Airfix 1:72 Vickers Valiant BK.Mk.1

Post by **SiDennis** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 6:56 pm

This is my entry to the ISM 100 Years of Bombers (1900-2000) Group Build.

Box and sprue shots....

Post by **Joesdad** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:12 pm

Oh I'm liking this Si, which scheme are you going for?

Post by **SiDennis** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:42 pm

Joesdad

Probably going for the No 207 Sqn, Raf Marham camo scheme.

The anti-flash white doesn't really float my boat, camo will require a bit more work, I never take the path of least resistance.

Post by **SiDennis** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 9:01 pm

The Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant

The Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant was a British four-jet bomber, once part of the Royal Air Force's V bomber nuclear force in the 1950s and 1960s. The Valiant was the first of the V bombers to become operational, and was followed by the Handley Page Victor and the Avro Vulcan; however it was noticeably less advanced than its counterparts. Several Valiant’s were soon converted to perform various support roles, such as aerial refuelling tankers and [/size]reconnaissance aircraft.
The Valiant was originally intended for operations as high-level strategic bomber; advances in anti-aircraft technologies meant that a low-level mission profile was assumed. However, continuous low-level flight led to a number of serious problems as the Valiant's wing spar attachment castings showed premature fatiguing and inter-crystalline corrosion traced to the use of an inappropriate type of aluminium alloy. Rather than proceeding with an expensive rebuilding program, the Valiant was formally retired in 1965. Its duties were continued by the other V-bombers which remained in service until the 1980s.

Prototypes

The first prototype, serial number WB210 took to the air on 18 May 1951,[7] as George Edwards had promised, and beat the first Short Sperrin into the air by several months. It had been only 27 months since the contract had been issued. The pilot was Captain Joseph "Mutt" Summers, who had also been the original test pilot on the Supermarine Spitfire, and wanted to add another "first" to his record before he retired. His co-pilot on the first flight was Gabe "Jock" Bryce, who succeeded Summers on his retirement soon afterwards.
The Vickers Type 660 was given the official name of "Valiant" the next month, recycling the name from the Vickers Type 131 general-purpose biplane of 1931. The name Valiant was selected by a survey of Vickers employees.
The Valiant jet bomber prototype was lost due to an in-flight fire in January 1952, all the crew escaping safely except for the co-pilot, who struck the tail after ejecting. After modifications to the fuel system (thought to be the cause of the fire), the second prototype, serial number WB215, the Vickers Type 667, flew on 11 April 1952. It was fitted with RA.7 Avon engines with 7,500 lbf (33 kN) thrust each, rather than the Sapphires originally planned, with more rounded air inlets replacing the narrow slot-type intakes of the first prototype, in order to feed sufficient air to the more powerful engines. The short delay before the second prototype was available meant that loss of the initial prototype did not seriously compromise the schedule.
An initial production order for 25 Valiant B.1 (Bomber Mark 1) aircraft had already been placed in April 1951. The first production aircraft flew on 21 December 1953, again within the schedule Edwards had promised, and was delivered to the RAF on 8 February 1955. Britain's "V-bomber" force, as it had been nicknamed in October 1952, was now in operation. The Victor and Vulcan would follow.
Of the three prototypes, two were Mark 1s and one was for a developed version, the Valiant B.2, intended as a Pathfinder to mark targets for the main bomber force and to reach its targets at low level and high speed. To cope with the rougher ride compared with high altitude operations, the B.2 had a strengthened airframe. In particular, the wing was strengthened by removing the large cut-outs in the wing structure into which the main wheels retracted, allowing the wing torsion box structure to be uninterrupted and giving more room for internal fuel storage; instead the main landing gear, which had four wheels instead of the two large wheels of the B.1, retracted backwards into large fairings to the rear of the wings. The B.2 had a lengthened fuselage with a total length of 112 ft 9 in (34.37 m), in contrast to a length of 108 ft 3 in (32.99 m) for the Valiant B.1, with the extra length giving room for more avionics.
The prototype B.2, serial number WJ954 first flew on 4 September 1953.[19] Finished in a gloss black night operations paint scheme, it became known as the "Black Bomber". Its performance at low level was superior to that of the B.1 (or any other V-bomber), with the aircraft being cleared to 580 mph (930 km/h) at low level (with speeds of up to 640 mph (1,030 km/h) being reached in testing). This compared to the B.1s sea-level limit of 414 mph (666 km/h). The Air Ministry ordered 17 production B.2s, which were to be powered by Rolls-Royce Conway turbofans. However, although the Valiant B.2's low-level capabilities would later prove to be highly desirable, the B.2 program was abandoned as the RAF realised that the Pathfinder concept, born in a time of mass raids, was obsolete in the nuclear era. The B.2 prototype was used for tests for a few years, including testing use of rockets to boost take-off, before being scrapped in 1958.

