OT's Impala Mk1 ** Finished **

[Old_Tonto]

I am restricted to child care duties on these dates so will try to squeeze in this build as two 12 hour shifts.



Never built this one before. It is 1/72 scale with raised panel lines - could be the old Supermodel kit.

It will be OOB apart from the decals which will be from my South African stash. I intend to do it in flight as I always do with my trainer aircraft which means I need to source at least one pilot.
I have also misplaced the decals sheet. so stencils will be minimal. Hopefully it should end up looking something like this:



All over silver paint finish should make painting a little easier. Lets see.

[jssel]

Could be right on that O-T. I know that ESCI had a 1/48 scale one. It is scribed.

[fredk]

I think I can let you have pilots.
PM me later, meantime I'll see who's in my pilot's waiting room, aka the wee box I keep them in.
Also what stencils might you need? I may be able to get some from my spares files.

[TimJ]

When I saw Impala my first thought was 'Chevy'. Then I thought 'No, not for a Blitz'.

It looks like an interesting kit. I look forward to seeing how you get on with it.

[Old_Tonto]

I think I can let you have pilots.
PM me later, meantime I'll see who's in my pilot's waiting room, aka the wee box I keep them in.
Also what stencils might you need? I may be able to get some from my spares files.

Thanks for the offer Fred but I have found some pilots & the original decals sheet so stencils etc. are covered. Although not in Afrikans. but in this scale you can't read them anyway.

I am going to have to move this one to Friday 29th as Swambo is now off one Thursday.
Hope you can join me.

[Old_Tonto]

Could be right on that O-T. I know that ESCI had a 1/48 scale one. It is scribed.

The details are raised but not too heavy. The main control surfaces are recessed.

These images are not too clear sorry, using my phone.





As you can see not too many parts. I hope the fit is good otherwise I may destroy the raised details sanding things smooth.
I guess a little patience and dry fitting are called for. Not my strong point!

Now that I have the decals sheet I am feeling a bit more confidant about finishing. I have plenty of Springbok & castle markings, just need some black numbers so will check the spares box tonight.
I have also found a nice Tamiya stand so she will definitely be in flight.
The pilot figures will hide the rather skinny looking seats. (I hope I can fit the figures in!).
The only question I have now is what silver to use for the overall colour. Pictures show it to be a dull, almost grey silver.



I think I have some Xtracrylix High Speed Silver that might do the trick with a coat of matt varnish on top.

Roll on Friday.

[Old_Tonto]

Here we go then a little later than planned due to a dead chicken!

Proper bread with home made jam for brekky before kicking off at 8:30 GMT and I remembered the clock.





I started work on the cockpit. I have no idea what colour it should be so I opted for a light blue, very popular when these were built. I used Tamiya XF-23 as I had it on the bench.



Popping away now to do a few domestic chores, back soon.

[Old_Tonto]

This is where I am at 10am.

Wings together:


Pretty good fit although one of the air intakes looks a little undershot & will need tidying up.

Detailing the pit has started & I dug out a couple of pilots from the Revell set for NATO crew. Not sure how accurate they are for SAAF trainee & instructor but they will have to do.







Apologies for the poor images. Using a cheap phone.
Just gluing the wing tip tanks together. Fit is poor.

[Old_Tonto]

Time is moving too fast!!!!!

Pilots assembled & painting started





The tip tanks are a very bad fit & will need lots of work to get them right.
They only butt fit to the wings too.

Seats are getting painted. Not looking anything like what they should do either, still no time to wast on a blitz so I slapped the fuselage halves together.





Not a bad fit at all considering the age of the kit.

Next up those wing tip tanks are going on.

[despondman]

Good progress. Looking forward to seeing this as never seen one before.

[jssel]

With you now O-T. Great progress. The cockpit looks busy enough.

[Old_Tonto]

Thanks guys. Been slightly delayed as I had to get lunch sorted.



Chip butty, food of the gods.

First big problem, all my own fault. In my haste to get the fuselage together I never gave the cockpit tub time to glue properly so the tub slipped down inside the fuselage. I had to split open the underside with my craft knife and insert a cocktail stick & nail to push up & re-glue the part. Just off to check it now. wish me luck.

[despondman]

Yes good luck with that one. This is what happens in blitzes, to me anyway, and sorting things out just seems to eat away at your time.

[mjatx]

Good progress through two meals! Keep it up.

[Old_Tonto]

Cheers guys, time check 2pm.

I got the cockpit tub repaired & touched up the paint.
Not perfect but will have to do for this blitz.



The wing tanks are on & don't need any work - BONUS



Canopy has been dipped in klear then masked:



Pilots are coming along too:



First wing is gluing now.
Once the other wing is fitted I will cover the pit and give the whole kit a primer coat to identify any problem areas.

Bye for now.