forward to seeing this one Roger..............
Cheers,
Bigkev
Title: Re: Fouga CM175 Zephyr
Post by: Roger on June 19, 2017, 09:28:38 PM
Correct, but unfortunately mine hasn't got the badge on it.
R