Shorts Tucano T.1 (Airfix)
Commentaires
29 22 January 2021, 15:44
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My next project is the old Airfix Tucano kit. I plan on tarting it up with the CMK aftermarket resin parts which should add a lot of interest to the finished model. The biggest challenge will be making sure that the model is not a tail-sitter. Airfix say you need 7g of weight up front - which would normally not be a problem. Just add it right behind the prop. Unfortunately, I can't do that since I've cut open the engine cowling and will be displaying a resin engine. I will most likely use the same trick I added to my Tigercat model - glue wheel chocks to the main gear tyres. That prevents the model from tipping backwards, and it adds some interest, too. I've uploaded a few photos to show the progress. Cheers, Bill
22 January 2021, 15:59
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Welcome aboard everyone! I will try to make the trip worthwhile. Cheers, Bill
25 January 2021, 17:44
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Yup, that's the stuff. A WHOLE lot of little ball bearings in the bottle. Heaven forbid you have a spill!
25 January 2021, 20:12
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The Tucano is starting to come together - I've uploaded several new photos showing the progress. Still a lot of work to do, but I like the way this special display scheme looks. Cheers, Bill
4 February 2021, 15:08
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Thanks! I'm really starting to like these display or anniversary schemes. It breaks up the monotony of Dark Earth and Dark Green over Sky...not that there's anything wrong with that mind you. 🙂 🙂 🙂
4 February 2021, 20:10
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Lovely little bird! You made the engine really pop-up with the treatment 👍
5 February 2021, 09:52
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Things are picking up, but as they say two steps forward and one step backward. The rest of the decals are on, and I have to admit that she looks right dapper. The instrument panels, coamings, and ejection seats are back in the cockpit, and I've added the tailplanes and elevators along with two antennae on the fin. I constructed the engine bears (with some devilishly small gussets) to match photos of the engine, and then added the gear doors. Those are my two steps forward. The one step backward? First, adding the tailplanes turned her into a tail sitter, but I expected this. I have another way to get her back on her nose gear without adding any weight or gluing her to a base. Then, somehow a drop (or two) of lacquer thinner landed on one of the ailerons and quickly consumed the decal. The resulting bubbles looked like a virus from outer space. Anyway, the aileron has been stripped of all remaining gunk and is in the process of being repainted. I have no more decals for the red and white "swooshes" so I will have to paint those on. Hopefully I can match the red! Cheers, Bill
7 February 2021, 14:54
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Coming onto the home stretch now. Airfix provide decals for the canopy detonation cord, but they are major league fiddly. I decided to cut them into "manageable" pieces but they still curled up, flipped over, or in general just created havoc. Eventually I managed to get each piece in place and looking somewhat like they should. Remind me not to do that again! I also added the blast shield inside the canopy, as it was not included with the kit.
I was able to get a pretty good match to the red in the "swoosh" decals so I could repaint the damaged aileron. Once that was done, I finally got around to adding the flaps, ailerons, and exhausts. I gave the model an overall coat of Floquil Flat which produces a really nice satin sheen - like an egg shell. Then I realised I made a mistake and had painted the canopy sill grey like the rest of the cockpit. It should be black. I had to be very careful masking it off to apply the flat black.
Not much left to do. Add the prop, rear view mirrors, wheel chocks, and mount the canopy. I also have to scratch build the canopy actuating mechanism, which I don't have a good photo of. I'll figure out something. Cheers, Bill
13 February 2021, 14:42
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Looking really great Bill. On the evil canopy decals: I always wondered how to make the canopy clear again after they are applied (I assume they are not as transparent as a Future coated canopy)? Or are they?
14 February 2021, 13:00
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The canopy had a bath in Future prior to painting and decal application. When I apply decals over clear plastic I trim away as much of the carrier film as I can. Luckily with this kit, there is very little carrier film. You can hardly see it. Sure am glad I didn't have to try and cut close to these buggers!
14 February 2021, 15:05
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Thanks mates. The model is finished, with the last work being the canopy, prop, and wheel chocks. The chocks don't prevent tail sitting, as the main gear legs are quite spindly and are actually flexing. I've ordered a diorama base and will glue her down. I've uploaded a few photos of the finished model, and will post more after she is on the base. Cheers, Bill
16 February 2021, 00:14
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Beautiful work - the LEGO Bricks reveal how small that thing actually is... Superb clean model of a cute little bird! 👍
16 February 2021, 01:17
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Bill, you've done it again. Thats a stunning build, more so its in braille scale!
16 February 2021, 01:29
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Over again it is amazing to see what you are able to get out of a tiny 1/72nd kit. Superclean and delicate Work Bill !
16 February 2021, 07:19
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Slavo is right. Augie is right. Alec is right. Hanno is right. What else could I say? 👍
16 February 2021, 10:21
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Thanks everyone. This was a fun project and I really enjoyed it. The kit is quite simple by itself, and the CMK resin bits make it stand out. I have an airfield base arriving soon, and I'll post more photos once I have the Tucano glued onto it. Cheers, Bill
17 February 2021, 15:02
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Another lovely build Bill. Pity this kit is not easily available 👍
17 February 2021, 15:39
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The final photos are uploaded. I've glued the model onto an airfield base from Coastal and that keeps her on her legs. Enjoy the pictures! Cheers, Bill
24 February 2021, 20:28
Album info
Airfix kit with a lot of CMK resin goodies.