Page 36 - Model Airplane International - Issue 175 (February 2020)

KIT BUILD

The complete cockpit
and radiator assembly
is a substantial unit
that fi ts together
very neatly. Note the
painted moulded-in The stock cockpit is excellent as supplied, the decal
seatbelts here. supplied for the instrument panel is very neatly done and
fi ts perfectly.

The sides of the fuselage and the radiator assembly
needed some judicious sanding to enable a snug fi t
within the fuselage, luckily this section is hidden from
view on the fi nished model.
and radiator assembly were fi nished I fi tted
Interior Decorating them into the fuselage halves without glue on
Straight from the box, Airfi x supply a more than a dry-run to see how it would close up. I am
adequate cockpit with a detailed seat featuring glad that I did this as the sides of the cockpit
moulded-on seat belts. These really don’t look fl oor at the rear and the lower frame of the
too bad once painted, though I suspect a set radiator housing needed a fair amount of
of aftermarket or scratchbuilt seat belts will sanding to narrow the unit somewhat allowing
more than likely be the only modifi cation that the fuselage to close up around them properly.
some modellers will feel the need to add to lift No details were lost fortunately, but just be
the realism in the cockpit. The sidewall details aware that the tolerances are very tight and a
are neatly executed if a little chunky due to little help is required to ensure everything goes
the limitations of injection moulding. When in properly and fuselage closes without gaps,
The results of the masking and painting of the wheelbays
viewed through the small cockpit opening on top or bottom.
paid off, though this would still need weathering and
the completed model, they really will suffi ce. Before the fuselage halves were closed up
details touching in it looks far more interesting than an all
Everything was painted as per the instructions the tails need fi tting, Airfi x supply both early yellow-green bay.
and weathered with a wash and some unfi lleted and later, fi lleted tails. Make sure you
drybrushing. Below the cockpit fl oor fi ts the choose the correct one (later fi lleted) as they
radiator and oil cooler assembly as well as the are on the same runner and look very similar
housing for the tailwheel. These all fi t perfectly to one another. These need a little care to fi t
and look very convincing. The tailwheel leg due to Airfi x (correctly) depicting a port offset
has to go in at this stage and I was a little as per the real aeroplane.
concerned it may be damaged throughout the With the fuselage together, attention turned
rest of the build but it was robust enough to back to the wings and more notably, the
withstand my fi ngers and thumbs and survived undercarriage bay which has to be painted
intact - take care though! Once the cockpit and fi tted before the wings can be assembled,

In order to fi ll the wing panel line and rivet detail, Mr.
Dissolved putty was carefully applied to the offending
The fuselage did require a certain
amount of clamping while the liquid areas with a wooden toothpick. This needs a good 24
cement did its job. Care was taken to hours or more to cure.
not over tighten the clamps.

The Mr. Dissolved putty was sanded back, after which
a light coat of grey primer was sprayed on before being
polished with 1500 grit wet and dry paper used wet.

36 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

DOOLEY BIRD.indd 36 08/01/2020 09:43