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podkon
Robert Podkoński (podkon)
PL

Silverbird

Album image #1
Cockpit completed. Forward landing gear bay top must be filed.  
 

Album image #2
Note the reinforcement for the instrument panel top shroud. I have added safety belts made from strips of masking tape. 
 

Album image #3
Steering wheels are very flimsy. Instrument panels and side panels are represented in 3D decal form. Adhesive reacts instantaneously yet I suggest applying some decal glue or white glue, since these do not stay in place by themselves. Also side console decals are about 0,5 mm too long. 
 

Album image #4
Note the sinkmark in the extreme nose. 
 

Album image #5
Reinforcing tabs. 
 

Album image #6
Side walls need to be thinned.  
 

Album image #7
Polistyrene is flexible, so needs to be reinforced. 
 

Album image #8
There are no locating tabs, so I glued pieces of square rod insides. 
 

Album image #9
Constant fitting is necessary 
 

Album image #10
Some force still will be needed (take a look at the starboard side). 
 

Album image #11
Leading and trailing edges are appropriately sharp... 
 

Album image #12
yet the inserts must be dilligently sanded.  
 

Album image #13
Main undercarriage bays consist of four panels, level of detail (though totally speculative...) is satisfactory. Some flash must be removed beforehand. 
 

Album image #14
Reinforced with pieces of L-shaped polistyrene beam. The model seems quite heavy, and the main undercarriage legs will be installed to the "ceiling" of these boxes. 
 

Album image #15
I tried to make these surfaces flat, but some putty will be necessary here... 
 

Album image #16
The nose section glued together, the resulting joint line needs to be puttied too - the polistyrene is quite soft, so the edges of the parts are soft too. 
 

Album image #17
More locating tabs added. Vinyl masks applied. These are put on either flat surface or not very compound curvature, so should work well. Some attention is needed to keep them symmetrically. First layer of putty added too... 
 

Album image #18
As much as 30 grams of weight seems necessary to avoid tailsitting. I suppose the front gear leg will need strenghtening.. 
 

Album image #19
The fuselage closed. You have guessed - some putty is necessary to keep the lines smooth... 
 

Album image #20
Trying to sand the cockpit flush with the main body. In a hindsight it would be better to apply the cockpit masks after sanding. Much attention is necessary even if these are secured with a tape. 
 

Album image #21
Bottom is not much better. Fortunately, it is supposed to be perfectly flat, with no complicated curvatures... 
 

Album image #22
Yet there are some moulding "surprises" on the top of the main body 
 

Album image #23
Same with respect to the leading edges of the wings. Many panel lines will need o be restored. 
 

Album image #24
Location of the wings is a bit troublesome... 
 

Album image #25
since these have a pronounced dihedral and are supposed to be joined by side surface and these locating tabs. Surely the joint needs to be reinforced, but there is not much space due to main wheel wells. I wonder where there would be main spars in the real thing... 
 

Album image #26
Panel lines restored. I hope these pieces of wire will add enough strenght here. 
 

Album image #27
Some filler will be necessary again 
 

Album image #28
Keeping the symmetry of the dihedral of the wings. 
 

Album image #29
Some progress here: installed the empennage reinforcing it with pieces of soft wire. In the kit these are designed to be butt-joined... 
 

Album image #30
Underside sanded and rescribed - taking into account that it consists of flat surfaces the amount of putty is surprising (or have I done something wrong?...) 
 

Album image #31
Due to my too enthusiastic sanding I had to reconstruct the fragment of one of the leading edges next to the fuselage - soft and flexible polistyrene made it quite a challenge... 
 

Album image #32
Looks like the silverbird is ready for priming (metallic patches are the traces of my trials with AK "True metal" paints...  
 

Album image #33
Priming and "preshading" done. This is my favourite method - gives subtle differences and lets to avoid masking metallizers... 
 

Album image #34
Normally I would use light gray or white, but this time I used Tamiya silver leaf, since I want to mask off the control surfaces. 
 

Album image #35
AK Extreme Metal steel applied, control surfaces and cockpit windows unmasked... 
 

Album image #36
protective gloss varnish coat given...  
 

Album image #37
the areas that are to remain black still masked - ready for decals 
 

Album image #38
Quite a simplified decalling scheme and decals strip. Some are printed sparingly, what I find very useful. 
 

Album image #39
Ready for decalling 
 

Album image #40
Top surfaces and port side of the plane decalled 
 

Album image #41
Decalling completed... 
 

Album image #42
and the areas that are to remain black unmasked. 
 

Album image #43
Perhaps it would be easier to go for the "in-flight" mode. I don't really understand the idea of undercarriage legs' parts breakdown here... 
 