Nuclear deterrent

The first squadron to be equipped with the Valiant was 138 Squadron, which formed at RAF Gaydon on 1 January 1955, with 232 Operational Conversion Unit forming at Gaydon on 21 February 1955 to convert crews onto the new bomber. Since the Valiant was part of an entirely new class of bombers for the RAF, the crews for the new type were selected from experienced aircrew, with first pilots requiring 1,750 flying hours as an aircraft captain, with at least one tour flying the Canberra, with second pilots needing 700 hours in command and the remaining three crewmembers had to be recommended for posting to the Valiant by their commanding officers. Valiant’s were originally assigned to the strategic nuclear bombing role, as were the Vulcan and Victor B.1s when they became operational. At its peak, the Valiant equipped nine RAF squadrons.
A Valiant B.1 (WZ366) of No 49 Squadron was the first RAF aircraft to drop a British operational atomic bomb when it performed a test drop of a down-rated Blue Danube weapon on Maralinga, South Australia, on 11 October 1956.
On 15 May 1957, a 49 Squadron Valiant B(K).1 dropped the first British hydrogen bomb, the "Short Granite" (AKA "Green Granite Small"), over the Pacific as part of Operation Grapple. The test was largely a failure, as the measured yield was less than a third of the maximum expected and while achieving the desired thermonuclear explosion the device had failed to operate as intended. The first British hydrogen bomb that detonated as planned, "Grapple X Round A" (AKA "Round C1"), was dropped on 8 November 1957. The Grapple series of tests continued into 1958, and in April 1958 the "Grapple Y" bomb exploded with 10 times the yield of the original "Short Granite". Testing was finally terminated in November 1958, when the British government decided it would perform no more air-delivered nuclear tests.

General characteristics
• Crew: five - two pilots, two navigators (one navigator plotter + one navigator bomber), air electronics officer
• Length: 108 ft 3 in (32.99 m)
• Wingspan: 114 ft 4 in (34.85 m)
• Height: 32 ft 2 in (9.80 m)
• Wing area: 2,362 ft² (219 m²)
• Empty weight: 75,881 lb (34,491 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 140,000 lb (63,600 kg))
• Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce Avon RA28 Mk 204 turbojet, 10,000 lb (44.6 kN) each
Performance

• Maximum speed: 567 mph (493 knots, 913 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,150 m)
• Range: 4,500 mi (3,910 nmi, 7,245 km)with underwing tanks
• Service ceiling: 54,000 ft (16,500 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s)
Armament

• Bombs:
• 1 × 10,000 lb (4500 kg) Blue Danube nuclear bomb or
• 21 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs

The aircraft above Whisky Zulu 404 is the actual aircraft I will be building.

Post by **Joesdad** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 9:53 pm

Rocky996r wrote:Joesdad

Probably going for the No 207 Sqn, Raf Marham camo scheme.

The anti-flash white doesn't really float my boat, camo will require a bit more work, I never take the path of least resistance.

Awesome, quite like the white tho, classic 50's......

Post by **patrickroos** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:52 pm

Beautiful Aircraft! And thats one BIG bomb on that sprue!

Thanks for the info and good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:36 am

Very cool entry.

Always great to see a V bomber build.

Post by **Tamiyasnob** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:48 am

Great choice,one of the least modelled of the V bomber,s so an excellent choice. I am giving this GB a miss but will be following this with great interest. Look forward to more post,s.

Post by **Lee** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:02 pm

Nice!

