Avia BH.9, KP Prostějov 1:48 - model building
To enlarge the fuselage to a scale of 1:48 it is necessary
1) extend the fuselage by 5 mm
2) increase the width of the fuselage by 1 mm
3) increase the height of the fuselage by 1 mm
I was the first to start modifying the fuselage of the Avia BH.9. First, I increased the width of the fuselage by gluing a plastic sheet 1 mm thick between the halves of the fuselage.
1) extend the fuselage by 5 mm
2) increase the width of the fuselage by 1 mm
3) increase the height of the fuselage by 1 mm
I was the first to start modifying the fuselage of the Avia BH.9. First, I increased the width of the fuselage by gluing a plastic sheet 1 mm thick between the halves of the fuselage.
I left the glued plastic plate at the end of the fuselage about 1 cm longer, later it will be used to extend the fuselage
After the glue dried, I cut off the excess material from the glued plate.
In the end, I glued the halves of my torso together. The fuselage is now 1 mm wider.
After comparing the fuselage from the kit with the drawing, I found that the fuselage needs to be extended by 3 mm in the rear and 2 mm in the front. In the attached photo, I marked places suitable for extending the hull to the desired size.
According to the photo published above, I cut off the bow of the fuselage and glued a 2 mm thick plastic plate to it. When the glue dried, I drilled a relief hole in the plastic plate.
I glued the extended bow back to the fuselage. I adjusted the protruding plastic plate at the stern of the fuselage to the correct size. The fuselag now has the correct width and length. The change of the last dimension remains - the height of the fuselage.
To increase the height of the fuselage, I cut the lower half of the fuselage. Later, I glue a 1 mm thick plastic plate between these two parts. But first I have to make the interior.
I blinded the opening for the front cockpit.
I cut rectangular pins from the wings to attach the wing to the fuselage. They are too large and do not correspond in shape to the actual fit.
I also cut off the end arches of the wing. Without them, my wing will be better extended.
To enlarge the wing to a scale of 1:48, it is necessary to extend the wing, increase its width and slightly increase the thickness. I solved the enlargement of the wing by gluing a plastic foil 0.75 mm thick between the halves of the wing ... the plastic plate protrudes 2 mm at the trailing edge of the sash and approximately 10 mm at the end of the sash. I reinforced the protruding plastic plate at the end of the wing by gluing 1mm plastic plates to the upper and lower side. After the glue dries, sealing and sanding to the correct shape will follow.
I made new cockpit parts from plastic plates and profiles.
partially assembled cockpit
partially assembled cockpit
I put a seat in the cockpit for a test
After painting the cockpit parts, I started adding small controls and instruments
After painting the cockpit parts, I started adding small controls and instruments
I made the oil level meter on the right side of the cockpit from a transparent plastic rod, the supply hoses are made of wire
I "filled" the oil level meter with oil 🙂
I started mounting the individual devices on the dashboard.
Assembled cockpit (so far without gluing) inserted into the fuselage for testing.
I glued the seat to the cockpit and equipped the belts. I made the belts from a colored paper handkerchief and used photo-etchings from my stock for the buckles.
I made a control lever from plastic rods and wire and pedals from a piece of plastic plate.
I glued the painted control lever and pedal assembly to the cockpit floor
I glued the floor with the control lever and pedal assembly glued to the assembled cockpit.
I glued the floor with the control lever and pedal assembly glued to the assembled cockpit.
To get a better idea of the size of the cockpit, I took this picture with a coin.
I made a "leather" cockpit rim from a thin plastic stick (soaked in acetone to soften it). I will still adjust the hem to the final form.
I applied the first layer of sealant to the wings and parts of the fuselage.
I added all the devices to the dashboard
I closed the cockpit construction by gluing the right side and I put the finished cockpit in the upper part of the fuselage without gluing for the test
After testing, I glued the cockpit into the fuselage
After gluing the cockpit to the fuselage, I glued both parts of the fuselage together.
This image shows the differences in the shape of the bow of the fuselage and engine bulkhead for Avia BH.11 (left) and Avia BH.9 (right).
After gluing the finished cockpits into the fuselages of Avia BH.9 and BH.11 and closing the fuselages, I sprayed both fuselages with a surfacer.
