1:72 Airfix Bristol Bulldog
Discussion
I’m currently struggling with an atrocious Cyber Hobby Helldiver, so I decided to start this Classsic Airfix kit (1969) as some light relief. I picked it up at Telford last year for a few quid. Still a great moulding, particularly the engine and fuselage, it’s going to be re-released soon I believe:
Decals are probably dead, so I got some new ones:
Also got an instrument panel:
Plan is to add a few small refinements, maybe bare metal foil for the forward fuselage, but keep it pretty much standard. Last time I built one of these was in the late ‘70’s, and I still remember it looked pretty good even unpainted.
Decals are probably dead, so I got some new ones:
Also got an instrument panel:
Plan is to add a few small refinements, maybe bare metal foil for the forward fuselage, but keep it pretty much standard. Last time I built one of these was in the late ‘70’s, and I still remember it looked pretty good even unpainted.
Halmyre said:
Out of curiosity, how many projects do you have on the go at any one time? It must be in double figures.
Nearly double figures:Plastic kits - 4
Paper kits - 1
Model engines - 2
Classic cars - 1
General engineering stuff - 1
Just won a Wilesco steam road roller off EBay to restore too
They all get done eventually.
Proper old school instructions (perfectly good):
Of course, there’s a stand (which I might use, although the pilot is a bit of a blob):
The engine is a highlight of the kit:
Builds into something easily comparable with modern kits:
Fuselage also looks good, it features different textures for the aluminium and fabric, fine raised panel lines, stitching and rivets:
Most of the work will be improving the cockpit I think. Everything else is there, just needs a bit of refinement in places.
Of course, there’s a stand (which I might use, although the pilot is a bit of a blob):
The engine is a highlight of the kit:
Builds into something easily comparable with modern kits:
Fuselage also looks good, it features different textures for the aluminium and fabric, fine raised panel lines, stitching and rivets:
Most of the work will be improving the cockpit I think. Everything else is there, just needs a bit of refinement in places.
Rigging isn't too difficult, I managed to rig a 1/144 Dragon Rapide. Various ways of doing it, either with stretchy thread or drill through the wing completely, glue one end of the thread and "sew" the line through the model to keep it tight. Once the glue has set cut/sand off the excess and touch in the paint. I'm sure there's many other techniques too but as long as you're methodical it's perfectly manageable.
The key for me is to use elastic thread (ez-line or similar), then:
1) pre-drill shallow holes for the thread.
2) put a dot of cyano in the hole
3) dip the end of the thread in accelerator.
4) put the thread in the hole.
That way it sticks instantly so you’re not left holding a piece of stretched elastic thread for 10 minutes.
1) pre-drill shallow holes for the thread.
2) put a dot of cyano in the hole
3) dip the end of the thread in accelerator.
4) put the thread in the hole.
That way it sticks instantly so you’re not left holding a piece of stretched elastic thread for 10 minutes.
Bit more work on the cockpit - spaceframe just needs detailing with scrap p/e and bits from the spares box:
The upper wing is unusual in that it’s in three overlapping pieces. Seemed to fit ok so hopefully there will be no issues later:
[url]
It needs thinning a bit, and I’ll probably split the ailerons to add a bit of interest.
The upper wing is unusual in that it’s in three overlapping pieces. Seemed to fit ok so hopefully there will be no issues later:
[url]It needs thinning a bit, and I’ll probably split the ailerons to add a bit of interest.
Edited by dr_gn on Sunday 3rd November 22:05
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