#19 The Flying Brick

[Twokidsnosleep]

Spankingly good! Love the camo colours, they look spot on.

As for the moaning, I defy anyone to build one of the heavy bombers without cussing at least once.

More please!

Alex,

She is getting there.
I am over the hump I think with the majority of paint done with out destroying the turrets or gun barrels and not have many runs or tape tear ups...in fact no tape tear ups
A little more camo, some final details and she will be done
Then the decision to weather or not weather

[digger303]

your flying now !

[Twokidsnosleep]

your flying now !

Yep
We are into camo clothes now


So ready to move into fine detailing and attaching everything like wings, tail feathers, wheels, glass....
My time for a diorama is fading fast and there is lots to do with family this August , so I may trim that back a bit

[gaz45]

Looking great so far mate

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking great so far mate

Her tail feathers and wings are glued on now, pretty much all I have done in three days
August is a busy month

[alextheblue]

Liking that a lot, love the colours.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Liking that a lot, love the colours.

I am hoping a week off gives me the mojo for a flurry of finish work

[Garion77]

Great progress and looking great ! Been a while I visited the site and even longer I looked at you built ! Nice work ! looking forward to the finish product

[Tomcat64]

Well this big ole bird has come a long way since the last time I had chance to check in on her!

Great work mate - she's really coming together nicely!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thank you all kind Gentlemen

Spent the day dicking around on her, watched parts of a couple Marvel movies, walked dog, did dishes....
It blows me away how fast some folks can build...it takes me forever to do anything.
So, got some lights made for the port wing



Got some decalling done, made pitot tubes and started priming the rear wheel assembly that looks pretty wimpy for such a big model





And last but certainly least, my magical flying super TET......courtesy of Elves or Fairies, maybe Gnomes or perhaps just friction

[Stokesy44]

Looking good. That paint job looks really smooth. You've almost beautified that beast. Almost!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking good. That paint job looks really smooth. You've almost beautified that beast. Almost!

my friend
I am very close to finishing the big beast, but there always seems to be something more to add or improve on
Working on adding styrene strips to the cockpit glass at the moment...bit of a bugger

[alextheblue]

Got to agree with Stokesy, that paintwork is looking really nice. The decals really bring it to life. With all your fine work, this ugly old bird might just get her dance card filled after all!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Got to agree with Stokesy, that paintwork is looking really nice. The decals really bring it to life. With all your fine work, this ugly old bird might just get her dance card filled after all!

Thanks Alex,
I almost botched the entire thing and used ALclad Klear Kote on her on the weekend
Thankfully something in my head said no and I asked on FB about it before using it...bad with acrylics as it holds their moisture and everything gets soft and soggyAquagloss is better.
I will use an acrylic clear and then do my washes.
I feel the paint is still a smidge un-set as it gets a bit sticky when I hold it too long

[Stokesy44]

Got to agree with Stokesy, that paintwork is looking really nice. The decals really bring it to life. With all your fine work, this ugly old bird might just get her dance card filled after all!

He's done a superb job but it still looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

Only joking, she is a rare thing of beauty

[Twokidsnosleep]

Got to agree with Stokesy, that paintwork is looking really nice. The decals really bring it to life. With all your fine work, this ugly old bird might just get her dance card filled after all!

He's done a superb job but it still looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

Only joking, she is a rare thing of beauty

No, she is a bit of a war-pig indeed

[Twokidsnosleep]

Replacing the tape on the cockpit glass with styrene strips
Got the harder angles attached, now just the edging, rivets, clean and paint.


This thing is zapping my mojo
Just bought a motorcycle and an old Porsche from Japan seller eBay to keep my juices flowing

[digger303]

Looking good. That paint job looks really smooth. You've almost beautified that beast. Almost!

my friend
I am very closet o finishing the big beast, but there always seems to be something more to add or improve on
Working on adding styrene strips to the cockpit glass at the moment...bit of a bugger

Just reading back through your updates and came across this update. I did the same thing and made a hash of my cockpit. I tried my best to improve it to some sort of shine, but glue everywhere. Never mind I shall put it at the back of the shelf to remind me of my failures.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking good. That paint job looks really smooth. You've almost beautified that beast. Almost!

my friend
I am very closet o finishing the big beast, but there always seems to be something more to add or improve on
Working on adding styrene strips to the cockpit glass at the moment...bit of a bugger

Just reading back through your updates and came across this update. I did the same thing and made a hash of my cockpit. I tried my best to improve it to some sort of shine, but glue everywhere. Never mind I shall put it at the back of the shelf to remind me of my failures.

I am going to do a dip into AK Gauzy or Future to set all the styrene in and shine up the glass
Those are the exact same products....liquid acrylic

[digger303]

my friend
I am very closet o finishing the big beast, but there always seems to be something more to add or improve on
Working on adding styrene strips to the cockpit glass at the moment...bit of a bugger

Just reading back through your updates and came across this update. I did the same thing and made a hash of my cockpit. I tried my best to improve it to some sort of shine, but glue everywhere. Never mind I shall put it at the back of the shelf to remind me of my failures.

