Halberstadt CL.II 1/48 Mirage Hobby

Started by IAN Convey · 30 · 10 hours ago
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    IAN Convey said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    I normally build 1/32 ( old eyes and shakes ) but have had this kit in the stash for some time and decided that it would be ideal for this group.

    The Halberstadt CL.II was a 2 seater German biplane appearing in 1917. The aircraft was built of mainly all wood construction, with the engine cowling of aluminium, an all metal undercarriage and the tail control surfaces steel framed. The wings tailplane and fin being fabric covered. It was powered by a Mercedes 160 /180 HP inline 6 cyl. engine. The single cockpit opening housed both the pilot and gunner/observer. Armament was a single fixed forward firing MG for the pilot and a single ring mounted MG for the observer. The aircraft could also carry mortar grenades, 15 stick grenades and 12.5kg. bombs. There was provision for a camera with a sliding lens port in the floor. A radio set could also be carried for use by the observer.The Halberstadt was fully aerobatic and was considered for use as a 2 seater fighter at one stage. There were 903 aircraft built.

    The kit consists of 7 sprues in a plastic bag , 4 decal sheets in a bag and a P.E. sheet.

    The decals are extensive and consist of lozenge sheets for all wings and tail as well as a camouflage sheet for the fuselage.

    The instruction book is highly detailed and includes colour photos of actual aircraft and their components. The only problem that I can see with the instructions is the size of the print, I have to use my magnifier to read some of it with out straining the eyes.

    All up it should be an interesting build, with lots of small parts to have disappear .

    5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

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    Tom Cleaver said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    It's actually a Cl.II, not a Cl.11, Ian. 🙂

    It's a good kit. I too have it in the stash and will be following your work here as I consider pulling mine out.

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    George R Blair Jr said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    This looks like another great build, Ian (@firelockg). I don't know much about Mirage kits, so I will be interested to see how it builds.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    Excellent entry, my friend @firelockg! Looking forward to it!

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    IAN Convey said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    Tom,
    Have edited it.
    George,
    Its a steep learning curve George for both of us, as this is the 1st Mirage kit I will have done.
    Spiros ,
    I've been putting this off for some time as it full of tiny parts, but here goes.

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    Milan TesaÅ™ said 3 weeks, 2 days ago:

    I recently completed CL IV. CL II waiting for me to build. However, the structures are similar. Lots of titration parts that are very difficult to clean. But the result is worth it. I wish you much success.

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    IAN Convey said 3 weeks, 1 day ago:

    Not much seems to be done for the time put in yet, am building OOB , engine is almost complete ,started on the cockpit. Base coat of Vellejo natural wood grain applied to wooden parts, will brush burnt sienna oil paint for wood effect once the base has hardened.
    Milan,
    You are not wrong about the small parts and cleaning of them, already had 3 escape, but recaptured them.

    2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 weeks, 1 day ago:

    Excellent job so far, my friend @firelockg!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 3 weeks, 1 day ago:

    Great progress, Ian @firelockg

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    IAN Convey said 1 week, 6 days ago:

    It has been some time since I last posted on this build, attending family matters and the difficulty of the build have caused the delay.

    Pic.1. I have used some HGW transparent dark natural wood decal for the interior, I think its too dark, but there it is.

    Pic.2. The fuselage did not want to join up properly and required a lot of trial and error to get it to close.

    Pic.3. Finally closed, with some filling and clean-up to follow .

    The engine did not fit into the engine bay, had to remove the supercharger and file port side of the engine mount so that it would finally fit. You cannot see that the blower is missing so it ain't fitted.

    It has been a pain to get it thus far, now to tackle the lozenge and camo decals, the lozenge is at 45Deg., so should be fun.

    Must admit I almost put it in the " too hard bin" several times but am resolved to complete it.

    4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

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    John vd Biggelaar said 1 week, 6 days ago:

    Seems like you had quite some challenges, Ian @firelockg
    Looks all good to me in the end.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 1 week, 6 days ago:

    Excellent job and great perseverance, my friend @firelockg! Would have been a pity to bin such a beauty. Looks awesome so far!

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    IAN Convey said 1 week, 6 days ago:

    John & Spiros,
    Thank you gentlemen, challenges and perseverance were the order of the day, still are, but I can see where the build is going now.

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    Milan TesaÅ™ said 1 week, 4 days ago:

    This is how I struggled with hull closure at CL. IV before I managed to glue it perfectly. I follow and root for you.

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    John Healy said 1 week, 3 days ago:

    Great progress, Ian. Glad you didn’t bin it.