#37 Smokeriderdons 1/72 Vulcan

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 01, 2018 3:42 am

I have no connection to the plane per se, but this is my favorite non U.S. bomber. Also, i built this back in the 80s, so doing it again with after market stuff and more knowledge should be fun.

Speaking of after market, I have Wolfpack decals and will do a plane that was retired the year I graduated high school, 1982. Also from Wolfpack is the seamless intake set, which will make a HUGE difference. I may get the SAC metal landing gear set, not sure yet.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue May 01, 2018 3:57 am

It is a gorgeous shape, what a beauty, a perfect choice

Really looking forward to seeing you progress with this
Thanks for joining in and welcome to the sig

Scott

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 01, 2018 4:01 am

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 01, 2018 4:04 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue May 01, 2018 3:57 am It is a gorgeous shape, what a beauty, a perfect choice
Really looking forward to seeing you progress with this
Thanks for joining in and welcome to the sig
Scott

Thank you sir! I agree on the shape. First time I ever saw a pic of it I was instantly in love. LOL

sheppsea · Post by **sheppsea** » Tue May 01, 2018 7:40 am

Very nice, I love the look of the Vulcan, would love to see a 1/48 of it at some stage too

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 01, 2018 12:23 pm

sheppsea wrote: ↑Tue May 01, 2018 7:40 am Very nice, I love the look of the Vulcan, would love to see a 1/48 of it at some stage too

Oh yes indeed! A new mold 1/72 would be good as well. This one is not bad at all, but it IS a bit dated. I keep hearing rumblings that Airfix is going to do one, but nada so far.

gaz45 · Post by **gaz45** » Tue May 01, 2018 4:36 pm

Oohh very nice choice

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Wed May 02, 2018 3:50 am

So I just did a little bit of clean up on parts and the like. And started painting the pilots. There is very little detail in the cockpit because you cant see squat. But, I think you will be able to see the pilots a bit in the side windows. So they will be painted.

And I made the requisite blood sacrifice to the model Gods...

My bleeding finger violates photobuckets terms of use????? What?????????

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Sat May 05, 2018 3:38 am

OK, so some progress has been made. The next few pics are from two nights ago.

Yes, that is the cockpit. But then, you are not going to see anything, so it would be a waste of detail. I know I didnt do a superb job on the pilots, but as I said, you will barely be able to see them.

The replacement intakes. MUCH better than the kit items.

So on to the pics from last night. All major parts together. These are the seams. Perfect Plastic Putty party! Woohoo!

Well, you get the idea. I have got most of the seams filled. Just gotta work on that area around all the exhausts. Speaking of the exhausts....

They are just holes. Nothing there at all. Gotta figure out what to do with that. yay.

alextheblue · Post by **alextheblue** » Sat May 05, 2018 8:25 am

Don't ya just love filling and sanding!

Looking great so far, such an iconic airplane!

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat May 05, 2018 8:58 am

Keeping the filler companies in business!

Great to see that Vulcan shape coming together, the cranked wing is so much easier on they eye than the earlier straight wing shape

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Sat May 05, 2018 3:21 pm

Thanks guys.

The filling isnt that bad. I use Perfect Plastic Putty which is a dream to work with. There is not a lot of sanding with this stuff. A wet q-tip does most of the clean up of excess.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 08, 2018 3:35 am

OK, got the puttying done. Shot some primer to check everything. The wing joins definitely need a bit more work. But its fairly close.

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue May 08, 2018 8:09 am

This build is moving at some speed

shame about the fit issues which you're well on top of

RossiM1 · Post by **RossiM1** » Tue May 08, 2018 10:20 am

Gotta love a Vulcan real iconic British V Bomber when I was a kid my friends father was stationed at RAF Finningley he was on Vulcans must admit I cannot remember in what capacity, but can remember when we went to stay during the school summer holidays being shown around and on board, to a 7 year old it seemed like the biggest thing on the planet, was also priviliged to see the Vulcans last flight very sad moment that howl as it flew past is unforgettable.
Really look forward to seeing how this develops mate only ever seen the old Airfix one built, and reports on that kit are not favourable.
Good luck you have made a cracking start.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue May 08, 2018 8:52 pm

Thank you sirs!

Rossi, actually this IS the Airfix kit. Just a rebox by MPC. I dont know of any other 1/72 Vulcan besides that one.

The fit issues I fully expected. I remembered it didn't fit great, but it was better than this. At least how I remember it. LOL Regardless, nothing one wouldn't expect from a 30+ year old kit.

Les0012 · Post by **Les0012** » Tue May 08, 2018 9:08 pm

alextheblue wrote: ↑Sat May 05, 2018 8:25 am Don't ya just love filling and sanding!

Looking great so far, such an iconic airplane!

Nope.

Think you’re gonna have fun with those seems, pilot figures look great though.

Les

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Wed May 09, 2018 12:33 am

wow getting a move on there.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Wed May 09, 2018 1:55 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 12:33 am wow getting a move on there.

