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SEAFIRE FR.47

Started by gary sausmikat · 66 ≡ · ↻ 2 years ago · Seafire 1/48 Airfix Korean War

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Erik Gjørup said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Awesome additions! Always a pleasure to see a build with a lot of details, making it a small diorama in it self. Such builds add a lot to a row of clean closed kites on the shelf.
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Thanks, All.
I already have the Barracuda prop set...shown in the pics...and I have the vac canopy ordered and on it's way.
At this time, Louis, I'm planning for the wings to be in the folded position. Once I get more into the project I will add supports to the innards to help support the wings in the up position.
John vd Biggelaar said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Very nice progress, Gary @gwskat
Folded wings will look great.
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Thanks, John! I've accomplished the easiest part of the project and sometimes the most fun...opening all the goodies boxes...LOL Now the work begins!

I was debating to fold the wings because I did not want to hide the cockpit and I have a Seafury, in the same colors, with folded wings that I didn't want to "mimic".
But since the wings only fold to a 90deg angle and the cockpit sits far enough back to still be viewable the Seafury will now have a stablemate with folded wings. Barring any unforeseen complications down the road.
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Weekend update...
Contacted Aires and was informed they will be sending the missing cockpit tub bottom. Hopefully it won't take too long to arrive.
Received the Squadron replacement canopies.

I've decided to show the engine build over on the Aero-engines Group Build but it may show up from time to time here.

The surgery has begun...No going back now.

Removed the cowl and thinned the fuselage insides to fit the firewall...and many, many dry fits.
Also removed the integral cockpit detail to prepare for the Aires cockpit.

Cut out the wing bottom portion where the lower cowl/air intake will mount.
Spiros Pendedekas said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Great surgery, my friend @gwskat!
Erik Gjørup said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Always a bit nailbiting when comitting to the cut.
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Yes it is. I do my homework and plenty of test fitting. And then I stare at it with cutting tools in hand for a period of time...LOL
Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Stephen W Towle said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Omg, on the surgery. Laser sharp (which would melt the plastic . . .). Looking forward to seeing this project bare fruit. One thing about opening up a kit is that it teaches you aircraft systems and how things work. Rolls realized that the Merlin had its limits and the Griffith became the next step in the evolution of piston powered a/c.
John vd Biggelaar said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Serious surgery, Gary @gwskat
Must have been difficult to start the cutting.
Louis Gardner said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Gary, @gwskat
Like you said there's no going back now. That resin firewall looks wonderful. This is going to be a "looker" when you get it done. Keep it going ! 🙂
Chuck A. Villanueva said 2 years, 10 months ago:

Calling Dr Moe, Dr Gary, Dr. Curly, except this time no stooge to cut up this kit. Nice work Gary, sheer patience and skill to cut a kit for the mods. I have only one under my belt with such major surgery building a B-26K Counter Invader back in the late 90's using the Paragon set on the Monogram Invader though not as complicated as the one on your SeaFire. It turned out very well. Though I have this kit, I won't get into the kind of mods you will attempt and succeed. I may simply just add an Eduards PE zoom set and AM decals. However I will strap in and watch this endeavour.
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 9 months ago:
Hey All,
First, I want to thank the people at Aires for sending me the replacement part that was missing from the cockpit set.

Weekend update:

Thinned fuselage sides, added cockpit sides, primed all parts.

Part of the thinned side broke out.
1. S__T
Used the kit decal on the instrument panel. Added the photo etch middle panel on top.
1. PHOTO ETCH TOP
Painted all cockpit pieces.

Added camera clear parts. Assembled fuselage. Filled in fuselage miscue. Started to clean up the seams.
1. MASKED CLEAR PORT
1. THANK YOU AIRES
Unfortunately most of this work can not be seen once assembled. Oh well, I know it's there.

Sorry, not the greatest photos.

Up next...continue to clean up the seams, add the firewall, start adding the cowl bottom and start the wing construction. Until next time...KEEP IT FUN!
Spiros Pendedekas said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Great progress, my friend @gwskat! Pity an amount of detailing will be hidden, at least you know it's there...
gary sausmikat said 2 years, 9 months ago:

Thanks, Spiros. That happens with a lot of cockpits. That was one reason I did not put a lot of work into the panel...barley visible. Thanks again, my Friend @fiveten

Viewing 16 - 30 of 66 posts

Korea : The Forgotten War………..

SEAFIRE FR.47