SPA Modeler

This is a nice build to follow Stik !

When looking at the Vampire in the picture "from above", it really looks unique. Those (excuse my expression) short and fat wings, the "eggish" fuselage but still so stylish, aerodynamical plane.

- Kari

Wow, excellent progress Carlos! Magnificent work overall. I agree, I see nothing that would cause anyone to truly bash this kit; I'm thinking some reviewers aren't as great at building models as they might think.

Thanks Mark. Mind you, I don’t have any scale plans onhand to compare it with, so I can’t vouch for it against such things. But simply as a model to build, so far, whatever is wrong with this kit is easily addressed.

Today’s progress report:
Nothing major, but several little things-

I added the PE into the wing wheel wells. This required a bit of work in the wheel wells to allow it to drop in...



and I added some plugs into the original horizontal tailplane mounting holes. I’ll sand them smooth tomorrow after the glue has had time to dry overnite



and lastly work in the cockpit-
here is the kit control column, which is fine for the two seat variants, but the early single seaters had the round spade grip like a Spitfire and Hurricane



so I cut off the top portion of the grip and replaced it with a piece of tube styrene



after that had time to dry, I sanded it to a more round profile, and added the top that I had cut off earlier as the trigger button





then I glued the column in place and came up with something to replicate the rudder pedals with some “I” beam styrene based off what little I could see in photos





and I did some seam sanding, but nothing worth taking any photos yet....
that’s all for today...

Your scratchbuilding is so darn nice, Carlos!

Thanks Bruce. Seeing how the canopy is molded shut, I am not going to go too overboard in the cockpit. I have yet to come across any replacement canopies for the Vampires.

Stikpusher wrote:Thanks Bruce. Seeing how the canopy is molded shut, I am not going to go too overboard in the cockpit. I have yet to come across any replacement canopies for the Vampires.

Looks great, Carlos. Are you familiar with Joe’s Models? He may be a source for the 1/48 Aeroclub canopy. You’re so right about parts availability, and I am so excited you are bringing subjects like this one to light, this is an important aircraft and many were in service, as well.

No Bruce, I am not familiar with Joes Models. From what I’ve been able to find, aside from some Aeroclub and Eduard PE sets, and some masks, there is not much out there specifically for the Hobbycraft Vampires.

I might need to fact check this, but I believe the Brits refused to fly them against the Italians. Something to do with how Vampires are repelled by garlic...

Wiseguy!