Surfacer unified the color of the fuselages of both aircraft and showed places that will still need to be repaired.
After minor repairs, both hulls will be ready for further work.
On the upper side of the wings, I used a modeling scalpel to scrape out the curvature of the canvas between the ribs of the wing.
I scratched the curvature of the canvas between the ribs of the wing also on the underside of the wing. Then I sprayed the wings with a surfacer. Now it's time for putty and sandpaper.
I decided to replace the original engine from the kit with a more detailed engine from the Brengun accessory set.
Stavebnice motoru NZ-60 obsahuje lité díly motoru a fotolepty s vahadlem ventilů.
The valve rockers are really very small. For a better idea of their size, the photo shows a comparison with the tip of a digging needle. That's why it's very nice that the manufacturer thought about it and in case of loss you have another 8 pieces available.
It is easy to glue the cylinders to the motor housing. The cylinders fit exactly into the prepared holes in the motor housing. When gluing the engine cylinders, make sure that the spark plugs on all cylinders point forward.
View of the rear of the engine. The pipes to the individual cylinders and the carburetor are already glued to the engine.
Front view of the engine - valve rockers are glued to the cylinder heads. I will install the exhausts, valve rods and spark plug cables on the engine later. Once the engine sticks to the bow of the fuselage, there will be less risk of breaking small engine parts.
I cut new tail surfaces from a 1 mm plastic plate. I honed the new tail surfaces from the profile. Then I cut off the moving parts. Finally, I sprayed the ports on the tail surfaces.
I glued the horizontal tail surfaces to the fuselage. I glued the moving parts inclined downwards and completed their controls. I used the rudder from the kit, I only added control levers and I also glued the modified rudder to the fuselage.
Using engraving templates and a needle, I engraved all the covers on the fuselage according to the drawing. I made footrests and details on the front of the fuselage from a 0.13 mm plastic plate and a thin plastic thread.
After grinding, I first sprayed the ports on the wings and then I sprayed the whole wings with the base paint.
After assembling the fuselage, I sprayed the whole assembly with the base paint.
After assembling the fuselage, I sprayed the whole assembly with the base paint.
The fuselage of the aircraft with wings (the wings are placed to the fuselage without gluing) - finally it looks like an aircraft 🙂
The fuselage of the aircraft with wings (the wings are placed to the fuselage without gluing) - finally it looks like an aircraft 🙂
The fuselage of the aircraft with wings (the wings are placed to the fuselage without gluing) - finally it looks like an aircraft 🙂
During the day, I sprayed camouflage paints. On the upper surfaces of the camouflage field of brown, green and ocher colors...
... and the bottom surfaces are silver.
View of the sprayed fuselage.
View of the sprayed fuselage.
General view of the plane. The wings are just placed to the fuselage.
General view of the plane. The wings are just placed to the fuselage.
A little ironic. I enlarged the whole model, but found that I made too large hinges on the hood. So now I'm shrinking the hinges. First I had to grind the original big hinges.
I made new hinges in the right size from a thin plastic foil (0.13 mm) and from strings pulled from a plastic tree. The new hinges are really tiny (0.8 x 0.4 mm). Their production and gluing to the fuselage of the model required a lot of patience.
But the extra work paid off. The new hinges look more realistic. For comparison: the new hinges on the model on the left and in the photo on the right are the hinges on the real machine. The photo shows a two-seater version, but the design of the hinges is the same for the single-seater and two-seater versions.
After repairing the hinges and restoring the colors on the bow of the aircraft, I applied decals to the model. This aircraft had standard military camouflage. For the record flight and subsequent demonstration events, the civilian designation L-BONG was additionally added via the military designation.
This aircraft had standard military camouflage. For the record flight and subsequent demonstration events, the civilian designation L-BONG was additionally added via the military designation. (The wings are only placed on a mat to demonstrate the future shape of the model.)
This aircraft had standard military camouflage. For the record flight and subsequent demonstration events, the civilian designation L-BONG was additionally added via the military designation. (The wings are only placed on a mat to demonstrate the future shape of the model.)
This aircraft had standard military camouflage. For the record flight and subsequent demonstration events, the civilian designation L-BONG was additionally added via the military designation. (The wings are only placed on a mat to demonstrate the future shape of the model.)
