Airfix 1/24 Typhoon

[cor]

Hi all.

Starting on the armament bays. Laid down a thick aluminium paste on the floor of the bays. It turned out a rough, mottled metallic surface that I think suits the aircraft.

Also replaced a few moulded in cables with some wire.

And thats a 1/32 spitfire for comparison.

[cor]

It's grown wings.
Working on the gun bays, and a a couple pics of it on the bench in the morning light . . .

[BigWall]

Very nice! It's looking great!

[ForeverPlasticKits]

AWESOME BUILD, almost a scale 1 plane!

[cor]

Making cannon shells out of 1mm brass tube

[RangerNeil]

Looking at the Spit in the photo it comes home what a size this Typhoon is. The detailing is amazing, I like the way you are making the cannon shells!!

[cor]

Making the bullets has slowed me up. It's very tedious, making each bullet, but the end result is excellent.
I've done one box so far. There are 2 layers of bullets in each box. 4 boxes. About 90 bullets all up.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool!
Love the shells
This is a beast of a bird

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work and I love the ammo!

[digger303]

Beautiful work and I love the ammo!

Even included the tracer rounds in every fifth one.

[cor]

[Garion77]

How did you make the pointed end of the ammo ? Is it by 3D printing ?

[cor]

How did you make the pointed end of the ammo ? Is it by 3D printing ?

Its a brass rod. I basically use a file to make one end pointy. Yep, it's time consuming and Im reluctant to make another 70 or so . .
I use the brass because its the same material as the real cannon shell, which adds to the overall realism of the finished model.

I will take photos of the process when I start up production again.

[Garion77]

How did you make the pointed end of the ammo ? Is it by 3D printing ?

Its a brass rod. I basically use a file to make one end pointy. Yep, it's time consuming and Im reluctant to make another 70 or so . .
I use the brass because its the same material as the real cannon shell, which adds to the overall realism of the finished model.

I will take photos of the process when I start up production again.

I know what you mean ! I have to make my eyelets and turnbuckles for my Pfalz.... time consuming and eye straining ! Making the pointed end must be the hardest part of the process for you. Keep up the good work !

[DRUMS01]

That sounds like something I would so (everything manually). While I like the control of manual filing process I wonder if a Dremel or other brand of hand held motor tool with a miniature sanding drum would reduce the fatigue of doing it 100% manually? Perhaps the Dremel could take the bulk of the brass to the pointy end and you can then file and sand it to the final shape? If you have access to a table top belt or disc sander, you could set-up a jig consisting of a wood or metal face clamped to the sanding platform at the desired angle? That way you could swiftly mass produce the taper of all the bullets to the exact same angle. Just a thought....

Are you going to add the metal belt links? I had great success using thin painters tape cut to width, painted, and then used a permanent marker to show the separation of the individual links. Even without that level of additional detail you sure can't argue with the results though... you have done a VERY GOOD JOB!

DRUMS01 / Ben

[cor]

That sounds like something I would so (everything manually). While I like the control of manual filing process I wonder if a Dremel or other brand of hand held motor tool with a miniature sanding drum would reduce the fatigue of doing it 100% manually? Perhaps the Dremel could take the bulk of the brass to the pointy end and you can then file and sand it to the final shape? If you have access to a table top belt or disc sander, you could set-up a jig consisting of a wood or metal face clamped to the sanding platform at the desired angle? That way you could swiftly mass produce the taper of all the bullets to the exact same angle. Just a thought....

Are you going to add the metal belt links? I had great success using thin painters tape cut to width, painted, and then used a permanent marker to show the separation of the individual links. Even without that level of additional detail you sure can't argue with the results though... you have done a VERY GOOD JOB!

DRUMS01 / Ben

Thanks for all that Ben, its all useful info. But Im just going to plod on and make the bullets by hand.

I used a toothpick and a dab of paint for the links, turned out pretty good.

[DRUMS01]

No problem COR, as I said earlier, sure can't complain about your results, they look great! I was just thinking of ways you could perhaps relieve your fingers as 90 casings and bullets is cruel work; our enjoyable work depending on the person. Keep moving forward and sharing photos as we are all waiting for your next update. Take care...

