Well, those are great sites guys!!! Bookmarked!!!

BTW didn't get much done, had a sorta rough weekend

'NO I DIDN'T SAY NOTHING ABOUT STAR TREK BEING BETTER THAN STAR WARS- NOTHING I TELL YOU!!!!'

Mikey, the cockpit panoramas gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. Big time thanks for the heads-up on that one!

Son Of Medicine Man

Striker8241

Hey All,

I came across this link for a flight simulator (apparently Falcon 5.0) that seems to have a lot of useful information about various aircraft cockpits and their controls and displays. Check it out and see if it's any use to you.

http://www.freefalcon.com/Manuals/Flight_Companion.pdf

Cheers,

Russ

Very cool Russ!  It appears to be fairly accurate.  I only checked out the F-4 cockpit since I am intimately knowledgeable about it after working on mine for so long.  They do incorrectly referrence the Optical Sight as a HUD.  Other than that it seems to be pretty close.

Ken

Glad to hear it, Ken. Thanks for checking it out! I thought it might have information about some of the lesser known cockpits, esp the MIGs, that might not be normally available but were specifically researched for the simulator.

Russ

No, thank you Russ for posting that link!    It is always great to have more resources available!  I really appreciate it!

Ken

Gamera

Well, those are great sites guys!!! Bookmarked!!!

BTW didn't get much done, had a sorta rough weekend

'NO I DIDN'T SAY NOTHING ABOUT STAR TREK BEING BETTER THAN STAR WARS- NOTHING I TELL YOU!!!!'

That is way too funny Cliff!   

Ken

Hi Everyone!

I realized that it has been a while since I posted any pictures of my progress.  It is slow and tedious but here is how it looks so far.

In this first picture I have it all stuffed together and held together with rubber bands.  This is what I do to find where I need to file, sand, or cut next:

You can see there is still a small gap there in the top front.  That is what I am currently working on getting rid of.

 In this next picture you can see the avionics bay.  You can see how it is sticking out towards the front.  I will be working on that next after I get the fuselage halves to meet.

 The next picture is from the bottom showing the front wheel bay:

 And now here is how it looks on the inside with the left side fuselage removed.  You can start to see how crowded it is.  Also take note of the sanding, filing, and cutting marks:

 This next picture shows the view from behind the cockpit.  You can see how it is flush up against the fuselage:

 And finally here is the view from the front of the cockpit.  Also note the cut into the avionics bay for the cockpit to fit into:

The sidewall of the cockpit is already paper thin.  When I hold it up to the light you can see right through it!

Ken 

Looking good, Ken! Man, you can't breath in one direction in there without exhaling in the other .

Russ

Thank you Russ!  That was funny!   

Ken

Thanks for the update Ken, I think you've spent more time on the forward fuselage than I usually spend on an entire plane. The detail is fantastic!

That's quite the effort there Ken. I'm sure the results are going to be worth it.

Still fooling around with all the detail bits. Repainted and added stretched sprue rod to those things-that-go-on-the-inside-of-the-avionics-bay-doors (I have no name for what ever they are) per the instructions. As always, waiting for the epoxy to harden. Also, added a couple of pieces of scrap decals to simulate the markings that were on the painted surfaces that I left stuck to the masking tape.

Some AGM-12B Bull-pup's for the outer stations.

I also created my epoxy lens for that clear light underneath. It's kind of hard to see in this photo.

Also, a drop of epoxy makes a lens for each side of the tail.

Thank goodness my eyes won't pick up some of the rough spots that this camera seems to pick up!

mikeymize

Thanks for the update Ken, I think you've spent more time on the forward fuselage than I usually spend on an entire plane. The detail is fantastic!

Thank you for the compliment Mike!

Ken

jimbot58

That's quite the effort there Ken. I'm sure the results are going to be worth it.

