Splash's Stringbag ****finished****

[splash]

I have both kits in my stash and will decide on the start date which to build.

Regards Splash

[Sissel]

Save yourself the trouble of deciding by building both!
You know you want to.

[splash]

Save yourself the trouble of deciding by building both!
You know you want to.

I would love to build both but the rigging would drive me mad

I'm going for an early silver fish on floats, but can't make up my mind on what markings yet.

Progress to day is just painting the cockpit before assembly and giving it a wash to bring out the details.



Regards Splash

[splash]

So far this kit has the makings of being a future classic, the part fit is first class with nice detail the cockpit even contains two spare ammo drums for the Lewis gun. The only problem is I don't think you will see much once its all together.

Whilst the paint dried I had a go at building the floats and as Paul said when he built his, Airfix have done well, the three part construction works well with no joint lines, the only thing to watch out for is, the tops are left/ right handed just check you have the float rudder cables on the correct side and that they match the tops.

Regards Splash

[jssel]

Nice stuff, Splash. I agree. It is a great kit.

[splash]

This shot shows the difference between the left/right floats

[splash]

Having looked at photo of Swordfish floats I think Airfix have gone a bit overboard with the panel lines, so I have filled them with Vallejo filler, the thin applicator made it easy to apply the filler then just wipe it off with a wet finger so no sanding was required.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Good idea on the filler; I ought to get some of that, as it is, some Mr Surfacer ought to work.

I'll use the PE to replace those 5 square panel in the upper surface, they appear way over scale.

[splash]

caution

The fit on this kit has very close tolerances make sure all the cockpit parts fit correctly and dry fit before you join the sides up. Mine fitted width wise no problem as I had not painted the out sides of the frames, but the depth seemed slightly to deep. To correct it I had to sand some of the cabin floor down at the front.

You don't need to take off much but it makes fitting the underside fit better at the front.

Regards Splash

[PaulBradley]

Thanks for the tip - I haven't got beyond interior painting yet, but useful to know!

[jssel]

Found that problem with mine, Splash. The cockpit has to fit in just so or the lower part will not fit at the wind stubs.

[splash]

Once the body was cloosed up, progress was swift, first a coat of grey as a base coat followed by silver, this became my light colour for the yellow undercoat then the black covered up the silver/ yellow overspray. Once this is dry I will re sprey the grey.







I have decided to build an a/c from 823 squadron HMS Glorious 1937-38 as I like the contrast with the black top decking.

Regards Splash

[JohnRatzenberger]

Moving right along !

[splash]

As I had the airbrush set up, I masked the tail and sprayed the black bands, so that's all the fiddle bits painted, so I can now take a look at the wings.

I'm thinking of doing the wings folded as Airfix have made it so simple.

[JohnRatzenberger]

The "problem" with folding the wings is that it hides the cockpit detail and obscures the nifty pre-war side markings.

I have been looking at doing a half-open / half-folded one ....