Preparing and painting the wings
My intent is to improve the kit with resin replacement engines and extended flaps, both from Flightpath. These parts are intended for the Italeri kit not the Airfix, so I expect some modification will be required as we go along.
Before joining the upper and lower wing halves, some preparation is needed, firstly on the lower wing to cut out the flap areas, remember to keep the pieces for later use.
The upper wing needs some cleanup on the inner surfaces as this is where the photo-etch inserts will mount. These need a good contact surface so the injection pin marks near the tailing edge need to be sanded flush and the ridge at the seam filed and sanded smooth.
Each wing can now be glued and left to set fully overnight.
Removing the moulded engines is a straightforward business with a razor saw, marking carefully first as per the Flightpath instructions. The cut for the outer engines is slightly forward of the leading edge of the wing by 2mm than the inner cut which is flush to the edge, this is to account for the wing sweep.
From the side you can see this ensures the engines will be aligned correctly for the propellers to be equal.
Having fitted the elevators to each wing I can see there is a very large gap, that benefits from some styrene rod.
Alan Griffith says
Beautiful rendition of an old kit!
AlanG