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Forums - Site / Build Logs |
Messages in this Build Logs forum are automatically posted when new Build Logs or Chapters are added. Other modellers can then comment on them. Refer to the Build Logs section for more information. |
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| Subject: | [Chapter] Chapter 2 - Fixing the Warped Hull |  |
| Date: | May 9, 2004 |
| From: | Leo Lee | |
Chapter 2 - Fixing the Warped Hull
The quality of the Alan kit is quite good for an Eastern European manufacturer. (nowhere near Tamiya or DML of course, and compared to the Tasca Luch I was working on at the same time, I have the feeling of watching a VCD and a DVD side by side on 2 adjacent screens)
To begin with, both kits have multi-panel hull, but the fit and details are like from heaven and earth. The fit of the Alan kit is not bad at all, but some putty and surfacer are needed. The most conspicuous difference is the surface texture. The Luch is one of the very best out there, while the Alan one is very “primitive”. You can see the traces left by machining. So sand paper is a must, and afterward treatment by cement and surfacer will be required.
But before that I have to take care of the warp. Many people will use a hair dryer. What I did was pressing the lower hull panel on a hard, flat surface, in this case a big piece of glass. And then glued three 5mm square plastic rod on the inside with tiny drops of CA glue. Then I strengthened the joints with Tamiya thin cement.
Then it was left overnight for complete curing before I added the side panels and the front. The side panels were glued inch by inch. I started from the front. I glued about one inch, left dry for 2 hours. Then I secure the glued portion with Tamiya Masking tapes, then pressed the middle portion into right place and glued the middle. I hold my finger there for 5 minutes before I taped the middle with masking tape. 2 hours later I repeated the same procedures on the rear. Again overnight drying, and then I filled all the joints with a big dose of Tamiya thin cement. Now all the panels are in the right place at last.. |
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