Album image #44
Album image #45
Album image #46
Panel lines highlighted with graphite pencil. Some dusted graphite rubbed to represent the surface exposed to high temperatures...  
 

Album image #47
Rocket engines nozzles painted and installed 
 

Album image #48
Since it was beyond my limits (and patience) to remove from the sprue and clean the polistyrene scissor links' parts as offered in the kit (did I mention that the polistyrene is soft?...) I just purchased the PE fret dedicated to Roden's Boeing 720 kit and installed the photo-etched links... and the rest of the fret will simply serve me (one day in the distant future) to spice up Roden's B-36 Peacemaker kit 😉 
 

Album image #49
Some unexpected work on undercarriage parts - apart for PE scissor links I decided to add brake PE discs and lines (that I made from black coloured lead wire). Also I manufactured new doors' actuators from pieces of wire and adequately thick hypodermic needle (in the centre of photo). Insides of the doors there is perhaps too much dirt...  
 

Album image #50
I decided NOT to add strenght to the undercarriage legs by drilling through them and inserting pieces of wire, because... I am too lazy 😉 
 

Album image #51
At last on her own legs... 
 

Album image #52
...wobbly a bit, but I presume these are strong enough. 
 

Album image #53
Work on the underside completed. 
 

Album image #54
I suppose after several landings on cement stripe there would be much dirt 😉 
 

Album image #55
I call her finished (finally...) 
 

Album image #56
Album image #57
Album image #58
Album image #59
Album image #60
Album image #61
Album image #62
Now I have to wait for better weather to take some better photos (here in Poland it may be like few months' waiting...) 
 

