RossM
Well-Known Member
After a couple of weeks away from the bench, I have made a little more progress on the Whippet.
Primarily I have glued the fighting compartment to the primary hull and built up the front fuel tank. The fuel tank is a distinctive feature of the Whippet, and I think it adds character to the tank. Like the fighting compartment, it is made up of pieces that need to be bent to the right shape to fit. This is where I think there is a critical issue with this kit. By supplying these parts flat, MENG has tried to reduce the chance of breakages, which is no doubt a good thing. However, it is a challenge to ensure the pieces, once bent into shape, fit properly. In this case, the fuel tank is not perfect and will require a swipe of filler to help tidy up the offending areas. If I were to build this kit again, I would make use of some clamps to help hold pieces in place while glueing. Ironically, I think I brought some clamps with me to Australia, but they are in storage somewhere. Had I thought about the challenge of ensuring the parts fit correctly then I may have dug deeper to try and find them. Oh well, you live and learn!
Header Image: A British Whippet tank on the road near Demuin, c. 1918 (Source: © IWM (Q 56422))
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Primarily I have glued the fighting compartment to the primary hull and built up the front fuel tank. The fuel tank is a distinctive feature of the Whippet, and I think it adds character to the tank. Like the fighting compartment, it is made up of pieces that need to be bent to the right shape to fit. This is where I think there is a critical issue with this kit. By supplying these parts flat, MENG has tried to reduce the chance of breakages, which is no doubt a good thing. However, it is a challenge to ensure the pieces, once bent into shape, fit properly. In this case, the fuel tank is not perfect and will require a swipe of filler to help tidy up the offending areas. If I were to build this kit again, I would make use of some clamps to help hold pieces in place while glueing. Ironically, I think I brought some clamps with me to Australia, but they are in storage somewhere. Had I thought about the challenge of ensuring the parts fit correctly then I may have dug deeper to try and find them. Oh well, you live and learn!
Header Image: A British Whippet tank on the road near Demuin, c. 1918 (Source: © IWM (Q 56422))
Continue reading...
