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Building an Upgraded Kingfisher

And so we begin...

The resin cockpit was so impressive I was happy to begin with it’s assembly. The parts are so well cast a few simple passes with a sharp x-acto knife was usually enough to release it from it’s pouring plug. The amount of detail cast into the larger resin cockpit tubs has to be seen in person to be believed. This also allows the designer to use less added parts to get a very busy and realistic look once it’s finished. All interior clutter such as the old cockpits mounting pins are removed and the interior of the fuselage halves are sanded and smoothed in preparation for a coat of aluminum paint and the front of the fuselage is removed along a specified panel line to accommodate a new resin firewall. I chose to leave the smaller resin parts on their pour stubs for painting but did clean up the pilot and gunner tubs, and the front and back pilot bulkheads, seats and upper radio deck. These were then placed on double-sided tape and all the resin parts were painted Model Master aluminum. When that was perfectly dry 2 coats of Future were applied about 1/2 hour apart-to seal the enamel and prepare the parts for a wash. The next day a wash of 75% thinner and 25% burnt umber was applied with a pointed brush. Just dip the brush in the wash and let it wick around the raised details and settle into the low spots. If you make to much of a mess you can remove it with a Q-tip dipped in thinner-if you rub too much in one area it will remove the future and finally the underlying paint so take care!

While that was drying I assembled the kits wings and taped the fuselage together. This is necessary because the new cockpit tub doesn’t allow the wing to travel through the fuselage. So you have to insert the assembled wings into the taped together fuselage as if you were really gonna build it the good old Monogram way but then you take your knife tip and scribe the top wing along the inside of the fuselage. Then scribe a line along the bottom wing-you can’t reach the inside so this one will have to be scribed along the outside of the fuselage. Remove the wing from the fuselage and remove the center. Remember to allow a couple of millimeters for the bottom wing because you scribed along the outside of the fuselage, not the inside. Make sure the wings are aligned and centered before you start scribing these lines. Once you cut this if you screw it up you’re gonna have to buy another kit. What you have, when you’re done, is a port and starboard wing that just fits into the fuselage. Cutting Edge supplies 2 wing inserts. One male, one female. I set these in place-generally-with slow setting super glue, then set the wings in place and adjusted them to fit and left it to set for an hour or so. They may then be removed to allow work on the fuselage and cockpits to continue.

Copyright ©2002 - Text and Photos by Mike Taylor (modelguy2) . All Rights Reserved.

Project Photos
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About the Author

About Mike Taylor (modelguy2)
FROM: OHIO, UNITED STATES


Comments

Mike-nice article,nice fish!
JUL 23, 2002 - 02:58 AM
Great article, first pictures I have seen of the resin bits painted and installed. Gorgeous airplane. One question: I have read several comments that the difference between the new floats and the kit floats is minimal, I have not seen the actual replacements, and may not be cost effective. The new interior and the new cowling definitely are required items.
JUL 23, 2002 - 03:05 AM
That's what I call a nice article ! There is so much to read... impressive ! And the plane looks so nice !
JUL 23, 2002 - 03:06 AM
Great looking model Mike. You did a superb job with the old Monogram kit. I for one couldn't devote that much attention to such an old kit without loosing my nerves. I love your articles, they are very comprehensive and full of important information. Keep up the good job! Cheers, CDT Reimund Manneck U.S. Army ROTC
JUL 23, 2002 - 03:37 AM
Mike, One word......SWEEEETTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
JUL 23, 2002 - 04:50 AM
Wow thats a cool model and site!!
JUL 23, 2002 - 04:59 AM
Thanks for the kind words guys. I have to say there is a difference in the floats-how much exactly I can't say But I think they're worth buying. I removed and threw out the Monogram floats much as Cortez burned his ships! I had no choice then but to buy the replacements...Mike T
JUL 23, 2002 - 06:17 AM
Hi Group, This is an old article but it is still a good article!
AUG 30, 2013 - 06:45 AM
Hi Fred Great call bringing this back to the top! Good grief, the article even pre-dates me joining the original Armorama! I'll move the thread over to WW2 where it'll be easier to find. All the best Rowan
AUG 30, 2013 - 06:53 AM
Old article for sure, 2002 era to be exact. Willing to bet that more then half of the membership wasn't around back then. Just an outstanding upgrade to a old, old Monogram kit. 1st rate work, and flawless painting and decaling. My only other thought would be if Mike would have decided on a Alcad 11 NMF with various panels darkened/lightened? Joel
AUG 30, 2013 - 10:49 AM