AIR RACER GROUP BUILD BECAUSE WE FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED

Raptordriver I hope you can find something would love to have you join us. Of course you can do a what if build too ya know

simpilot34

Allow me Fermis! Hehehe here is the camera in question guys.

 Yes sir, aint it purdy!!!!

That's a huge compliment there Randy!!! Greatly appreciated, but I must admit, I use my ninja camera skills to hide all the flaws!!!!

Yeah right Fermis sure ya do

Nice camera fermis. It got to pics you needed, even in pink. I've been looking at a top end point-n-shoot, just a step away from digital SLR with an equally top end price. May still go that way to be able to shoot pics in the RAW format. I would like to get more creative with my pics (not just models) and submit to various mags and I know they really like the RAW format. Gives them room to adjust things in case my photo skills arn't right on.  Thanks for your info. Tells me I don't have to go high end to get my pics published.

 On the subject of pics, here are pics of the 'office' on Tantrum

 The seat belts are 'grass' lifted from my daughters Easter basket. The seat came from an old 1/48 Revell F-16 ,much cut down. The control stick came from the Hobbycraft kit ,but I subbed the grip from the F-16. Looks more high tech. Everything else was made from bits of plastic and sprue.

 Included is the punch set I ordered from Micro-Mark. Wish I had gotten one of these a long time ago. BTW- check out my home made tapping mallet. Works well. Just scrap oak and a length of dowel.

 Finally are the completed pics. My references were pics of P-51D and various racer cockpits with a fair amount of poetic license thrown in .

These last three show the lower fuselage parts and props in very early stages of construction. They're looking pretty rough at the moment, but with some trimming and sanding and filling, then more sanding etc.............

 The idea maker in the paint dept is  still working on several schemes .  I'm going to try and incorporate flames ,swoops, scallops . Should be wild. The big challenge will be getting the paint mirror smooth.

 Howard

Oh Howard I am Loving That!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! I can not wait to see the color on her!!!!! Not a nit pick just an expectation of sorts, I would have loved to have seen an LCD screen for the engine intruments in the office!! You'll need to sets of them and seeing how the IP is already cramped, analog gauges are out of the question. Man that is one sweet ride!!!!!!!! Would love to see if someone could model it in 3d for flightsim!!!!!!! I would fly it in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!

simpilot34

Oh Howard I am Loving That!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! I can not wait to see the color on her!!!!! Not a nit pick just an expectation of sorts, I would have loved to have seen an LCD screen for the engine intruments in the office!! You'll need to sets of them and seeing how the IP is already cramped, analog gauges are out of the question. Man that is one sweet ride!!!!!!!! Would love to see if someone could model it in 3d for flightsim!!!!!!! I would fly it in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!

 Still going through lots of ideas in the paint dept. I do know the base color will be some kind of deep, rich blue either metallic or pearl. What ever scheme I come up with, will help the going fast when sitting still look . Again, exotic.

 I did think of LCD panels for the engine instruments  and found some wonderful examples online, but when reduced and printed up were little more then black squares. Although, LCD panels when not powered up ( as would be the case in an aircraft on the ground) would be black or a black-green, or something along those lines. I may still add a couple small LCD panels just above the IP . That would be where the pilot would need them to moniter the engines when going 500 mph just 50 ft off the ground.

 The top half of the panel I made is to represent the important engine instruments, but with two motors to keep track of ,the panel gets crowded quickly.

 I would be very honored if someone came up with a 3d flightsim for this bird. From what I've read , the twin Mustang's flight characteristics weren't all that different from the single engine P-51 ,and most of the ideas I've used are what I've gleaned from P-51 racers. The big difference would be managing two engines at a high rate of speed, very close to the ground. Would hate to lose power in the right motor in the middle of a pylon turn. The sudden asymetrical thrust would probably drive ya' right in the ground. Big smoking hole ,RIP!

 Anyway , I'm having fun with this build. Will probably get the tail turret on the lib done when this thing goes to paint. After that it'll be OOB for the Texan racer I've got planned. Got a beautiful bright blue pearl picked out for Little Miss Magic . My daughters favorite color. She knows thats going to be her plane. All part of Daddy 1 Racing.

