1/48 Sea Gladiator

[Dave W]

This is my next build.Something a bit different to the F15E Ive just finished.The kit is by Roden and this is the first one of their kits Ive built.Some of the parts have a bit of flash on them and on others the sprue attaches to the exterior surface of the part.So a bit of careful sprue removal and cleaning up is required.On the plus side the wing and tail plane trailing edges are commendably thin.The cockpit and engine are nicely detailed as well.Going to build it as a machine flown in the defence of Malta,June 1940.Not sure how I will do the rigging yet.Apparently the Gladiator had raf wires like the Swordfish.I will try to get some suitably sized plastic rod for the job.

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[colin m]

Looks lke a very interesting build Dave. I like the old gladiator.

 

[Ian M]

Another one for the watch list!

For the "wires" how about plastic strips rather than rod. Pull the strips through some wet and dry a few time should 'take the corners off' it ...?

It looks like a good kit and I can say that roden build up rather well.

Ian M

 

[flyjoe180]

Interested to see this go together Dave. Airfix recently issued a new mould Gladiator in 1/72.

 

[yak face]

Looks great dave , i'll be interested to see this one come together , ive been eyeing up the new tool airfix one like joe , cheers tony

 

[Dave W]

The instrument panel is a clear part that you paint and leave the instruments clear.Then decals are provided to stick on the back of the panel so they show through the clear parts.Nice idea, but the decals are not very good.So I took them off and put some on the front of the panel using a Printscale decal sheet.Doesnt look brilliant close up but will be fine when fitted into the cockpit.Ive also assembled the engine which is nicely detailed.Once inside the cowling there are a lot of tiny exhaust pipes to glue between the cylinder heads and the cowling.The cockpit is coming on as well.Next job is to assemble a Lionsroar PE seat belt set and glue it to the seat.

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[0ne48thtel]

Looking good Dave

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice start Dave. That instrument panel is looking particularly good.

 

[Dave W]

Nice start Dave. That instrument panel is looking particularly good.

Don't look too closely at the instruments Joe.Ive not tried to replicate the exact instruments. Just used any that were the correct size.

 

[flyjoe180]

It looks the part Dave, that's all that matters. I'm sure half the buttons and knobs people paint in their cockpits are not exactly correct.

 

[Dave W]

A bit more progress.Ive been trying to assemble the Lionsroar seat belts.Got the shoulder straps done which were very fiddly.I felt the need to glue plastic bits together so attached the ailerons to the upper and lower wings.Then i glued the engine into the cowling.Still have to glue the tiny exhausts between the cylinder heads and cowling.Will do the seat lap straps next.

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[flyjoe180]

Looks good so far Dave, liking the straps.

 

[eddiesolo]

Looking great so far Dave, I like the idea of the clear cockpit instrument panel, but as you point out, it is only as good as the decals to be fitted.

Si

 

[yak face]

Nice work dave , the seat belts really are a must in this scale arent they. cheers tony

 

[Dave W]

Nice work dave , the seat belts really are a must in this scale arent they. cheers tony

They are a real pain to assemble.But I can't build a cockpit without them.I think they make a big difference,especially in an old kit without much cockpit detail.Got them finished this evening.

 

[Dave W]

Seat belts finished.Took me nearly an hour to assemble and fit the lap straps.

 

[Dave W]

Ive got the cockpit installed,glued the fuselage halves together ,glued lower wings and tail on.The fuselage halves needed sanding on a flat surface to make them fit better.No alignment pins so care needed to line the halves up right.Next stage is to make some sort of jig so I can glue all the struts to the lower wing and fuselage.Then I intend painting the model before attaching the upper wing and doing the rigging.Thats the plan anyway.

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[flyjoe180]

Can you please share the rigging progress Dave, I'm interested in seeing how you go about it. Looks good so far mate.

 

[0ne48thtel]

Nice work Dave

 

[Dave W]

Will share the rigging process when I've worked out how I'm going to do it!.Got a couple of ideas.