Because the wheels in the kit are small, I found another in my inventory. They are from the Fokker D.VII kit from the Smer company. These wheels have the correct diameter and thickness, but have a flat center on one side.
That's why I made new centers with the right shape from thin plastic foil.
I shaped the new Wednesdays and glued them into the right shape. After the glue dried, I glued the Wednesdays to the wheels.
I drilled a hole on the edge of the wheel. This hole in the disc allowed the real aircraft to access the tire valve. The hole in the center of the wheel was too large. That's why I glued a brass tube into it. The hole in the center of the wheel now matches the required size.
I glued thin plastic strings to the wheel discs on both sides.
I ground the wheel discs. Then I applied putty to the discs. When the putty dries, I'll grind the wheels.
Because the kit does not contain an aerodynamic engine cover, I had to make it. First I made a hoof from a balsa block. I stretch a heated plastic foil on this hoof and so I get a semi-finished product for the production of the engine cover.
I attached bamboo skewers to the edges of the plastic plate with a thin wire. Bamboo skewers allow me to handle a heated plastic plate.
I heated the plastic plate over the flame to make it malleable and then stretched it on my hoof.
After the plastic cooled down, I cut off the excess material.
Eventually, I removed the future engine cover from my hoof.
I cut grooves for the engine cylinders in the engine cover ...
I cut grooves for the engine cylinders in the engine cover ...
... and I drilled cooling holes in the front of the cover.
I tested how the new cover would fit the engine.
I'm slowly working to complete the Avia engine.
I made valve rods on the front of each cylinder from 0.5 mm diameter wire.
I drilled holes in the spark plugs. I used a 0.3 mm diameter drill.
I glued the ignition cables to the drilled holes. I used very thin copper wire.
After the glue dried, I shaped the wires.
In the end, I put the cover on the assembled engine to make sure everything was in place. The test turned out well, so I can start painting the added details of the engine.
Engine cover test on the model fuselage. Everything is OK, after cleaning I can paint the engine cover and stick it on the fuselage.
Engine cover test on the model fuselage. Everything is OK, after cleaning I can paint the engine cover and stick it on the fuselage.
I got new photos of Avia B.9.11 and thanks to that I found out that this machine had different wings (compared to serial machines). These wings are longer and have a slightly different shape. The attached picture shows the shape of the standard wing of the Avia BH.9 and BH.11 series - blue color. The approximate shape of the modified wing for Avia B.9.11 is red.
I decided to build new wings from scratch. First I cut the new wing beams from a 2 mm plastic plate. Then I prepared rectangular plates (0.5 mm) for the production of ribs.
I drilled holes in the prepared parts. I ground the outer ribs into the right shape.
I threaded the prepared parts through the wire.
I pulled the parts tight together. I ground the shape according to the outer ribs. This is how I gradually sharpened all the ribs.
The construction of the internal structure of the new wings is completed.
The construction of the internal structure of the new wings is completed.
Wings after coating with 0.13 mm plastic foil.
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
Wings after sprayed surfacer
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
Wings after sprayed primer
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
Left - view of the upper surface of the wings, right - view of the lower surface of the wings
The lower surfaces of the wings are sprayed with silver paint.
I glued the finished engine and its aerodynamic cover to the bow of the fuselage. The exhausts and air intake for the carburetor still need to be glued. But I'll do it later. They are small parts and would now be in danger of unnecessary damage or loss.
I glued the finished engine and its aerodynamic cover to the bow of the fuselage. The exhausts and air intake for the carburetor still need to be glued. But I'll do it later. They are small parts and would now be in danger of unnecessary damage or loss.
I sprayed the national emblems on the undersides of the wings.
On the upper sides of the wings, I spray-painted the national emblems on the white primer.
The new wings are ready - a view of the lower surfaces.
And for a better idea of the future shape of the aircraft, I placed the new wings on the fuselage (so far without gluing)
New wings are ready - a view of the upper surfaces.
I adjusted the chassis parts from the kit according to the available photos.
I made a new suspension with rubber cords. This part is not in the kit. I made a new spur. The part from the kit is too simplistic and does not correspond to reality.