Comments

69 7 June 2021, 06:50
Łukasz Gliński
Been waiting to see this oddity on a workbench 👍
7 June 2021, 09:33
Robin (WhiteGlint)
Looks like some modification is needed to build this one, Robert. 👍
Following with interest 👀
7 June 2021, 10:34
Roland Revolvermann
Watching ? Nice project 👍
7 June 2021, 11:07
Robert Podkoński
Welcome, Mates. Frankly speaking, the kit itself is deceitful - looks good in the box, but when it comes to assembling one is surprised that, for example, the whole cockpit unit including front landing gear is supposed to be glued to the main body edges-to-edges...and surely, some substantial weight will be necessary here in order to avoid tail sitting. On a positive side the fit of the parts seems acceptable.
7 June 2021, 11:58
S M
Following ? Exciting birdie coming here 😄
7 June 2021, 14:14
Robert Podkoński
Welcome S M...I feel encouraged and abashed at the same time 😉
7 June 2021, 14:57
Mark K
Watching keenly - your techniques and your photos will be of great help once I get up the courage to tackle this thing!
10 June 2021, 05:30
Maciej Bellos
Interesting! Lots of work I see.
10 June 2021, 12:02
Robert Podkoński
A short-run it is...
10 June 2021, 12:40
Cuajete
Interesting... Following!
10 June 2021, 17:59
Robert Podkoński
Welcome, Cuajete 🙂
10 June 2021, 20:09
John Thomas
Very cool
12 June 2021, 13:52
Robert Podkoński
Thank you, John. We'll see when I manage to finish it...
12 June 2021, 14:53
HSC1932
Following
28 June 2021, 16:11
Robert Podkoński
Welcome aboard, OttovonLindberg!
28 June 2021, 16:35
Juergen Klinglhuber
lately I got aware of this one too - but I'm in. Another cool topic
12 August 2021, 20:43
Skyhiker
Looking good
12 August 2021, 21:58
Bob Esplin
Just picked this up: thanks for the tips! I'll do this 'flying' so the landing gear/weights won't be a problem.
18 August 2021, 00:40
Robert Podkoński
You are welcome, Bob 🙂 I considered the "in flight" version too at first. Nevertheless, reinforcing the bottom flat is absolutely necessary - the polistyrene is soft and flexible... and does not react well to the Tamiya thin glue, btw.
18 August 2021, 05:53
Bruce Huxtable
Another master-class in dogged determination, and problem solving! The kit seems to made mostly of putty! Learning lots from your techniques ? and looking forward to seeing the finished bird.
18 August 2021, 06:47
Bob Esplin
Great to know, Robert, and I'll be sure to reinforce that long expanse of plastic when I build it.
18 August 2021, 12:05
Mark K
Clearly you have overcome this kit's deficiencies (as might be expected, given your many talents). What is your opinion of the AK True Metal paint?
19 August 2021, 05:07
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, Mark, you are too kind to me. With respect to AK Extreme Metal paints, I cannot praise them enough - easy to use with fantastic effect. The only thing is that the coat of paint, when dry, is very delicate, so some transparent overcoat is necessary.
19 August 2021, 14:41
Cuajete
Well done so far, Robert 👍
19 August 2021, 17:59
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, Cuajete 🙂
20 August 2021, 03:59
Roland Revolvermann
Very nice progress 👍
26 August 2021, 14:41
Guy Rump
Great progress Robert and thanks for the modelling tips you use, all very useful. 👍
29 August 2021, 19:43
Pierre Pierre
Following keep us updated with pics please !
4 September 2021, 14:35
Robert Podkoński
Thanks, Mates, for encouragement - I have taken few free days abroad, but now I am back. New photos soon 😉
@ Guy Rump - that's one of the general ideas of the Scalemates, I presume 😉
6 September 2021, 07:34
Ben M
watching this
18 September 2021, 16:38
Robert Podkoński
Welcome, Ben! 🙂
18 September 2021, 16:40
Bruce Huxtable
Transformation underway - watching and learning 👍
18 September 2021, 18:54
Robert Podkoński
I am happy thay you find my work instructive, Bruce 😉
19 September 2021, 08:19
Robert Podkoński
You are too kind to me Jorge, thank you 🙂
19 September 2021, 09:11
Robin (WhiteGlint)
Oh 😮 your pre-shading really paid off. This looks great, Robert! 👍
22 September 2021, 15:40
Robert Podkoński
Thanks, WhiteGlint, you are too kind to me 😉 I like this method since the effect is not so obvious and the look depends on the light and angle you are looking at the surface (and there are no worries about lifting the metallic paint with masks...)
22 September 2021, 15:44
Bruce Huxtable
The subtle variations are clean and very neat. I'm liking how this is coming together. She is going to look great 👍
22 September 2021, 17:43
Mark
Looking great! Very silky paint work. 👍
22 September 2021, 18:25
Robert Podkoński
Thanks Bruce and Mark, for your kind words. I must say that new concepts for weathering are appearing in my mind in the meantime - I hope these will work... 😉
22 September 2021, 19:34
S M
Decals look nice. It is almost ready 😉
24 September 2021, 14:29
Neil
Looking fantastic! 🙂
24 September 2021, 15:13
Mark K
Very impressive!
24 September 2021, 16:47
Robert Podkoński
Thank you all, for your kind words. @ S M - there is still the undercarriage to be assembled and installed, and I have some ideas for weathering this birdie...
24 September 2021, 17:47
Robert Podkoński
...and it still lacks its rocket engines' "buckets", of course...
24 September 2021, 17:51
Greg Baker
This is cool!
2 October 2021, 06:55
Villiers de Vos
A very beautiful finish. Especially the individual panels.
2 October 2021, 07:00
Bruce Huxtable
Superb quality of finish, Robert, and the subtle panel variations really make it even better! She is a sleek thing of beauty now, for sure 👍🙂
2 October 2021, 07:04
Juergen Klinglhuber
It really looks great ! Well done Robert!
2 October 2021, 10:47
Maciej Bellos
Nice result Robert!
2 October 2021, 11:09
Mark
Really coming to life now.
2 October 2021, 11:15
Robert Podkoński
Thank you all, Mates, for your kind words... I feel a little abashed now, to be sincere...;)
2 October 2021, 17:53
Bruce Huxtable
She deserves to be shown off 🙂 Great results, Robert 👍
2 October 2021, 19:12
Cuajete
Looking so good, Robert 👍
2 October 2021, 19:21
Robert Podkoński
Thanks, Bruce and Cuajete. I have already started cleaning parts of the undercarriage and experimenting with weathering... Stay tuned!
3 October 2021, 03:52
Hanno Kleinecke
Very good metal finish on this elegant bird, all the effort you invested really pays off 👍
What is the story behind this plane I've never seen before, has it been a future- future -„Projekt" by one of the known german manufacturers, or pure fiction ?
6 October 2021, 17:36
Mark
Has a really good stance standing on it's gear Robert. 👍

