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Posted

Hello chaps,

Well after some thought I've decided to post my long term project here, considering it's a British themed modellers website/forum it only seems fair.

I started this project just over a year ago. I'd long been wanting to build an accurate model of a FA.2 and I eventually decided on the 1/24 Airfix FRS.1 kit to be the base of my project using the Heritage Aviation FA.2 coversion set which consists of a resin nose and fuselage plug plus white metal parts for the wings and vent coverings.

The inspiration came from Nick Greenalls (of HARSIG fame) 1/24 FRS.1 which is, quite simply, stunning. I wanted to achieve the same sort of feel with this model...to try and capture the look, feel and character of the FA.2 in model form.

If you've been following my build over on ARC, then you'll be up to date with how this long build is progressing. If not, please head on over to ARC or follow this link:

ARC 1/24 SHAR build

Here are some images just to form a very brief summary of what I've done to date.

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12 months of work crammed into one post :)

Posted

Tonight I've been working on getting the rear bulkhead started off.

This has taken a considerably longer amount of time then I predicted but this is mainly due to the fact that it's the 'base' for lots of other sub components and much care has to be taken to, what I call, 'future proof' it. I don't want to find out that the ejection seat isn't pointing straight upwards because I didn't measure and line up the holding brackets when I was drawing the plans for the bulkhead! Fuse boxes and cables as well as air conditioning pipes all run over the rear bulkhead so I have to be sure that it will all fit and look neat.

I begin by drawing out a plan. I use a rule to note down all panel lines and rivet detail (as well as lines to make sure it's all lined up correctly) followed by the larger boxes and vents.

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Here you can see the first plan and test bulkhead I did with the latest (fourth attempt) propped up. I've found everytime I'm happy with what I have so far, I find more rivet detail...also, the originals were very scruffy and experimental (I was still trying to work out how I was going to go about making this area)

Here are the latest and hopefully final candidates.

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I'm using Coke Cans for my foil.

I then use a needle to highlight the rivets on the paper plan. There is a gap of 0.75mm between each rivet.

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You have to remember I'll be pushing the rivet detail in from behind the foil so conventional 'rivetting' won't work unless I drew a back-to-front plan (something I don't think my brain could cope with)

The paper plan is then stuck face down onto the back of the foil and carefully lined up. Any small slip or slide of the paper would cause my measurements to be off and spoil the build further down the line. Each rivet is then embossed for the second time, this time obviously with the foil on the other side.

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Use a ruler (despite having a guide) anyway as they'll come out wonky. The trick is even pressure.

The foil is then test fitted. Good enough for me :D

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All that effort is made worth it :)

The next stage begins...the detailing. First I punch all the holes needed for the electrical cables. Each of these hole has a plug with between 10-25 wires in them! That isn't including the other tubes that criss cross the area.

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This is a picture of the rear bulkhead without the ejection seat:

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As you can see...lots of work ahead of me.

Thanks for watching and ALL comments, critiques and feedback is welcomed.

Also, good news as I finish Sixth Form this friday so plenty of time to get my teeth into this!

Posted

Looks great Jake! I followed it on ARC too and I'm in total awe :wacko:Looking forward to seeing more progress on this baby.

Too bad you don't have a CAD programme for the pc, you would have had no problems with alignment or even mirrored drawings.

:viking:

Posted

Well Jake, I said it on ARC and I'll repeat it here. Your work is stunning and inspirational.

Glad to see you've decided to bring it across with you.

Posted
Stunning work Jack, I think I'm safe in saying museum quality model in the making. :thumbsup2:

Don't insult the lad :winkgrin: "Museum Quality" indeed! - it's much better than that! - have you looked at most models in museums lately?:shocked: I have a 1/8 Hasegawa Fokker DrI which proclaims itself to be a "Museum" model and the compromises and inaccuracies are manifold! but as it only cost me £350 :analintruder: , I shouldn't complain should I? :rolleyes:

Thats an absolute cracker, Jake - I look forward to seeing the completed model shortly before I shuffle off my coiled mortality!!! Great photos too, BTW!

Posted

wow...

words fail me...

Posted

That's a corker Jake... I remember seeing it on ARC (where?) and liking it immensely. Such talent in one so young! I could kick you to death for it, but you seem such a nice chap ;)

Keep the updates coming young feller-me-lad ^_^

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Hello again chaps,

Welp I'm back nearly 2 months after my previous post with an update. It's a little smaller than I would have like to have posted but it'll do for now.

I've spent the last two months on and off (mostly off due to work and other stuff) detailing the rear bulkhead. There's still A LOT to do, things like wires, cables and the fuse boxes amongst other smaller parts that'll directly connect to the side walls....ANYWAY! Let the pictures commence:

There are some large, round components on the rear bulkhead...they look something like vents and I created these by sandwiching lots of punched out circles...

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...creating a 'lathe' out of aluminium tubes and my dremel and super-gluing the circles to the end.

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The shape is then sanded (sort of like a bowl shape) and this is the final result, with foil and other bits added on top.

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This is another vent/component/thingymabob...

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Easier to make then the other. Lots of circles glued together, then a bit of fine brass mesh run around the outside (kindly supplied to me by Nick Greenall - Thanks!) I think it does the trick and should look good painted up.

Next up are all the main components of the lower bulkhead area (the confusing part) together:

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I lost count of how many individual parts I've used to create these. I think the rectangly part towards the bottom of the image consists of about 30 parts alone.

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All the parts in their positions.

Next up is the foil section mounted onto the plastic with all the components blutacked on for show:

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Each individual 'plug' that go in the holes is made up of between 5-8 circles!

And a comparison shot of the real thing. I've tried to highlight the area I'm modelling.

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Still need to paint it up, add cables etc etc.

Quite a boring update (rear bulkheads aren't the most exciting things!) but it's something! Got this week off work, so expect more updates soon.

Also, I got into The Arts Institute at Bournemouth so I'm pretty chuffed :D Doing Modelmaking For Design and Media :D

Posted
Also, I got into The Arts Institute at Bournemouth so I'm pretty chuffed :D Doing Modelmaking For Design and Media :D

Congratulations & :goodjob: that man! :yahoo: Very pleased for you ^_^

Posted

Thanks chaps, appreciated! Should be able to get it painted and cabling started today if I'm lucky :) Then onto the other bits and bobs! Looking forward to getting started on the instrument panel :D

Posted

That is absolutely amazing work Jake, I am watching this thread closely, I have a 1/24 Harrier to build among the old stash, I doubt somehow it will turn out like this one.

Congrats on getting into Bournmouth, cracking town dude with a fantastic night life.

All the best

Chris

Posted

Wow, I mean................Wow .................. just awestruck

There is always something new to blow your mind in the place - totally bloody wow :gobsmacked:

Posted

Go on Jake admit it, you either have microscopic vision or you really are about 3" tall!!!!! this is one detailed project and i reckon i'll be about 70 before you finish it!.

Superb work :speak_cool:

Posted

Thank you very much gents. Your feedback has been hugely encouraging which should speed the build process up a little bit :) Hopefully you'll see the end of it before you're 45 Jay :D

And I only use my mk.1 eyeball for building...hope it doesn't fail me anytime soon!

Thank you again on the congratulations for getting into Uni...I'll be moving in in a week or two :) Looking forward to starting.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Jake,

I've just joined this forum and was browsing when I found your post. This is a fantastic build mate!, and guess what? I'm doing exactly the same over on the Large Scale Planes forums... :speak_cool:

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=16061

Its great to see someone else doing this, your cockpit kind of puts my effort to shame!! It looks awesome! Keep it up mate, it will be good to see the comparison at the end :)

Chris.

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