This is Classic Airframe’s 1/48 Curtiss BF2C-1 Hawk, which I’m building for a customer.
It may not look it, but there’s been a lot of work done on the little Hawk since my last post.
Since the engine is so visible, I decided to add a solder ignition ring and speaker wire cables. I drilled holes in the ring, and added stubs from smaller diameter solder. These were cut to length, and filed flat. Holes were drilled in these to accept the speaker wire. This was the first time I ever tried this, so it took me a couple days.
The resin exhaust stubs didn’t align with the cylinders, so I cut them off and sanded the collector smooth. I cut sections of solder and glued them to the cylinders. When they were dry, I cut them to length to get the collector aligned.
The white metal landing gear took a lot of work to align and glue. After some fiddling, they sit true (what a relief !).
It took a bit of work to fit the vac windshield. I glued it in place with Zap-A-Gap CA, and filled it with Krystal Kleer. This meant that I had to touchup with Future, Alcad Aluminum, and more Future. The sliding portion was trouble-free.
I applied a dark gray wash to the aluminum surfaces, and darkened versions of the green and two yellows.
I’m almost ready to start rigging this puppy.
Pix, it does indeed look like a ton of work, but now make that 2 tons after reading your discription of the labor involved…and man oh man, it looks really sharp! [tup]
…and since gloss finishes are far from my capabilities, I focused a bit more on the cowling around the engine and it looks perfect. How’d ya do that?
Nice job. Did you use a dowel, or something to shape the ignition ring?
Beautiful work Bill, on a very difficult kit. Your customer should be well pleased.
Regards, Rick
Truly a thing of beauty, Bill, as are all your works! I’m Looking forward to the next set of pics eagerly!
Brian [C):-)]
As I discussed with you before I have build the CA Cr 42. The fact that this model looks so good it a testament to you dedication and skills. These are not easy kits to build for those who have not build one, No location tabs for wings struts all of the resin needs to be trimmed to fit, if you do this with patience you wil be rewarded will and unusual and beautiful model as you have proved. I still have to make the struts for my Cr 42. The factory ones were to short and did not fit. I plan on scratch building them out of flatenned brass rod. My first atttemp at this so I have not tryed it out yet. Have to admit It is a little bit intimitating so I have been putting it off. Watching your build yours makes me realize I need to to pull a Spike Lee and just do it! Mabye this weekend. Depend s on how brave I feel. Anyway that one beautiful bird there you should be proud of your efforts.\
Here she is sans outer wing struts. I is really bumming me out sbout not finishing it.
Soulcrusher
Thanks Mike, Wayne, Rick, Brian, m1, and soulcrusher !
Mike - long ago, I got into the “habit” of prepping all my paint jobs as if they were getting a NMF. I buff to a high shine, then wash it with isopropyl alcohol. I use eyeglass lens cleaning tissues to remove what the alcohol has loosened on the surface. The tissues seem to reduce the static electricity generated by the polishing process. The paint is sprayed in several light coats until I have a nice, even, smooth finish. After it’s cured, I spray several light coats of Future for the gloss. The cowling was tricky. I thinned the insides as much as I dared in order to fit the engine. Despite using very little pressure while sanding, the seams popped and needed to be repaired numerous (6? 8?) times. Sometimes, getting the results you want means repeating things over and over. The most important thing is the result, and not what you have to do to get it.
Wayne - I used solder for the ring because it’s easy to adjust the diameter. I use a large tapered paintbrush handle, forming a ring that will be too small. I move it up the handle to get the size I need, checking it frequently against the crankcase. When I’m satisfied, I cut away the excess.
Thanks again !
Beautiful work Pix… and WOW that’s colorful[8D]
Could a pilot actually stand to fly it during the day? haha He might need a strong pair of shades [8D]