| Time for the Ol' Nerd to deliver a progress report. Monogram's D.VII will never be among the "cutting edge" in D.VII kit offerings, but as I stated earlier, this was a free kit, and who among us really cares turn down a free anything, right? I just saved myself around 30 bucks, too! This kit has plenty of room for improvement, here's what I've done so far: Monogram gives you three cockpit components only: a control column, a seat, and a highly inaccurate instrument panel (according to my research. I should post a disclaimer right now that I am no authority on WWI aircraft, lest anyone mistakenly assume so!) The seat looked as if the pilot would slide right off, as there was little room for his fanny. So I added a little sheet styrene to make it pass the smell test: 
If I did not add these bulkheads to the fuselage interior, there would have been noticeable gaps behind the engine and the seat. Again, just plain ol' sheet styrene: 
If I wanted anything even close to passable, I was going to have to scratch my own cockpit. Here's the beginnings. Sheet styrene, styrene rod, and copper wire. I was able to use the kits control stick (the dark green part), as it was passable: 
The guns are pretty basic, but again, as I am a cheap so-and-so, I was not inclined to replace them. I simply drilled out the barrels for a bit more authentic feel: 
Here's a shot of some of the smaller parts/assemblies, ready for installation. The wood grain effect was accomplished by first spraying a tan color, then applying watercolor browns with a wide brush. The seat cushion was sculpted out of Sculpey (a craft clay which can be baked in the oven): 
Here's a shot of my scratched instrument panel. Only about 95% accurate, I know, but don't tell the judges! Mike Grant decals were used. The interior will eventually get lozenge pattern: 
Here's the guns again. I added faux gunsights punched from sheet styrene. Should pass the "two foot" test, I think: 
More to follow, comments welcome. |