Thank's Thomas!
Most likely I will print my own decals,
Not much info on the interior of the trainer, one web site mentions a Rx/Tx radio and 6 trainees so I have scratch built 3 radios and tables with chairs turned around.

Richard, I would love to see that kit in 1/48. I cannot see well enough or hold onto 1/72 scale items.

My Miles M.14 arrived today.

Its been cold an raining here so Ive had plenty of time to work on the Miles.




There were no instructions are locating holes on exactly where the unspatted landing gear are located. So some 3 views were searched and the holes were finally drilled.
I was not satisfied with just butting the LG to the wing so holes were drilled into the LG and some round stock was attached to be glued into the holes that had been drilled into the bottom of the wing.


The plastic for the wings are really thick and caused a little problem when gluing them to the fuselage.

Greeting all. It's been a while since I've participated in an air campaign or for that matter actively in any campaign due to circumstances a little beyond my control. In other words my building skills may bit a "rusty" so to write?

My SWMBO got me what she believed might be a simpler kit to reawaken my dormant skills with for Christmas. A picture of the unopened kit was posted in the thread "What the postman brought today ...." on Jan. 20, 2019." Here is the image I posted:



Now for the start picture taken today:

DH Vampire-A-1 by Jan Etal, on Flickr

I made a start with the cockpit and except for a few quite small parts to deal with everything fit quite nicely. Compared to the older Airfix kits these newer ones seem nice, to say the least.













I guess I'll leave it here for now and see about doing a few other sub-assemblies and painting.

Cheers,
Jan

Well I'm back again but not with the progress I thought. Turns out that the Vampire is going to require 1/4 ounce or 7 grams of weight in the nose so that it isn't a 'tail sitter'. I picked up some fishing line sinker weights to hopefully fulfil the need. Unfortunately they don't tell the mass of the four different size weights so Ill have to "guesstimate" what will be appropriate. Here's some picts uf what I'm talking about and the cockpit is now glued onto the port side of the fuselage.





I chose the biggest and second biggest of the weights and yes, I've tried dry fit closing the fuselage and the weights fit. I've glued in the two larger weights and added the third smaller one but images of that couldn't be taken until the glue on the weight dries more.

Cheers,
Jan

Welcome back Jan. Nice to see a familiar face .

Question: Tamiya XF-3 Yellow is too bright for the bottom color on a WW II British Miles M.14 correct?

Bob

Nice to reconnect with you again, Bob. From what I recall a fellow did one a while back and used Tamyia Flat Yellow. I found the article and it’s at: https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/cleaver/cleavermag.htm

Cheers,
Jan

More progress although rather slow. I finished adding the nose weights and will hope that there is enough to keep this bird from tail drooping. I used a glue called "LePages 100% Glue" to attach the weights to the front fuselage. The stuff is supposed to be useful for almost any material. It is the consistency of the old model tube glue, becomes tacky very quickly and after about 15 minutes has a gelatine like consistency. Thorough drying time is stated to be 24 hours and it dries crystal clear. Images of the weights in place:






Here's a picture of a dry fit of the fuselage halves together and the intake manifold place in position.



Cheers,
Jan

My goodness, it's sure been quiet in this thread! Is everyone on vacation, sabbatical or just waiting to the last minute? Slow but sure progress on the diminutive vampire. I've assembled the two tail booms and have dry fitted the fuselage halves with as many weights in the nose as will fit and dry fit the upper wings.



While no images of it yet I went on to join the fuselage halves and add the tail exhaust/engine piece but they are clamped and drying as I type this. Hopefully later I'll glue in the intake manifold and then the upper wing piece. Seams at each joint seem pretty good but will require a bit of sanding.

Cheers,
Jan

[quote]My goodness, it's sure been quiet in this thread! Is everyone on vacation, sabbatical or just waiting to the last minute?[quote]

Jan, just finishing up on other builds. My Miles is ready to paint, but the weather is not cooperating.

I like your vampire even though I would not be able to see the 1/72 size with out my magnifying hood.

Bob

Bob, I do know you've got a couple of other campaigns your in and was just wondering where all the other enlistees and especially the Campaign Leader were hiding. Had me wonder if it was something I said or maybe I had too much garlic before the other posts?

As for my Vampire, it's not that small at a little over 6 inches (15 cm for those so inclined) in length and wingspan. Now painting the pilots may need the help of an Optivisor.

Cheers,
Jan

HI all,

Nice things going on here!

Bob, looks like were doing the same kit. From what I see, looks like Special Hobby acquired the Flashback molds. Somewhere in all of the stash that was moved 10,000 miles, lies the film for the PE. I figure the best way to find it is to go ahead and do the instrument panels! What I intend is to remove the plastic bezels, then use Airscale instruments, and lay the nice Eduard PE over the top. Since you've done your interior, can you tell me if I'll be wasting my time? I'm not sure how much will be visible after doing all that. Perhaps just use the plastic with Airscale instruments?

Hi Jan! Welcome aboard! Yes, I've been a bit remiss in my duties as leader. I'd list a thousand reasons, but it wouldn't matter. I do like the Vampire, though as Bob says, a bit on the small side for me too!

I did manage to get the interior painted, though that's about it. Currently a B-24 is enjoying my lunch. Not because it's so difficult, just a big plane that has become hard to work with. Soon, it will be done, and I can move on!




Hopefully more in about 2 weeks! Till then happy modeling!

John

John, do you have the instructions? I have taken two flash photos of the cockpit. Now to see if they will really show what you need. Give me till tomorrow to post if they turn out OK.

Bob

John, I hope this helps it was taken with an I phone and my desk lamp.


Bob

Wow!! Thanks Bob. Good pics. Indeed they show what I'm looking to achieve. Looks like my first guess of doing the plastic and follow-up with PE seems a good route to go! Thank you!

Bob,

Yes, I do have the instructions. Would you like a copy? Though given your progress I doubt that they'd help at this point. Let me know!

John, you are welcome. I am glad I was able to post photos that showed what you needed. As for the instructions, I thought that you may have needed a copy. I have mine.

I will watch your progress to see how you deal with the landing gear.

Bob

Here is an update of my build:-

Richard, she is looking nice. I did not think there was that much room for personnel.

Bob

Hi Bob
The only information I could find mentions six trainees and Rx/Tx radios so I came up with my interior.

I just joined the campaign, have not build anything in a few years. Found this simple kit, ICM Yak-7V trainer, 1:48. Should be simple enough to build after such a long hiatus.

Welcome J, I built that kit in the past and was happy with the outcome.

Bob

WOW, hello gang and nice seeing some action here! Now I don't feel so lonely that it's only Bob and I.

I've been agonizing about the nose weight for a few days now. Is there enough and where could I place more even if I wanted? SO "damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead", oops wrong site? I glued the cockpit together, glued it into the port fuselage halve with as many sinkers as could fit in the nose area and glued up the fuselage halves..

Next I dry fit the intake ductwork into the body and dry fit the wings. I took a round hobby knife handle and placed the Vampire so that the handle rested under where the main landing gear will be located. With one tailboom dry fit the nose dropped like the proverbial stone.



Even when the second tailboom and tailplane in place there should be enough weight so it's not a tail sitter. After gluing up the intake manifold pieces and adjust its fit the ductwork was glued in place.







Next I can start on the tailboom/wing pieces and start making this thing look like a plane.

Cheers,
Jan

Sorry about the silence on my part, I've been away from the bench for nearly 2 weeks now (really away, like 5000 miles). And I've got at least 3 campaigns in front of this one. I can't wait to get home and get back to work.