 Howard

Daddy1 Man I am glad you are back and again leaving me at a loss for words when I check out your WIP pictures. Those spinners are awesome, in fact I gotta ask if the traffic cops have been by your place yet. I know just seeing it on the bench they would be givin it a speeding citation !!! Sumpthin is tellin me that Tantrum will be living up to her name

vetteman42

Sumpthin is tellin me that Tantrum will be living up to her name

You ain't just whistlin' dixie brother!!!-Daffy Duck I would be more worried about the left engine letting go!!! The assymetrical thrust from the right would push you in, the left would kick you out of the turn. Either way it would be a hairy ride if........ wellllll let's just not go there! I am chompin' at the bit to see 'Tantrum' in all her glory!!!! Mate that is just a sexy bird what can I say!!???

simpilot34

 

 

 You ain't just whistlin' dixie brother!!!-Daffy Duck I would be more worried about the left engine letting go!!! The assymetrical thrust from the right would push you in, the left would kick you out of the turn. Either way it would be a hairy ride if........

 Currently building the radiators complete with spray bars. Nothing super fancy , just something that looks like it should be there when viewed through the inlets. That should also keep the view from the radiator exhausts looking like something up in there. Won't be able to see much from that end anyway  so painting the inside of the fuselages flat black should do the trick.

Daddy1 I am 54 what is right and left anyhow. Wait I cant see it anyway ... never mind.

Cant wait to see your racing radiators, your build is just over the top.

Just to let you guys know I am in fact still working on my build and figured it is time for a little WIP picture. I like to use Krylon for plastics as a first coat either gray or white depending on the rest of the colors going on. I have less trouble with the Tamiya paints coming off with masking tape. So here is the base coat of Krylon white.

I will give it a few days to fully cure, then do a quick polish with 1200 wet&dry sand paper, then add more color. The prop will be then next crazy to do paint job. Oh and sorry about the fizzy picture for some reason my camera didnt want to focus on the white. It did however focus on my little air racer shelf, go figure huh.

Like your paint stand ,Randy. BTW Those tips look nice, glad I was of help.

 Wasn't happy with the way the overlay on the kit prop blades was looking and just can't resist the five blade scimitar idea. Here's the latest WIP pics.

 First cut out ten blanks from sheet plastic then marked them for direction and right or left. Something I'll need to keep close watch on with this process. Don't want to end up with 3 right and 6 left blades. Also to make sure they end up mounted on the correct sides.

Blanks are same length of kit blades and 5mm wide.

 Glued stretched sprue mounting pins to center of each blank . Length is half of blank plus 5mm . May need to trim end of pin when it comes time to mount to spinners.

Made a couple twist jigs from steel strap . Marked blank length, clamped one end at mark in a vice, then with vice grip clamed at other end gave approx 60 degrees twist using a drafting angle as a guide. Repeted for the other side, just with an opposite twist.

 Cut ten more blanks smae size as before and laminated top and bottom blanks together clamping them to the jigs as the glue dried for a few hours.

 Last pic shows rough prop blades with the twist set in . I'll rough sand an airfoil shape to each blade. Then, using the Tachi drawings of Tsunami's scimitar blades as a pattern , I'll cut them to shape. Finally , I'll finish the airfoil shape, smooth and mount to spinners.

Progress on the oil cooler / radiator package. I want to see something realistic when I look in either end of the cooling system. I also plan on adding spray bars.

 Starting to get on a roll with this build again. Got the props figured out, and the radiator with associated scoops pretty much figured out. Just got to cut, glue, fill, and paint stuff.

 Getting started on Lil' Miss Magic but, I'll make seperate posts for that to better help me keep track of each.

 Howard/ Daddy1 Racing

Lil' Miss Magic underway! Here are the first pics.

 Emma and I at work cleaning up cockpit parts. I"ve explained to her that we're going to build this on an experienced level and much of the work will be done with Emma holding the tool/brush and my hand over hers guiding.

 I want her to know how the plastic feels under the various tools . It will be a wonderful building lesson as it often takes only a light touch and easy going.

 Notice the visor. Darned old eyes.

