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Post by general on Apr 9, 2016 16:49:30 GMT 12
Cheers, Saratoga. Step ahead of ya, there. Been Watching and testing the process for so many years, if I could build a workshop a forge and smelter is mandatory. Here's my basic attack plan: Mold Diag. by scap.design, on Flickr This is the for'd inst bay recesses: Forward Weight by scap.design, on Flickr So, I cut down the big chunk, using only the lower extensions that fit either side of the NLG bay. For giggles, and a little insurance, I put together a few strips of type-setters' lead (have a bunch from a newspaper production room years ago) to fit under the nose floor. We're probably pushing 110-115 gm: Total Weight by scap.design, on Flickr Cockpit OOB. Shot a black-grey mix, dry-brush of light tan and white. Put the hairy stick here and there with various colours. It's enough to pick out colours when all's buttoned up. Cockpit Paint by scap.design, on Flickr Used the Eduard seatbelts for the B. 20. (Also a good set for the Fly kit of the BAC 167 Blunty, should anybody be looking). Here's the Nav seat installed. Merely an academic exercise, I also added the etch seat pan side parts. Can hardly see it through the pilot's office. Nav Pit by scap.design, on Flickr We're rocking along now. Next up, minor fubar with the nose glass . . . Regards
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Post by general on Apr 7, 2016 22:39:01 GMT 12
I've seen four or five online builds, even the UK IPMS Sig (a must-see before starting the Airfix). One of the first items of surgery across the board is the fin fillet. However, not one peep about a possibly narrow fin profile. In the course of research I measured up the fuselage against a couple side views, scaled to 1/48th, and the fin showed up short along the L/E about 2-2 1/2 mm. Hmmm . . . this wasn't in the movie . . . Filed a flat edge along the L/E and added scrap styrene, faired in with putty and re-shaped the contour. That put the rudder about 1mm short, but I re-profiled that according to build notes anyway. Simple fix to add a stick of sprue, filed flat on one side for a datum surface. Then shaped and gaps filled accordingly. Now I could re-shape the fillet radius. Meanwhile, what I did for the nose weight: Found some old crayons in a drawer, long time back. Lightbulb moment was, "I could melt these for cavities, make excellent mold masters". 2_01 Wax Mould by scap.design, on Flickr The bugbear of this kit is the large moment arm aft, instructions ask for 100gm over the NLG bay. Builders had dramas stuffing lead or bolts inconspicuously. I believe in 'economic use of time and resources'. Figured out where the hidden spaces were and set to casting. Overdid it a little, aft of cockpit. Figured that would be the most effective space with the bomb-bay shut. Once cast, that hunk of lead must have been closer to 300-350gm. I've since sawed off the lower 'arms' to use either side of the NLG bay. Added to the remainder of the contour weights it pegs out a smidge over 100gm. 2_02 Wax Mould by scap.design, on Flickr This is the plaster mold for the big chunk aft of cockpit. You can see the fracture line. Thought I'd cast it one solid block, then remove sprues for the pour holes and heat it in the oven to melt the wax. Stubborn cuss merely expanded rather than flowed, and split the plaster. 2_03 Plaster Casting by scap.design, on Flickr Little PITA wasn't going to defeat me. At least I could now remove most of the wax (heating with a flame to move it). White-glued it together, clamped and poured lead. I scrounge old wheel balance and fishing weights. My 'crucible' is a stainless steel cap from something, heated on the stove-top and holds about 600-700gm of lead. It's the coolest thing pouring hot lead. Turned out an ugly sucker, with all that residual wax clinging, but we only need weight, not aesthetics. 2_05 Casting Weight by scap.design, on Flickr Experience builds confidence. Onto the cockpit side cavity. I built a collapsible casting box out of CD cases a ways back. Designed to do 1/32nd SBD and 1/24th P-51D canopy masters. Simple task to blank off a suitable volume. Different strategy here. Mounted the wax master with pour stubs horizontal, and Blu-tac'd to the box wall. Plaster up to the mid-point of the stubs and set. Removed this half-casting, trimmed the surface flat and tidied up around the stubs. Back into the box and poured the second plaster. This creates a distinct line between the halves. Pulled out the stubs then put a thin saw blade through this line, around the block and through the wax. 2_04 Plaster Casting by scap.design, on Flickr Heated and cleaned out the wax - far cleaner job this time - and replaced the datum posts (old Qtip shafts). But we ain't done quite yet. An uneven saw cut would pose problems with gaps. Smeared the mating face of one plaster half with epoxy, laid down a clingfilm barrier then put halves together. Once set, off with clingfilm and we have a sealed mold. 2_06 Casting Weight by scap.design, on Flickr 2_07 Cast Weight by scap.design, on Flickr Put things together for weight and balance checks. Want to see a comparison with the Skyhawk? Taped up the Esci fuz out of curiosity. 3 Balance_and_Weight Check B by scap.design, on Flickr That'll do, for now. On to engines next . . . Regards ybiC