I made a new spur. The part from the kit is too simplistic and does not correspond to reality. It will take some work on the details for the final version.
I made a new spur. The part from the kit is too simplistic and does not correspond to reality. It will take some work on the details for the final version.
The wing struts are modified parts from the kit. I drilled holes in the ends of the struts and glued a thin wire into them.
At the ends of the fuselage struts, I glued small rectangles of thin plastic plate to the sides of the wires.
At the other end of the strut, I threaded plastic pipes of various diameters onto the wire.
Because the plastic melts when sanding in a hand-held micro-grinder, I used an ordinary wooden stick to make new Venturi tubes.
I made the tanks necks and their caps according to the available photos.
The tachometer in the kit is unusable. I made a new speedometer from a piece of plastic and wire. I used a decal from the kit on the dial.
wires, pieces of plastic and metal ... I continue to add details to the bow of the aircraft.
wires, pieces of plastic and metal ... I continue to add details to the bow of the aircraft.
wires, pieces of plastic and metal ... I continue to add details to the bow of the aircraft.
wires, pieces of plastic and metal ... I continue to add details to the bow of the aircraft.
I stuck the propeller and engine exhausts.
I stuck the propeller and engine exhausts.
I stuck the propeller and engine exhausts.
At the stern of the fuselage, I added the rudder control cables.
At the stern of the fuselage, I added the rudder control cables.
While looking at the photos, I found out that the propeller from the kit has the wrong shape. That's why I made a new propeller. I glued a paper template to the plastic prism ....
... According to the template, I gradually ground the new propeller.
propellers after priming
propellers after priming
The new propeller is ready.
The new propeller is ready.
Hozzászólások
34 29 October 2021, 12:05
Robert PodkońskiFantastic start! I will follow with pleasure and interest, of course 🙂
29 October 2021, 12:18
Ludvík KružíkTo Alec:
It wouldn't be me if I built a simple model simply. 🙂 🙂 🙂
30 October 2021, 12:46
Ludvík KružíkToday I continued with other modifications to the fuselage Avia Bh.11
1 November 2021, 22:00
Ludvík KružíkThanks Alec!
Ano, mám výkresy z L+K, z mofeláře a z knihy Václava Němečka - Československá letadla I. Pokud se týká velikosti, měla obě letdla stejné rozměry. Největší rozdíl mezi BH.9 a BH.11 je ve tvaru přídě. Avia BH.9 měla oválnou motorovou přepážku a tím i zkulatější tvar přídě (po 2. trupovou přepážku. Avia BH.11 dostala kvůli zjednodušení výroby obdélníkovou motorovou přepážku, takže její trup včetně přídě je celý až k motorové přepážce hranatý. Avia BH.9 měla většín podvozková kola než BH.11 a pozdější serie BH.11 měla křídla s ostřejší náběžnou hranou. Jedno místné úpravy u obou strojů vznikly zakrytím předního pilotního prostoru a jeho využitím pro insatalci další palivové nádrže. Navíc u BH.11 existuje mnoho speciálních verzí, které se konstručně v mnohém liší od základní vojenské verze.
2 November 2021, 18:20
Alec KDíky moc za info. To se bude hodit až se do nich pustím s 1:72.
Ta trupová modifikace se ti skutečně moc povedla. Klobouk dolů 👍
3 November 2021, 11:15
Ludvík KružíkRádo se stalo.
Kdybys potřeboval podklady, až to budeš stavět, mohu Ti to, co mám k dispozici poslat.
3 November 2021, 13:33
Ludvík KružíkGentlemen, thank you very much for your kind words.
I decided to make a new cockpit because the parts in the kit are too rough and most of the cockpit equipment is missing. And the second reason was that I was enlarging the model to a scale of 1:48 and the few parts that were usable are small (because they are in a scale of 1:50).
8 November 2021, 22:01
Michael KohlIt is a bit insane what you are doing here, but I like it. Go ahead. Cut the fuselage another time, no?! 😜
9 November 2021, 20:03
Ludvík KružíkYes, it may be a little crazy, but I enjoy it ... And that's what it's all about. 🙂
9 November 2021, 22:25
Ludvík KružíkAfter a short break, I continued to work on the fuselage of the Avia BH.9 today. Now it's time for sandpaper and putty.