  We're using a bit of artisic license with the interior colors since this is a civilian racer and not a military replica. Even thought of using a pilot figure in a pink flight suit since Emma will be the "pilot" of this bird. She likes the idea.

 The fuselage sides are about 4 parts Model Master aluminum to 1 part MM chrome silver for more shine. I do vary the mix for different parts to get subtle variations.

This will be an easy build after working so much on Witchcraft (I will get back to her soon), Building OOB except for seatbelts and adding ignition wires.

 My girl is thrilled this is going to be her plane. Hope to get some better pics of our working together.

 BTW This is somewhat off topic but I took Emma to The EAA Sun-N-Fun fly in  on the 17th . Pointed down the warbird ramp and asked her what she saw." THUNDERBIRDS!!!"  she exclamed.

 Then I heard the unmistakeable sound of a Merlin. What's that taxing in Emma? " A MUSTANG!!!" she answered.She was very impressed when it rolled by not more than 20 feet away from us. I love it . My girl loves warbirds. It was a long,wonderful,exhaustingly beautiful day. We had a great time.

Daddy1 the wing tips came out better than I had pictured them because of your help thank you sir. It was very easy to make them your way

For my paint stand I drilled a hole in some 1/4 dowel rod I had layin around and tacked it on with thin super glue. I dont spray Krylon in the mancave so I used that for a handle outside to paint then hung it in the cave to dry. Hopefully all I will have to do is tap it on the bench and it will pop off the Mustang when I am done painting her.

You are going to use 5 blade props on Tantrum ???? Oh man she is gonna look meaner n auh junkyard dog. I like the way you came up with for making the prop blades and will be adding that to my how-to files. Should work for Rare Bear's prop as well when I build that one.

First off I am envious of your Lil Miss Magic build with your daughter, and do think the figure in a pink jumpsuit would be a great addition. Cant wait to see your progress on that build and the pictures.

I know the feeling of taking ones lil girl to the air shows, they surly let you know they like what they are seeing. My daughter was much older though when I took her to the air races in Reno back in 97 she was 18. She had never been around planes before and was blown away by them, she even got a special tour of a B-17 there.

Howard the builds are looking fantastic!! To have a lil girl that loves planes as much as Emma, you are a very lucky man!!!! Looking forward to more pics of you two building together!!!!

A few update pics on the radiator/undersides.

 Glued an extension to the intake ramps and cut to length I want. These will form the bottom of the NACA scoops.

 Other pics show where I cut out the underside of model to accomodate the radiator assemblies, and a couple test fits with a side profile of scoop.

 I  like having some profile of a scoop when viewed from the side. Still very slender.

 After I get this area pretty well filled and shaped , I'll build up the radiator exhaust doors and ductwork, again aiming to enhance the sexy lines of this bird.

 Back to the desk. TTFN!

Howard

BTW Anyone notice the misprint on the Texan instuction sheet. Does that look like "engine assembly" to you? LOL

Daddy1 I cant wait to see more !!!

I got my mitts on some frisket paper to use for masking, the decals in this kit are shot so I am going to have to some tricky masking and painting. If I get lucky I will be adding some color to race 11 tomorrow afternoon. Hope my idea works.

Howard, Tantrum is looking better and better every time you post pics!!!! REALLLLLLLY looking forward to more pics!!!!!!

simpilot34

Howard, Tantrum is looking better and better every time you post pics!!!! REALLLLLLLY looking forward to more pics!!!!!!

One time when you can go a little heavy on the glue and filler. Basically creating a sculping base to file/sand to shape. Pretty rough ,right now, but you can already see the NACA scoops and streamlined hot air exhaust taking shape.

 Have to give time for everything to cure up, then it's time to go at it with the coarse sand paper and file.

Starting to look at paint colors and found a great line of hot rod colors . It's a nail polish called 'Sinful Colors' , at Walgreens. Can't wait to get to painting this thing.

 Howard

It's been a loooong time since I been on here it seems. Everyones model lookings amazing. Howard, the twin mustang is coming along beautifully!! That thing looks stunning to say the least. Well everyones does!