Good info too

Post by **SiDennis** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:19 pm

Update 1

A few things good and bad that I have noticed now that I have had a chance to give the sprues a good look over.
In general the kit seams to be quite good, the plastic is good and thick and the detailing is not to bad.

Good and bad as follows.....

Hoping to start the build tonight, should have an update tonight or tomorrow

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:01 pm

Looks like a big kit! Hope the fit is ok, good luck with the build

Post by **muskegman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:16 pm

That looks like a really good kit, I might just have to get one of those for myself. Even the clear parts look really good. Thanks for the review

Mark

Post by **generalgrog** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:22 pm

Really nice kit....Going to look great.

GG

Post by **Norman** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:25 pm

looking forward to seeing this build !

Post by **SiDennis** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:16 pm

Update 2

Quick update, have been getting as much off the sprues as I can ready for primer.

Progress...

Hoping to get some colour on them tomorrow.
Am having a crazy idea for this group build, if I can finish the Valiant within a month then its game on!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:15 pm

Great work on this one.

Nice tip on using masking tape for re-scribing.

Post by **SiDennis** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:53 pm

Update 3

Have got quite a lot done to the Valiant (photos to follow).

I have decided to go ahead with my crazy plan of making all three V bombers for this group build

Have just taken delivery of the Vulcan and I await the arrival of the Victor which I ordered from Holland.

Will do an intro for the Vulcan tomorrow.

Wish me luck!!!

Post by **Joesdad** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:00 pm

Madness!! Good fun watching tho Si....

Post by **Norman** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 7:54 pm

Looking Good Si !!

http://m.youtube.com/user/MrBobsBuilds · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:43 pm

Fantastic stuff - interesting review and build shots and it is coming together nicely.

Post by **Mike00** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:59 am

Looking forward to see this one finished.

I noticed that you used a lot of Squadron Green Putty on your seams and injector pin marks. I just wanted to share a product that I like to use, Its a 3M product Bondo Glazing & spot Putty. This product is softer than the green putty, and sands out smoother than the green putty. It is fast drying and is great for injector pin marks. I also use it over the first coat of green putty to achieve a finer finish. Just like the green putty the Bondo product will thin with Acetone. On large seams I apply the putty and while it is still wet wipe it down with Acetone to remove the excess putty, this helps to reduce sanding. I hope this might help on future models I know a lot if ejector pin marks in a kit are frustrating.

Post by **SiDennis** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:31 pm

Cheers Mike00

Thanks for the advice, will try and get hold of some and give it a bash

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:25 pm

Great stuff mate this is going to be a beast

Post by **SiDennis** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:56 pm

Update 4

I have had a couple of days off work so I have cracked on with the build.
Not having any real issues with this build, didn't go over board with the cockpit as you wont see it through the tiny windows.

Progress as followed......

Bomb rack finished, it went together really well. Weathered it with a bit of dark dirt wash.

Like I said. didn't go mad on the cockpit, painted it the standard colours and applied the decals.

Primed the fuselage ready for a bit of colour.

The colour is Vallejo Dark Green.

Bomb rack and cockpit glued in place.

Nose weighted with some fishing weights and glued in with some PVA glue.

fuselage glued together, the fit wasn't perfect but it needed some filler on some of the seams.

More parts primed and ready for some colour.

Tail plane glued in position.

Will be working on the wings tonight, once they are on I will update.

Cheers guys

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:57 pm

Great work mate looks stunning

Post by **wally** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:52 am

Nice work Rocky. I had this kit in the past and this real monster in 1/72 scale. Nice bomb ordnance you have and I like how the cockpit comes together. Be sure you put plenty of weight in the nose area if not you will have tail setter. Keep up good work

Cheers

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:15 pm

The bomb bay looks cracking dude.

Some really nice work on this dude.

Post by **Russ72** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:32 pm

Nice work, its looking great.

Post by **snappercity** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:50 pm

Looking good all loaded up..

Post by **chrismoseley** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:15 pm

Superb Work Rocky

Love The Interior Detail In The Kit

Alex

Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:33 pm

Your doing a fantastic job, now I want one of those

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThudWeasel · Post by **HistoryRider** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 12:09 am

Holy Smokes! Lookin' Great!!