Still fooling around with all the detail bits. Repainted and added stretched sprue rod to those things-that-go-on-the-inside-of-the-avionics-bay-doors (I have no name for what ever they are) per the instructions. As always, waiting for the epoxy to harden. Also, added a couple of pieces of scrap decals to simulate the markings that were on the painted surfaces that I left stuck to the masking tape.

Some AGM-12B Bull-pup's for the outer stations.

I also created my epoxy lens for that clear light underneath. It's kind of hard to see in this photo.

Also, a drop of epoxy makes a lens for each side of the tail.

Thank goodness my eyes won't pick up some of the rough spots that this camera seems to pick up!

Fantastic work there Jim!  It looks like you recovered nicely on the photo-etch!  Those clear lenses look amazing!  And there is something about those bullpup missiles that I always did like.  I think they look really cool.

Ken

Ken: Wow, I tried what you're doing years ago and well, sometimes it's like trying to fit a 700lb woman into a size 3 dress. Great job - the end result will be well worth the sweat and frustration. BTW I'm assuming you'll be adding a little nose weight too- I'm guessing it can go into the radome.

Jim: Sharp work, really looking forward to you finishing and posting the photos of the whole plane for us to oh and ah over!

And oh btw the way: those things in the top photo that you don't have a name for - I think the term is doohicky. Though in some places I believe it's called a whatchamacallit...

Gamera

Ken: Wow, I tried what you're doing years ago and well, sometimes it's like trying to fit a 700lb woman into a size 3 dress. Great job - the end result will be well worth the sweat and frustration. BTW I'm assuming you'll be adding a little nose weight too- I'm guessing it can go into the radome.

Jim: Sharp work, really looking forward to you finishing and posting the photos of the whole plane for us to oh and ah over!

And oh btw the way: those things in the top photo that you don't have a name for - I think the term is doohicky. Though in some places I believe it's called a whatchamacallit...

Cliff you are way too funny! 

I am glad you brought up the issue about the weight!  I am actually installing the Verlinden F-4E Super Detail Set which includes the radar dish.  So the radome will be open.  I will have to add the weight in front of the cockpit.  That is if I need to.  The cockpit has a lot of weight by itself.  The instructions does not say anything about needing to add weight.  I will have to ask around to see if anybody knows if this kit needs weight in the nose or not.

Ken

Ken: Ahhhhhh didn't think about opening the radome, guess you have to stuff it where you can. I tried some years back to put an Aries cockpit into a Promodeler Me410 and gee, it did not want to fit, swear it was designed for a totally different kit. Finally I got it to fit after sanding the krap out of both of them!

Son Of Medicine Man

Cliff you are way too funny! 

I am glad you brought up the issue about the weight!  I am actually installing the Verlinden F-4E Super Detail Set which includes the radar dish.  So the radome will be open.  I will have to add the weight in front of the cockpit.  That is if I need to.  The cockpit has a lot of weight by itself.  The instructions does not say anything about needing to add weight.  I will have to ask around to see if anybody knows if this kit needs weight in the nose or not.

Ken

Hey, Ken,

I don't think your model will be tail heavy unless the exhaust ducts will add a lot of weight. I've built many F-4s and never had a problem. I believe it's because the main gear are well back of the center of gravity.

Russ

Gamera

Ken: Ahhhhhh didn't think about opening the radome, guess you have to stuff it where you can. I tried some years back to put an Aries cockpit into a Promodeler Me410 and gee, it did not want to fit, swear it was designed for a totally different kit. Finally I got it to fit after sanding the krap out of both of them!

Yes, I seem to always want to go overboard on doing anything!  Tonight I got the cockpit to finally fit enough that the fuselage halves now come together without a gap!  I started on making the avionics bay fit.  I will work on it some more tomorrow night.  I am really close now!

Ken

I think we must all be crazy with everything we go through doing this! Ken, it's going to be interesting to see your project once it's done!

