Thought I would share my progress on my current project - the Aeroclub 1/48 RE8. This one is going to be painted up in the markings of 3SQN, Australian Flying Corps. Anyone who has tackled an Aeroclub kit knows that they can be quite rough, but in 1/48 this kit is the only game in town.
So far, progress is limited to the RAF4a engine. The Aeroclub engine was fairly heavily and roughly cast, but also had some fine details buried away. I managed to carve a basic engine out of the flash and get something with which to add some details.
Luckily for me, I will be modelling the aircraft with the cowls on so nothing much can be seen below the engine bearers or around the sides, so minimal detail in these areas is required. There was no detail provded for between the banks of cylinders, so I added some details from wire, solder and plastic based on a few photos of the RAF4a that I could find on the net. I also added some rocker arm details atop the cylinder heads.
I replaced the heavy and crude white metal air scoop with one scratch built from sheet brass and plastic.
I sat her all into the fuselage to see how she looked - looks roughly like an RE8 to me! Looks like some work will be required on the tail fins as well...
Here is the engine with some paint thrown on:
Next I will start work on the interior.
All feedback welcome!
BC
