Bell X-1 Loading Pit

Kerry COX
What a fantastic idea. 🙂
This will be a most entertaining build to watch develop. 👍
Excellent. 👍

Martin Oostrom
I'm sure it will be entertaining because I'm bound to screw up 😉
But that will be a lesson for the next time.

Welcome aboard Kerry 👍

Kerry COX
Martin. I am always impressed by those who see an image and feel that it is worthy of immortalising. 👍
Will the B-29 be part of the whole Dio. ?
The big question is. Where will it be stored when completed. ? :-O

Łukasz Gliński
The X-1 story continues, I see the initial X-1 project was too quick for you, wasn't it? 😉

Christian Bruer
Interesting project Martin 👍

Martin Oostrom
Thanks guys.
Kerry, no there will be no b29. Haven't got one. Even in 1/72 its too space consuming in my home 🙁
The dio will be put in a Trumpt display box to protect it from my cleaning wife, who managed to kill the undercarriages of my voodoo and mig-21 😎

Lukasz, my x-1 needs a bit of sanding as the priming didn't work out too well. I hate sanding. As soon as thats done I'd like to try Michael Philips' black and white technique on it.

Christian, I'm still relearning my modelling hobby. As I'm not as good as I want to be, I try to challenge myself and learn by trial and error, mostly error 🙂
But I'm having fun.
It's a shame I can't use my airbrush in the evenings. My compressor stands in the room adjacent to my little daughters bedroom and is a bit too noisy. That means painting in weekends, which are also used for social activities 🙁

Alec K
Agree with Kerry, Lukasz and Christian: this will be very interesting and unique.

One comment regarding noisy compressors: before investing in a good compressor, I have used a portable air tank for airbrushing. I had to fill it from time to time, but it worked great, and it was completely silent. Here is what I am talking about (this is from US supplier but I am sure something similar is available in Netherlands also): tooldiscounter.com/I..eS49QCFYK4wAodsYsFKA

Happy modeling 👍

Erik Leijdens
Cool project Martin! I understand what you mean about loud compressors! My compressor is not very loud but loud enough for all the girls in the house(one girlfriend 2 daughters) to complain about it... So when I was about to buy a new house I made sure it had a attic which I could claim as my man cave😄

Christian Bruer
Don't worry Martin! Seldom a master is falling from sky. Learning from hints, books, WIPs, videos, Scalemates, etc. where modellers show their techniques and progress are always good platforms to learn and to take a look over ones shoulder. But every technique always must work perfect for your own style and craftmansship. So mostly you are back to the try and error principle. However, it took some time to find the best way how to do for your own and you can always learn new things - like in real life. This is what it makes interesting and challenging and if you have fun with it it is perfect!

Kerry COX
Martin. It's plain to see you have all our attention and no doubt, help and advice if you need it. 🙂
Don't be too hard on your wife, hehehe.:-/
Even without the B-29, I still think it has some great potential to end up being a most fascinating result. 👍
Good Luck and cheers. 👍

Glenn
Watching!

Bryn Crandell
Watching.

Stephan Ryll
Lookin interesting 👍

Martin Oostrom
I've plastered the pit itself yesterday, today I've plastered the outside walls of the dio. It was hard to get a really smooth texture, in the end I like the roughness. Makes it look a bit like a cutout.
Next up is the top layer, which I want smoother. That means making my tool even wetter, without making a mess of things.
On the pictures I have, the pit looks quite clean. So there'll be only light weathering, with just a few drops of spilled oil.

Glenn
Great project. I can't believe the loading pit is still there today!

Martin Oostrom
Thanks Glenn, Brynn & Stephan.

@Alec, sorry for not responding to your suggestion earlier. I just don't have the space for an airtank. 🙁
As with most things in life, timing will be everything 😉

@Eric, where not moving anytime soon, so will have to make do.

@Christian, I know, I know. While modelling has learned me patience, I'm impatient at getting better. 😎

@Kerry, my wife breaking stuff has forced me into the dark world of diorama's. More to learn! 👍

Martin Oostrom
After a short break, the topside is plastered. I do hope this stuff is sandable. Otherwise it's way too coarse for 1/72

Martin Oostrom
The concrete's still a bit mushy, so no sanding today. I'm thinking about stripping some electrical wire to simulate fuel lines for refueling. I want to use theplastic lining. Ican imagine they had seperate colours for different chemicals.
What do you guys think? Too thick? I guess the colours are wrong, but google won't find me any pics....

Martin Oostrom
Added an extra thinned layer. Now it's waiting for the result.

Martin Oostrom
Finished! For the final result, check here Bell X-1 in loading pit | Album by Mahoo76 (1:72)