Continuing on with the wing The fuel tanks are now installed as well as the wheel well tops. Now I deal with the cannon bays.

The problem I found was that I couldn't get the built up cannon in with the replacement Master Hispano MkII barrels. This I solved with a 2 part fix.

First of all I put in the breech and feed assembly.

Then from the front of the wing I slid the barrel with a drop or two of cyanowhatsit on carefully through the holes and into the breech. Of course during the wing build I had tested the barrels first and widened any holes that needed widening to take the replacement barrels.

In the picture below you can see one cannon and barrel complete and the second outboard cannon just waiting for the barrel. You can also see the fuel tanks and wheel well cover in place.

A couple of more parts and the cannon bay(s) are done and the wing top skin is ready to go on.

The ammo storage boxes are a very tight fit to the base and I would look carefully at this section with the parts outside the wing first next time and make sure that everything drops into place and there's no struggle to get everything to fit. It's all a tight fitting squeeze.

At this point I have decided to do the wing painting now with the camo, AEF ID stripes etc. My next post should be a very entertaining one and leave me covered in Yellow, Ocean Grey, Medium Ocean Grey, Black and white paint. I'll probably fight with the fuselage sections too! depending on the instructions.

Comments etc welcome

James

Another update hits the build!

This update we fit the wheel well and spars as well as start fitting out the cannon bay. Each part was painted and decaled first before fitting. Clamps were used to make sure everything went where it should do until the glue grabbed and cured. There were no real difficulties apart from a couple of parts were very tight fits, but that's OK as they went into their position and no problem was encountered.

Dry fit of the wheel well top.

I had no difficulties apart from the size of the parts and the fact that each one needs clamping into place until the glue cures.

Now we start putting detail in including wing and leading edge fuel tanks, cannon bay detail and also wheel well detail.

I have had a dry fit session with the cannon I built up and found that getting it into place is going to be a problem. I stripped down the cannon and found that fitting it in pieces is the best way.

Look out for this in my next update.

Comments and questions welcome

James

So just had another reply from Airfix which I'd say will be the last for a while, but it does say a lot

Dear Sir

Sorry for the inconvenienced cause with the clear canopy Q1 from the product A19002.

We regret that we unable to supply the canopy without the slight dimple.

Attempts are being made to correct, but this has not been achieved to date.

We have your HC number and if we can improve the canopy in any way will send one of these.

Best regards

The Airfix spares team

Sure James will get the same sometime

Phil

The Samurai Armour is all in a box waiting for me to re-start it. At the moment I am at a stage where I need the storage box which is the only thing I am waiting for. I have all the bits etc, just need the storage box!

James: Wow, that's pretty darn awesome!!! I'm going to have to get one though I think I'll wait to see what aftermarket stuff comes out. Plus I hope they do a Tempest, I just like the lines of it a little better than the Typhoon.

BTW: Did you finish your set of samurai armour?  

As I build this I am making build notes in MS Word as to what would be easier to fit and when as well as painting. I am a bit concerned as to the colours the gunbay is to be painted (leather and yellow) but the ground crews of at least 1 Tiffy did line the bays with leather to try and help keep the cannon's from freezing up.

I think that I will go my own way with the gun bays with Interior green etc

I will be getting another Tiffy and trying my honest best to get as much on display as I can by taking a knife to the upper wing etc.

This Tiffy is a learning experience... mind you, all kits are! It's a good kit for the money and I am really enjoying this. It's a very long time I did an Airfix kit and considering what you actually get in the majority of 1/24 kits then this is very much a huge leap for 1/24 kits. I would love Airfix to go back and redo ALL their 1/24 kits to this standard, then we can have lots of fun!

.

At this moment I am just prepping for a spraying session.

James

I did wonder about some of the pipework. I was thinking when I get round to mine build the full engine, or as much as makes sense then build round it. Looking at the frames they look like they will have more give that way to fit the panels and line up than having to use gentle persuasion to get the engine in after they have set.

