1/48 Trumpeter Savoia Marchetti SM79 Part 1

by Emad Tabsh on Nov 22 2003

  Lebanon National Day 

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The looks in the box looks great, however some mistakes are evident.   As far as I know, these mistakes are now well known as the model has appeared in many articles on the net and in magazines. In this first part, I shall correct the following areas:  
  • 1-The representation of the fabric covered areas.  
  • 2-The detailing of the interior.  
  • 3-Making wheel wells.
  • 4-Correcting the wings slats area. 

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I have in my Eduard sets, the 2 sets done for the old 1/50 Smer model.  I used parts from these sets where appropriate.  First of all, I started with the fuselage halves. The fabric representation on the sides of the fuselage are done incorrectly I sanded the lines and kept the traces showing.  Look at the photo comparing the right and the left half, which is sanded.   The internal tube construction is done with raised detail.  Good if you do not open the entry door,  however if you open the door,  then some detailing should be done. I did this with strip styrene and rod.  

 

The cockpit have 2 clean sidewalls. I treated them the same way with strip and rod.   The wheel wells in the model do not exist..... Look at the photos and see mine done using plastic sheet.  

 

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The leading edge slats on the upper wing of the real airplane does not have a step to retract into. It simply overlaps the wing. So I used a strip of plastic and closed the gap along the leading edge, leaving only a small streamlined grooves on the sides where the slats meet the wings.   That's it for part one. Keep tuned for the second part which will cover  more correction work (engines and cowlings) and the painting and decaling of the model. It shall features markings of an aircraft that was used by the Lebanese AF. Happy modeling.

Emad

Photos and text © by Emad Tabsh