I am going to do a dip into AK Gauzy or Future to set all the styrene in and shine up the glass
Those are the exact same products....liquid acrylic

liquid acrylic.... I suspected as much, but never sure if they add something else to the mix.
Shines it up good , but doesn't repair as much as I had hoped.
Pva mold release can also be used as a maskol type product a litre is about 15 bucks aud......just throwing that in there

[Twokidsnosleep]

So I tried this stuff on the canopy, an AK Interactive product





It has a nice wide tub so you can dip easily, let the excess drain and dab the corners vs drips
I would suggest leaving a bit of sprue or a handle somewhere
Actually pretty happy how it came out





Time for camo

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ok here we go...messing her up


Came out not too bad



Pic of landing gears in and her black tummy


She is a bit of a porker, not really fitting my photo booth



I knocked that GD antenna wire off twice so far, gonna pitch it if I break it again



So some final touches with bombs and ground crew to go.
I am taking a small break from her and have cleaned my desk off. That way I may stay motivated to really finish instead of just almost finishing THIS is my most hated step of model building...bringing it across the finish line

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work Sir. I can now officially call her pretty and humbly apologise for all my swipes about her being less handsome that some other certain bombers we might care to mention

Re your comment about getting across the line, it reminded me of a quote by George Lucas - 'Films are never finished, they are abandoned.'

Sad to say he lived up to that with some of the 'changes' in the Star Wars special editions, thankfully he pretty much left The Empire Strikes Back alone, if it aint broke, don't fix it and you cant improve on perfection. That's what I tell myself when I look in the mirror each morning!

Seriously though, a big 4 engined monster, dressed up in Bomber Command colours and markings is a real thing of beauty. You are to be commended Sir.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Beautiful work Sir. I can now officially call her pretty and humbly apologise for all my swipes about her being less handsome that some other certain bombers we might care to mention

Re your comment about getting across the line, it reminded me of a quote by George Lucas - 'Films are never finished, they are abandoned.'

Sad to say he lived up to that with some of the 'changes' in the Star Wars special editions, thankfully he pretty much left The Empire Strikes Back alone, if it aint broke, don't fix it and you cant improve on perfection. That's what I tell myself when I look in the mirror each morning!

Seriously though, a big 4 engined monster, dressed up in Bomber Command colours and markings is a real thing of beauty. You are to be commended Sir.

my friend
The banter has been most hilarious and always taken with a smile and a chuckle
She is a big ugly thing indeed, with majestic ugliness and presence

[Twokidsnosleep]

Well look what happened last night on my clean desk... modelling
Got on a little assembly line roll and roughed out the tractor, bomb cradles and sixteen bombs



I have five days work and then the last week of August off
Wife and son are going on his last hockey main camp that week and I will stay here with daughter and dog is the plan
Thus, I have a week to do some modelling and a bit of house maintenance stuff
The diorama is back on in my mind



Off to the doctor and her fickle finger of fate

[digger303]

Well look what happened last night on my clean desk... modelling
Got on a little assembly line roll and roughed out the tractor, bomb cradles and sixteen bombs



I have five days work and then the last week of August off
Wife and son are going on his last hockey main camp that week and I will stay here with daughter and dog is the plan
Thus, I have a week to do some modelling and a bit of house maintenance stuff
The diorama is back on in my mind



Off to the doctor and her fickle finger of fate

I thought you would have a go at the diorama , but did you stab yourself as well. That would muck up the plans somewhat. I hope it wasn't too serious.

[Tomcat64]

Great work on the bomber mate - and really pleased you had enough mojo left to take a swipe at the dio too!

Hopefully the chores and the doc don't interfere in your plans too much

[gaz45]

Looking the buisness there mate

[Kevthemodeller]

Ok here we go...messing her up


Came out not too bad



Pic of landing gears in and her black tummy


She is a bit of a porker, not really fitting my photo booth



I knocked that GD antenna wire off twice so far, gonna pitch it if I break it again



So some final touches with bombs and ground crew to go.
I am taking a small break from her and have cleaned my desk off. That way I may stay motivated to really finish instead of just almost finishing THIS is my most hated step of model building...bringing it across the finish line

She's looking top draw Scott

[Kevthemodeller]

So I tried this stuff on the canopy, an AK Interactive product





It has a nice wide tub so you can dip easily, let the excess drain and dab the corners vs drips
I would suggest leaving a bit of sprue or a handle somewhere
Actually pretty happy how it came out





Time for camo

You've had better luck with your clear than I have mate

I've found it very hit and miss depending on size shape etc. Mine is a little thick I feel it does run off certain shapes well and tends to just hang in drips on the surface. I did thin it a little after contacting AK on what to use but it hasn't made that much difference Using it on the waist windows on the B17 they are poor to start with but came out frosty so I removed it as the clearer without it

It worked better of the Gixer and 917 screens but still pooled on the edges

[digger303]

So I tried this stuff on the canopy, an AK Interactive product





It has a nice wide tub so you can dip easily, let the excess drain and dab the corners vs drips
I would suggest leaving a bit of sprue or a handle somewhere
Actually pretty happy how it came out





