Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: kiwichappers on April 27, 2020, 05:16:04 PM
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Over the years I've been fascinated by some of the research aircraft particularly early jets. Spying this Valom kit at Telford ignited yet another build theme for me. Here's the first of what could be a long line but in reality will probably only amount to a very few pioneering aircraft.
Two Caproni Campini N.1's were built however only one has survived and is now displayed at the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle, near Rome.
The Valom kit is a mixed bag being dimensionally accurate with fine surface detail however the cockpits are woeful. The etched instrument panels share only a vaguely shape to the fuselage contours, the joystick control wheels are massive and crudely moulded. There is no way this model will be finished with open cockpits.
This afternoon I sprayed it with Vallejo Metal Color over their black surface primer and am pleased with the result.
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Your on a roll.
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When he has done the roll will Francis do a loop the loop ?????
Another great model
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Looks good!
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Looks interesting. I see Valom do two versions, the standard or a 'What-If'. Delta also released a kit.
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There are two schemes in the 'standard' kit. One for it in the 1940/41 scheme and the second for it's appearance at the MAF air show in 1956 and subsequent display in the Air Force museum in Rome.
The What if idea is quite fanciful because with a top speed of just on 230 mph it was slower than a Wellington bomber and that's before any armament was added to it.
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Look like it'll be a good model.
Chris
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There are two schemes in the 'standard' kit. One for it in the 1940/41 scheme and the second for it's appearance at the MAF air show in 1956 and subsequent display in the Air Force museum in Rome.
The What if idea is quite fanciful because with a top speed of just on 230 mph it was slower than a Wellington bomber and that's before any armament was added to it.
Hi Kiwichappers,
Great looking model. This one will be an attention grabber when fully finished.
In fact I can't wait to see it completed.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Declared this one finished this afternoon. Generally enjoyed the build with the exception of the cockpit. Internal detail disappointingly crude and the vacform canopy bears only a passing resemblance to shape of the area of the fuselage it is supposed to fit onto.
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Hi Kiwichappers,
That is a lovely result.
It is just as I remember it from photographs I have seen.
I doff my hat to you Sir, on your brilliant model.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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That is certainly an odd looking beast, very nice.
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Never seen one of those before - good model Francis.
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Looks good Francis
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Excellent Francis.
A very different model.
Biggles
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Thanks for the complimentary remarks chaps. I don't feel it's one of my better efforts overall. I was pleased however with how the Vallejo Metal on the airframe turned out. It just might turn out to be my go to for natural metal finishes.
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Thanks for the complimentary remarks chaps. I don't feel it's one of my better efforts overall. I was pleased however with how the Vallejo Metal on the airframe turned out. It just might turn out to be my go to for natural metal finishes.
Hi Kiwichappers,
Yes, the metal finish looks good. I must admit I find that the Vallejo Metal finishes are really good, and less 'smelly' than Alclad II metalics.
Think Vallejo might now be my preferred option, especially for overall metal finishes.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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The god of 'what ifs' would love this one.
Lovely job.
Andy.
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Great looking model. I use Vallejo, Tamiya and Citadel metallics to get a variation on the panels and have started using Vallejo Natural steel for tracks on AFVs, but that's another story.
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Very nice!
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Nice one.
Bob c
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Good looking model is that and summat diffrent too. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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The Camproni wetted an interest in the early jet era and so here we are embarking on a build of the very first jet aircraft to fly. The cockpit is basic because there isn't a lot to refer to due to the secrecy surrounding it's development. At least I've found very little.
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Hi Francis, you can only work with what you have.
Looking good so far.
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I agree that metal finish is lovely. I must invest in some of these as you and Kev have both been pleased with them. I always find it odd looking when I see a jet not on a tricycle undercart though. This could be the start of a new SIG!!!
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That would be a long Group title Wizzel...."The Jet not on a tricycle undercarraige Special interest Group" (TJNOATUSIG) Phew!
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That would be a long Group title Wizzel...."The Jet not on a tricycle undercarraige Special interest Group" (TJNOATUSIG) Phew!
I agree, but those living in 'With' speak like Neantherdals anyway....
So this will not be a problem for the primates living there, only us 'advanced brethren'
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Advanced brethren - not words I would have used - hohohoh - but each to his own.
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Advanced brethren - not words I would have used - hohohoh - but each to his own.
Not part of our club, anything advanced that is.
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After a battle the fuselage is closed up and the worst gaps filled and polished. The shoulder belts have been added to complete details in the cockpit, sketchy as they are. Next is flatting the wing halves so they'll form something approaching an aerofoil shape.
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Looks like a lot of work to be done to get it looking good.
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Perseverance my friend, perseverence.
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Perseverance, indeed. Progress has slowed while I make some spigots to reinforce what would otherwise be very weak butt joints for the tail planes to the fuselage. Given the small size of the tail planes I've had to refine my tolerances somewhat and that takes more time.
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Hi Kiwichappers,
I might be wrong and missed it, but I don't think you have actually named the current subject, but is it the Heinkel He178?
Could you also elaborate on the make of kit and scale, though I guess it is 1/48.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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My apologies Kevin. Yes it is the Heinkel He 178 V1 which made its first flight late in August 1939. I believe this was the first jet powered aircraft to fly. At the conclusion of the flight test program it was exhibited in the Berlin Air Museum and destroyed in a 1943 raid on Berlin. There are a couple of replicas in German museums although the finishes on both appear to vary in detail from eye witness accounts I have seen.