I had a call from Airfix today, probably the same guy you talked to and he honestly said they couldn't find one without the issue with the canopy. I said I was happy to wait till they get it sorted and to send me a new one out then so I've joined a list which I think may have a few people on it.

Phil

Here we go with another update.

In this update we finish the engine and install the radiator/cooling. Some parts are not easy to fix into place and at times I felt that parts should have gone in earlier as frustration levels rose. I will have to repaint some parts and touch up others with a brush.

Only one more part to add which can be done later.

Time to move on to the wings!

James

I wouldn't worry about the canopy. You can only see the flaw if you are really looking for it and I know that Airfix are working on fixing it.

The only other flaws I have come across are the undercart wheel mounts (see earlier post - easily fixable and the 20mm cannon barrels which are replaceable with masters 20mm cannon barrels they did for the Mossie.

I would also take a look at a Sutton fabric harness rather than the kit ones. more detail in those. Build update coming soon

James

Lookin' good, Snap!

I got this beast in the mail yesterday. It's really well done and will be nice to build.

Mine has the same issue with the canopy. I suppose I'll try to get an AM canopy . None found so far.

Moving on with the build.

Since my last update I have been fixing in the engine and the piping included in the kit. It is pretty comprehensive set of piping using information and diagrams available and looks good when built up.

The photos take you through stages 49-67 of the build. Some parts fit easily, some you have to wiggle, some really need to go on earlier that the instructions say and some make me look twice at the instructions, stare at the kit and say "Now I have to get that in there...... somehow!"

Most of this is a tight fit and cosmetic benefit will be gained by spending time getting rid of seams and using different shades of metal paint.

I would have used some copper on a couple of parts but for some reason the paint isn't playing and seems to have congealed into a lump.

I will be writing a note and sending it back to Vallejo in Spain with a "What the hell has happened? It's brand new never opened!" and see what happens!

Never mind! Mostly this section builds up in a logical sense and there are some very tight fits.

Now I have to flip this over and continue with some more, but first, the paint shop beckons!

Comments and questions welcome

James

The problem is on the inside of the canopy

If you rub your finger very lightly on the inside of the canopy in the area you can feel a bulge, not a dent. This to me makes it a mould problem.

Any decent judge in a competition looks at the work the modeller has put in and produced. A slight flaw in the production, wether fixable or not should not be penalised if the modeller hasn't dealt with it.

In this case, I think that this flaw, if not fixable by Airfix should be left alone. Trying to deal with it could either make it worse, or probably make the canopy unusable. At least Airfix has fixes the stress crack issues and there is no seam mark down the middle of the canopy to deal with!

It's a small thing overall. and there are more expensive kits out there to build, and we are getting something which modellers have been wanting for ages - a 1/24 kit with 1/32 detailing!

I do agree its not a huge issue but now everyone knows its there people will go looking for it on any build, good luck anyone who builds it for a competition.

It just annoys me, looking at the kit its a high end price one and why did they not check when they changed the mould, I still don't buy the issue with it setting.

I have more than a few kits with canopy's that size and they would have done better to have a seem to be smoothed out rather than this issue

Phil

It's Ok, you're not hijacking.

I too have received my "New replacement" and it is just like the others with the lens in both the canopy and windscreen.

I did, this afternoon speak with a guy at Airfix and both the manufacturer and Airfix are scratching their heads over how this has happened. Now I am told that they are working to try and find out how it has happened and correct it. They are not sure if it is a mould or casting issue.

Looking at this objectively, it is an issue with the kit, but overall quite a minor one. You can only see it really if you are purposely looking for it. When I went over the kit for the first time when I got it home, and I do go over it very carefully, I missed it and only went back after it was noted on a different forum.

It's an issue on both the canopy and windscreen parts, but when the model is built it becomes invisible as it doesn't detract from the overall result.

I know Airfix and their producer are looking into how this has happened and hopefully will fix this, but I think that it would be an idea to use it as a "Wartime supply" issue!

Engine update a little later!