I'm going to go technical on you guys here so I hope I don't lose any of you; Tonight I epoxied those thingamajigs to the insides of the avionics bay doors. I painted the doohickies I attached to the thingamajigs last night a dark grey, and there were a couple of PE parts that get attached to the ends of those doohickies that I can't believe I didn't loose! Another long whachamacallit from the PE set got added below the thingamajig on this door:

I also painted this doodad that goes into the bay on the right side. Of course this was after I dropped it onto the floor....TWICE!

There are a couple more PE parts that simulate electrical cables that attach to the doohickies I think best to tackle those once I attach the doors.

Maybe I can wrap this up within the week?! We shall see!

Jim

Striker8241

Hey, Ken,

I don't think your model will be tail heavy unless the exhaust ducts will add a lot of weight. I've built many F-4s and never had a problem. I believe it's because the main gear are well back of the center of gravity.

Russ

Thank you Russ, that is good to know!

Ken

Ah well, don't take that as gospel, Ken. I also trip over my own feet...  One thing you can use to add weight if necessary is small-diameter solder. You can coil it up and shape it to just about any recess, and even after you button up, you can drill a small hole and feed it inside.

Cheers,

Russ

jimbot58

I think we must all be crazy with everything we go through doing this! Ken, it's going to be interesting to see your project once it's done!

I'm going to go technical on you guys here so I hope I don't lose any of you; Tonight I epoxied those thingamajigs to the insides of the avionics bay doors. I painted the doohickies I attached to the thingamajigs last night a dark grey, and there were a couple of PE parts that get attached to the ends of those doohickies that I can't believe I didn't loose! Another long whachamacallit from the PE set got added below the thingamajig on this door:

I also painted this doodad that goes into the bay on the right side. Of course this was after I dropped it onto the floor....TWICE!

There are a couple more PE parts that simulate electrical cables that attach to the doohickies I think best to tackle those once I attach the doors.

Maybe I can wrap this up within the week?! We shall see!

Jim

Jim, that was just way too funny!  I laughed out loud! 

Seriously, great job once again.  A lot of fidely bits and pieces to add that great detail!

Ken

Striker8241

Ah well, don't take that as gospel, Ken. I also trip over my own feet...  One thing you can use to add weight if necessary is small-diameter solder. You can coil it up and shape it to just about any recess, and even after you button up, you can drill a small hole and feed it inside.

Cheers,

Russ

That is a great tip!  Thank you Russ!

Ken

My pleasure, bud. Just a small re-payment for the many tips you've given me .

Russ

That's awesome Jim, I see you even got the thingakabob in there too!

Russ: I like the idea about the solder, I may have to give that a try!

jimbot58

I'm going to go technical on you guys here so I hope I don't lose any of you; Tonight I epoxied those thingamajigs to the insides of the avionics bay doors. I painted the doohickies I attached to the thingamajigs last night a dark grey, and there were a couple of PE parts that get attached to the ends of those doohickies that I can't believe I didn't loose! Another long whachamacallit from the PE set got added below the thingamajig on this door:

I dunno....looks a whole lot like that dust-buster thang the missus keeps on the wall in the hall closet.

Now that you mentioned it, it does!

Ken

Gamera

Russ: I like the idea about the solder, I may have to give that a try!

pyrman64

jimbot58

I'm going to go technical on you guys here so I hope I don't lose any of you; Tonight I epoxied those thingamajigs to the insides of the avionics bay doors. I painted the doohickies I attached to the thingamajigs last night a dark grey, and there were a couple of PE parts that get attached to the ends of those doohickies that I can't believe I didn't loose! Another long whachamacallit from the PE set got added below the thingamajig on this door:

I dunno....looks a whole lot like that dust-buster thang the missus keeps on the wall in the hall closet.

Well, I guess we know how they clean up all those stray crumbs and cat hair......

jimbot58

 

Well, I guess we know how they clean up all those stray crumbs and cat hair......

That is funny!   

Ken

Getting busy under there!