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Post by general on Apr 6, 2016 21:29:56 GMT 12
Gentlemen. It's time for a build WIP. Another commission for Kevin, in Rotorua. He has the Vampire FB 5/52 or the Canberra. I feel he was leaning heavily towards the B (I) 8. The Airfix Canberra is very solid. No chance of warping with this industrial-weight plastic. Closing the bomb bay leaves out almost two whole sprues of parts. Natch, I pored over every posted build I could find. Nice site on IPMS UK - Canberra SIG. First and foremost, the weight issue to avoid a tail-sitter. Plans call for 100gm. Instead of trying to cram lead into every nook and cranny with copious epoxy I employed a technique I've developed for one-off castings. I use crayon wax. It's a pain to try melting (as mentioned on pics) it out of the mold. With some extra thought and preparation a saw cut through the centre of the plaster solves that challenge. Conformal weights almost eliminate wasted space from using round shot or fishing weights. The 'trench fairy' had the usual field day. Patience with melted sprue and tape, and I'm ready to re-scribe much thinner lines. Both the engine intakes and exhausts demand thinning of the apertures. Instead of gnashing teeth trying to eliminate seams on the intakes I revised the Airfix idea. Removing the rear 'rib' that secures the compressor faces I could now attend any seam-filling and install the engine parts afterward. I'll let the pics tell the rest, then answer the inevitable "What's that mean . . ?" 1 00 Airfix B I 8 by scap.design, on Flickr 1 01 Airfix Kit Plans by scap.design, on Flickr 1 Wings Tape_Sprue Lines by scap.design, on Flickr 1 Fuz Sprue Lines 01 by scap.design, on Flickr 1 Fuz Sprue Lines 02 by scap.design, on Flickr 1 Fuz Primed 02 by scap.design, on Flickr This will kick things off. More to post. Regards Rossky
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Post by general on Apr 1, 2016 19:53:12 GMT 12
Jolly good show, Dave and everyone. That's over a third bigger than my little burg. Lang may she sail.
Regards
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Post by general on Mar 17, 2016 23:23:14 GMT 12
I'm late to the party so this might be illustrative only. I have a set of low-viz. Don't know who produced them - probably Gekko? - so they're not the Old Models set. Nicely thin and, from past reviews, user-friendly.
Word of advice, I've used the Old Models digital set for the Aermacchi and I'm not impressed. Thick, poor opacity, especially the yellow markings, lettering is vague and don't adhere well. You need to brush on several clear coats and sand down to blend out the raised edges. Now, I don't know if this is a problem of production but I'm hesitant to try others.
Having said that, Michael, you can have my set if you're interested. I'll be dressing my 1/32nd Hasegawa -E in 'Euro 1'. As Phil says, find an A-4E kit. The -M is a different beast: larger canopy and intakes, different tail fin, different cockpit.
Hope it helps.
Ross
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Post by general on Feb 29, 2016 15:03:42 GMT 12
Fascinating report on a missing Lanc. www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/news/local/lancaster-wreckage-is-found-in-germany-1-7233271#ixzz41Td27QY0"Wreckage of a Lancaster bomber never to return to its base at RAF Spilsby has been found – by coincidence – close to the twin town of Bassum in Germany, where it was shot down. Spilsby twinned with Bassum in 2010 after a 10-year friendship, little knowing the historic link that would one day be discovered. The find in Pestinghausen, the village to which Bassum belongs, was made by historian Volker Urbanski, who came across the fragments of the Lancaster bomber while scanning the site with a metal detector. News recently filtered through to Spilsby Town Council when it received a cutting from the local newspaper in Bassum from members of the twinning association in Germany. This week town clerk Bonny Smith received the translation, which describes how ‘houses were partly unroofed’ as the Avro Lancaster EE126 from RAF Spilsby crashed on a field in the village on its way to Leipzig. Three of the seven airmen died during the crash, the other four escaping from an altitude of 4,000 metres using their parachutes, only to be captured and made prisoners of war." Another episode for closure. Regards
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Post by general on Feb 25, 2016 22:43:52 GMT 12
Oops, I haven't checked in for a bit. Anyone looking for general arrangement 3-views I have official drawings of the 748 MF (Andover C.1) in A0 size. 1/48 scale. "A.V. Roe Ltd, Manchester" in the title bar.
Would ba a good idea to find a copy place can handle that size.
Also have Kahu upgrade GA showing all mods.
FYI.
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Post by general on Feb 5, 2016 0:28:14 GMT 12
I was chef at Woody when the 'fun' began. Even though mere Supply duties i did ponder the outside chance that, in the arcane wisdom of the Airy farce, some Supply would be req'd in some regard, for the festivities. It's mildly humourous now to hark back to those ingenuous days.
