THE HEART OF THE BEAST
I turned my attention to the
Mercedes D III engine, choosing
the 200 hp version, as indicated
for Option E. I’ve lost count of
how many of these engines I have
made over the years, and each
time I curse gently over the odd
breakdown between the crankcase
and the cylinders. There are six
little cylinder stubs moulded on
the crankcase, which need careful
masking to ensure they stay black
when you paint the rest of it silver.
Why they could not be moulded
as part of the main cylinders has
always puzzled me, as has the
omission of spark plugs and leads
in this otherwise superb little
engine. I used the aftermarket
plugs from Taurus Models, which
are bordering on microscopic and
strained these old eyes mightily
during their installation.
The ignition leads are made
from copper wire; I have tried other
media in the past and I find copper
gives the most natural “hang”.
The kit includes decals for the
red band on each cylinder as well
as an engine number and three
silver decals representing enginedata plaques on the crankcase.CREW ACCOMMODATION
With the engine finished and
carefully packed away, it was time
for the cockpit. If you’ve not built
one of WNW’s cockpits then I
recommend you do so, and soon;
they are marvels of miniature
plastic engineering. Everything is
finely moulded to scale, but is also
quite fragile as a result, so the kit
parts will reward gentle handling
and cleaning up. Side frames
and other tubes are painted light
grey-green. The instrument panel
and floor are given a wood-grain
treatment using oil paints dragged
over a tan base, as are the grips
on the control column if you’re
feeling particularly masochistic.
The ammo bins are silver with
the rounds picked out in brass,
while the fuel tank is either brass,
or a colour referred to in the
instructions as “T”, even though
there is no actual colour reference
given. There’s another colour, “V”,
mentioned on page 13 – again with
no colour reference. (In previous
boxings “T” is grey, Tamiya XF-22,
and “V” is steel, Tamiya XF-56. Ed.)I WONDER IF THERE ARE ANY SUPERLATIVES YET TO BE
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