I've been in the process of moving to another place and problems in life are starting to come into play a lot more now so I havent had the time to work on niether of the models. I do bring good and bad news to the board...while I was moving I was told to take everything I had that I wanted to keep at my moms out of the house. As we all know it doesnt take one day to move a bunch of crap. I come back 2 days later to find out that my mom through out my F*****g Spirit of Texas model I was working so hard on. It was nearly finished, all it needed was the paint job and decals and a little weathering and it would be complete...buuuut nooooo she had to throw the damn thing in the garbage. She told me when I asked her about it and she replied with, "well I didn't know that you wanted that, you left it behind." :O wtf? "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!?" I asked her. She knows that, that damn thing was pricless to me...I put a lot of blood sweat and tears building this damn model. Oh well what can I do? guess I have to wait this one out. Strega, the other model I was working on, is in the hanger waiting to be touched again. I'm not to sure if I want to start on her since I need more shots of the interior. So I guess Im out of the races gents. Good luck to all and cant wait to see the finished models.

Semper Fi,

Bret

Ohhhhhh Johnny that's terrible!!!! Parents that don't build just don't understand. Hope to see something else from you come to the starting line!!!!

Jonny- Sorry to hear of your troubles. Have been having some around this camp lately that often slows or halts any build time.

 I was fortunate to come from a fair sized SAC family from the 50s thru the 70s.My older brother (11 yrs) is the oldest . What  teenage boy of the 60s didn't build model cars of some kind back then. That's where I got my greatest  modeling influence followed by my dad. So, Mom knew about those things.

 I say , build the Strega anyway . Even if you don't finish in time, we'd still like to see it .Besides, it's therapeutic.

 Tantrum is going on a day to day basis at the moment.

  In building up the belly scoops ,  a process where you can be a little heavier with the cement to soften and form the plastic . I used a little more than I needed and the area around the inlets is  still a little soft. 

 I was able to give it a first sanding/shaping with 100-150 grit . What I have by building up the belly areas is a nice , roughly shaped carving medium , and coarse sand paper makes a great carving tool. I will eventually work up through the numbers , spot filling and priming along the way. Ending up with a super smooth airplane.

 Asked my daughter to draw me a couple pics of what she felt like when she  had a tantrum, also told her I wanted  fast looking . She more than came through. Had to tell her to stop drawing, I had plenty. Lots of red , orange , yellow, flames, lightning , swirly lines. Some great inspiration for graphics on Tantrum. Have some great ideas.  

 Worked a bit with her on Miss Magic  tonight . A little detail painting on  the cockpit . Good time with my next of kin. Will post pics of both in the next couple days.

God Bless,

Howard

Johnny Roscoe now thats a bummer ! Life can be a PITA I know. Hate to lose you and Strega as she was coming along so nicely. I think I may have some cockpit pictures of Strega from a visit I was lucky enough to have had to her hanger in Bakersfield. If you want I will hunt for them and scan them for you. If you are worried about time we can probably do something about that for ya.

Daddy1 your plastic manipulation skills are amazing, those NACA scoops are going to look mean and trick.  You are going to use nail polish for paint ???? hummmmm an interesting idea there buddy.

I had Miss America all masked up and ready for paint yesterday . Then I tore it all, off and started over again as things just didnt look right, I now think the stars were just a little off. Anyway hope to get some paint on her this week sometime.

First of all, especilly for simpilot34,  Have decided to make these little LCD screens to help moniter the engines. I'll paint the frames flat black, the screens a black blue with a couple drops pf Future , plus a couple tiny dabs of gloss black on the frames to look like switches. Then I'll nount them on the edge of the cockpit coming just below the pilots line of sight

BTW Anyone looking for Johnsons Future Floor Polish. I found some at Home Depot in the cleaning supplies next to the furniture polish. Thought they quit making  it? HD had it on the shelf like regular stock.

Another series of pics showing the scoops after the first rough sanding/shaping. Really taking shape now. Very slender, yet still retains the lines of a Mustang, I think.

Randy- I've seen some very trick paint on model cars with nail polish. I've never used it before, but have used auto touch up paint before. I understand it's pretty much the same. Use a good automotive primer, and thin with laquer thinner to airbrush. Only deal is , most nail polish is somewhat translucent. Basecoat over white ,but doing grapics over the base color could be tricky. I may be able to use that to my advantage.