James

So the third canopy arrived today and yes you guessed it it still has a lens in it, sent another email to Airfix which is below

Dear Hornby

I've received my third canopy today and again it has a "lens". This one was in an opened bag so it has been looked at by someone from Honby/Airfix.

I've looked a a book showing the build of the kit and the sprue is different and doesnt have this issue. I'd like to hear back from a person rather then the copy and paste reply I've had so far as it looks like an issue with all the canopies and it looks like I will need to wait for a vacuform to build a kit which retails at £100 which I don't believe is satisfactory.

I will be posting this to the Fine Scale Modeler forum as well as the Facebook page for Airfix

Apology to James as I feel like I'm almost hijacking your build with this but for the price it should be right

Phil

Loving this Snaps.  What a monster.  I look forward to your progress..

Joe

" but under the macro lens and flash"   Well -- luckily that's not how we, as humans, view things through our eyes.  So i'm sure its fine!  When my eyes start to function as a macro lenses and have flash built it, I may say you should think about a re-spray.  But until then, I think it looks fantastic.

Today so far has been one of those days when you're not sure if what you intended to do has been successful!

The engine block, supercharger and all the pipeworks and bit for the engine have been sprayed, re-sprayed and in some cases sworn at.

Needless to say, I am happy with the pipework that I have sprayed Aluminium, although after fitting there may be a case of some brushwork to patch up.

The engine block came out nicely to my eyes, but under the macro lens and flash of my D700 I am now not too sure!

I will probably feel much better after getting this on to the front of the cockpit frame and then all piped up. Some piping will be undergoing extra brush painting as well.

Comments and Questions welcome.

James

This I am more than aware of, However, like the Mossie, All variants of the Tiffy 1B, Early (car door) Mid and Late (bubbletop, 3 or 4 blade prop) had the Mk II version of the Hispano.

While Airfix's Hispano is correct for the MK1 Cannon, it's not correct for this kit! Like everything, there are exceptions to the rule, but the Tiffy had the Mk II 20mm fitted. There may have been test aircraft fitted with the Mk 1 Hispano.

Besides, correcting this with Master's MkII cannon barrels give the display option of leaving off a fairing as Airfix's Cannon are a bit soft in detail.

On to the Engine.

While this is a bone of contention, and probably a can of worms, I have noticed that all surviving Napier Sabre's engine block was painted a dark green colour. I have tried to replicate this colour with this kit and building is in progress.

At first I tried Vallejo Model Air 095 light green, but it reminded me too much of a deformed Apple, so I then painted with Vallejo Panzer Olive 1943.

I still wasn't happy and so went back to the paint stand. I decided that looking at the photos of the web and taking into account that most of the photos hadn't been colour corrected from flash etc that I needed a dark green.

Tomorrow I will put up photos of the block built up etc.... stay tuned

Perhaps I should point out that there were three possible positions for the recoil springs on the Hispano cannon; Airfix have moulded it as the Mk.I with the no.2 spring, which is entirely possible. In Scale Models, June 1979, Arthur Bentley showed the three different types, and included the short-barrelled  Mk.5 Hispano, which went into the Tempest and Spitfire 24.

Well, here I go with another update.

I have reached stage 38 (I do have got further in bits and bats, but they are waiting to be put on and painted). This marks the end of the cockpit and frame build.

During these stages I have noted that it is better to put some parts in earlier than in the instructions mainly for ease of access. Also when putting dials etc onto the instrument panel It would make things lots easier to actually put the dials on to the clear part (painting it black first. No point in messing with it as it is all going to be covered over!) before putting that into the instrument panel front. I am saying this because the dials etc are actually a fraction bigger than the place where they should fit and doing it as just described will save a lot of time, fix the dials in place and give builders chance to do the old drop of Klear to represent glass trick. In actual fact, the instrument panel stage just shows the parts going together. You have to hunt for the decal placement which is amongst the painting section at the back of the book.

