Deconstructing and Rebuilding a Kingfisher.......need some help

Okay folks, everything is on order now. Can't wait to get started on this beast.

FYI  Mike over at Lone Star Models is having a sale right now. 30% off ALL resin products. That is a huge savings. Here is the link. He has lots of stuff you just can't find anywhere else.

http://www.lonestarmodels.com/conversions-1-48.html#

BK

I am really getting excited to get this project off the ground. It's gonna be a fun one. I think I'll build it during the "Floats and Boats, amphibious aircraft GB", beginning in Jan. That way it forces me to get it finished. 

BK

I don't think Mike is out of business. He's a real nice guy. I met him in the 2012 Nationals and wanted the 1/48 Kingfisher resin pit. He didn't have any on hand but I was able to order a set from him and he did not charge me for the shipping to make up for not having them at the Nationals.

That KH Kingfisher looks sweet. 

SubarooMike

I had heard Lone Star went out of business.    Awesome.  The cockpit set is also a lot cheaper then I thought it would be. Thanks!

 

It says under 1/48 conversion "page updated 10/15/15", so I am assuming that means he's open for business.

BK

I had heard Lone Star went out of business.    Awesome.  The cockpit set is also a lot cheaper then I thought it would be. Thanks!

SubarooMike

Where in the world did you find those LoneStar parts?  I have been wanting their cockpit set for a loooong time. I've yet to find one. 

 

You buy them from him directly. He is a one man band so no retailers.

http://www.lonestarmodels.com/

BK

Where in the world did you find those LoneStar parts?  I have been wanting their cockpit set for a loooong time. I've yet to find one. 

bvallot

Referencing the exhaust manifold: You might try to look up chuk who pops up here on Finescale every so often. He had a plane not too long ago where he outlined some soldering techniques.  I made some use of them for the Dauntless I still have on the bench.  Really not as hard as it looks.  I would recommend you take the time to set yourself up for success though.  Don't rush...if you need a jig/mold of some sort to manipulate or control certain parts to solder, then do it.  Trying to wing it and shoot off the hip will more than likely create more problems than they solve.  =]

 

That's a really good idea. I will go back and reference that build.

Thanks,

BK

Referencing the exhaust manifold: You might try to look up chuk who pops up here on Finescale every so often. He had a plane not too long ago where he outlined some soldering techniques.  I made some use of them for the Dauntless I still have on the bench.  Really not as hard as it looks.  I would recommend you take the time to set yourself up for success though.  Don't rush...if you need a jig/mold of some sort to manipulate or control certain parts to solder, then do it.  Trying to wing it and shoot off the hip will more than likely create more problems than they solve.  =]

Here is the kit float problem, it's just too small and not the correct shape.

tempestjohnny

Brandon scratch build the manifolds with the correct diameter solder. Should be able to bend and flex John

 

That's a great idea for the exhaust manifold construction. Maluable and shapable. Cool.

I also figured with the new correct to scale engine I won't have room in the the cowl for the cylinder heads. I was thinking of keeping the cowl flaps and making them open, keeping the very nose piece for size and shape, but using soda can to make the actual cowl panel. It's thin and shapable and hopefully will allow enough room to just clear the cylinder heads. Looking at photos with the covers off, if the scales are reasonably close it should work. Fingers crossed.

BK

The first kit I have for this is the 1967 mold/cast on blue plastic. It's very thin, quite flimsy, and of generally quite poor quality. I ordered another reboxing in the grey plastic in hopes that the newer plastic will be somewhat better. I know the molds used are the same so the fit and all those issues are gonna remain the same, but this old blue kit is really,...... crap. It's gonna take just as much work to put it together as it will to pimp it out.

BK

Wow, this will be epic. Can't wait to see it come together

1943Mike

BK,

This is the kit to which you and Mr.Mike refer, correct?

http://www.kittyhawkmodel.com/#!kh32016/c1oo5

Mike

 

BK

BK,

This is the kit to which you and Mr.Mike refer, correct?

http://www.kittyhawkmodel.com/#!kh32016/c1oo5

Mike

This is the new KittyHawk kit, it's kinda what I had in mind for the Monogram kit. Making those manifolds is gonna take some time. 

bvallot

This ought to be fun to watch. =]  6 months might be optimistic! lol, depends on how much time you have on your hands.  I feel like I could make a full time job out of these builds some days.  I'm surprised your were able to find an AM canopy for it.  Squadron really comes thru, huh.

I would recomend you stock up on some varying widths of plastic sheet/strip and some Tamiya: Extra Thin Cement.  Quite handy in scratch building!  After my last couple of builds, I feel like I could take on just about any problem at the 1:48 or higher.  With enough extra plastic sheet/strip and rods/squares and such...it can get done! =D  And imagination...can't leave that out.

 

My biggest concern is the engine and firewall configuation. I plan to have the two side engine panels open to display the super nice resin engine so a proper firewall and engine frame are very important. And ya, I've got lots of sheet stock and round rods in various sizes as well as several sizes of brass rod. I may need some square stock but I'll figure that out as I go. It'll be a fun build. Maybe 12 months might be more realistic. 

BK

I said Ultracast engine, it's actually a Vector engine.

What I need now is to see if I can locate both right and left exhaust manifolds. If not, scratching them out will be a HUGE chore.

mrmike

Looks to be an interesting build of a unique aircraft. I'll be following along.

FYI, Kitty Hawk has a 1/32 scale kit scheduled for a 2015 release, although they're running out of time. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the subject.

Mike

 

 

I've seen photos of the sprues for the Kittyhawk, it looks quite impressive. I'm excited someone is finally doing another release.

BK

Jay Jay

I will be folowing avidly Brandon as this is one of my fav's.  

I have a 1/48 Revell started but had problems with losing the Lone Star pit set in the mail and have yet to reorder one. My Revell kit sorely needs the pit since I think that 's the main focal point with this OS2U so it's on hold for the moment. 

Is the resin main float much of an improvement?  I thought the kit one looked pretty good.

 I am planning to do mine in the pre war yellow wings config.

 

 

From what I understand the kit float is grossly undersized and the resin one gets it back up to proper scale. It looks longer and fatter to my eye anyway.

BK

This ought to be fun to watch. =]  6 months might be optimistic! lol, depends on how much time you have on your hands.  I feel like I could make a full time job out of these builds some days.  I'm surprised your were able to find an AM canopy for it.  Squadron really comes thru, huh.

I would recomend you stock up on some varying widths of plastic sheet/strip and some Tamiya: Extra Thin Cement.  Quite handy in scratch building!  After my last couple of builds, I feel like I could take on just about any problem at the 1:48 or higher.  With enough extra plastic sheet/strip and rods/squares and such...it can get done! =D  And imagination...can't leave that out.

Looks to be an interesting build of a unique aircraft. I'll be following along.

FYI, Kitty Hawk has a 1/32 scale kit scheduled for a 2015 release, although they're running out of time. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the subject.

Mike

Once you get this sorted out, I anxiously await for the WIP build.

Toshi

I will be folowing avidly Brandon as this is one of my fav's.  

I have a 1/48 Revell started but had problems with losing the Lone Star pit set in the mail and have yet to reorder one. My Revell kit sorely needs the pit since I think that 's the main focal point with this OS2U so it's on hold for the moment. 

Is the resin main float much of an improvement?  I thought the kit one looked pretty good.

 I am planning to do mine in the pre war yellow wings config.