1/5th scale Vampire

[David Jones]

After a couple of engine runs on his driveway, which attracted a few interested neighbours, we were satisfied that all was in order. All that remained then was to take a couple of more photos. There are just a couple of more minor jobs to do and then there will be no excuses...it will be test flight time. I will keep you posted (lets hope it's not another three years!)

[Philip Goff]

That looks very, very nice indeed.
Good luck with the maiden.

Regards Phil G.

[Mike Whitehead]

I cant believe that the first time this thread was put together is just under five years ago!!!!
There was a delay of a few years solely down to my work commitments, so on and off this is probably a 3 year project…..

Anyway, I thought I’d finish off this build thread that my good friend Jonesy started, and to be honest I wanted to conclude and thank our small team in Manchester who have contributed in some way or other to this model over the years.

The next stage was a test flight before any detail was to be applied. We always maiden an aircraft in primer so we can make any modifications easily before we start the hard bit of applying the colour, rivets, weathering etc.…
The flight took place at Woodford (very poignant as you’ll see later) on the 1st Nov 2015
Two clicks of right aileron required (poor building) then flew beautifully. Needed full flap to slow down for landing though, as its a slippery aircraft especially as there was no headwind.

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[Mike Whitehead]

So the next problem was to choose a colour scheme for the aircraft.
Being a Vampire with thousands manufactured you are a little spoilt for choice. To me however one stood out that being from Manchester caught my interest.
The only actual picture I could find is below, but a coloured artist impression can be found in the Vampire Warpaint book
(which are a must for any scale modeller)

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It’s the personal aircraft of Jack Wales DFC who started his aviation career in 1938 at A.V/Roe Chadderton as an engineer.
This was later to become Hawker Siddeley in 1963 then British Aerospace in 1977 and latterly BAE Systems in 1999. Chadderton ‘sadly’ finally closed in gates in March 2012.

Nearly 50 years later Chadderton is where I served my time as an aircraft electrician starting in 1987 and I’m still working for BAE Systems to this day having had many different roles and working in several locations around the world.

http://avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/avro-he ... chadderton

Commissioned as a Pilot during the war Jack Wales served in Europe and the Far East.
Post War he became C/O of 613 (City of Manchester) Aux Fighter Sqn eventually flying Vampire WR257 out of RAF Ringway from 1954-56 (now Manchester Airport)

Additionally in1949 he rejoined AVRO Woodford as a test pilot flying Lancasters, Shackletons, Vulcans, Meteors, Canberras etc… (Later known as British Aerospace Woodford where I worked on the Buccaneer upgrade programme in the late 80’s)

Now here’s a test for the historians, Vampire FB.9 WR257 was built by Fairy Aviation located at RAF Ringway from which it then served with 613 Sqn.
‘Allegedly’ this is the only RAF jet aircraft ever to be built and operated from the same location!!!

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This is the Warpaint View

So that was it, the colour scheme, historical links, location etc, job done just the actual finishing to do..

[Mike Whitehead]

The next stage was to build a cockpit display panel. This was designed on CAD and cut out of light alloy plate.
The dials printed off and stuck to the back via evostick.
A little weathering applied by rubbing the black down to the silver primer and a top coat of Humbrol Satin Lacquer.

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Not quite Phil Clarke standard but I'm learning all the time...

[Robert_Greenwood]

Love the cockpit, how did you manage to get the images for the dials? Also how did you manage to get the rings around them? Thanks

[Mike Whitehead]

Hi Robert

Thanks for reading the thread.
The images come from a stock set I have on CAD, I literally have hundreds but to be honest I've never had anyone challenge me on the wrong dial in a cockpit!! and I've done quite a few now.

I wish I'd have taken some photo's during the build (Lesson Learnt)

However the steps I take are as follows;

1 - Cut a 1/8 ply template of the instrument panel to fit the model
2 - Scan the template onto your computer
3 - Reduce and overlay the full size Instrument panel onto your scale template on CAD
(You can get most full size panels from a Goggle search)
4 - Copy your stock Dial images over the Full size dials
5 - Delete the full size image
6 - Print off the the image (x2) and there's your scale cockpit dials in the correct position.
7 - Using the 1/8 ply template mark and cut an Alloy front dash
8 - PRIT Stick the paper image printed in step 6 on the front of the Alloy Dashboard
9 - Centre Punch each dial and drill to the correct size (Usually 6,8,10 or 12mm)
10 - Sandwich the Unused Image from step 6 between the Alloy and 1/8 Ply and there you have the complete Dashboard ready to paint

For the rings I've tried several methods, I used to use copper wire wrapped around the Drill shank used to cut the hole as per Step 9 above however this meant side cutters and soldering the ends together then filling down to get a perfect circle.
I now just use solder with the same method as a knife will cut through this and leave a clean edge. These are super glued on the front of the Alloy dashboard. The added benefit is that if you are weathering and rub down your paint too much the solder is the correct colour for a weather look unlike the copper method.

