ISSUE 20 – PILOTS SEAT AND CONTROL PANEL

PARTS CHECKLIST – PICTURE 11

20-01 Cockpit LED circuit board and cable
20-02 Pilots Seat
20-03 Back Support for pilots’ seat
20-04 Cockpit Details A - F
20-05 Pilots Seat Frame
20-06 Cockpit Details G - K
20-07 Seat Edging
20-08 Cable Label
20-09 Three KB 1.6 x 5mm screws (1 spare)

PICTURE 12 & 13

Happy with this stage as its plastic which means I can discard the superglue and use my Tamiya extra thin.

We start here making the seat frame.

Its important when cutting these from the fret that (as in Picture 13) we leave the arrowed pegs in place (it would be easy to cut these off by mistake)

PICTURES 14, 15, 16

We then take the 2 frame support sides and these are glued into place.

In picture 14 (arrowed) its worth noting the ejector pin marks from the moulding process but once these parts are in place these are not easily seen so onwards and upwards as they say.

PICTURES 17 & 18

We then take the seat and the seat back support (part 20-03) and glue these 2 sections together.

There are three holes on the seat back and 3 matching pins on the seat back support that have to be lined up.

PICTURE 19

When complete we then glue in place the seat support framework that we previously assembled.

PICTURES 20 & 21

We then take the seat framework support struct (smaller of the 2 items shown in picture 20) plus the longer strut and lever and again these are glued into place on the seat assembly.

PICTURES 22 & 23

This is an interesting part as its described in the instructions as “Seat Edging part 20-07).

Its not something I am familiar with so will have to look through some reference to see just exactly what this is.

Anyhow this parts clips over the side of the seat and is held in place with a dot of superglue.

PICTURES 24 & 25

We get a tiny circuit board with this stage that will be used to back light the control panel.

The instructions would have you assemble the whole thing before testing it works.

Much better I think to test it works before putting everything together.

The board has 3 tiny surface mounted yellow leds and as can be seen in picture 25 they all light up when connected through the previously suppled test board and battery box.

PICTURES 26 & 27

So, we start by taking our working led board and the instrument panel back.

The board is screwed into place TAKING EXTREME CARE as we do not want to put ant flex into the board which has a potential to dislodge the surface mounted components.

PICTURES 28 & 29

The instrument panel itself is made up of 2 parts. The rear, clear, section that has the instrument dials printed on and a front panel.

There are 2 holes on the clear part that the 2 pegs on the console press into.

PICTURE 30

The front instrument panel is then pressed into the cockpit frame and the led board and backing piece screwed on to hold everything in place.

PICTURE 31

We finish the instrument console by attaching the lead identification sticker as you can see here.

PICTURE 32

The instrument panel assembly is then secured using 2 screws to the side of the cockpit.

PICTURE 33

We are then told to “test fit” the head rest bulkhead to ensure it fits correctly.

The 4 cable ends I have arrowed will fit into the holes in the side of this bulkhead once it’s all in place.

PICTURES 34 Through 37

So now we bring both sides of the cockpit framing together, at the same time as sandwiching in the headrest bulkhead (this sits tight in the space allocated without the need for any glue)

In picture 35 you can see how those 4 cable ends are tidied away in the holes in the headrest bulkhead.

In picture 37 you can see that dial between the rudder pedals and hopefully you can see from my earlier comments that a little paint removal when getting the parts off the fret is never going to be seen.

We start with the first part of the cockpit framework and the connecting bar.

ISSUE 22 – FUSELAGE PANEL TO FIT BENEATH THE COCKPIT

PARTS CHECKLIST – PICTURE 58 & 59

22-01 Fuselage

This is an interesting part as it arrives securely packed in its own little card box and is wrapped in tissue paper.

It’s a metal part and quite weighty.

PICTURE 60

Good to see the aircraft markings (larger this time) as still being done very well indeed.

PICTURE 61

And this is what the top surface of the part looks like. Its going to have a whole lot of connections made to it looking at the fixing points.

And that’s it for this time but to give you an idea of the next instalment …………..

PICTURE 62

In stage 23 we are shown a wind section will be supplied. This is going to be a large part so looking forward to getting my hands on that.

So, until the next time Stay Safe and Happy Modelling.

Looking good so far Tony.



Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Phil/Derek/Steve

Many thanks for following along with me.

Tony

ISSUE 24 – BRACING STRUTS FOR THE PORT WING

PARTS CHECKLIST – PICTURE 10

24-01 STRUT FOR THE PORT WING
24-02 STRUT FOR THE PORT WING
24-03 FIVE 2.5 x 4mm PM screws (SILVER, 1 spare)
24-04 FIVE 2 x 4mm PB screws (BLACK, 1 spare)


PICTURE 11

We start by placing the first of the wing struts in place. Pleased that this (and the other sections) have been very well made and just drop into place.

PICTURE 12

We fix the strut into place using 2 of the silver and 2 of the black screws from those included with this issue.

PICTURE 13

We then complete this section by installing the second of the wing struts.

PICTURES 14 & 15

And once complete this is how the section looks.

ISSUE 26 – BRACING STRUTS FOR THE STARBOARD WING

PARTS CHECKLIST

26-01 STRUT FOR THE STARBOARD WING
26-02 STRUT FOR THE STARBOARD WING
26-03 FIVE 2.5 x 4mm PM screws (SILVER, 1 spare)
26-04 FIVE 2 x 4mm PB screws (BLACK, 1 spare)


PICTURES 18 & 19

This section is completed in exactly the same way as Section 24 so very little additional explanation required.

PICTURES 20 & 21

So, having completed this months 4 issues this is what we are left with.

At this stage the part measures 51cm from wingtip to wingtip and weighs in at 205 grams.

PICTURE 22

Issue 27 is previewed on the back of issue 26 and we can see the next parts will start the construction of one of the undercarriage legs and wheel.


So, at this point of the build we are 74 issues away from completing the aircraft. What I do not know is if the display stand will arrive ready to run or if that will be built up in sections.

The remaining issues promise to be the diorama parts such as the extra figures and a few various vehicles.

I am still not sure about this build to be honest.

I probably will continue but I am hoping when it comes to the diorama pieces, we will already have completed the aircraft and the base and have the option of cancelling at that point.

However, I have a feeling Hachette just might have taken that into consideration but time will tell.

Until the next time - Stay Safe and Happy Modelling.

Hi Tony I agree with Delboy. But like he says the decision is definitely yours. I must admit to a slight bias, as if I hadn’t already subscribed to the DA version I would DEFINITELY be subscribing to this one/
Your build looks amazing and would be a shame to opt out at this stage. I, too think you would regret it

Regards Gray

Have to agree Tony would be a shame, looks to be a very nice kit and your doing a superb diary

Regards Phil

Many thanks everyone - i feel very humbled to have my build featured with so many other excellent builds and talented model makers on here.

Guess i will have to see this one through to its end now :-)

Thank you all again its very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Tony

To be honest Tony it’s well deserved. And it’s not just the style but also the content that makes this diary so interesting. Keep it up

Regards Gray