13
Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 Comet 1-72 Scale Airfix A01013 Kit Review The Comet number 88, in the sequence of De Havilland designs, was one of the most elegant racing aeroplanes of all time and owed its inception to the planned 100th anniversary celebration for the foundation of the state of Victoria in 1934. The well-known Australian patriot, Sir MacPherson Robertson, proposed an air race from England to Australia for which he offered a total prize of £15,000 – £10,000 of which went to the winner. When the race was first announced in March 1933, there were no British aircraft which had the speed or range necessary to compete in the 12,300 mile (19,800 km) race. Eager to go ahead, De Havilland took the unusual step of advertising in the aviation press of the day to produce a 200mph (322km/h) aircraft for a cost of £5,000, if orders were placed by February 1934. The race was planned for the 20th of October and this gave De Havilland less than nine months to design, build, and test fly the new aircraft. Built of wood and powered by two Gypsy Six engines, with a crew of two seated in a tandom cockpit with dual controls. The first of the three aircraft ordered, (now named Comet), flew on the 8th of September – A bare six weeks before the race – and the other two flew shortly after. The three Comets were distinctively finished in Red (Grosvenor House), Black (Black Magic), and Green, with Grosvenor House winning the race in a time of 70 hrs, 54 min, 18 sec. The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire, England. For the Modeler: This Airfix model is a skill level 1, 1:72 scale kit #A01013. It is molded in gray and clear plastic. This Airfix kit only comes with decals to build the Black Magic version. This kit does not have a lot of parts or complexity. Everyone from a beginner to expert can build this famous racer. The end result is all about the seams and how much time you take to fill, sand, and prime. Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build, basic construction; part preparation; seam identification and repair; clamping techniques; adhesive selections and application; assembly sequence; using Alclad paints for the black and chrome finish; body preparation; canopy masking; realistic landing gear finishes; decal preparation and application; using floor polish sealers; are all fully examined in this 13 page, full-color Step-by-Step review.

RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

  • Upload
    vocong

  • View
    215

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 Comet 1-72 Scale Airfix A01013 Kit Review

The Comet number 88, in the sequence of De Havilland designs, was one of the most elegant racing aeroplanes of all time and owed its inception to the planned 100th anniversary celebration for the foundation of the state of Victoria in 1934. The well-known Australian patriot, Sir MacPherson Robertson, proposed an air race from England to Australia for which he offered a total prize of £15,000 – £10,000 of which went to the winner. When the race was first announced in March 1933, there were no British aircraft which had the speed or range necessary to compete in the 12,300 mile (19,800 km) race. Eager to go ahead, De Havilland took the unusual step of advertising in the aviation press of the day to produce a 200mph (322km/h) aircraft for a cost of £5,000, if orders were placed by February 1934. The race was planned for the 20th of October and this gave De Havilland less than nine months to design, build, and test fly the new aircraft. Built of wood and powered by two Gypsy Six engines, with a crew of two seated in a tandom cockpit with dual controls. The first of the three aircraft ordered, (now named Comet), flew on the 8th of September – A bare six weeks before the race – and the other two flew shortly after. The three Comets were distinctively finished in Red (Grosvenor House), Black (Black Magic), and Green, with Grosvenor House winning the race in a time of 70 hrs, 54 min, 18 sec. The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire, England. For the Modeler: This Airfix model is a skill level 1, 1:72 scale kit #A01013. It is molded in gray and clear plastic. This Airfix kit only comes with decals to build the Black Magic version. This kit does not have a lot of parts or complexity. Everyone from a beginner to expert can build this famous racer. The end result is all about the seams and how much time you take to fill, sand, and prime. Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build, basic construction; part preparation; seam identification and repair; clamping techniques; adhesive selections and application; assembly sequence; using Alclad paints for the black and chrome finish; body preparation; canopy masking; realistic landing gear finishes; decal preparation and application; using floor polish sealers; are all fully examined in this 13 page, full-color Step-by-Step review.

Page 2: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

000a The kit’s box art and parts layout. I always start a model by giving it a bath in soapy water to remove any foreign debris that could affect gluing and painting.

Fig 01) All trees have been washed and dried.

Page 3: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Step 1 - Airframe

Fig 02) Removed all parts from the trees, removed parting lines and any flash that may exist.

Fig 03) Using Testors Liquid Cement, I glued the Fuselage together. Clothes Pins and small clamps are used to hold the 2 pieces together.

