Me P.1101 (Supermodel)

[Lex]

not really, I already cut out most parts out of boredom...

After studying the design I decided to assemble the nose first. (Fuselage parts ordered starting from the nose)

I shaved a little from fuselage part 1 to make it fit with part 2. Both of them were printed on 80gsm paper on the same page as the bulkheads, so they were reinforced with 0.5mm grey card. (The card delaminated like crazy and was difficult to handle. Please use proper high quality card whenever possible)

The increased thickness made them easier to form into a double curved surface, but I think I have overdone it and now the nose section resembles the Michelin mascot...... I'm gradually getting the hang of it.

Part 3 has the front wheel well opening - always a convenient sanctuary to eat up fitting issues. The MG ports were cut open to ancitipate a little added detail. Fuselage part 4 (the one around the cockpit) was cut in half so I could concentrate the misfit in the area on the top fuselage immediately in front of the cockpit, a small area anyway.

I then realise the part behind it refuse to fit either but I need to deal with the cockpit before closing that section up. Going to be a difficult job there.

A ring of paper was created inside the intake so I don't have the ugly cross-section of low-density grey card showing through (as seen in the first image). The ordering was 80gsm-220gsm-80gsm, the thick middle layer was used to provide a thickness inside the cylinder and enabled the innermost layer to be formed with a trumpet-like opening that joins more naturally with the outer skin. It will be coloured later. The inner intake section provided by the model itself stopped short of the nose and didn't cover it, and will be attached later as it punches through multiple bulkheads and can easily cause fitting issues.

[MichaelS]

Another aeriploane I had only vaguely heard of! You sure can see the parentage of the F-86 and Migs in it. Another interesting thread to follow.

[Lex]

Build progressing slowly. The nose section is mostly done, there is quite a bit of interior details still to come so I can't close this section just yet. The fit has been satisfactory and almost satisfying, up to now.

The next section though, is going to be difficult. The part is waaaay too big, and even if it is trimmed to fit, dark area reserved for the canopy is still too wide and will be very ugly when it bleeds from the actual canopy.

In Issac's build, this issue was fixed by covering the offending area with a replacement piece of skin. I don't believe my ability to match colours are up to standard so I decided to carry out paper surgery instead, and attempt to eat up the fitting issues at the panel lines.

Also arriving from post was a few dozen of permanent magnets. It is part of the system I plan to use for the detachable engine cover. Two sets are already installed on the fuselage as can be seen in the photo

[Rata]

Nice work Lex. Brilliant idea with the magnets too!

[elliott]

Good luck with the surgery Lex. Hope it works.

[Lex]

Less of a progress.

Since I opened up the rear wheel wells, I need to give it some interior details. The complexity of the shape warrants a treatment by 3D, rather than trying to tackle it with Human Eye Mk1 scratchbuilding. Off to the print shop again soon.

The inferred shape of the wheel well is still quite different from the real plane (it takes much more space on the actual aircraft, due to the wheel being stowed at an angle), but a compromise had to be made based on the kit itself.

[Lex]

Halfway working on the cockpit. I don't think I'm doing a very good job with the added details, but better than a blank canvas I guess. I had difficulty making it more believable, maybe adding seatbelts helps. Once this section is closed the front half of the jet will be more or less complete.

The canopy is made into a mould awaiting filling by plaster. More on that later.

[Rata]

Quite a project this is turning into Lex. Sounds like you have what it takes to win over in the end though. Keep fighting!

Regards, Garry G.

[Lex]

Thanks Garry. I have a feeling the tough parts are still to come though.

Further details are added to the cockpit. A little more detail on the seatbelt and it will be ready. Since little reference exist for the cockpit (still, references do exist for the instrument panel), I decided to give it whatever treatment that looks good. The instrument panel itself is replaced by a more accurate version, but I realised I printed the replacement to the wrong size only after it was built. Replacement of the replacement coming soon.

Canopy plaster mould has set. Good thing the plaster and the paper mould are both in one piece (which means if I screw up the plaster one, I can make another). As can be seen, the canopy shape is all wrong and I will have to sand the plaster extensively - precisely the reason I am using it.

The tabletop vacforming machine has arrived as well (the orthodontist's variety, costs about $50). Expect to test it soon.

[missileer]

Fantastic details! I am enjoying this thread. When you test the your new vacu-form, would you mind giving a critique in this thread? I have an old Mattel machine, that I bought in the 1960s, and I know it will not last much longer.