It was powered by an Hans von Ohain designed diesel fuelled centrifugal flow turbine engine that developed a little over 4 kN of thrust and gave a top speed of 370mph. The fuselage was of conventional stressed skin metal construction and the flying surfaces were wooden.
A second prototype, the He1178 V2 was built with a straight trailing edge wing but it was never flown.
It is a 1/48th Special Hobby moulding that at first glance looks pretty good with etch details, clear instructions, a choice of moulded or vacform canopy and crisp refined surface detail. There are no decals. Not a problem as the aircraft appears to have carried no markings.
There are some optimistic details such as butt joints for the tail planes along with the fore and aft cockpit bulkhead shapes relative to the fuselage contours. I spent time flatting the mating surfaces of the upper and lower wing halves however this has given a nice thin trailing edge. Fitting the wings to the fuselage this morning has thrown up fit issues with some sizeable gaps to be made good.
Overall I'm still enjoying this build but for a simple aircraft it is occupying a lot of time.
There you go Kevin, what more do you need to know?
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Thank you Francis, a very detailed description.
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Hi Francis,
No your update explains everything.
Thankyou, for that.
I look forward to seeing the finished article.
What's next....?
An Airacomet, A Gloster E28/39, A Nakajima Kikka?
Whatever it is, it will have the 'Francis' touch.
Cheers,
Bigkev
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Hi Francis, I've also built the Special Hobby kit of this aircraft but their 1/72 version. This came with etch brass and film for the instruments and I had some interesting times putting it together. Painted in RLM 02, polished metal and natural steel as when it was at the Heinkel factory August-September 1939. No doubt this is the scheme you'll have? Looking forward to seeing the finished article.
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I'm sort of leaning towards a selection of Heinkel jets, He178, 280 and 162. There's also the He176 to consider although that will have to be a scratch build job. An He 100 or He 119 are also in the frame as interesting aircraft from the Gunter brothers. I've also remembered there's a Nakajima Kika in my stash that was given to me by Malcolm Laird which I kept for the sentimental connection. Must look it out and have a deep thourkus about building it. The early Bell and Gloster jets aren't so intriguing to me and have not been on my list to build.
I'd like to see the He178 in 72nd scale. It must be quite small as my 48th build looks diminutive even alongside a Spitfire.
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Hi Francis,
The idea of creating a collection of models from that era of new inventions and theories.
Great stuff, it will be an impressive group of models if you continue as suggested.
Brilliant.
Bigkev
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And now from the stalled projects department, the He.178. Abandoned some time ago because the cockpit opening was way narrower and a little longer than the canopy.
The cockpit was dismantled to clear the way for the fuselage to be split open and a 2mm fillet to be fitted. The rear cockpit bulkhead was then packed out with 1mm plasticard. After a check that the canopy matched the cockpit opening the cockpit details were refitted and it's back on track.
I'm not to sure how the modified nose shape compares to the prototype. Fortunately there's scant documentation to make a detailed challenge but it is still recognisable as an He178 and that'll do for me.
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Nice to have you back, perseverance and all, more staying power than me.
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Not sure if it's staying power, stupidity or just pig headedness. Believe it or not I'm about to embark on building the V2 version of it. At least the foibles of the fuselage are a known so that just leaves the new wings to surprise me.
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Nice to see you again.
Bob c
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Good to see you posting again
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And now from the stalled projects department, the He.178. Abandoned some time ago because the cockpit opening was way narrower and a little longer than the canopy.
The cockpit was dismantled to clear the way for the fuselage to be split open and a 2mm fillet to be fitted. The rear cockpit bulkhead was then packed out with 1mm plasticard. After a check that the canopy matched the cockpit opening the cockpit details were refitted and it's back on track.
I'm not to sure how the modified nose shape compares to the prototype. Fortunately there's scant documentation to make a detailed challenge but it is still recognisable as an He178 and that'll do for me.
Very interesting airplane. I bet it was a handful to fly.
Looking good,
Andy.
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Looking good Francis.
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Getting nearer the finish line with this one. Primed and polished ready for colour coats.
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It looks quite evil.
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I agree with the "evil" comment from Zak - just needs a shark mouth and a couple of zombie eyes to finish it off - hohohohoho. Don't listen to me , just trying to bring everybody DOWN to my level.
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Love the 'classic' Heinkel eliptical wings.
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Hi kiwichappers,
Great build, look forward to the final item.
bigkev
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Well now Kev, the wait is over.
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Hi Francis,
Superb!
Bigkev
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Nice clean job, you battled through and won, well done.
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Thanks for compliments guys. I haven't decided which one to tackle next for this series, He178-V2, He280 or He162. Chronologically it should be the He178-V2 but the straight forward build prospect of a Tamiya He162 is appealing after the struggles with this one.
At the moment the He178-V2 is winning by a narrow margin on the basis of it's place on the time line of jet development and the premise that 'self abuse is better than no abuse at all'.
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Stunning!!
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Beautifully finished Francis.
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No doubt you'll make another superb job no matter which one you build first.
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Wow! Flawless build. Well done that man.
Andy.
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Another masterpiece!