Page 4: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 04) Using Testors Liquid Cement, I glued the wings and Horizontal Stabilizers to the Fuselage.

Fig 05 & 06) There are big gaps where the wings meet the fuselage and a mismatch along the fuselage seams. To fix this, I apply a coat of Squadron White Putty. I’ll let this dry overnight.

Page 5: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 07) After the putty is completely dry, I wet sand it with 400 grit. The fuselage is ready for Step 4. Step 2 – RH Engine Nacelle

Fig 08, 09) Removed all parts from the trees, removed parting lines and any flash that may exist. Using Testors Liquid Cement, I glued the Engine Nacelles halves together.

Page 6: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 10, 11) Filled the seams of the Engine Nacelle with Squadron White Putty. I’ll let this dry overnight. After the putty is completely dry, I wet sand it with 400 grit sand paper. I’ll install the Propeller and Gear Door at final assembly after Paint. The Engine Nacelle is ready for Step 4. Step 3 – Repeat the above procedure for the LH Engine Nacelle Step 4 – Final Assembly

Fig 16) Using Testors Liquid Cement, I glued the Right and Left Engine Nacelles onto the wings.

Page 7: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 17 & 18) There is a big gap between the Engine Nacelles. I filled this seam with Squadron White Putty and let it dry overnight.

Fig 19) Everything has been sanded and ready for primer.

Page 8: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 20) Before priming the airframe, I use a tack rag and wipe down all surfaces to remove any dust or small particles that may be present. In this picture, the airframe has been primed with Tamiya Fine Primer.

Fig 21) The fuselage has been primed and sanded with 400 grit wet & dry sandpaper several times. I want the surface to be perfect since this is going to be a gloss black finish.

Page 9: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 22) I had to remove the pilot figure heads so the canopy would fit down onto the fuselage. As for the cockpit, I painted it flat black before I glued the canopy on. I then glued the canopy onto the airframe using Micro Krystal Klear. The canopy did not have frame lines molded in that I usually use as a guide for masking. This was completed free hand using Tamiya Tape and a new razor blade to trim the tape.

Fig 23) The entire airframe was painted with Alclad Gloss Black. Prior to painting, I wet sanded the entire airframe with 600 grit sand paper then wiped off with a new tack rag.

Page 10: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 24) After the Gloss Black cures, usually overnight, I masked the airframe off so I could spray the Landing Gear.

Page 11: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 25, 26, 27) The Gloss Black base coat that is the planes actual color is perfect for the Chrome Paint. I sprayed the Landing Gear, Wheels, Inside of Gear Doors, Nose of Fuselage, and Propellers, with Alclad Chrome. Fig 28) I also sprayed the Nose of Fuselage and Propellers with Alclad Chrome.

Fig 29) After the Chrome paint has dried, usually 1 to 2 hours, I painted the tires with Testors Enamel Rubber.

Page 12: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 30 & 31) I applied the Decals to the Airframe using the manufactures recommendations. The items I use to apply decals are a container of warm water, Microscale Micro Sol, a small paint brush to apply the Micro Sol, a razor blade for cutting out the decals, and the decals. Note: Microscale Micro Sol - This product when applied to the decal will soften the decal so it sits perfectly onto the surface of the aircraft. To start the decal process, first carefully trim the decal away from the sheet. Next, place the decal into your warm water for approximately 10 – 20 seconds then remove and place onto a dry paper towel. Depending on the decal, the adhesive may take several minutes to soften. After about 3 to 4 minutes, the decal slides on the backing paper. Carefully place into position on the aircraft. At this point, the decal can be moved around into the desired position. When you’re satisfied, dab the paper towel onto the decal soaking up any water that may be on the surface. Now apply the Microscale Micro Sol using the paint brush. Cover the entire decal and surrounding area. After about 3 minutes the decal will start to wrinkle up. Don’t panic. This is normal as the decal softens. WORD OF CAUTION – Do not attempt to move the decal now. You will be sorry. Trust me!

Fig 33, & 34) After the decals dried overnight, I applied a coat of Future Floor Polish to seal the decals.

Page 13: RoR Step-by-Step Review 20130312* De Havilland DH.88 … · The Aircraft has been restored and can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in the Old Warden Aerodome at Bedfordshire,

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2013 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

Fig 40) Glue on the Wheels, Gear Doors, and Props from Steps 2 and 3.

The De Havilland DH.88 Comet is complete. The bottom line is: have fun and you might learn something about the subject your modeling.