I have taken some video of work on 'Magic with the daughter. I'll capture some stills for the build. That way, I can get the best sceens. Almost ready to assemble the cockpit on the Texan.

 Well , it's late and tomorrows still an early work day even though it is Friday. Friday doesn't count til' the eagle has pooped and they say it's Miller time.

 God bless,

 Howard

Daddy1 Thanks for the info on the Future I have been looking for more of it but haven't found any here yet so I will take a look at Home Depot.

Man that F-82 keeps looking faster and faster. I think you did a good job of keeping the lines of the twin Mustangs intact, the scoops are looking great. Oh and I cant wait to see your newest addition the instrument cluster.

I went and goofed up last night finally got the masking all finished and .....................got some color on MIss America. Here are a few pictures.

I didn't use masking tape on this build I used frisket paper. I am very happy with the way it came out, I only wish I had done a bit more masking instead of resorting to the decal sheet. I traced over the decal sheet to make the star masks and over the side view to make the stripe mask. I was frankly worried about how the paper would work but found it easier than using masking tape for the most part. However small pieces don't want to bend around curves and stick like masking tape will. and I don't think it will work very well for canopys. For larger areas though it is great stuff and has been added to my tape box.

Anyway the clear coat ( Future ) went on this evening and decals will go on tomorrow.

Randy, Howard the Stangs are looking SUHHHWEEEET!!!! Howard, glad you like my idea of the LCD screens!!!

Nice work Howard! Your scratch built scoops look great. Putty and sand and repeat... that looks like the name if the game.

Randy - Paint job looks awesome! She's turning into a real "looker" for sure.

Randy- Miss America is looking beautiful. One of my long time favorite Mustangs for sure. 

 I've only used about a third of the bottle of Future I purchased a few years ago. Thankfully, the stuff goes a long way. But I'll probably get a back up bottle just in case.

 I noticed the flare on one of the inlet ramps is a little longer than the other so, I'll have to do a little extra shaving than planned to bring the short one in line with the other. The carb scoops were much easier . Just filed a little trough in the kit plastic.

The belly scoops on the other hand , I have to build the trough for the ramps too. It's throwing a bit of a variable at me . I'll get it sorted out . All part of  carving and sculpting.

 I probably won't mount the 'LCD' screens for now . Lots of handling going on with all the work on the belly scoops and where I plan on mounting them, they'd just get knocked off.

Randy- Miss America looks stunning. I love the pait job its really bringing her to life! A little more time would be nice since Im going to lose a lot of time to work on Stregathis summer...Yes I think I'm going to work on her a bit more again, as I will be gone for about a month for Active duty. If you can find those pictures that would help me out a bunch. I emailed Steve Hinton for some pictures but Im not sure if he will get back to me on the email. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!! My email is slick_willieo3@yahoo.com

Daddy1 I have trouble scratch building single items LOL you have 2 scoops that have to match. I can NOT wait for this F-82R' s pictures each week

Johnny Roscoe for someone on active duty the least I can do is extend the build for as long as you need, and am honored to do just that. I will look for the pictures they are in a box out in the garage I hope. You might also try and contact the owner of Strega Bill ( Tiger) Destifini. I met him once and I am sure he would be more than happy to help you out.

Thanks guys for the kind words. I am becoming quite proud of this build considering it is such a lousy kit, had a bunch of trouble with it. This is also one of the trickiest paint jobs I have attempted on a model. And my daughter reminded me we saw Miss America race in Reno the year I took here there with me. Anyway I just couldn't wait to show her off. WIP pictures she has the final clear coat on after the decals were added. I should be able to finish her up tomorrow.

This kit is from 1990 so is 20 years old and the decals showed it. I tried doing one of the large stars I didnt need to see what the decals would do, well it literally  exploded when I tried to slide it off the backing paper. Sometime back I bought some of Microscales Liquid Decal Film, so I dug it out and painted it on the decal sheet thinking I didnt have anything to lose at this point. Well I am a believer now !!! The stuff worked great  as you can see.