PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Hey Checkmate... That is an awesome idea as well!.  I guess I never heard of using white glue for gaps.  I like the idea because it would be somewhat self leveling.  I might try that. The gaps underneath the wings are pretty large so I will first try Jacks idea to get things fitting better, then if needs be, follow up with a gap filler of some type.  What type will depend on the size of the gap.  So maybe the white glue.  

You guys have been very helpful.  All three ideas are excellent.  Oh..and thanks for the weather tips.  Maybe you have some advice along those lines.  The Avenger I am building will be painted in sea blue.  That is a dark color.  Do you see any benefit of panel line weathering?  I was planning on doing some paint wear and chipping.  Any other thoughts?

Thanks guys.

PS:  I like the looks of your Wildcat. Nicely done!

With the start of the school year I've been pretty busy, but I just wanted to say there's a lot of good work going on in here

Another option, Steve, if the gap isn't too huge, is to run thinned white glue in there, until the gap is pretty well closed.  Let it dry, wipe it smooth and clean up any overage with a damp q-tip.

Then paint, and when you're into the weathering stage, run a dark wash in there, just as if it were a panel line.  Many wings were attached to the fuselage as a separate assembly, so there can be a seam there where they were attached on the prototype.  

It's not always the right/best solution, but it has the advantage of preserving any detail near the wing root.

I did it with this Wildcat, and although part of the seam is concealed by the walkways, up near the nose the joint is no more evident than an engraved panel line.

Whatever you try, hope it works out for you.

Jack... I totally get it now. That is an awesome idea.  On my kit the end of the wings are enclosed  but  it would not be that hard to open them up with my dremel.  Then do as you say and add a spacer in there to open that up.   I think I will try that first because the gaps on the underside of the wing are even much worse.  If I can  spread that open some, I might be able to get away with not using filler, or maybe just use a little gap CA would be enough.

Thanks guys.  You have been extremely helpful!.  I will let you know how it works out.

Steve

Steve - no, I'm suggesting to open up the 'mouth' area where your upper and lower wing areas are, by the use of a shim or two.  Maybe a photo will help.  Where the two red arrows are, you just need to stick something in there to increase the space just lightly, so that  when you place your wing against the fuselage, that gap should disappear.

Of course,  if the design construction for your particular bird is different in the suspect area, Joe's option would be easier.

regards,

Jack

Thanks Jack and Joe for your input.

Joe--that is my concern as well.  The rivet detail is right at that gap. Your solution using acetone seems reasonable because sanding seems out of the question. Applying a minimal amount of filler seems key and that is where I still struggle.  I need to come up with a procedure to make the filler more pliable because out of the tube it is just to thick.  It goes on like paste.  NASA..do we have a procedure for this?  I just rewatched Apollo 13, hence the procedure reference. . I love that movie.  What a privilege it was to grow up in that that era. I miss it.

Jack--your option is interesting.  I suppose I could stretch some sprue thin enough to get in there.  I have more questions though and please understand I am not being critical.  I just want to understand better.  So you are suggesting that I shim the wing.  Are you suggesting this for the purpose of adding strength to the join? Or is mainly to fill the gap with something other than filler? Or both?

Thanks guys.

Steve

Bakster - another method to correct that slight gap ... before gluing the wing to the fuselage, can you shim or wedge some spare plastic into the opening between the upper and lower wing halves?   Won't need much, just enough to get a snug fit there.

regards,

Jack

Hmmm, that's a toughie Steve. Especially with the rivet detail along the root. My inclination would be to try and tape along the gap as tight to the edges as I could in hopes that only the gap itself was exposed. I would then pack the putty in and when mostly dry wipe the access off with acetone. You will likely have to repeat a couple 2 or 3 times as the putty shrinks. Hopefully, when you peel the tape off the majority putty will have filled the gap and have very little up into the rivet detail. Should it get into the rivet detail you could meticulously pick it out with tip on an xacto blade or the tip of a large sewing needle. That is simply the first idea that popped into my head. Maybe someone else here has an easier softer way of remedying that.

