|
Title: I-153 Kitbash Post by: learstang on February 22, 2011, 01:48:05 AM I'm attempting to build a reasonably accurate Polikarpov I-153 in 1/72nd scale. Since such a beast doesn't exist (yet) I'm having to do a bit of kit-bashing. Using an article from Modeling the VVS site as a basis, I'm combining three kits: the Amodel kit for the front fuselage, upper wing, and lower wing centre section; the Heller kit for the rear fuselage, and propeller, etc.; and the ICM I-15 kit for the stabilisers (the ones at the top of the fourth photograph - the bottom ones are from the Heller kit), outer part of the lower wings, and interior. In addition, I have a resin replacement cowling (sadly with no replacement front grille) from Quickboost. Below are some photographs. I'm still very much in the initial phase and this will be an intermittent build, as my efforts are more concentrated on finishing my Hobby Boss 1/32nd scale IL-2. I do intend on pursuing this and I think it should be an interesting project. Enjoy!
Regards, Jason http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153Fuselages.jpg http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153CompositeFuselage.jpg http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153Cowling.jpg http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153Tailplanes.jpg http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-AmodelUpperWing.jpg http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-LowerWings.jpg Title: Re: I-153 Kitbash Post by: learstang on February 22, 2011, 01:50:09 AM I glued the matching halves together, so now the fuselage is split down the middle between the Amodel front half and the Heller back half and all I have to do is to glue them together. Simple. Except for the prominent join lines I'm going to have to eliminate, but that's what putty's for.
Regards, Jason http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/L...perFuselage.jpg (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-UpperFuselage.jpg) http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/L...Halves-Port.jpg (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-FuselagesHalves-Port.jpg) http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/L...s-Starboard.jpg (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-FuselageHalves-Starboard.jpg) Title: Re: I-153 Kitbash Post by: learstang on February 22, 2011, 01:51:48 AM I've now figured out the problem with my doing the fuselage this way - there will be a visible seam on the interior that I won't be able to easily sand down. However, I could cover it up with two (very) thin sheets of plastic. I might even be able to install the ICM I-15 interior into the fuselage, although it's going to be a tight fit. At any rate, I'm more interested in getting the exterior correct than I am about having a detailed interior, and I still think doing the fuselage as I am is the best way to make sure the halves line up. I can just see me making both full-length halves, filling and sanding in the lines, then realising that one side is slightly longer than the other!
Regards, Jason Title: Re: I-153 Kitbash Post by: learstang on February 22, 2011, 01:54:49 AM Below is a pictures showing my progress, such as it is. The picture shows the two halves glued together. Hopefully I won't destroy too much of the fabric effect on the Heller half when I try and smooth down the seam - it's rather nicely done (the fabric effect, not the seam) and I don't want to have to redo it.
Regards, Jason http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/L...Starboard-1.jpg (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/I-153-FuselageHalves-Starboard-1.jpg) |