Airfix Bristol Blenheim Mk.I

 

 

Started my first entry for the WWII group build, the Bristol Blenheim from Airfix in 1/72. So far the kit almost built itself! The kit doesn't have many parts and there are only a few small gaps. I also like that you can mount the flaps and control surfaces at whatever angle you like. The cockpit will also be quite detailed. A good start of this group build! 

 

The engines needed some filler all around but are quite detailed. Now I can finally prime the parts and start painting the cockpit. 

 

Assembling the Blenheim has been very easy so far. Masking the clear parts was also a breeze thanks to Kitmasx's excellent masks. The fit of the cockpit, however, is a different topic. As I have heard from other modellers before, the clear parts do not fit together very well. When I tried to carefully bend the upper part into shape (yeah, great idea...), it broke into three parts - bummer! Additionally, the whole cockpit section didn't fit together with the fuselage either, which is why I had to remove some material and fill in a few more gaps. I think I was able to salvage it to some extent but I'm also looking forward to finishing this kit. 

After overcoming the fitting issues I had with the canopy, it's time for some crazy preshading. I used my metal template with 2 random colors. Then I also sprayed black paint over the panel lines and near the engines. It looks quite weird at this stage but I know myself - the preshading will be barely noticeable in the end because a I'll probably spray on too many layers of paint. I probably won't do a panel line wash later because panel lines on Airfix kits are like trenches ? 

 

It's not that visible in the photo but this time the preshading turned out a bit better than expected. Of course it would have been more apparent with one or two layers of paint less but it is what it is. I used poster tack for masking. Unfortunately I didn't have the correct RAF paints but found paints from Hataka in my arsenal that are relatively similar. Maybe I'll try some post shading next. 

Finally a bit of progress. Painted a few details and did some weathering on the engines. The decals are also almost done. When they're all on, I'll try to blend them in a bit with more weathering. 

 

 

Machine Gun Turre 

Riggin 

removing the masks from the canopy - excellent product from kitmasx!