Roden 1/48 BE2c in Progress.

[MerlinV]

Greetings, as promised, I am starting a thread on my building of the first of three of these kits that I have purchased.

To start with, the references that I will be using here are:

Windsock Datfile # 42, RAF BE2c by J M Bruce,
Squadron Signal Publication #1123 BE2 in Action,
Various websites,
and drawing that I have been collecting over the many years of my love affair with this aircaft

The kit, in my opinion is pretty good. There are issues, most of which have been discussed already, so I won't mention them at the outset... I will discuss those I find as we go.

To begin with, I decided that the Tailplanes needed attention in terms of their profile. This took all of a minute with some wet'n'dry.

Before,


After,


Next, Work started on the Fuselage...

[MerlinV]

The Fuselage in this boxing had serious issues, in that the Sump Cowling was short moulded and deformed. I don't get upset about things like this, I choose to look upon them as challenges. The upshot of the fault is that I decided to remove the whole engine area and scratch build a replacement.
I didn't get a photo of it before I started cutting, but here is a shot of a virgin fuselage that shows some other issues I chose to address; namely the presense of some serious ejector pin marks, right where you would see them through the cockpit openings.


I chose to remove all of the interior detail and replace with Evergreen strip.
Here are the fuselage halves with the engine bay section removed and the interior detail removed.


And the detail replaced.

[MerlinV]

Next, I built up the framing for the engine mounts, using the removed section as a pattern and refering to a scan of a tracing of the engine bay section which I think may have been an original from the Royal Aircraft Factory (this was originally available on a web site - now unfortunately defunct - "Early Aicraft Dawings..." I believe that all the drawings from this site are now available to purchase on CD).
Despite having some great references at hand, I still shudder at the glaring error evident... the Bracing section between the Engine Mount and the Lower Stringer should have been further forward... next time.




Now I guess I should start doing up some interior details and bracing wires in preperation for starting the painting..

Until then,

Cheers,

Hugh

[StevePratt]

Hugh,

Thanks for posting these photos and letting me watch your progress. I'm still quite new at modeling, and find this most helpful!

Steve

[Kofoed]

Hi MerlinV,
Thank you for showing us. Very interesting to follow your build. Can't wait to see the rest.
Kofoed

[RAGIII]

Thanks for posting, looking good so far. Have you made any progress?
RAGIII

[MerlinV]

Sorry Guys.
My modelling progresses at a "Glacial" rate these days.
Since my last post, I have rebuilt the nose framing with that little strut in the correct position and have repostioned the frame slightly lower.
I have been working simultaniously (sic) on the engine and the fuselage interior.
The engine needs some detailing with obvious omissions, but my efforts so far have not been satisfactory.
I have redone some of the interior framing that you see above and added some bracing wires.
Photos have been taken, but I want to get to a particular point before I post again.
I will try to update tonight.

Cheers,

Hugh

[MerlinV]

While still not at the stage I wanted to be before I posted an update, I thought I'd try to keep some interest by showing what progress has been made.

As I stated above, I felt that the RAF 1a engine as depicted in the kit needed some additions. I chose not to try to replicate the missing cooling fins on the cylinders, but may do so in a subsequent build.
I did however decide that some other missing details were required.

[aviators6]

nice work Hugh

[Kofoed]

Hi there Hugh,

I've been following this build with big interest, and it certainly pays off. Your work is simply stunning! Can't imagine how I should be able to do mine after seeing this. Can't wait to see this one finished.

Also, great photographic work!

Thanks,
Kofoed