Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: meremodeller on August 17, 2020, 09:24:21 AM
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Whilst away in Devon I thought I'd start the DH 88 Comet in 1/48th scale. This is a relatively recent kit from MikroMir.
Thinking it it be a pretty straightforward build that would need few resources for the basic assembly before bringing it home for final painting etc.
NOT SO!
Starting, following the instructions, the engines are assembled first. Each engine consists of over 60 pieces and that includes etch brass. I have planned to only have one engine on view but the second has to be assembled without any the detail to enable the prop and exhausts to be fitted plus the front which can be seen through the inlet on the front cowl.
Add to that the fit leaves a lot to be desired, the instructions muddle the part numbers and some pieces are not included and others duplicated AND each component is really quite small, makes for an interesting build.
I have also started the undercarriage components, again lack of positive locations hampers progress.
Stay Tuned!
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Don't tear your hair out, keep calm and carry on.
Oh, the joys pf modelling.
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An interesting model. I saw a rebuilt one fly many many years ago at BAe in Hatfield.
I think as a model it's only previously been available in 1/72nd scale
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A fantastic looking aircraft. No doubt will be an equally fantastic model
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There have been several recent kit releases of this a/c in various markings. No doubt it will be a great model when it's finished.
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Hi Bill,
Oh, you love a challenge don't you!
A mere 60 parts per engine, no troble with a man of your calibre.
Look forward to the build, always interested in this aircraft. In 1/48 in your hands should look great once done.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Progress is slow, part due to having nothing down here in Devon to deal with all the etch brass. I decided to assemble as much as possible, clean up etc. There's a lot of flash to remove and all the connecting points to the sprue have to be cleaned back on the inner surfaces. The fuselage halves will have to be wet and dried down on a large emery board, very much like the preparations for vac form kit.
I found out from the Mikro-Mir facebook page that they seem to be responsible for the Supermarine S-4, another kit I intend to build soon so I shall start that forewarned!
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That is a very clean and pristine cutting mat, mine never look like that!
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That's because it only arrived yesterday! It should have come with the Humbrol Workstation but somehow was delayed!
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That's because it only arrived yesterday! It should have come with the Humbrol Workstation but somehow was delayed!
That would explain it.
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A good start Bill. Plenty to look forward to.
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Beautiful Airplane.
Looking great.
Andy.
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Back at the workbench again and some progress with this kit. Photographs always seem to show up the worst in my builds so before I start the painting of the engine there will have to be a bit more cleaning up, especially of the valve push rods which vary so much in size.
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Yes, photographs can be cruel.
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A lovely sleek looking aeroplane, I’m sure your finished model will be just as good.
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Engines now completed, not detailing the post meter as it will be cowled. Also the Undercarriage mechanisms are now ready. Quite a lot of guesswork as to where all the bits go!
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Engines now completed, not detailing the post meter as it will be cowled. Also the Undercarriage mechanisms are now ready. Quite a lot of guesswork as to where all the bits go!
What is a post meter?
Sorry for my ignorance.
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It should be PORT MOTOR, that’s predictive text for you!!!!
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It should be PORT MOTOR, that’s predictive text for you!!!!
That makes a bit more sense, thank you.
But now we know it hasn't got a detailed port engine, it will never fly.
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It will, but around in circles!!!!
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Looking good. 8)
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Looking good.
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Engines now completed, not detailing the post meter as it will be cowled. Also the Undercarriage mechanisms are now ready. Quite a lot of guesswork as to where all the bits go!
I used to do that on Buccaneers when I was an apprentice
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At Last! Progress! As you can see the wing sections are now together, these required a lot of fettling to get them to join up accurately. The fuselage is coming along well but I had to treat the two halves rather like Vacform kit parts, rubbing them down on a flat wet and dry board to get a decent join, well hopefully it will be eventually!
The nacelles are together and, yet again, the U/C structure and oil tanks don't fit within the closed-up nacelle. A bit of careful grinding away of the inner walls helped here.
I'm beginning to wonder if this kit started life as a vac form kit?
Stand by for the next instalment assembling the fuselage to the wings. Hopefully you won't hear me swearing along the coast!
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looking good Bill.
