1/48 Sopwith Camel F.1*** FINISHED Pg.4

I built that when I was a kid.  Looking forward to this build. 

Thanks John. Same here on when the last time was that I built this particular kit. It is definitely something of a “nostalgia build”.

Last night I began construction. Actually though it was mostly just paint work.

First I took a razor saw along the seat to give it some texture to suggest that of the wicker seats actually used. Once painted and with a wash it should look more the part.

Then I painted up other cockpit components, and the interior of the fuselage halves. Just getting the base colors on for now. I’m not gonna use the kit pilot, so behind the seat is a glaring empty space. I searched thru my spares/salvaged parts and came up with a fuel tank to fill the void. It somewhat resembles the real thing. I’m not going for 100% accuracy, just stuff to suggest what should be there. I’m sure that must sound like blasphemy to some modelers.

I’ll get to work on detail painting and washes over the next few days, plus whatever mods I intend to scratch up for the cockpit. 

Good to see ya here TJ. I should have some decent progress in a couple of days. First trick will be fitting that fuel tank in there... and painting up the IP.

That was a cool idea on the seat.  I’m going to enjoy following along.  

Another vintage classic gets new life!  There's something satisfying about putting effort into an old kit. 

Knox and Chad thanks for looking in on this project. 

Knox, it’s a nice simple old school technique to dress up an otherwise bland part.

Chad, you are quite right on that point. Giving these old kits some extra attention and TLC can really be enjoyable.

Always great to see another Camel on the production floor!

[BTW, I have that same decal set, which I got for the USN markings; I've done 2 others off the sheet...but have yet to do the one I actually purchased the decals for! Ain't that always the way? ]

Great work so far.

Thanks Greg. That is too funny that you have built two other subjects from the decal set, but not yet the one that you bought the set intending to use. Funny how those things happen.

Hey Stik, I'll be riding along on this build too. 

Know what you mean about the empty pit. Started a WIP the end of Oct. on a Monogram SBD Dauntless that had a rectangular box for a pit. Pilots seat, pilot (ugly), rear gunner (also ugly) and machine gun. That was all, not even an IP. I absolutely couldn't leave it that way. Haven't worked on it much over the holidays but I'll bring it up to date soon.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

Thanks for tagging along Jim. I know what you mean about the Monogram SBD. I have one of those as a sidelined build. I added a bunch of stuff mine salvaged off of a trashed TBD build. Those parts helped a lot!!!!

Today’s update. Lots of painting and drilling and sanding and measuring & cutting... and not much gluing. So here we go.

First up, I was not happy with the filler points on the top deck behind the cockpit, so I drilled those out.

Before and after

Then I repainted the cockpit floor based off some photos of preserved Camels. Different custom shade of wood that I mixed up compared to the sidewalls

Then I modified the salvaged fuel tank into the piece affair that the real one had. Not to mention lots of sanding to get it to fit into the fuselage behind the pilot seat. I also painted the seat cushion and edging, again based off of photos of Museum Camels

And lastly, base colors finished on the IP and control yoke, plus I scratch built up a rudder bar with control linkage rods, again based off of Museum Camels

A bit more stuff to do like instrument decals, washes and perhaps an attempt at wood grain before I can put it all together.

Until the next update...

Today’s update: I took a shot at using oils for a wood grain appearance.

First step, I mixed up a brown shade and then applied it over the interior wood surface areas

Next step I used a thinner moistened brush to remove much of the oil paint and leave a streaking that resembles wood grain

The final look... any resemblance to actual wood grain is more luck than anything else. 

This technique is actually going to take lots of practice to get a handle on it.

One small update from yesterday’s work:

I forgot to get a better shot to show the sidewall wood grain effort

and now that the oil wash on the engine has dried and I do not need to worry about it staining my photo booth, here’s a photo of the engine

Ooo, how fun, a Camel. 

modelcrazy

Ooo, how fun, a Camel. 

 

Right? You know me Steve, I’m a sucker for kits from the old days of Monogram.

Today’s progress report: So today I completed my intended goals for yesterday. I added instrument decals to the IP, RAF WWII type, rather than the WWI type that I had planned to use but were invisible because they needed to be applied over a white background.

Then I drybrushed and touched up the seat

And lastly, I touched up the inside colors. 

Next session I can install all the interior parts and close it all up.

Coming along nicely.  It’s amazing what talent and some tlc can do to old kits. It’s why I build Tamiya kits. ☺️

Thanks Knox. Although in all honesty, old Tamiya kits of this vintage are not that hot either. 

stikpusher

Thanks Knox. Although in all honesty, old Tamiya kits of this vintage are not that hot either. 

 

That's a fact

I was out of town and away from my bench on Tuesday and Wednesday so no progress then. But yesterday I finally got the fuselage assembled.

and unfortunately despite all the test fitting and sanding, I still have a bit of a gap behind the cockpit from the added fuel tank. But that should not be too difficult to fill.

And what can be seen of all the added detail inside up front...

Also I did a bit of grinding with my Dremel to thin outbthe cowling edges

Next up... seam filling and clean up...

This is a neat project. The Camel was always one of my favorites from that conflict.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

Thanks Mike. Once I have the seams fixed, I can start gettin this a bit more looking like a proper Camel and seeing some aircraft form take shape.

Well so far I can see the biggest challenge after those seams is going to be that top wing and making sure it's straight and not drooping like the box art lol.

This always seems to be an issue with older string bag kits. Those dang struts are always a pain to line up because dry fitting is a PitA!

Oh to be 13 again when I just didn’t care... lol

Oh man, you do have your work cut out for you filling those seams! This is gonna look great though.

Today, it was back to work on the Camel. 

First priority, clean up the seam gap on top of the fuselage

Add some strip styrene shims

sand smooth and paint...

I also test fitted the cowling and guns... more in a couple of days

That's not looking too bad, Carlos. Those gaps... uhg. I feel your pain lol. My Corsair ate sanding sticks like candy.

I am very much looking forward to seeing how well you get this one smoothed out 

Thank Mike. It's getting there, slow but sure. Not like the afternoon builds that I used to do of these kits as a kid.

Lol! Tell me about it. I just CAN'T build anything without fixing something unless it a new Tamiya kit. Since I'm on a Monogram kick right now lol.