Revell P-39D

Bart Goesaert
started this one, soldered the flaps (one doesn't always have to start with the cockpit). Next is making all the cut's in the fuselage and wings for the extra parts... started to make the openings for the gunbay... that doesn't align as it should (pics to be added), so I need to think about solving this first (pics of that to be added)

Treehugger
How do you solder your PE stuff? Do you use a soldering iron?

Urban Gardini
Personally I use a lighter as the heat source so I don't ruin the job with my shaky hands. I use this solder. Ebay.com Item - MECHANIC Reparing Solder Soldering Paste XG 50 XG 500 Sn63 Pb37 25 45um

Bart Goesaert
hey, thx for interest, for soldering I use a very cheap soldering station from Velleman with adjustable temperature: amazon.de/Velleman-L..SSC50N/dp/B0016MBRDA

Otherwise I use regular solder that I squeeze flat and a flux (S39 from griffon: works like a charm, but gives a lot of cleaning afterwards, because when it is too long a the brass surface it tends to react (too long -> months, not hours) Otherwise I've written a how-to (in Dutch, should be able to translate when desired) which can be found here: modelbrouwers.nl/med.._soldeertechniek.pdf

Treehugger
@Urban Gardini, I will try out heating method of yours, I think I've seen it. I've ordered some liquid flux today, so hopefully I can try this out sometime. I have a handy lighter for this purpose (flame looks like a mini blow torch flame, but is basically just a lighter flame).

Urban Gardini
An ordinary Bic Lighter is sufficient and a better option if the PE is delicate as a storm lighter (mini blow torch) may damage the PE in a fraction of a second. It's a great way to get the heat to the solder and PE but hard to control as it'll melt the PE if you aren't quick enough with the pass over the PE. Don't ask me how I know that...

Holger Kranich
I just sit on the pe´s and breed till the pe is warm enough for bending. Works fine, try out!😄

Nice start so far, Bart. 👍 I´m curios for the next step. How is the kit overall?

Bart Goesaert
thx, Ill try sitting on it the next time, but doubt the result will be what I have in mind... 37° (even with fa...ng) won't be hot enough 😉

Overall fit is.. well it's a rebox of the old Special Hobby, so it has it's defects, but with carefull sanding and dryfit... some filler and spare styrene you get along. I've found a build on a Russian forum that pinpoints all the faults (like the tails that is to thick etc... but I haven't decided yet on how far I'll go (as most I suffer from very Limited modelling time, so...)