I've taken some photo's of the finished cockpit but realised it's quite hard to get a good image in the garage under fluorescent lights

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So on with the build;

Next was a complete fresh coat of primer

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Rivet deal was added next. Flush rivets applied via a 'cheap' soldering iron with a brass 1/8 copper tube in the end.

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Followed by Silver underneath and Dark Grey on top

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Next was to mask the camouflage stripes which took a lot longer than planned!!

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Looked like an artic weather scheme after this. I still can't remember giving them two time off!!

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Couldn't help having a sneaky look prior to the paint going off.

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Thats enough for tonight I'll finish the thread update in the next day or two.

[Mike Whitehead]

After the colour scheme was applied the next step was the addition of the Sqn markings, insignia, roundels etc.
On all my previous models I've tried the hard way to mask or cut out stencils prior to painting, however with this model I opted for a different solution altogether.
I drew up my requirements on Power Point and sent to Nigel Wagstaff at Flightline Graphics. Nigel converted into 'his language' and sent back what I think is called a swatch for approval.
The result was a complete set of stencils from which I applied all my details which was VERY easy to align and delivered beyond my expectations. I'm converted to this method and I must thank Nigel for his help and understanding to a sceptic who is now fully converted...
It does take time and LOADS of masking paper to protect the rest of the model from overspray.
This picture shows me part way through the Boom stencilling.

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Once this stage was completed I could add the weathering. Again this was a whole new experience as I'm sure many of you will have gone through this dilemma, I had to ask myself the question of why potentially ruin what is a nice looking model by applying a process I'm not fully conversant or experienced with!!

That said I had a go...

I used Weathering powder from Humbrol (Mainly used on Plastic models) however it goes a very long way. The benefit is thats it's water based and if you make a mistake just wipe it off.. Easy

In the Panel lines I lightly drew with a lead pencil to highlight the recess.

The result is seen in this wing panel picture.

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I'm really pleased with my first attempt at this. It's not a 'dirty' model as some would possibly expect but the weathering is enough to show the detail which does make a differance.

[Karl mander]

Beautiful workmanship Mike, most impressed.
Karl

[Keith Mitchell]

Really looking good. I think I might copy your instrument panel technique for mine...

[Dave Wilshere]

One of the best 'wood' Vampires I have seen, shame they all seem to lack a degree or so more dihedral, which would make the 'look' just right.

[Mike Whitehead]

Firstly, I'd like to thank those who have read and provided some helpful comments. I never thought I'd be getting some praise for my workmanship from people who I have seen and respected in the hobby for many years.
Much Appreciated.

It just makes me want to start another project ASAP....

Anyway, as a final instalment on this thread the last stage was to give a final coat of two pack Satin over the airframe and then put the equipment back in. The best bit is taking the masking tape off the windscreen/canopy with the aircraft assembled and this took place on the 5th Feb.

The results are as follows;

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So a final thanks to the Manchester team who have helped and supported me on this one,

Jonesey, Al, Al, Dave

Additionally if you would like to see this aircraft I will be displaying it at the LMA Haydock Park static event next Sunday 19th March 2017

Please come and see me if you want any further details of the build.

[David Baker]

Mike
Your model is "stunning".. I love the early jets! (New ones are just grey and loud!).. Could you give us a couple of model details..
Span? Weight? And your chosen power plant
Thanks
David

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

1st time ive seen her together, my part in this, being one of the Als, was tiny, in fact, you can see how tiny it is, its between the front wheels! Looks fantastic Mike,

[Robert_Greenwood]

Good Afternoon,

Thanks so much for such a in depth explanation. For my sins i work with computers everyday but i still don't play with CAD programs, i think i need to.

Which CAD program do you use?

Thanks Again.

Rob

[Mike Whitehead]

Hi Dave and Robert

Appreciate your comments

To answer your questions,

The model 94" Span and 15.7Kg Dry. It's powered by a Wren 100 Kero Start

The CAD programme I use is called TurboCAD and it's FAR to complicated for what I really need and any 2D software should suffice.

Regards
Mike