Time for camo

You've had better luck with your clear than I have mate

I've found it very hit and miss depending on size shape etc. Mine is a little thick I feel it does run off certain shapes well and tends to just hang in drips on the surface. I did thin it a little after contacting AK on what to use but it hasn't made that much difference Using it on the waist windows on the B17 they are poor to start with but came out frosty so I removed it as the clearer without it

It worked better of the Gixer and 917 screens but still pooled on the edges

I had my canopy fixed early ( probably not a good move ) had problems. Tried to polish it out with Tamiya products then bought some Gauzy and painted it on. That worked OK application wise and out course it ran to the low points. After about a minute used some kitchen absorbent paper to just touch the accumulations and that seems to take away all the extra. I also bought some of the Gauzy Shine Enhancer , not sue if I will use it or not yet. It's just a gloss I think so no biggy.

[Twokidsnosleep]

You've had better luck with your clear than I have mate

I've found it very hit and miss depending on size shape etc. Mine is a little thick I feel it does run off certain shapes well and tends to just hang in drips on the surface. I did thin it a little after contacting AK on what to use but it hasn't made that much difference Using it on the waist windows on the B17 they are poor to start with but came out frosty so I removed it as the clearer without it

It worked better of the Gixer and 917 screens but still pooled on the edges

What did you thin it with??

[Kevthemodeller]

What did you thin it with??

AK acrylic thinners

[Twokidsnosleep]

What did you thin it with??

AK acrylic thinners

Awesome, always good to know
I was careful with the Gauzy and let it drip off quite a bit and I did a lot of dabbing at corners of the framework so I didn't get blobs forming

[Johno]

Everytime i see one of these it makes me wanna build one and paint it like a school bus or a greyhound bus. Great work looks killer.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Everytime i see one of these it makes me wanna build one and paint it like a school bus or a greyhound bus. Great work looks killer.

Thanks, ya that would look funny as a school bus

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ok, I have rectified the decal issue as pointed out on the reveal...Airfix is awesome
Wanted to post the little trug tractor and bombs in the live show, but got caught up in stuff and didn’t finish







There are no darn figures in the re-supply kit...because?? Airfix

[Twokidsnosleep]

Roughly Setting up the scene with three bits of action

• bombs coming in under the wing as two guys wait for tractor

• messing around on the scaffold near the nose

• me playing fetch with the puppy dog off the tail end of plane

Maybe throw in a pilot if
I can find someone suitable that I can modify

[Twokidsnosleep]

Diorama figure work. Not my forté but I try
Switched from Tamiya for skin to Citadell as the former was chunking up and not playing nice even with MLT
My motley crew




I put them on a clear acetate bases to try and hide the bottoms from being so obvious in the dio



Actually enjoy doing figures and will endeavour to do more

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking for some diorama inspirations and found this little video about the Sterling done in early War years

[Tomcat64]

Nice work on the tractor & trollies and figures

If you're still on the lookout for suspects this set from Revell might be useful

[DBMiller]

Looks to me like this brick will fly!

[Twokidsnosleep]

No joy on that flightcrew @Tomcat64 ...not on my eBay and would take too long if it were, but thanks for the info

I am at day three of being an invalid, can barely walk without pain and am slow moving to avoid lightning back twinges.
But I can prop myself into a rolling modelling chair and do some modelling

Been studying the bomb loading process and found three great pics for inspiration






You can see the bombs are
a) dirty as heck
b) have a harness on them for lifting
c) are pulled up into the bomb bay with a rope or cable on a winch or wench..never get those straight
d) the armourers have a pole to help guide the bomb into place

So I added a harness to the top of my sixteen bombs and made a cable hook

Next I re-test the diorama layout

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ok so the rough layout has three bomb cradles towed by the tractor ...as four was too long for the space allotted
One cradle will be under the Bomber with a guy pushing it into the right location
Then two pilots and a maintenance guy on a scaffold
Plus me playing with the dog in the background







Photography of this beast is proving to be difficult
I have some cut plywood in the garage to glue the grass to, but I can’t get in there with my back like this at the moment

[Tomcat64]

Sorry to hear that the back is still giving you grief mate - hope that gets sorted soon, just take it easy!

In better news this dio is coming along really well

a winch or wench..never get those straight

That's NOT something you want to get mixed up

[Twokidsnosleep]

Sorry to hear that the back is still giving you grief mate - hope that gets sorted soon, just take it easy!

In better news this dio is coming along really well

a winch or wench..never get those straight

That's NOT something you want to get mixed up

Cheers Neil

Bombstuff done

[Kevthemodeller]

A lot of work going in on this one Scott, those figures, tractor and bomb trolleys look great mate

[Twokidsnosleep]

A lot of work going in on this one Scott, those figures, tractor and bomb trolleys look great mate

Kev, thanks

[digger303]

A lot of work going in on this one Scott, those figures, tractor and bomb trolleys look great mate

He's right

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks guys
Last few pictures of this beast on her platform, I am done with her now









I am gonna go play with the dog now