Looking good. :thumbsup
1/24 B-Wing kit modifications
- Thread starter darth_daniel
- Start date
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Finally an update! Got quite a few things done.
The modified intake is finished. I had seperated all the vertical panels as they didn´t look very symmetrical, and added a few millimetres to the lengths of the middle panel. I also added to the center plate and this is the result:
The modified intake is finished. I had seperated all the vertical panels as they didn´t look very symmetrical, and added a few millimetres to the lengths of the middle panel. I also added to the center plate and this is the result:
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Next: the secondary gun(s). All the greeblies used here were completely made up and did not resemble the filming model in any way. So here´s something that looks a bit more like it should be. I hope to have this cast as I don´t wish to build another one for the other gun. The part could be much thinner and lighter but I want it to be solid so once cast I can drill into it for a good and tight fit of the gun barrel.
The details in the rear of the part are made up because I can´t find one reference pic showing this area.
The details in the rear of the part are made up because I can´t find one reference pic showing this area.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Comparison to kit´s part. Quite a difference...mine is just an interpretation of a blurry ref pic which is why the "depth" of some parts could be quite off, but at least it´s close to that one ref pic.
Unfortunately I bought white primer...:unsure Looks a bit strange.
Unfortunately I bought white primer...:unsure Looks a bit strange.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Then I finally tried the "Guy Cowen-method". 
Works perfectly. Just the cutting wheel is twice a wide as the panel lines I normally engrave. But that doesn´t matter. Placing the rivet holes on the round part is a nightmare.
And I now call the main wing finished. I corrected and rescribed all panel lines, redrilled the rivet holes, increased the cutout and filled it with stuff, replaced the incorrect 4 raised plates on one side and removed them on the other.
Works perfectly. Just the cutting wheel is twice a wide as the panel lines I normally engrave. But that doesn´t matter. Placing the rivet holes on the round part is a nightmare.And I now call the main wing finished. I corrected and rescribed all panel lines, redrilled the rivet holes, increased the cutout and filled it with stuff, replaced the incorrect 4 raised plates on one side and removed them on the other.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Last pics for today. The casting quality on this kit is terrible as the last pic shows.
Thanks Guy!
Thanks Guy!
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Just wait until I start painting...when I´ll be done you´ll say what did you do all the modifications for you ruined it! :lol
I hope not though...we´ll see.
I hope not though...we´ll see.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Finally got some update. I noticed that the plate which the rear cone is mounted on is wrong; it simply doesn´t exist on the studio model. Instead it looks as if the part that attaches to the fuselage below is some sort of braces which keeps the rotating part in place. So I removed the lip of this part. Actually the rotating fluted part should show through but I didn´t want do too muh modification. Actually, the whole cockpit section with rings of various diameters is wrong. But I certainly want to redo the whole part. The whole cockpit assembly sits much too far from the fuselage as well. Too late to correct it though.
I also made quite some progress on the cockpit. It´s painted except for the seat and I decided to add some detail to the inner side of the cockpit shell (frame). Further, I added the missing detail under nose while the small box that sits on the nose is still missing. Maybe today...
I also modified the canopy frame by removing the lip and adding styrene strips to strengthen the frame.
I also made quite some progress on the cockpit. It´s painted except for the seat and I decided to add some detail to the inner side of the cockpit shell (frame). Further, I added the missing detail under nose while the small box that sits on the nose is still missing. Maybe today...
I also modified the canopy frame by removing the lip and adding styrene strips to strengthen the frame.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Then I further drilled out the engine bells with the dremel to prepare them for the lighting stuff which will hopefully arrive this coming week.
I added some styrene strips to the rotating part behind the cockpit for better guidance within the "tunnel".
And since I finally received my replacement parts, I was able to dryfit the wing hinge and see what it looks like with the s-foils mounted... Unfortunately the main wing hinge part was warped so one of the s-foils sits at an angle so the leading edge doesn´t quite align with the main wing´s leading edge.
That´s it for now, need to get the cockpit finished this week and install the lighting, then I can assemble the whole model and prepare it for painting. Finally...
I added some styrene strips to the rotating part behind the cockpit for better guidance within the "tunnel".
And since I finally received my replacement parts, I was able to dryfit the wing hinge and see what it looks like with the s-foils mounted... Unfortunately the main wing hinge part was warped so one of the s-foils sits at an angle so the leading edge doesn´t quite align with the main wing´s leading edge.
That´s it for now, need to get the cockpit finished this week and install the lighting, then I can assemble the whole model and prepare it for painting. Finally...
Looking good. I'm glad that you resumed building this again! Your update make me want to post one too. LOL
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Update! I received the lighting stuff! This means I could finally make some progress...but also meant a number of modifications again.
I added two washers in the drilled out engines, and fixed a brass tube with glue and putty which houses the LED´s resistor and guides the wire into the engine housing. The brass tube´s inner diameter is just big enough to house the resistor, so it keeps the LED in place without the need of glue. I just need to add some kind of reflector inside the engine cone, the LED alone is not bright enough. Need ideas...
I also fitted the position lights in the wing hinge. The wire will still be visible later between the wing hinge plate and a hole in the engine housing. Adds to the studio look!
I added two washers in the drilled out engines, and fixed a brass tube with glue and putty which houses the LED´s resistor and guides the wire into the engine housing. The brass tube´s inner diameter is just big enough to house the resistor, so it keeps the LED in place without the need of glue. I just need to add some kind of reflector inside the engine cone, the LED alone is not bright enough. Need ideas...
I also fitted the position lights in the wing hinge. The wire will still be visible later between the wing hinge plate and a hole in the engine housing. Adds to the studio look!
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darth_daniel
Sr Member
I then had to modify the engine housing center plate. I cut a large opening and built a box to hold the battery (I was sent a very nice battery box which unfortunately was too large. There´s not as much space in the engine housing as I had thought and it´s getting less and less...).
I glued a styrene plate under the opening and drilled through it, then inserted the switch. The "top" hatch is for the switch and battery, the "bottom" hatch will be for access to the wires.
Hope you like it.
My next idea is to add tiny magnets which will keep the hatch covers in place. :cool I also plan to fix the cockpit cone this way, so i can remove it. Makes no sense, but I think it will be cool! :lol
And then, it will be on to soldering...:wacko :confused
I glued a styrene plate under the opening and drilled through it, then inserted the switch. The "top" hatch is for the switch and battery, the "bottom" hatch will be for access to the wires.
Hope you like it.
My next idea is to add tiny magnets which will keep the hatch covers in place. :cool I also plan to fix the cockpit cone this way, so i can remove it. Makes no sense, but I think it will be cool! :lol
And then, it will be on to soldering...:wacko :confused
Sweet. I may have to borrow some of your ideas.
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Glad you guys like it. Shadowknight, feel free to copy or borrow anything you like. I see it as an honor.
Today I got some old magnets from where I work during summer - for free! And I can get "tons" more! :cool
Today I got some old magnets from where I work during summer - for free! And I can get "tons" more! :cool
darth_daniel
Sr Member
Thanks Guy, yes I hope to paint it soon. Still haven´t got the gun parts casted though, and also some scratchbuild work is missing.
Not much work done today, just some drilling and gluing in magnets. The cockpit cone sits very firmly but still can be removed easily; and I also fixed the forward wing hinge with a magnet which enables me to remove the s-foils later, should there be any reason for it.
Not much work done today, just some drilling and gluing in magnets. The cockpit cone sits very firmly but still can be removed easily; and I also fixed the forward wing hinge with a magnet which enables me to remove the s-foils later, should there be any reason for it.
