Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: cph64 on September 19, 2021, 04:25:07 PM
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Here's the resin surprise Chris.....
The Unicraft kit of the RAF 'What If' Boulton Paul P.100 ground attack a/c. 22 pieces of resin, 1 clear vac canopy, no instuctions, no decals, no cockpit floor but strangely the seat and console are provided as is a profile of the a/c.
The design can be traced back to a design spec issued, without number, on 7 March 1942 for a 'highly manoeuverable single-seat low attack a/c for employment against military forces on the ground, aircraft, invasion craft and shipping. Initially BP designed the P.99 a twin boom aircraft powered by a rear-mounted Griffon engine driving a six blade contra-rotating propeller. To avoid the propeller when baling out the pilot had a downward escape mechanism where the lower forward fuselage fell away (good luck with that one at low level!!).. The P.100 took these features but replaced the tail-wheeled twin boom with a tricycle undercarriage and canard configuration. Armament was to be large calibre cannons and either bombs or rockets with a desired service entry date of January 1944.
I definitely think this one will be a tail-sitter!!!!
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Now that is a type of plane I like - nothing like most of the models made on this site - hohohoho
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Yes, that quite an interesting design and kit Chris. I presume it never actally flew?
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It didn't, there were too many technical problems to overcome at the time. MSea it looks like something you've had your hands on, lol!!!
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It didn't, there were too many technical problems to overcome at the time. MSea it looks like something you've had your hands on, lol!!!
It would never fly in that case!
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What are you 2 trying to say about me - hohohohohho
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After enjoying the Indian summer and getting work done in the garden it was time to return to the resin. Casting blocks were sawn from the wings and body halves but when I came to fit the latter together it was apparent one side was warped (so it's not just MSea!!). Despite being bathed in warm/hot water it has refused to bend back. I think it must be due to the thickness of the resin so brute force and ignorance will be the rule of the day when it comes to joining. Sanding down the wings created what looks like a like of coke, perhaps a hint at what I'll need to finish this project, lol!!!
I've created a floor and rear cockpit bulkhead from 45thou sheet but when I trial fitted the console it sat off centre so a lot of sanding and scraping of the cockpit sides has been done but it still needs further work. I may end up sourcing another from the spares box.
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A real challenge.
Stick with it, it is certainly an unusual aircraft.
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Yes, the joys of resin. I know how you feel Chris. Must get back to mine.
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Remember to wear the mask.
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I set up in the garden today to grind out some resin in the cockpit area and also on the wings and still wore a mask. My neighbour thought it was an interesting setup. The next problem I have to overcome is marking and pining the wings, something I haven't done before so this is gonna be one helluva learning curve!!
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I set up in the garden today to grind out some resin in the cockpit area and also on the wings and still wore a mask. My neighbour thought it was an interesting setup. The next problem I have to overcome is marking and pining the wings, something I haven't done before so this is gonna be one helluva learning curve!!
Suprising that he even notice the mask - ha, ha.
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He must have thought you had been to the beauty saloon - hohohoho
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He must have thought you had been to the beauty saloon - hohohoho
Wirh drinks?
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I offered to polish his nails, but.......
I did a rough measure up of where the wings and rear wheels would be and marked up the inside of the fuselage halves. Blue Tack 'dams' were positioned and then then bb pellets were superglued into the halves followed by infilling with Blue Tack in an effort to prevent tailsitting. Undercoat was applied to the cockpit area whilst the superglue was setting. During this I realised I should have removed some of the resin in the rear fuselage yesterday whilst I had the drill out so that's a job for when the rain stops!!!
Another first tried on this model is replacing the main undercarriage legs with aluminium tube and brass rod as its apparent the resin ones supplied wouldn't carry the weight. The tubing has been dry fitted to check.
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Not much room for the weighting. Looks as if it will be a bit heavy.
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Despite my best efforts and lots of hot to boiling water the fuselage wouldn't join so it was out with the superglue, force it together and fill the gaps!!!. The observant amongst you will have noticed that the kit only has 3 exhaust holes for the Griffon engine where there should be 6 and 3 of these aren't in line!! The box art shows 6 but the paint guide 3. I'm deciding whether to go along with the kit or fill, sand and source 6.
I managed to get one wing to fit nicely, at my first attempt re pining and drilling, but the second was way out so that's a W.I.P. The spinner for the contra-rotating propellers has no guide holes for the blades and after wondering how to space them I decided upon cutting pieces of masking tape to length, measuring them and dividing by three to get the spacing. It appears to have worked but the blades will need some serious work, or replacing,
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This looks like a labour of love, don't surrender.
Haddock.
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It will be worth it in the end - or that's what they always say - just enjoy turning bents bits into a finished model Chris
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After much fettling and sanding both wings are finally attached, these and the foreplanes have received layers of filler but will need further work. In the background are the exhausts I will be using. They're from the old Airfix Bf 109 kit and only have 5 outlets but are better than the 3 holes of the kit. I decided against trying to 'boss' the kit propeller blades and sourced two sets from my spares. The black ones had to be cut down and shaped with the grey ones coming from the MPM DB8A kit.
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It's looking good Chris.
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Keep at it Chris
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The vacform canopy has only a few faint frame lines so was interesting to mask up and when cut out it took a lot of fettling to get the best fit. Two days of masking and painting revealed some rookie mistakes. 1) I didn't match up the de-icing strip masking and was left with a line of white undercoat. 2) I forgot to prime the resin undercarriage doors so the paint peeled off when removing the tape, doh!!! Re-masking and painting solved the first issue with the doors primed and now awaiting hardening. Next up will be getting the beast onto it's legs which could prove interesting/exciting/infuriating.
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It is certainly an odd beast.
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JuSt shows that perseverance pays off.
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Looking good Chris.
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Hi Chris,
looking.......different to say the least.
Keep at it, it will all come together.
Bigkev
Good work so far.
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Fitting the undercarriage did prove interesting as once fitted the plane had a distinct nose down attitude. I'd checked the legs I'd made against the resin ones and they were the same size so as there are no diagrams/pictures of the plane with gear down I went with this. The next problem was the main wheel bay covers, they were too long. Some sanding down was required trying to follow the initial sit. The contra-rotating rotor and exhausts were then fitted along with an aerial was using a bristle from an old brush. Two coats of Klear went on before the decals, all sourced from spares. Some split but I left as best as to imitate wear due to constant low level flying. Then it was a coat of satin varnish and a mix of Flory washes.
A challenging but interesting build during which I learnt more, which is what modellings about isn't it? Not a kit for the faint hearted but the only other option, I believe, is a vacform.
I wanted to photograph it outside but rain stopped play yesterday.
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Well, it's finished and you overcame the problems.
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Well, it's finished and you overcame the problems.
Not only that but it looks good as well
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Looks excellent Chris.
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Thanks everyone