Mikromir Percival Provost T.1 1/48

[chriswil42]

Very nice Kevin.

[Bigkev]

Thanks Chris,
Moving on again.
I have now applied the 'repairs' to the wing tip and underwing where paint had lifted or misaligned masking occurred.
Also the canopy front and rear portions have been masked ready for painting black, to match the cockpit colour when viewed from inside. The opening section of the canopy wasn't able to be posed open due to the thickness of the moulding. So I have started to create a a balsa  former to mould a new section. It is almost there, a little refining then a good few coats of Talcum Powder and Grain Filler mixed to a paste and applied. Once dry it goes rock hard and can be sanded smooth as glass using very fine wet'n'dry paper.
Not decided whether I am going to 'Crash Mould' a new canopy section, or whether it will need a female mould to push some heated acetate through.
Some pictures follow:-
Kevin   

[zak]

Good luck with the moulding.

[chriswil42]

Interested to see the result.

[MSea]

Good luck with the moulding - I have never had a good result - but thats me  hohohho

[Bigkev]

Hi Chaps,
Thanks for your comments.
Whilst the balsa plug is drying from its last coat of talc/filler thought I'd replace the fire extinguisher on the A-frame, also the seat harnesses travel through the A-frame, join a cable which then travel via inertia pulleys into a central anchor point. so I've tried to create a representation using scraps of plastic card and some small disc's punched from card also.
Some pictures follow:-
Kevin   

[cph64]

I like all the little 'extras' you're putting to the basic kit, great work. I remember The Ron Ward course on 'Crash Moulding' with fond memories, just haven't got round to trying it yet.

[chriswil42]

That's some detail Kevin.

[Bigkev]

Thanks Guys,
Moving on.....
Now done the replacement Fire Extinguisher, painted the anti glare panel on top of cowling, the cockpit rear, and the sills, etc.
The prop has had the blades painted and the yellow tips added.
The cockpit windshield and rear portion have both been painted , matt black initially then with some Tamiya AS-12 decanted from the aerosol, then allowed to de-gas, and then put through airbrush with some thinners.
The balsa mould for the opening section of the cockpit now smooth and ready to put into use.
Next job will adding the walkways on each wing alongside the cockpit. I will be using some decal film painted in a mix of Rubber Black and Matt Black for these.
Some pictures follow:-
Kevin

[Bigkev]

Canopies unmasked and the decal sheet for the wing walkways painted.
 The decal sheet had originally painted in German Grey, so I have just over painted it, waste not, want not!
Kevin

ooops, spot the small sliver of tape on one frame on the windshield....... tut, tut

[chriswil42]

Nice work on the canopies.

[Bigkev]

More progress.
Now nearing the end of the build.
Small adjustment on the anti glare panel which I had painted, cockpit frame and strut in place. Markings applied, though there are still about 30 stencils still to apply.
Serials are from the spares box, as I wanted to make an aircraft from Linton-on -Ouse.
A dry run with the canopy parts in place, next up will be moulding the opening section of the canopy.
Some pictures follow:-
Kevin

[chriswil42]

Looking very nice Kevin.

[Bigkev]

Thanks Chris,
Now managed to mould a new open canopy section using acetate sheet, using the 'A-la Ron' crash moulding method. (For those watchers, A-La Ron refers to the late Ron Ward of the club. Ron did a demonstration of moulding his canopies for his scratch built wooden models, which I now use from time to time, thanks Ron!)
Managed to get two canopies from only 4 attempts.
I have used two thicknesses of sheet, the thicker one was easier to cut/sand. Worst bit is removing the waste from the crash moulding. never realised how strong it could be after being heated and distorted.
Once removed and cut to shape, polished, and then given a dip in 'Kleer' excess removed ready for masking and painting.
Note in one picture I have done a dry one to check fit on the model before final shaping and dipping.
Some pictures follow:-
Kevin

[chriswil42]

Interesting technique. Can you demo sometime - next playday?