Aerocraft Models MB.3 & MB.4

The Wooksta! · January 11, 2026, 06:22:48 PM

Pretty sure that the MB4 was actually drawn up. There's a reference to it in James Goulding's Interceptor. The actual MB6 - not AZ's fictional parcel of crap - was a jet, think Attacker but with a MiG 15 nose intake and MB5 flying surfaces. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I think I have all the relevant parts.

Gondor · January 17, 2026, 10:12:33 AM

I managed to get my donkey in gear today and have done both some painting and some filling. Both the Centaurus exhaust pipes and the Gryphon exhaust pipes have had their first coats of paint, and I have added knifing putty around the cannon to wing joints and some Plastic Putty to the elevator to fuselage joints. It's not a lot, but it's progress.

Gondor · January 24, 2026, 10:16:30 AM

A bit more work done on these builds today. As I have yet to be released by the surgeon who operated on my left eye just before Christmas, I have not gone to see about getting new glasses, so my vision is not as good close up with my left eye as it could be, so detail work can be "challenging". That being said, the filler has been sanded back on both wings, and I have given all four of the wings a wash to get rid of any residual dust. Hopefully, they will dry overnight so I can prime them tomorrow and take any remedial action necessary.

Gondor · January 27, 2026, 01:48:35 PM

A small update. I have only been doing little bits on the aircraft; the primer revealed only two small areas on one wing that needed attention, so they have been filled and sanded back. I also started sanding back the filler I used on the tail surfaces, only to find that on the Mk.IV I had the tailplanes level with each other, unfortunately, neither was at right angles to the tail fin

So with a little gentle persuasion, I was able to free one of the tailplanes. The other one has proved to be far more stubborn. The fact that I am working on the Mk.IV, which never got past a few drawings, and I am going to use the hooked tail that comes with the kit to make a naval aircraft, which makes this a real what-if, I decided to cut my losses and angle the freed tailplane to match the dihedral of the one still firmly attached. The back story can easily handle a couple of degrees from the horizontal for them without breaking a sweat, if needed, as some people may never notice.

So some progress, but not exactly as much as I wanted to get done tonight.

Gondor · March 14, 2026, 02:25:42 PM

I am reporting a little progress on these builds. Some detail painting has been taking place. Pictures tomorrow.

Captain Canada · March 14, 2026, 02:33:24 PM

I refjuse to cooment until I see the pictures ! Oh, wait minute.....

Gondor · March 15, 2026, 10:19:39 AM

As promised, some pictures

Both cockpits side by side first

Then, the cockpit I am putting into the MB.3b. I broke the throttle with a bit of overenthusiastic dry brushing, hence the bit of brass wire that I still have to paint.

Lastly, the cockpit that is going into the MB.4. The seats are still in the paint shop to deal with some overpainting. They will be fitted in due course. Progress, they say, is progress.

Gondor · March 21, 2026, 04:04:49 AM

The M.B 4 is making progress. Most parts in the following picture are just a friction fit. Some fettling is required to get the cockpit to fit snugly, and once that is done, I will fit the wings.

The engine in a bit more detail.

And by itself with the exhausts

I'm quite pleased at how they have turned out. Pity hardly anything will be seen once the cowling is in place.

The Wooksta! · March 21, 2026, 05:03:31 AM

I think the only Centaurus engine proper in 72nd was in the AKI Firebrand and Sea Fury, both of which are stunning kits (I have the Firebrand) and the former has positionable open cowlings.

Nice paint job.

Gondor · March 21, 2026, 05:36:48 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on March 21, 2026, 05:03:31 AMI think the only Centaurus engine proper in 72nd was in the AKI Firebrand and Sea Fury, both of which are stunning kits (I have the Firebrand) and the former has positionable open cowlings.

Nice paint job.

Ta, I was careful with the angles that I took the pictures at, as it's not as good as I think I can get it on all of it.

Gondor · March 21, 2026, 01:26:52 PM

So I managed to glue in the cockpit assembly earlier.

I should have followed the instructions by fitting the tub inside the fuselage before fitting the decking around the cockpit. Perhaps it would have fitted better if I had done it that way rather than fitting the tub under the decking. A bit of grinding and filing sorted things though.

The throttle was also painted for the MB. 3 before that tub was glued to the decking and then later glued into the fuselage. Similar adjustments were also required, but as I said, it could well have been my own fault.

I used superglue to fit everything in place. I also used it to fill in the longer joints around the decking. I have sanded the glue and decking until I think it is flush. I then painted the joints to see if any more work was required.

Perhaps grey was not the best colour to use

The Wooksta! · March 21, 2026, 02:22:54 PM

I really cannot recommend superglue as a filler, especially for resin kits, highly enough. Add baking soda and you can build anything up very quickly, plus it polishes to a glass like finish. Just do the sanding as soon as it's cured, because it only gets harder the more you wait.

Gondor · March 21, 2026, 02:29:38 PM

I think this will work a bit better.

I will give the painted areas a light sanding tomorrow; it's nighttime here, so it will have to wait until then. Detail painting is also finished on the seats.

They will get a black wash tomorrow, partly to knock the shine back a bit and to accentuate the detail in the parts.

Gondor · March 22, 2026, 06:29:07 AM

The seats have been finished off this morning

They certainly look better for having had a wash.

DogfighterZen · March 22, 2026, 08:09:48 AM

Looking good!