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    greg.kittinger
    Mar 26, 2018
      ·  Edited: Mar 26, 2018

    Airfix Pe-2

    in On the Bench

    I bought a set of Akan paints to for the Aegean Ghost scheme on a Greek F-4E, but before I attempted to use the Akan, I wanted to try it out on a more low-risk (ie. more cheaply replaceable) model, so I pulled an old Airfix Pe-2 out of the stash, and bought a set of Akan paints for that (which if I like the paint, I'll also use on an IL-4).



    I was thinking OOB build, but when I saw all that glass under the nose, and saw how bare the cockpit was, I decided I'd have to add some details. I also didn't like the way the dive brakes looked - they were solid instead of "ribbed." So I got out some tools and opened up the airbrakes. There were also no guns extending from the nose, so used some brass pieces I had left over from a Firefly brass gun set I had, drilled out the areas and inserted. I'll next have to build out the actual gun bodies and some bracing in the interior nose section, because again, you'll see it from the bombardier's glass section underneath. Here's how I opened up the airbrakes:


    First, on the ends, I just used a razor saw to slide down between the ribs. Next, I attacked one section at a time, starting with a micro drill running down between the ribs.




    Next, I used a scribing tool to thin off the area drilled. I couldn't use the scribing tool to cut all the way through because it is too thick (sorry the pic is a bit blurry).




    Next, I used the corner of the razor saw to cut through and open up the gap:




    Then I used a different saw blade I have from a Tamiya saw set. The teeth are a bit rough, but the height of the blade allows for it to fit between the rib runners, and I very gingerly sawed out the space:




    Then I cut strips of sandpaper, attached to my third-hand tweezers, and smoothed the edges:




    End result:




    I did break the second one, and had to glue back together!


    Here are a couple of pics of the brass gun barrels. The kit only had an indention for a single gun on the starboard side, so I drilled out the port side. In some photos it looks like the two guns were actually different calibers, so I duplicated that look. (you can see the start of some of my other detailing work begun...I'll show more of that as it progresses.)





    13 comments
    0
    FFL
    Mar 28, 2018

    A PE-2? Really!! Nobody does a PE-2! Surprise. I like to see the obscure stuff......a PE-2. Cool plane.

    0
    greg.kittinger
    Mar 28, 2018

    What???!!! Are you calling me a Nobody?!!


    I do LOVE to do subjects that are not common, or even if somewhat common, I like to choose schemes that aren't often seen. You know - variety is the spice of life!

    0
    greg.kittinger
    Jun 07, 2018

    Couple of more pics of the scratch build effort - since these, I've got it painted, the seats in, and just about ready to close up the fuselage. I'll take a few more pics before I seal it and post later.


    Also got the wings together, nacelles on, and am opening up the air intakes