12 November 2021, 21:35
Ludvík KružíkThanks! This is the advantage of a cockpit tailored to the model. 🙂
13 November 2021, 15:59
Ludvík KružíkAfter a short break, I continue to build models by producing a cockpits for Aivi BH.11 🙂
22 November 2021, 11:07
Alec KIt's coming along nicely. I have to try that sliding cockpit install technique someday 👍
8 December 2021, 13:51
Ludvík KružíkFor Alec K:
Thanks!
This technique has its advantages. When manufacturing the cockpit outside the fuselage, the individual parts for assembling the cockpit are more accessible. However, it is necessary to work precisely so that after inserting the finished cockpit into the fuselage, there are no gaps between the cockpit and the fuselage.
8 December 2021, 16:29
Alec KAgreed. I imagine the added sidewall thickness is of concern as well (at least for me in 1/72 scale).
8 December 2021, 19:51
Ludvík KružíkI make the side walls of the cockpit from a plastic foil 0.13 mm thick. This is comparable to the thickness of office paper. Both sides of the cockpit made of this thin foil narrow the cockpit by 0.26 mm. At 1/48 scale, this difference is negligible. I no longer build 1/72 scale models. But I think that even on this scale, the narrowing of the cockpit by 0.26 mm should not bother you too much.
8 December 2021, 21:35
Ludvík KružíkLittle progress in construction ... Avia BH.9 and BH.11 fuselages and wings received the first surfacer spray.
14 December 2021, 16:24
Ludvík KružíkWork continues in the new year. I started assembling the engine for the Avia BH.9
6 January 2022, 21:03
Ludvík KružíkI finally made time for Avia. After completing the partial assembly, I sprayed the assembled fuselage and wings with primer.
17 January 2022, 21:51
Alec KSuperb progress Ludvíku. It's indeed nice when the wigs can be added 👍. The scratched fittings on top of the fuselage are really nice 👍
18 January 2022, 00:52
Ludvík KružíkThanks!
I'm very curious what it will look like when the paint is sprayed on it 🙂
18 January 2022, 14:48
Ludvík KružíkToday I sprayed a camouflage scheme on the Avia model. I'm a little closer to the goal again
😄
18 January 2022, 23:15
Robert PodkońskiLooks perfect! I would not believe that you have enlarged the original parts, if I haven't seen this here, Ludvik. And all these hinges... fantastic!
19 January 2022, 05:50
Ludvík KružíkThank you Robert for your kind words of praise. I really appreciate it.
19 January 2022, 09:23
Alec KColors look great! I'll have to compare your paint color mixes with mine (I sneaked a peek at your build thread on Modelforum).
19 January 2022, 13:20
Ludvík KružíkHi Alec, if you try to mix colors on Avia (or another Czechoslovak aircraft from this time with four-color camouflage), I think the brown color could be a little darker. I would try to change the mentioned ratio of brown colors to 60% H37 and 40% H47.
19 January 2022, 18:50
Ludvík KružíkAfter a small retreat, I continue to build the model. According to the photos, I found that the hinges on the Avia's bow I made too big. All that was left was to remove the large hinges and make new ones. It was extra work, but I thought it paid off.
After this small inconvenience and the restoration of the damaged aircraft bow paint, I applied decals to the model.
22 January 2022, 12:58
bughunterWith your enlarged fuselage you have enough space for the decals 👍 Looks like they are to big otherwise?
25 January 2022, 21:05
Ludvík KružíkYes, the decals in the kit are larger than the scale of the kit (1:50). It's the manufacturer's fault. The decals correspond more to a scale of 1:48. It helped me. I'm glad I don't have to deal with making new decals.
Anyone who wants to build this model without modifications will have a problem with the size of the decals. The decals are likely to fit at least approximately on the wings and tail surfaces. But the matriculation letters on the sides of the fuselage are too large for a 1:50 scale.
25 January 2022, 21:56
Ludvík KružíkAvia Bh.9 machine No. 11 was special for long-haul flights. Compared to serial machines, it has been modified. One of these modifications was the addition of an aerodynamic engine cover. Because the kit does not contain this cover, I had to make it.