From cockpit reference photos I have seen there seems to be quite a bit of equipment missing in the kit. It's no real drawback, but chance for an AM company to jump in and provide what is missing, such as the RP (rocket projectile) control/selector panel etc.

I am not sure what package Airscale are planning to produce for this, I have yet to hear from them, although I have registered with them for their Tiffy package, but with luck it should add much comprehensive detail to an already fantastic OOB cockpit.

Now, the photos are not up to my usual standard as I am having to use my 70-300mm landscape lens and can't really get wide angle close ups that I usually do until the insurance get's its act together!

I apologise for this and will try and get some decent cockpit pics later in the build once that has all been sorted. There is some paint patching to be done and the kit seat harness has not been put on as I am looking at an alternative. This can be put in at any time during the build!

There may be some more little bits to add on later in the build, but for now it's time to move on to the Naper Sabre Engine.

Comments & Questions welcome

James

Just get onto the net and order one. I think that it has now been released in the US. Despite a couple of flaws this is one of those breakthough kits in 1/24 scale.

This kit could follow in the footsteps of the Mossie and quickly disappear from their catalogue, so get a couple now while you have the opportunity. AM producers are already bringing things out for this beast.

I have a problem with my camera (broken lens) which has meant an Insurance claim. I have changed out the lens to my 70-300mm landscape lens. Not really ideal for close up photography but I will try to get some update pics tomorrow and post them. At this moment I have completed up to stage 38 which. apart from a couple of pipes sees the cockpit done.

I have not added the separate seatbelt parts as I am looking at some AM ones. These can be added at any stage of the build, so I am not worried about it.

James

Right now there is a pathetic fat man crying in his hotel room for his present inability to obtain and savor such a fantastic kit. Yes it's me and yes some day soon I to will own one of these technological monsters. Thanks for smoothing out  some of the idiocincrasys of an Airfix kit. I'll check in more and keep this thread on hand for reference. insert small sniffle and alligator tears here .LOL

This post is mainly for the US contingent who are following this.

A lot of UK purchases of this kit have noticed that there is a fault with the canopy.

It seems that it has not moulded properly and Airfix blame it on a faulty sprue feed which has been fixed. They also say in the email that it has been fixed and that they are sorry, but a few faulty sprues may have got through into kits.

However, on receiving a replacement, inspection shows that the same fault is there. In the photos below you can see where the fault is in the canopy hood and also the windscreen.

You can see this only at certain angles and only if you are looking for it. In most interior light where the kit would be displayed this fault would not really be noticed. It is there though and Airfix, bless them are trying to get fault free parts out to customers. They are expecting a batch of sprues in on Monday 4th August and I hope that they quality control guys are on the ball.

Moving on, As I have already noted the 20mm Hispano Mk II barrels are incorrect, but are fixable by using Air Master 20mm Hispano brass barrels. If you go down this road there are some changes that need to be made to other parts, but for the modeller who will build this kit then this is no problem at all.

Another problem which has come to light with my kit and another one that I know of is with the main landing gear struts D43 & D44. The area of the part that the wheels fit on are not cast properly, or the actual mould is faulty for these parts. Not sure which.

I notified Airfix and got a generic reply about sprue Q!!!

Here's the problem

Initially it looks like some flash until you get up close and you can see where the part is moulded and the rest is extra plastic.

Using where you can see the actual part as a starting area you can cut and sand away the surplus, using the tyre as a guide and try fitting constantly until the tyre fits properly. Again we shouldn't have to do this, but it's not much of a problem and easily dealt with.

SAC inform me that when this is released in the US they will do some metal legs. Let's hope they take care!

So far, this is all I have found that is wrong. It's not a major, but quality control at either the Factory or Airfix should have caught this!

Still, for what this kit represents which is a huge leap forwards in 1/24 scale detailing then it's brilliant, and shortcomings or not it should be welcomed by large scale modellers with open arms. It is a super subject to build. An iconic aircraft and should. I hope lead to the car door variant (provision has been made in the kit for this) and I hope Hawker Sea Fury and Tempest as well as others that came from this design.

