My friend Mark's father flew an RAF Coastal Command Liberator GR V during WWII. He recently received some of his dad's memorabilia and found a photo of FL976 which will be the subject of this build. I will attempt to do two as one will be given to Mark as a gift once done. I hope to be completed by November 11th this year.
Drawings are scaled and glued to serial box for the making of the templates. In 1/72 scale the wings work out to 18.33 inches/46.56 cm. The wood has been selected and some templates drawn onto it.
Lou
PS I can move this topic over to the group build should anybody wish to do the Remembrance Day Build.
Block carved. The nacelles will be done as one piece for each aircraft and cut out length when needed.
Lou
Good start Lou, Regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul. Progress is very slow these days.
Lou
Finally had a few minutes with the Liberator fuselages.
Lou
All major components are block carved. Contour carving has started on the left fuselage but the project will not be completed by year's end.
Lou
Progress is slow.
Lou
Coming on Lou, regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Lou
Wings are matched to the fuselage as well as the tail feathers. Next the nacelles and then lots of sanding.
Lou
Basic nacelle shape cut to size. Have yet to decided how to attach the nacelles to the wing.
Lou
The nacelle and wing are being mated. Found out that the front view shows a 12 mm thickness where the side view has only 10 mm (centered on inner nacelle location}. It makes a big difference when matting the nacelle to the wing. Back to the sanding block to reduce the thickness of the wing by 2 mm.
Lou
Progressing.
Lou
It's looking great Lou!
Peter
Thank you Peter.
Lou
Nacelles glued in place as well as the upper fairings also glued. Round toothpicks are frequently used to align parts and glued for strength. The same applied to aligning the tail feathers. I have also started working on the recessed wheels. I have yet to determine if I can make superchargers or use an image decal.
Lou
Looks Great Lou!
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
Football radio antenna and wheels ready for final sanding and attachment. The engine nacelles are attached and initial sanding completed.
Lou
First attempt at making the superchargers.
Lou
Looks Ok to me.
Cheers
Gordon
Thank you Gordon. I found a decal an SMM gallery image that has superchargers. I will see who those look also.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_B-24J_Decals_restored.jpg)
Lou
Looks good to me as well Lou, are you using that decal sheet for all the markings? .Regards Paul J.
No, I will be making my own markings for RAF 59 Squadron circa 1944. My friend's father flew this one while posted to Coastal Command.
Lou
All major components are glued. The clamp is holding the tail feathers in place while the glue dries. The second Liberator is starting to take shape.
Lou
Primed and ready for paint.
Lou
Ready for paint scheme.
Lou
Hi Lou,
It looks great so far. I know it's 1/72 scale but what's the wing span? Sitting on the coffee mug it looks smaller than I thought it would.
Peter
The Liberator has an 18.33 inch wing span.
Lou
Looking great Lou!!
I'll be using some of your techniques on a future Halifax which is currently on the CAD "drafting board". It will also be 1/72 scale. Just wondering why you opted for red primer instead of the frequently used grey primer.
-ken
Thanks Lou! That's what I thought it should be.
Peter
The red primer is a primer filler that works better at getting a smoother finish. I used to use red primer all the time, but it is messier to sand.
Lou
Prop discs in four stages.
Lou
Adding bits and pieces followed by Liberator number two over water texture experiment.
Lou
Looking good Lou, I like the base idea. Regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul. I had some drywall filler left over so I just pour it directly on the board and rolled a broom handle over it.. I would have to do the edges first and then use the putty approach. Painting was just spraying blue from one direction and green from the other. Dark gloss paint would do better. I have a quantity of old dart plaques that will do nicely.
I ran out of dark slate grey and it not available locally so I mixed my own to so so results. Once I and the extra dark sea grey I will see if it does the trick.
Lou
Top cam added and masked. The white bottom has a few coats yet to go.
Lou
It is a good looking plane Lou.
Thank you Josh.
Lou
Paint completed yesterday. Decals are printed and drying.
Lou
Spectacular job Lou. Any tips on masking the canopy frames. You do such a nice job.
Kenny
Excellent Lou! I wish my white paint looked that good!
Peter
Kenny, the canopy lines are Tamiya tape cut to thin strip and paint over. I then remove them using tweezers to avoid scraping the paint job.
I did the same with my Lanc.
Lou
I hope to honour my friend's dad and his contribution to our freedom.
Lou
Lovely inscription Lou. I'm sure it will be well received.
Kenny
Amazing workmanship Lou. I'm sure it will become a family heirloom.
Peter
Well Done Lou !
Gordon
Roll out at 0930 hrs 22 Mar 2016.
Lou
Photo spread.
Lou
Very nice indeed Lou, a model to be proud of. Best regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
I presented the gift today, 1 Apr which co-incidentally is the Royal Canadian Air Force's birthday. He was very surprised and delighted.
Lou
PS The RCAF is 92 years young.
Lou, Just had a look at this post, Lou your work is spot on great models as usual. Marsh.
Thank you Marsh
Lou