While waiting for things to dry on my other projects (B-29, P-51D, Me 262), I assembled the airframe of Eduard’s 1/48 Bell P-39Q ProfiPack kit. Everything fit well, with filler required in only a couple of small spots.
After the fuselage was glued, filled (scoop on top), and sanded, I attached the wing. I CA’d the leading & trailing edges of the assembled wing to the fuselage. After this was sanded, I glued the wingroots with Tenax, using a strip of tape from wingtip to wingtip to hold the seam closed while it dried.
The gear wells are nicely detailed on this kit. The nosegear well has been washed and drybrushed, as it would be difficult to do once it is installed. The wiring is PE, and there is a decal placard there also. Eduard did a great job with this kit. The main gear wells will be washed along with the wings, after painting. I used a piece of chrome reflective tape inside the wing for the landing light reflector. Cleanup around the intakes in the leading edge of the wing needed care.
There are PE grills and vent doors for the bottom of the fuselage. Another nice touch, Eduard ! In this pic, you can see what is probably the only disappointing part of this kit - the thick trailing edges of the wings. Oh, well.
pingtang - even though Eduard molds some of the most petite parts I’ve ever seen, the PE just adds so much more.
Rick - I considered thinning the edges, but I didn’t want to destroy the fabric on the ailerons. Thinning them on the inner surface may have affected the fit at the wingroot, so I decided against that, too. I’ll just live with it the way it is. The rest of the kit kinda makes up for it !
Jeeves - they fit very well for me. Tenax really makes a difference, usually only sanding is needed.
Hooker - I used the out-of-production Aeromaster acrylic zinc yellow. The cockpit is painted Humbrol bronze green.
Thanks again ! I have a nice set of Aeromaster markings for this one.
Very nice Bill. I love that cockpit! [tup]
What paint color and brand is that you used in the wheel wells?
That is the color I need for my P-47D also and I need to pick some up.
Looking great, Pixilater! You make the build look so easy and effortless! Keep us updated on your progress; I can’t wait to see it once it’s completed.
Mike - I used the out-of-production Aeromaster acrylic zinc yellow. Color of Eagles (or Aircraft Colors) carries this color in acrylic now.
Mark - the build is going well. The most difficult part was the instrument panel. It’s built from 15 pieces of PE & 4 film negatives, but it looks nice when finished.
Thanks for the update pics, Pix! [:)] Your skilled hands render yet another example of your awesome detail work, which I always look forward to seeing, thanks!
Frank - like they say, “The Devil is in the details.” And the Armor guys think THEIRS is the “Dark Side.” [(-D]
obiwan - Eduard makes some beautiful kits. I’ve built their Yak 3, Me 163A, Tempest, Bell X-1& He 280. If you get their ProfiPack issue, there’s no need for aftermarket stuff, unless you want different markings. They mold the tiniest parts I’ve ever seen. And one of the sprues on this kit has mold parting lines that I can only see with magnification ! Definately worth getting one. I’m going to HAVE to get their Bf 108 !