Moving on, I should be back to photographing tomorrow, so expect an update soon.

James

Guinea Pig for Airfix, but loving it!

I got that one today.

Now I have my posting ability here fixed I will see if I can get one of my lenses working and post and update and repost the photos from above!

James

So I've had another reply from Airfix see below

We are very sorry you have experienced problems with the product A19002.

The problem with the Q sprue, is not common to all the kits.

Problem was only found after the mould inspection when the clear sprue had been standing for several days.

The sprue feed was changed to eliminate this problem.

Would seem that some incorrect parts have slipped through.

We are awaiting shipment of these sprue’s we anticipate these arriving for despatch on Monday 4th of August no latter thane Wednesday the 6th

These will be checked and sent next day

Once again sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Regards

John Humphrys

Looks like the main thing they are admitting now is "These will be checked and sent next day" which I would have though they would have done to all of them anyway!!

So if anyone is looking for a replacement wait a couple of days and let them know. I have to say looking at a few forums they are taking a bit of a kicking for this and I dont believe them when they say "The problem with the Q sprue, is not common to all the kits." as everyone I've spoken to with the kit has an issue with that sprue, either cracking or the lens issue

Phil

James

I;ve not noticed an issue with the landing gear, I'll have a look later just so we can confirm if its a general issue or just yours. I am half hoping to see some after market items come out as I'm syill not sure the Airfix ones will take the weight.

I've noticed in the past a lot of engines blocks from that time where a deep green but not many paint charts show that, I did wonder a couple of times if it was a restorer getting it wrong

Your build is looking good, you may be the first perosn to finish a production run kit the way your going

Phil

My replacement Q sprue has exactly the same thing wrong. Also I have noticed that the windshield also has a lens issue.

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I have also noted that the undercart legs D43 & D44 are not formed properly and (on my kit at least) you won't get the wheels on

i353.photobucket.com/.../DSC_0562_zps2276efba.jpg

i353.photobucket.com/.../DSC_0563_zpsd381918f.jpg

You can clearly see where the correct line is and it is not too much extra work with a sharp 11 blade and some very, very fine (at least 1000 Grit) wet and dry to cure along with much test fitting. Still I can't work out if it is a casting or mould problem!

Onto the build update.

I decided to have a slight change in tactics ( this is a big kit and with various sections you can jump around a bit, so I moved to tackle the Napier Sabre engine block and supercharger.

I had no real problems putting the engine block together. There is provision to put a small electric engine in so you can have the prop turn, but you will need to purchase a stand to put the model on and cut some extra holes in the fuselage bottom to accommodate the stand fixing and the cable for the electric motor.

Long ago I came to the inevitable conclusion that model kits that have electric devices in are inherently dangerous to me after managing to electecute myself more then once with a R/C Boat. Ever since I have stuck to static stuff.

During my search around the net I noticed the Sabre engine block and some attachments were a glossy green colour. Every picture I saw showed me the green engine block. Some wartime colour photos of Tiffys undergoing maintainance show the Sabre engine as a dark colour, but to be fair these photos aren't close enough to actually make colours out in the engine bay as they are taken from a distance. Also these photos could have been colourised after the fact.

My first paint job which I didn't photo used Vallejo Model Air Pale Green 71095. After sitting for a while and looking at what was a good impression of a deformed Granny Smith Green Apple I rummaged around my paint stand and after some thought give it a coat of VMA Panzer Olive Green 1943. This gave the engine block and supercharger parts a much better and closer colour to the ones I have seen on the net.

i353.photobucket.com/.../DSC_0564_zps13455467.jpg

At this moment I am suffering from a problem that has stopped me taking photos until I can sort a claim out and get a new lens.

My Nephew accidentally knocked my best Nikon pro lens (£1500 quids worth!) onto the floor and while it takes photos, the zoom function etc is very wonky and the auto focus isn't very auto any more and the manual focus just doesn't work.

I am trying to do a work around at the moment.

Stay tuned for more adventures from the bench!

James