Interesting narrative on the Kahu upgrade. I brazenly visited 1RD one day, in civvies, to snap some pics of the airframe undergoing work. W/O 1RD popped over to 'enquire' of my activities. Yes, well, maybe I missed that bit, where you ask the boss first. Certainly explains his concern over someone with a camera.
Regards
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Post by general on Nov 24, 2015 11:12:04 GMT 12
"I say! Would you grab the trolley dolly next time she passes? I'd love a whiskey."
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Post by general on Aug 3, 2015 11:21:41 GMT 12
Superb approach to paint. I like that a lot!
regards
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Post by general on Jun 10, 2015 15:15:53 GMT 12
Like your style, Dave. That's how I see (and hear) history.
Regards
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Post by general on May 22, 2015 11:41:03 GMT 12
Well, Wally, you can be rightly happy with that 'un. Great job, me ol' China. Clean without being pristine. Understated wear. Keep on 'bashing!
Regards
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Post by general on May 21, 2015 18:52:50 GMT 12
All is made clear now. The trio transitted Central Plateau airspace the 17th. Unmistakable "Wokka-wokka-wokka" from about 2 mi out.
Farewell, thou good and faithful servant.
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Post by general on Apr 20, 2015 12:41:27 GMT 12
Dang, Calum. Wish I'd caught you before you'd buttoned things up! I have the ID models vac 748. Thing has the civil 'sausage' tail. I've been pondering ways to scratch the Andover tail profile and empenange. Would have loved to get a traced outline of your fuselage half.
But, there ya go. I'm leaning toward a grey/white scheme, though possibly the grey/greens.
Great to see an Andover.
Regards
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Post by general on Apr 12, 2015 13:28:19 GMT 12
That there's a nice rendition by Ernie, Dave. I knew the kit's a big hunk of plastic, then a good friend recently sent me an early-issue Tamiya with water-stained box, for virtual peanuts. All parts intact and still in bags. Wingspan's massive. IwantIwantIwant! I could drop everything else and jump in boots and all.
Now I HAVE to start on design for 75 Sqn decals.
Regards
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Post by general on Feb 15, 2015 12:03:15 GMT 12
Chris "Corny" Cornelissen?? Wow. So young, too. Hung out with him a bit at Woody. I recall one or two trips to Nelson from with him, in his V6 Cortina. Mad as a cut chook on occasion, but in an endearing way!
Regards
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Post by general on Jan 13, 2015 22:14:39 GMT 12
Looking at any infringement "notice" from a legal viewpoint it is simply that, a "notice". They can't enforce it by making it a 'demand' but trick you into believing you are liable. Any infringement is only an offer of contract.
In fact, any infringement notice is actually a "bill of exchange". The same as a cheque. By definition, a bill of exchange is "A notice to a party to pay to another party at a fixed or future date a certain sum". Strange but true. Anyhoos, for the purposes of expediency back to the notice.
These are cleverly worded to influence to pay. Once you understand the true nature of the daylight robbery you can deal with it lawfully. It is merely an 'offer of contract' Upon receipt of any 'notice' write across the front of the notice, one line under the other at a 45-deg angle, "NO CONTRACT. RETURN TO SENDER". Return the notice via registered mail to the STREET ADDRESS, not a PO Box, of the Infringement Bureau.
Bill Turner (among many others) discusses the ins and outs of legal deceptions on his YT channel.
I agree. The police are forced to operate as 'corporate collection officers' instead of 'law officers' much of the time. We at our end of the chain should respect this and tread lightly when confronted by the bureaucratic BS of traffic infringements. The police are pressured to carry out distasteful policy.
To pre-empt any pitchfork-and-torches horde I am referring to 'Acts', not 'Laws'. The LTSA is concerned with revenue-collection, not safety. If acts had any influence on promoting safety or preserving life the results would be obvious. The statistics, instead, speak for themselves.
Regards
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Post by general on Dec 29, 2014 23:15:35 GMT 12
So sorry to hear of Mike's and John's passing. A double blow to the sisters. I knew Mike and Cathy, and met Jane on occasion. Thanks for posting her address. Card on its way.
Regards
Rossky
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Post by general on Nov 9, 2014 23:39:01 GMT 12
Next time you're in contact, Dave, would you get a heads-up on whether Dave still has that "one left" MB339 conversion? I'd given up hope on ever finding one.
Regards
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Post by general on Oct 27, 2014 20:26:44 GMT 12
As always, an enthralling read. "First tragedy since WW2" made the jaw drop at the persistent ignorance perpetrated by some in the media circles.
The technical description of the unfortunate incident of '13 is much appreciated, Mr Fish.
Another 'war story'. I remember Mike (Cronin) and Bam-bam. The latter was partly responsible for a tragic Thursday evening on 'apple weeze' in the Woody Baggies'. The other incriminating agent was my patent naiveté towards the effects of garage-grade cider!
Aaahhh, warm memories.
Rossky
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