Post by **SiDennis** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:12 am

UPDATE 5

After being sent overseas with work this I the first opportunity to carry on with this build, nothing planned with work for awhile so going to get cracking on.

I have painted the undercarriage bays, I used Alclad 2 ALC-119 Airframe aluminium, gave them a wash of Flory's Dirk Dirt.
Masked off the cockpit, undercarriage and bomb bay ready for some primer.

Hoping to get the primer on the today.

Will update if her indoors doesn't get me to do loads of jobs around the house

Had a go at scratch building some Hyd pipes.

Post by **SiDennis** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:55 pm

UPDATE 6

Got her primed, used Vallejo grey primer, some people have had problems spaying this stuff, I find it easier to pop the primer bottle in a pot of boiling water for about 5min, the heat from the water seams to thin it down a bit and it doesn't seam to clog the airbrush as much.

Right, this was my first ever attempt at pre-shading! didn't go to bad! a few wobbly lines here and there.

Have got the anti-flash white on today, will post photos when dry.

Post by **SiDennis** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:57 am

UPDATE 7

Sprayed the anti-flash white on the underside last night, I used Tamiya white X-2, kept in in the warmest room in the house for the paint to dry a bit quicker.

This morning I have masked off all the anti-flash white, need to get shares in Tamiya masking tape

Sprayed the grey, used a lot of Tamiya Medium Sea Grey (RAF) XF-83. Really pleased with how it's looking, will wait for the grey to dry overnight then mask off for the green.

Post by **snappercity** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:23 pm

Looking good.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:38 am

She is looking very nice dude.

Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:07 pm

Its really coming along great, keep up the good work

Post by **SiDennis** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:04 pm

UPDATE 8

After a day of masking off the underside and making all the wriggly worms for the green camo, spayed the camo green, used Tamiya XF-61 Dark Green, it went on really well.

Now for a few coats of clear then decals

Hope you guys like?

Post by **DBMiller** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:48 pm

Sweet paint job!
Although, I think you should have left it with the masking putty and tape! That would have been quite a 'unique' look!

http://m.youtube.com/user/MrBobsBuilds · Post by **Rob** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:26 pm

Great progress - the big bird is getting ready to fly!

Post by **patrickroos** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:21 pm

Very Clean, crisp and nice!!!
Nice paint job there...

Shes gonna be a Beauty for sure.

Post by **SiDennis** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:39 pm

UPDATE 9

Right, started on the decals, came across a issue for me, the decal on the tailplane goes over some vortex generators, I didn't know how to apply the decal over these so have moved it aft of where it should be. For future ref Could you guys give me some advice on how to apply decals over raised fins and stuff?

See photo below for problem

Post by **DBMiller** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:43 pm

Sharp looking paint job!

Post by **patrickroos** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:13 pm

Nice!!
Those Airfix decals actually come on quite nice if You terrorize them with enough decaling solution.
Looking good!!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:26 pm

Great job dude.

As has been said a decal softener is best to get decals to settle over details and in to panel lines.

Micro Sol is what I use.

Post by **SiDennis** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:00 pm

Cheers Guppy

I use micro-sol for the decals, didn't realise it would soften them enough to wrap around sticky outy bits

Post by **SiDennis** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:55 am

UPDATE 10

On nights this week so it's time to get this big bird finished. Decals finished, pre-shaded the undercarriage doors and engine cowls, exhausts finished in Alclad 2 ALC-112 Steel, painted undercarriage doors and cowls, undercarriage fixed in position.

I didn't listen to Wally's advice, popped her on her wheels and straight onto her tail

I removed the canopy, popped in all the fishing weights I could find and about 2 ton of magnets and she's finally sitting on all wheels

Getting another coat of clear on now, start on the weathering tomorrow.

Hope you like.

Post by **chief5437** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:55 pm

This is looking great! Some real nice work you've done. Hope you don't dirty her up too much, she's too pretty for that!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThudWeasel · Post by **HistoryRider** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:03 pm

Looks fantastic!!! What a valiant effort so far!

Can't wait to see it all finished up!