1/48 LDM Models Walter Extra 230 |
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Gallery Article by Darius Aibara
on July 20 2003 |
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This is a metal kit
that I built for a friend of mine. Many years ago a "cottage
industry" enthusiast in Surrey formed LDM models and seemingly produced a
series of 1:48 scale metal kits of aerobatic and racing aircraft including the
Extra 230. I am not sure if any of these kits are available now but my
friend obtained the Extra 230 at the time. The kit contains few parts. The
fuselage is spilt horizontally, with the wings and tailplanes cast with the
upper fuselage. The rudder is separate as are the undercarriage (which is
cast in zinc for strength). A vac-formed canopy and white metal prop,
joystick and mass balances complete the parts. Decals are provided for the
"Jaguar" scheme as flown by Brian Lecomber.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The metal parts were
cleaned up, primed with grey auto primer and cemented with cyano glue. I
used Humbrol filler to cover the seams, which worked quite well. The whole
was then sprayed with two coats of white primer to form the base white.
After this had cured I masked the green areas and sprayed a couple of coats of
"Brooklands Green" auto paint, which was the closest match I could get
to the decal green. The model was de-masked and two coats of Johnson's
Klear acrylic varnish brush applied before decaling. The decals were
sealed with a further coat of Klear. The Extra cockpit had floor and side
panel windows which I "glazed" with acetate sheet cut from
the strips you get with shirt packaging, sealed in with white glue. Steel
wire tail struts, pitot and aerials were added as indicated in the kit
instructions.