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Coming along nicely
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Sounds like a hand full but your doing a great job.
Andy.
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More Progress.
First, a useful tool if you are going to undertake the building of this kit. A DENTAL BURR!, to remove plastic from inside cowlings fuselage etc.
The more I work on this model, the more I am convinced the design started life as a Vac-form. All the bulkheads are oversize but correct for a very thin walled fuselage etc.
Cockpit is now fitted out and the nacelles attached to the wing. Note the 'Nose Light' fixed into position. The port motor will now fit inside the cowling and the temporary disc attached to the front will ensure it lines up correctly.
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A real labour of love, methinks.
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A real labour of love, methinks.
Proper modelling.
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Thank you for the favourable comments.
Wings are now attached and it's ready for the first coat of primer.
Quite painless getting the wing join to fuselage just a bit of filling at the rear end of the undersurface join.
Soon be onto the red paint!
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Making great progress.
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I find inter war period aircraft wonderful to look at. The period when they were trying to get away from 'boxes' and rigging and going for graceful lines. This is such a beautiful aircraft.
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Now primed in white and ready for the red paint!
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Whiter than white!
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or A Whiter Shade of Pale!
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It's now RED all over! On with the transfers.
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That's a really nice finish, whose paint?
Haddock.
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Tamiya gloss red, very easy to get a good finish, 2 coats.
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Yes the red looks really good.
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The transfers are now on and my fear of them not being opaque are unfounded. Good solid white.
Home run now!
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I just tried to apply some to a tank (quite an old kit).
They just fell apart.
Yours look really good.
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Are you trying to say Zak that things fall apart when they are old - now I know what is happening to me - hohohoho
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Looking excellent Bill.
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Was the red from a rattle can? I have difficulty with that colour (and most others!!)
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The Tamiya Red was was the standard paint from a jar and judging by the shop's price label it must be at least 20 years old as that model shop closed 20 years ago!
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I've just had a close look at the price ticket, 99p for the old 23 ml jar.
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I've just had a close look at the price ticket, 99p for the old 23 ml jar.
Typical, you could be a Yorkshire man.
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I've just had a close look at the price ticket, 99p for the old 23 ml jar.
Typical, you could be a Yorkshire man.
You are incorrect Zak - not if he pays THAT MUCH for his paint - hohohohhoho
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Thanks Bill. I have tins of enamel that are decades old and got upset recently when I used up the last of my track colour. They still come in handy when I need something I haven't got as an acrylic.
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The DH88 Comet is now complete!
Would I build another one? No, although if anybody wants tips on how to build this kit I have plenty. Too much etched brass, poor fit, muddled instructions and very much a short run kit which seems to have started life as a vac-form kit. AND NOW at £59.40 from Hannants you really have got to want one for a special collection.
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Well done Bill, looks like you have made a nice job of that.
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What an Aeroplane... Absolutely Beautiful.
Andy.
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Nice looking model, as you say, expensive for what it is. I've just ordered HMS Belfast in 1:350 for £66.00
including postage, it will take a while to come but worth the wait.
You have to ask yourself, "did I get £60 worth of pleasure out of the kit?", if the answer is yes, then it's worth it.
What does it cost you to treat the wife to a night out with a meal?
Haddock.
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Nice looking model, as you say, expensive for what it is. I've just ordered HMS Belfast in 1:350 for £66.00
including postage, it will take a while to come but worth the wait.
You have to ask yourself, "did I get £60 worth of pleasure out of the kit?", if the answer is yes, then it's worth it.
What does it cost you to treat the wife to a night out with a meal?
Haddock.
Treat the wife?
What planet are you on?
Come on Tony, Fish, chips and mushy peas surely?
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Excellent finish there Bill. Did you enjoy building it?
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Great work Bill, the detail looks superb.
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There is an article about this aircraft in the free paper - "The Bridlington Echo".
I will save it for you, it involves Amy Johnson.
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It looks really good, Bill
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There is an article about this aircraft in the free paper - "The Bridlington Echo".
I will save it for you, it involves Amy Johnson.
Not seen the article, but didn't Amy Johnson and Jim Mollinson fly in another DH.88, not this paticular machine?
I might be very wrong.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Looks a really nice job.
Bob c