Post by ZacYates on Dec 29, 2008 11:13:17 GMT 12
Hi all!
I've decided on the newly reissued Airfix 1:72 T-6G as the basis for my Ceres build. I aim to make a representative CA-28 that's good enough for the casual observer, but not incorporating EVERY airframe change to satisfy the diehard expert. That means I will not lengthen the fuselage or widen the centre section.
Changes to be made to the basic kit include:
- fixed gear and filling in the wheelwells
- new turtledeck incl redesigned canopy and hopper top
- leading edge slats and wider chord flaps
- hopper box underneath
- new curved "D" rudder and rounded wingtips
- new pitot tube
These changes are what I feel are within my capability, and still result in something that looks pretty much like a Ceres ;D.
So today I ripped into the box, first job being to separate the fuse halves from the sprue and cut away the original triangular rudder. The fuse halves were glued together and, when dry, sanded to remove the raised panel lines and the mounting point for the dorsal ADF loop. The coaming between cockpits was also removed.
After sanding the vertical stabiliser I fished out an old Airfix Boomerang rudder from my bits box, this was sanded to fit and cemented in place. A turret mounting from an Italeri Junkers 52 just happened to be the right size and shape for the hopper top, so excess styrene from the edges was trimmed and the lip sanded back. This was cemented over the forward cockpit with scrap styrene from a FROG Oxford helping to establish the proper angle. The original kit cockpit floor was cut in half and the rear half positioned behind the hopper top, allowing for locating the new cockpit.
Inbetween cementing and trimming, I delved in for an old Academy T-6 canopy, from which I used the foremost potion and the rear two panels. The Windscreen itself was too small for a Ceres, so I sanded back a P-40 one. The Harvard canopy panels were sanded shorter, one panel cut in half vertically, and the rounded rear screen sanded flat. This will be painted over. The tailwheel is, I think, ex-P-51D. I've selected it as it looks beefier, and hence more agricultural, than the kit's one
.
You can see in the background some of the other small parts I've located so far - a pair of P-51 mainwheels, prop from a Dauntless, strut to be used with the hopper box, and a strut for mounting a mirror. The yellow engine is a Cheetah from the aforementioned Oxford and, despite the smaller number of cylinders, is better detailed than the kit's engine and will be used in its place.
Next up is the challenge of creating the distinctive intake under the cowl, as well as building up the fuselage sides with sheet styrene and filler. Lots of filler.
This will be painted in a spurious NZ scheme, similar to those seen on the GA200 Fatman. Green and white looks good
.
I've decided on the newly reissued Airfix 1:72 T-6G as the basis for my Ceres build. I aim to make a representative CA-28 that's good enough for the casual observer, but not incorporating EVERY airframe change to satisfy the diehard expert. That means I will not lengthen the fuselage or widen the centre section.
Changes to be made to the basic kit include:
- fixed gear and filling in the wheelwells
- new turtledeck incl redesigned canopy and hopper top
- leading edge slats and wider chord flaps
- hopper box underneath
- new curved "D" rudder and rounded wingtips
- new pitot tube
These changes are what I feel are within my capability, and still result in something that looks pretty much like a Ceres ;D.
So today I ripped into the box, first job being to separate the fuse halves from the sprue and cut away the original triangular rudder. The fuse halves were glued together and, when dry, sanded to remove the raised panel lines and the mounting point for the dorsal ADF loop. The coaming between cockpits was also removed.
After sanding the vertical stabiliser I fished out an old Airfix Boomerang rudder from my bits box, this was sanded to fit and cemented in place. A turret mounting from an Italeri Junkers 52 just happened to be the right size and shape for the hopper top, so excess styrene from the edges was trimmed and the lip sanded back. This was cemented over the forward cockpit with scrap styrene from a FROG Oxford helping to establish the proper angle. The original kit cockpit floor was cut in half and the rear half positioned behind the hopper top, allowing for locating the new cockpit.
Inbetween cementing and trimming, I delved in for an old Academy T-6 canopy, from which I used the foremost potion and the rear two panels. The Windscreen itself was too small for a Ceres, so I sanded back a P-40 one. The Harvard canopy panels were sanded shorter, one panel cut in half vertically, and the rounded rear screen sanded flat. This will be painted over. The tailwheel is, I think, ex-P-51D. I've selected it as it looks beefier, and hence more agricultural, than the kit's one
.You can see in the background some of the other small parts I've located so far - a pair of P-51 mainwheels, prop from a Dauntless, strut to be used with the hopper box, and a strut for mounting a mirror. The yellow engine is a Cheetah from the aforementioned Oxford and, despite the smaller number of cylinders, is better detailed than the kit's engine and will be used in its place.
Next up is the challenge of creating the distinctive intake under the cowl, as well as building up the fuselage sides with sheet styrene and filler. Lots of filler.
This will be painted in a spurious NZ scheme, similar to those seen on the GA200 Fatman. Green and white looks good
.
Nice to know there's some interest! Of course, knowing my luck, High Planes, CMK or some other outfit will come out with a kit of this puppy as soon as the paint's dry on mine!!!