[cor]

Hi all. Hope you're all well. I've been taking a break due to lack of motivation, wet weather, and life's other challenges.

Anyway, heres the big plane with bullets - yay, took a while, but got there in the end - wings, guns, and tail assembly.
That the 1/32 Spitfire in the last pic for size comparison.

[digger303]

Certainly is big I thought the spit was 1/48 until I read other wise. Cockpit and engine are magnificent.

[cor]

Thanks Digger.

Here's a few more pics.

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful detail work and great photos

[Garion77]

I was wondering a few days ago when you would put an update ! as always an impressive build ! Hope you find your mojo and mostly that everything is good for you
take care !

[cor]

A few more pics of the almost finished cockpit area.
Next up is the wheel wells, then a lot of painting. The thing is large.

[digger303]

A few more pics of the almost finished cockpit area.
Next up is the wheel wells, then a lot of painting. The thing is large.

Taking it for a test flight around the garden......vroom vroom.....

[BigWall]

Very nice modeling

[Tomcat64]

More superb detailing especially in the gun bays - fantastic work

[cor]

Hi all.

Here's some very rudimentary pics of the painting process. Not much detail to show yet.
Theres a lot of real estate to cover. No air-bush, so all stick painted.

[digger303]

[cor]

The first small steps into the massive weathering process on this big canvas.

These black and white photos set the tone I'm going for - sand blasted working machines. This first attempt is just a test, got some new brushes and seeing how it's going to pan out. For me, it will be a very relaxing process as I like this kind of detailing work.

[Tomcat64]

Nice work - your brush painting is a damned sight better than a lot of my airbrushing

Looking forward to seeing how you beat this up

[Stokesy44]

Very nice work. If ever an aircraft needed weathering it was a Tiffy!

[cor]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

From the photos in my Battle of Britain book, I have no doubt these planes would have a very filthy, worn, and scratched appearance, especially after enduring the weather and German hostilities in northern France. This particular plane was badly damaged by artillery shelling on the advanced airfield, then sent back to England to be used for training.

The old pic shows some guys trudging all over a wing in their muddy gumboots. It looks like a herd of sheep have just passed by. Anyway, that's sort of the look Im going for. I know heavy weathering is not everyones cup of tea, but I've never done anything even remotely close to this before, so I'm going all out to see what effect I can get.

And I have to say that this plane is really starting to look awesome. It's still nowhere near finished, and these photos unfortunately dont do the model justice. The detailing I did on the cockpit and engine has paid off with the realism I was going for. I hope the weathering can bring the rest of the plane up to the same level. Once the decals are on, it will hopefully take on another level of depth.

Airfix have outdone themselves with this model. Well done fellas.

[Garion77]

Really nice work ! The details we had seen in previous updates really show now. And love the way you scratch the invasion stripes.

[cor]

Decals done. Rockets nearly done.

[cor]

Almost finished. Just the clear parts and then the final touchups to go.

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work. What a beast!

[cor]

Hi all, it is finally finished.

[RangerNeil]

Now that is a work of art!! I wish I was at that standard.
Congratulations.

[cor]

Now that is a work of art!! I wish I was at that standard.
Congratulations.

Thanks Neil

[digger303]

[Garion77]

Wow ! nice to see it finally finish ! great work !

[aur0ra145]

Really nice finish!!!!

[Johnj]

Absolutly top job cor my piping hot coffee is stone cold now, i just couldnt put the phone down. Fantastic thread and read.
You've put your car detailing ability to exellent use on the typhoon. It looks stunning in the pictures so i can only imagine how good it looks in the flesh.

I was thinking of starting my corsair and i found your thread while i was looking for motivation for that, and i'm so glad i did. A superb read !

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work. Excellent finish and pics too

[cor]

Thanks John (good luck with the corsair build) and Stokesy. Also thanks to everyone else who commented or just had a look-see at the build.
If anyone wants the Build Guide magazine for this plane let me know and I'll send it to you no charge.

[Tomcat64]

I can't believe that I missed you finishing this - that's absolutely stunning attention to detail & a fabulous result.

Cracking work all around mate - absolutely superbly done

[BigWall]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL work!