Don't know why the image didn't show..   Trying again.

Greetings all.  Ok....I need your advice.  This wing is not glued to the fuselage yet but when I do, this is what the gap will look like.  Is this an acceptable gap for this join or do you guys fill something like this?

Hey Clemens, That's kinda odd that my pic of the Hellcat I'm considering doing does not show on your end. Let me try this. It is "Little Joe" off the USS San Jacinto.

Flyerduke, Really terrific work on the cockpit. definitely looks sharp. I find something rather interesting seeing your 1/48 cockpit that kind of surprised me. On the right hand console there is actually black panels on the lower and upper forward quadrants. What caught me odd was on my 1/72 version there was neither raised relief nor any PE parts to simulate this. Now, in 1/72 I could kind of understand omitting that but, I'm a surprised to not see it on the 1/48 version. Please understand this is not a critique of your work at all but, rather an observation of the kit detail. Also, maybe this will help out Clemens when gets going on his Eduard Hellcat. Here is a pic of how it should look:

So, on my 1/72 cockpit i took the time to mask and paint each of those panels. What was a real bear for me was trying to simulate the little red buttons on the lower forward fuse panel. took me a few trys with the tip of a toothpick.

Both the Wildcat and Hellcat cockpits look awesome, guys! Some very sharp detail painting by both of you guys!

Joe, sadly there's no picture showing at my end

Drew - The bar was a separate piece that came with the kit.  It didn't give me too much trouble.

Craig

Looking good flyerduke!  Was the bar that holds the shoulder harnesses molded in the kit, or did you scratch build that?

Turned out exceptionally well, flyerduke.  Neat and precise.

Craig and Flyerduke... I like what you have done.  Really nice.   It's great to see some activity on here.  I hope to post something soon too.  I will be starting my instrument panel soon, once I get the PE.  That will be next week I think.  Then once I am done pulling out what's left of my hair, I will post a picture.

Well, I think I finished the cockpit.  Overall, I guess I'm happy with it.  I would have liked to detail the side consoles better.  Gonna finish the engine and start on the control surfaces next.  So far no major issues.

Your cockpit looks very nice avipond.  I had similar problems with the tiny PE parts for my 1/48 TBD.  I think in future I'll skip such tiny pieces just for my own sanity.

Really nice and nifty looking assembly, avipond!  Good work!

Craig, Nice progress you're making there. Great work.

Avipond, Very well done cockpit there. Your detail painting is very nicely done.

Very nice avipond.  I had debated on whether to start my Eduard F6F or F4F Tamiya for this GB.  The Hellcat is going good, but I may start the Wildcat soon after.  Nice work.

Starting my 1/48 Tamiya F4F.  Cut out the side floor panels and added PE seat belts.  The interior has pretty nice detail so I decided to keep it as is instead of pulling my hair out with all the little PE parts.

Those assemblies are looking good!  Nice job getting the drape on the seat belts.

I'm still learning this posting stuff.  Some progress pics.  Coming along slowly but surely.

Craig

Duke, when I have PE parts I know I have to paint, I try to remember to hit them with primer (usually before I take 'em off the fret, sometimes after). Makes a difference. But I don't always remember. :)

JR, that pencil technique looks pretty cool. I too shall be interested to see what happens after paint.

I'm now considering this one Clemens.

Those two Hellcats are both looking very nice, gents! What markings are you going with?

I'm almost ready to start work on mine BTW. I got something special planned for that one...

Thanks Gentlemen. I should clarify that it tends to be a bit of a tedious task as the Prisma lead is quite soft so you are sharpening the pencil a lot. Also, for the more intricate lines and small access hatches I use a regular mechanical pencil sharpened with sand paper to a fine point. More control with that. Another advantage I find with doing this is that it allows me to find those spots in my panel lines that I have either sanded out or filled in and can fix before the paint goes on.