Hanno, I had to do a bit of searching when I first found Robert's thread. These are a good read:
luft46.com/misc/sanger.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugen_S%C3%A4nger
20 October 2021, 20:13
Guy Rump
Great result Robert 👍
20 October 2021, 20:21
Łukasz Gliński
On pics #51 & #52 it looks like the new generation of the B-1 😮 That actually could be an inspiration for whif builders, a captured US Silverbird 😄
20 October 2021, 20:30
Bruce Huxtable
Very unusual indeed, Robert, and looking very purposeful and dramatic. 👍🙂
20 October 2021, 20:30
Augie
Whoa, that is really nice.
20 October 2021, 20:37
Robert Podkoński
Oh my...I have not expected such a reaction...I feel abashed a bit... Thank you all. Only few bits to install and a final weathering left.
20 October 2021, 20:48
Ben M
I enjoy photo 48's caption. If you think about it, the B-36 and this had very similar roles. The bird looks great!
20 October 2021, 21:01
Robert Podkoński
Thanks a lot, Ben... that's true, I didn't think about it 😉
20 October 2021, 21:05
Mark K
Very impressive model, Robert. And Łukasz, you have me thinking about a Silverbird with red stars, as it seems that Stalin wanted to get Sänger in his clutches.
21 October 2021, 00:39
Olivier
So futuristic it is almost unbelievable...
21 October 2021, 01:11
Villiers de Vos
Another very impressive project.
21 October 2021, 04:51
Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Mates, very appreciated. @Mark K: You've got the fantastic idea - she could be painted as "Zhar-ptica" ("The Firebird"), something like here:
Kalinin K12 (SPIN model 7201, 1:72) 😉

7201
 
21 October 2021, 05:04
Neuling
I agree with Olivier and Villiers! 👍
21 October 2021, 08:28
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, Neuling.
21 October 2021, 09:00
Cuajete
Very nice result and beauty model, Robert.
Congrats!
21 October 2021, 10:25
Bruce Huxtable
Sleek 🙂 Superb finishes, Robert 🙂
21 October 2021, 11:18
Neil
Hi Robert, agree with others, the end result looks awesome and nice to see something different 👍
21 October 2021, 11:22
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much Cuajete, Bruce and Neil. You are too kind 🙂
21 October 2021, 11:47
Robin (WhiteGlint)
Wow, really beautiful bird, Robert. 👍
You did a great job with this interesting kit. I really like photo 55.
Cheers, mate! 🙂
21 October 2021, 14:37
Robert Podkoński
Thanks a lot, WhiteGlint 🙂
21 October 2021, 14:39
S M
Great job! So shiny space plane 😄
21 October 2021, 15:43
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, S M 🙂
21 October 2021, 16:33
Roland Revolvermann
Really nice Robert 👍
21 October 2021, 16:56
Robert Podkoński
Thanks, Roland, very appreciated 🙂
21 October 2021, 17:01
Maciej Bellos
Excellent Robert!
21 October 2021, 19:58
Hanno Kleinecke
A truely outstanding result on this unique subject Robert, I really like the way the nmf looks 👍
21 October 2021, 20:00
Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Maciej 🙂 Thank you, Hanno 🙂 (AK Extreme metal paints did the effect, I only have applied them 😉 )
21 October 2021, 20:49
Bernhard Pethe
Absolutely exotic model and neatly built. The metal surface looks very authentic. 👍
22 October 2021, 09:15
Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Bernhard 😉
22 October 2021, 09:27
Thomas Kolb
Beautifully executed! Real sweet metal finish!
22 October 2021, 12:33
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, Thomas!
22 October 2021, 14:44
Skyhiker
Wow, beautiful work.
22 October 2021, 19:20
Robert Podkoński
Thanks, Skywalker, you're too kind 🙂
22 October 2021, 19:50
Brian N
Just got mine - sat at the airport in Kiev for over two months. Thanks for all the tips - yours is something to strive for! Kudos!
30 January 2022, 18:12
Guy Rump
Great result Robert, very impressive. 👍
30 January 2022, 18:25
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much, Guy and Brian! @Brian: myself I find it good to know all the vices of a kit beforehand... 😉
30 January 2022, 19:13
Skyhiker
Really nice. I want one too.
1 February 2022, 00:30
Rui
Absolutely great outcome Robert; Bravo!
1 February 2022, 01:01
Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Skywalker and Rui, much appreciated! 🙂
1 February 2022, 06:53
Julian Herrero aka Yuri
Good work , congratulations
8 January 2023, 07:17
Robert Podkoński
Thank you very much for reaching this out, Yuri 🙂
8 January 2023, 07:38

Album info

Some final remarks: 30 grams of weight behind the cockpit seems too much - she is standing on her own legs but wobblying a bit when touched. IMHO she would look better in the "in-flight" mode, but the underside would need to be much more reinforced. The polistyrene is soft and flexible. Empennage joins need to be reinforced with pieces of wire, wings-to-fuselage similarly... The flat piece in the front of the instrument panel cover is ca. 3 mm too short - after unmasking the windshield, one can see the front undercarriage bay's top there... And be prepared for a lot of puttying and sanding... Happy modelling, Mates!

62 images
1:72
Completed
1:72 Silbervogel Antipodal-Bomber (AMP 72014)

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