There is very little to this kit to be honest. As you saw, the cockpit is non existent. There are no exhausts to speak of. Though I am going to try to do something to help that. The landing gear and wheel assemblies will be more of a chore I think. This kit is about the seams and a great paint job.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed May 09, 2018 4:38 pm

That thing looks menacing in black primer

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed May 09, 2018 4:42 pm

That's taking on the beautiful delta shape nicely - even with the copious amounts of filler involved!

Nice work - and I like the pilots too!

pourquoi61 · Post by **pourquoi61** » Wed May 09, 2018 9:24 pm

You have put in a lot of work so far, and she is looking great.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Thu May 10, 2018 2:00 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 4:38 pm That thing looks menacing in black primer

IKR???? I was thinking of getting another one and doing it in black. LOL

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Fri May 11, 2018 3:34 am

So the seams are pretty good now. I just need to find some brass tubing in the right diameter to make the internal part of the exhausts. Nothing fancy, just something more than a hole.

And interestingly, I never did get the cock pit set for the B-58. I emailed them and no response when I hadnt heard anything for over a week. No response. I went through paypal, hoping that would get the ball rolling. And they told paypal to just refund my money! No explanation, nothing. *sigh*

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Sat May 12, 2018 6:18 am

So, this is what the exhausts look like:

It was suggested to me on a FB page to get some brass tubing to make the internal part and cap it off. This would at least make it look closer to real. An excellent suggestion! So I stopped at the train hobby shop (no model shop, but this place is very cool and has plenty of stuff I can use) and grabbed the appropriately sized tubing and made these:

not overly impressive or complicated, but once painted black and inserted, they are a vast improvement in my mind.

pourquoi61 · Post by **pourquoi61** » Sun May 13, 2018 8:49 pm

Yes much better.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Mon May 14, 2018 3:08 am

The main part of the light gray on the underside is on. Let me say, that is a LOT of area to cover. My finger was cramping towards the end. LOL

And it occurred to me I failed to put any history on this awesome plane in the thread. I will rectify that now...

From Wikipedia:

The Avro Vulcan (later Hawker Siddeley Vulcan[2] from July 1963)[3] is a jet-powered tailless delta wing high-altitude strategic bomber, which was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe and Company (Avro) designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced, the Vulcan was considered the most technically advanced and hence the riskiest option. Several scale aircraft, designated Avro 707, were produced to test and refine the delta wing design principles.

The Vulcan B.1 was first delivered to the RAF in 1956; deliveries of the improved Vulcan B.2 started in 1960. The B.2 featured more powerful engines, a larger wing, an improved electrical system and electronic countermeasures (ECM); many were modified to accept the Blue Steel missile. As a part of the V-force, the Vulcan was the backbone of the United Kingdom's airborne nuclear deterrent during much of the Cold War. Although the Vulcan was typically armed with nuclear weapons, it was capable of conventional bombing missions, a capability which was used in Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina in 1982.

The Vulcan had no defensive weaponry, initially relying upon high-speed high-altitude flight to evade interception. Electronic countermeasures were employed by the B.1 (designated B.1A) and B.2 from circa 1960. A change to low-level tactics was made in the mid-1960s. In the mid-1970s nine Vulcans were adapted for maritime radar reconnaissance operations, redesignated as B.2 (MRR). In the final years of service six Vulcans were converted to the K.2 tanker configuration for aerial refuelling.

After retirement by the RAF one example, B.2 XH558, named The Spirit of Great Britain, was restored for use in display flights and air shows, whilst two other B.2s, XL426 and XM655, have been kept in taxiable condition for ground runs and demonstrations at London Southend Airport and Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield respectively. B.2 XH558 flew for the last time in October 2015, before also being kept in taxiable condition at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

RossiM1 · Post by **RossiM1** » Mon May 14, 2018 11:39 am

That is really coming along quickly great job on those exhausts mate they look a thousand times better

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon May 14, 2018 1:53 pm

Really cool save on the exhausts. they look well nice now.

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon May 14, 2018 1:58 pm

Bit of trivia re Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War.

The RAF was in the process of retiring the Vulcan fleet in 1982 and some equipment had already been removed from many aircraft. When they put the plan together they realised the in-flight refuelling rig on one of the Vulcans had been partially dismantled. One of the missing parts was found in the Officer's Mess at the airfield where the Vulcans were based.

It was being used as an ashtray!

Gotta love us plucky Brits!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon May 14, 2018 2:33 pm

Superb work on those exhaust tubes mate - she's coming along really well; and yep I think you're going to be using gallons of paint to get it all covered!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon May 14, 2018 4:44 pm

Love the brass tube addition...I use those all over the place
Many hobby shops have cut off and assorted bags of brass, aluminum etc. I snatch those up when I see them
Keep up the great work, it is looking fantastic

Door prize draw coming up this weekend

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Mon May 21, 2018 4:32 am

RossiM1 wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 11:39 am That is really coming along quickly great job on those exhausts mate they look a thousand times better

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 1:53 pm Really cool save on the exhausts. they look well nice now.