29 January 2022, 20:25
Ludvík KružíkThanks 🙂
The engine cover is not ready yet. The photo shows the condition of the cover after making all the holes. I tried to put the cover on the engine. Now I'm going to finish the surface of the cover so I can spray it with paint.
31 January 2022, 12:45
Ludvík KružíkI received new documents and photos for the Avia BH.9 L-BONG. While studying this new information, I discovered that the Avia BH.9.11 (L-BONG) had different wings. Unlike serial machines, this Avia carried more fuel and engine oil. The added tanks and their fillings meant extra weight. That's why this Avia got new longer wings with a different profile and a larger bearing area.
For me, this means dropping already finished wings and building new wings of the right shape. Too bad I didn't get this information before. I would have less work to do with the production of the model 🙁
What can be done ... again and better 🙂
6 February 2022, 17:55
Robert PodkońskiKeep calm and carry on, Ludvik! (it is a piece of cake for you, I am sure 😉 )
6 February 2022, 18:39
Ludvík KružíkFriends, thank you for your encouragement. The production of new wings will prolong the construction of the model, but it is nothing that cannot be done. The good news is that the original wings will still find application. I will use them for the Avia BH.11 which I am building in parallel with this model.
6 February 2022, 20:49
Ludvík KružíkThe production of new wings continues successfully. I have the base of one wing ready, now I will produce the second wing.
19 February 2022, 11:07
Ludvík KružíkProduction of new wings is coming to an end. The lower surfaces are already sprayed with camouflage silver paint. Now I'm preparing masks for spraying the upper surfaces of the wings.
9 March 2022, 18:52
Ludvík KružíkWhen building the wings, I was inspired by modelers who build flying models. And I also looked at how real wings were made in Avia. I kept the way the wings were made. I just used a different material. 😄
11 March 2022, 11:09
Ludvík KružíkI continue to build the model. I started making chassis and small parts.
24 March 2022, 11:16
Ludvík KružíkI refilled the tanks necks and caps on Avia's bow ... and made a new speedometer.
24 March 2022, 20:08
Ludvík KružíkThank you, Alec.
Now I'm working on more details. I glued to the model of the wing strut and now I am dealing with the placement of small instruments (revmeter, Venturi tube) and small tubes on the bow. I will add more photos soon.
27 March 2022, 12:32
Robert PodkońskiThanks to you, Ludvik, I am now aware that one can make a masterpiece out of a simple kit of a simple (at first sight) plane. You're a master of detail!
27 March 2022, 13:33
Ludvík KružíkRobert, thank you. Even though I think you are exaggerating, I must admit that I am very pleased 🙂
Even on simple aircrafts, there are many interesting details. However, not every kit manufacturer can produce them all (sometimes it is not even technically possible). In my opinion, it is these small details that greatly contribute to the better appearance of the model. That's why I like old and simple kits. It's an opportunity for me to improve and learn something new.
27 March 2022, 20:22
Robert PodkońskiCertainly, Ludvik. Especially when these are so skillfully recreated as yours.
27 March 2022, 20:43
Ludvík KružíkAccording to the photos, I added other small details to the Avia's bow.
27 March 2022, 20:52
Alec KLooks like this will no longer be a simple build after I dive into my 1/72 scale interpretation 🤔
28 March 2022, 13:11
Ludvík KružíkAgain, a little closer to completing the model. I added exhausts to the engine and glued the propeller, and I added rudder control cables to the stern of the aircraft.
30 March 2022, 21:17
Gordon SørensenFantastic detail and construction photos, Ludvik! The amount of effort you have put in definitely shows with the excellent results!
17 April 2022, 12:06
Ludvík KružíkThanks Gordon, I'm glad you like my building. I really appreciate it. 🙂
17 April 2022, 20:42
Album info
Although the Avia BH.9 kit looks like a novelty, the opposite is true. In the box you will find old parts of Avia BH-11 from Smer in 1:50 scale. Only one Trees with fuselage and Avia BH-9 wheels is really new.
I will build the Avii BH.9 as a single-seater version, which (among other things) became famous in August 1925 for a continuous flight (without a stopover) on the route Prague - Paris - Prague.
And since my collection is all in 1:48 scale, I decided to adjust this model to this scale.
