Well would you look at that I'm doing another build log! You guys sick of me yet? LOL actually no don't answer that I might not like the answers.

I'm part of the 1945 campaign and I am building the Hobbycraft kit with the Cooper Details cockpit update set. A really very nice set if you can find it, it has resin exhausts, a whitemetal tailwheel, photo-etch harness, resin barrels for the fuselage MG's and of course a very nicely detailed cockpit. The Hobbycraft kit has very fine recessed panel lines, a little too fine in places, and a rudimentary cockpit at best.

The Cooper's Detail set will update the kit very very nicely. The resin set is not designed for this kit, it's actually for the Monogram kit but I've found that it fits this kit perfectly.

I have removed all internal detail from the side walls squared off the back of the cockpit (as you would also do for the Monogram kit) and removed the mount for the instrument panel rounding the fuselage out for the new resin I.P. I had to cut and glue in some square stock styrene to make a surface to solidly attach the I.P. to. After gluing it I found that the cockpit sits pretty much smack on in the fuselage. A little filing was needed to get it to sit flush with the top of the side walls but I was impressed with how easy everything has fitted inside. No thinning down the fuselage sides to paper thin to get it to fit here! It will look pretty darn good once I've given it a wash and worn it a little. I've still to pick out the details but it's moving along nicely.

Check out pics for the details.





Comparison between resin exhausts and kits. You can't see it very well but the ends of the resin exhausts are hollow!



The exhausts are simple drop in replacements for the kit parts a little filing of the exhaust shroud on the port side is required for a decent fit in this area.





The metal pin sticking out the side is a repair for the missing resin pin to mount the trim wheels and chain on.

Yes! Seriously sick of you, but only because I am extremely jealous of the amount of bench time you are able to put in!

Awesome start mate, looks great. I will be following this build closely.

Cheers, D

I did mention once that between this, housework and work there isn't much else I do LOL. Sad really ..... nahhhh not really I really enjoy working on my models. As always welcome aboard D LOL jealousy and all!

Always glad to see you, Chris! Especially when you are building my favorite family of aircraft. There are some really interesting schemes for real late production machines due to either paint shortages, rushed production, or RLM color directives. Can't wait to see yours finished.

Gary

Wow, Cooper Details, there's a name I haven't heard in ages.

Hi Matt! Yes sadly long out of production but still available on occasion from eBay. I got this set with the kit I'm currently building and I'm pleasantly surprised with how buildable it is.

Okay I've got the cockpit assembled painted and in place. it looks pretty great just need to dry brush a little white over the I.P. to make the gauges pop a little and then it's time for the seat harness.









Compare the kit wheel covers with the resin ones totally different beasts!



And the worlds ugliest prop! Anybody suggest a good replacement?

Chris,
Wow, Blog number 2 !! I'm really impressed.

You've made excellent progress on the cockpit with the resin replacement, which really looks quite detailed.

One of the big advantages of resin replacement parts like the exhausts, is that they're already hollowed out. No need to try and do oblong shapes with a drill and files.

Looking forward to your next update.

Joel

Thanks Joel!

Okay a little further along. I have the wings on and the gaps filled. The tail wheel on as per instructions, seems a little tall but oh well, it is listed as a "long" tail wheel after all. I've also started to create the canopy restraint bar and wire rope as it is rather visible through the erla hood.

Working on the canopy and the drop tank just adding a few details that aren't included. Namely the band around the tank and the rear fillets on the armour glass I'll paint it soon and then proceed to install it.

Looking good Chris, great detail work!

Cheers, D

Chris,
Very impressive detailing work, especially that tank band.
Joel

Nice detailling :-
0
Could you please post a pic of the interior?
gr TC

@Lars: As soon as I've got the belts in I'll see what I can do .... small space BIG camera LOL.

@Joel: Merci mon ami! Pleased you like the progress so far Joel. I only hope that I can bring it up to the Joel Willstein standard of excellence!

@Damian: Cheers buddy! Great to have you hovering over my shoulder metaphorically speaking.

Okay Lars these are pretty much the best I can get still got to add a wash to create a little shadow and dirt, but here you go.

Chris,
Those belts and harnesses look incredible.

Joel

Aw shucks Joel you sure know how to make a fellow modeller blush! They did appear to be a little two dimensional to me but after the wash with burnt umber oil paint they look much better, take a look for yourselves.

Great looking seatbelts, Chris

Cheers Gary they do look quite good and more three dimensional than decals that's for sure. I'm think of using precut cloth ones for my next 1/32nd build.

I like the idea of having nice stuff with a kit, but I get lazy when it comes to chasing aftermarket. I've been using Tamiya tape and bits of foil.

Howdy,

Cool build so far.

Ultracast makes wide prop blades that could be grafted on to the prop hub.

http://www.ultracast.ca/products/48/050/default.htm

Brian Riedel

Chris,
Once I tried seat belt/Harness Tamiya decals, and honestly hated the finished look. They literally had a painted on feel and look to them, as that's what decals do best, replicate paint, not 3D objects.

Like so many others here, I tend to use Eduard PE colored sets if possible, as the basic painting is even done for you. I've tried tape in various configurations, and while the tape works well, I've never been able to come up with a really nice looking buckles, and metal adjusters, etc. I can see there being a market for PE ones in 1/48 scale and up.

Joel

Cheers for the link Brian. In my search for a wide chord blade for the kit I came across a spare I had from a Tamiya Fw190 kit while not exactly for this kit it does improve the look of the spinner quite a bit. While looking for information on prop blades spinners etc I found out the the hole in the spinner for the prop blades is supposed to be tear drop shaped. The blast tube in the spinner is more pronounced and flared at the end. So I've made an effort to replicate this on the spinner provided (we'll ignore profile inconsistencies for now). Looks pretty darn good when assembled all together. (Well in my humble opinion at least lol)

Good progress on that old kit, Chris! Is the Hobbycraft kit the same as Academy .... ?

Torsten

Hiya Torsten ol' buddy, thanks for the kind assesmsnt! Yes I think so .... although Academy may have "upgraded" the moulds.