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 2:33 pm Superb work on those exhaust tubes mate - she's coming along really well; and yep I think you're going to be using gallons of paint to get it all covered!

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 4:44 pm Love the brass tube addition...I use those all over the place
Many hobby shops have cut off and assorted bags of brass, aluminum etc. I snatch those up when I see them
Keep up the great work, it is looking fantastic
Door prize draw coming up this weekend

Thank you you all gentlemen. I was surprised by just how much something that simple made such an incredible difference.

So more painting done. I started the topside camo. Every pic I have seen of the Vulcans show rather crisp lines between the colors. And as this is going to be an aircraft that was flown to retirement and kept whole, I am quite sure the paint was pretty clean and crisp. So, not want ting to mask something this size twice, and not wanting to simply cover the entire top in gray the mask the green, I came up with this:

using colored pencils, I drew the pattern on and marked the areas that are gray. This way I could freehand this part and not lose track of what is what. I have never done this British camo scheme, so its not like when I do an SEA and barely have to look at a pic. I sprayed the areas a little wide to give me room to mask and overlap the green. And here it is with the gray sprayed on. The black will become green:

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon May 21, 2018 9:20 am

Paintwork is looking nice. Good to see the grey not looking too dark. It can often be the death of RAF grey / green camo schemes.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Mon May 21, 2018 4:45 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Mon May 21, 2018 9:20 am Paintwork is looking nice. Good to see the grey not looking too dark. It can often be the death of RAF grey / green camo schemes.

I kind of lied earlier. I did get the AK colors, but realized I already had the med sea gray in Model Master, which I prefer over everything. I managed to find the green in it as well, so that's what I have gone with. I find they have the most accurate colors of any of them.

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Fri May 25, 2018 2:48 am

I AM working on her, just dividing time between this, the CW build and The CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, a tip. This one came to me in a flash while I was fumbling around trying to find a sprue for my 1/32 Tornado a whiole back. The companies are kind enough to mark the sprues, but it is a true pain to try and see those tabs. So just use a piece of tape to label the sprues large enough you dont have to strain to read them:

What I have done on the Vulcan. Started masking. There is a LOT of territory to do here. I am going with blue tack and tape and newspaper. This should give me a good delineation without marking up the paint trying to use a blade to cut laid down tape. I got this far and then set it aside to watch the rest of the CAPS kicking butt last night. Going for the Stanley Cup baby!!!!!!!!

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Fri May 25, 2018 5:00 am

OK, so two updates close together. LOL Got her all masked and the green sprayed:

And this is the result. Drum roll....well, it doesnt work so well when you can clearly see the pic. LOL:

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! Yes, I have to do some touch up stuff, but I think it looks great. Especially considering this is the first time I have ever done the British gray/green camo.

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri May 25, 2018 8:05 am

Cracking masking mate. Colours look great.

alextheblue · Post by **alextheblue** » Fri May 25, 2018 8:31 am

Excellent camp work, looks the business!

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Wed May 30, 2018 4:04 am

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Fri May 25, 2018 8:05 am Cracking masking mate. Colours look great.

alextheblue wrote: ↑Fri May 25, 2018 8:31 am Excellent camp work, looks the business!

thank you gentlemen!

I got the touch ups done and some gloss on and decals started. Also, the English Lightning I am doing for the CW build. Same scale. Provides idea of how big the Vulcan was. And how big the model is!!! LOL

alextheblue · Post by **alextheblue** » Wed May 30, 2018 7:23 am

Looking the business! Adding some decals always brings a model to life.

ElCapitan · Post by **ElCapitan** » Wed May 30, 2018 7:29 am

Looks awesome! Fantastic work on the camo

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Wed May 30, 2018 7:48 am

looks fantastic and a great job on the cammo. I think adding the Lightning shows just how big the Lightning was!

Paul

Garion77 · Post by **Garion77** » Wed May 30, 2018 12:06 pm

Great job with the camo !! ANd the filling ! Just read for the first time all you posts. I love that bomber too. It's quite huge !

pourquoi61 · Post by **pourquoi61** » Wed May 30, 2018 9:44 pm

The decals always make the plane.
Great job,do I sound like a Mr Trump?

digger303 · Post by **digger303** » Wed May 30, 2018 11:20 pm

great job... and nearly finished !

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Thu May 31, 2018 2:46 am

Not going to try quoting all of you, but thank you!

Quickie update. All the decals are on the top side with a coat of dull over them. I may spray a bit more, but a little gloss seems to be what the real things had. At least from the pics I have seen. And I have to say, these decals are AWESOME! They are on par with Cartograf. Props to Wolfpack!

And I have no clue where these letters came from. They are clearly some sort of decal something. but from where I havent a bloody clue. And damned if they would come off. So a little insignia blue to cover them and we were good.

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Thu May 31, 2018 11:36 pm

Woah! That paint job looks superb. I think you are spot on with a bit of a sheen on the finish.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:43 pm

That really does look the business - very nice work!

pourquoi61 · Post by **pourquoi61** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:34 pm

Very nice indeed.