1/48 Eduard X-1 Mach Buster

Gallery Article by Klaasjan Schuuring on Nov 5 2019

 

      

The X-1 doesn't need an introduction. Any aircraft enthusiast should know how it relates to October 14th 1947 and Charles "Chuck" Yeager. Although the kit features decals for 6 versions I couldn't help myself and wanted to build the famous aircraft on this significant date. Eduard supplies a good solid basis but there is a lot of room for improvement. The kit features plastic parts by Eduard, a fret of PE with three different instrument panels, very beautiful resin wheels and a small sheet of masks for the canopy. 

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The build was straightforward and I added a little bit of extra detail in the cockpit and wheel wells. The parts fit perfectly and what I liked was the absence of fitting pins for the fuselage halves, which in my experience hardly ever really help to locate the fuselage parts adequately. So, well done Eduard. The wheels are very nicely molded and look the part. 

I painted the small model mostly using Mr Color paints. Unfortunately I didn't pay attention when I bought the orange. It turned out to be the oil based paint. I boldly tried to use this paint but it didn't work out at all and caused tiny droplets to form a rugged surface in certain places. I managed to sand it down to a smooth surface again and the rest of the orange actually stuck so well it was hardly affected by the sanding. I decided to buy the water based orange of Mr Color which worked as expected. The result is stunning. I gave it a wash to accentuate the panel lines and ended this build with a small base. (which I should weather a bit to be honest)

I added a small detail on the hatch to link it to that specific date. I wonder who spots it. 

Klaasjan Schuuring

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Photos and text © by Klaasjan Schuuring