Floats and Boats: Amphibious Aircraft Group Build

And here is where I am at this morning. I just filled the pinholes and gaps around the wake guard.  Then the plane gets another bath, mask everything up and its off to the paintshop for priming.  The plastic is so soft that even 900 grit sandpaper shows horrible scratches, so I'm using a filler primer, then wet sand, then plan to re-scribe the whole plane.

Fill, sand, wash, check, and repeat.........

Then the installation of the horizontal stabs.  I had to drill holes and then install pins.

Hey Crown, coming along well on the PBY.  Well, time for my weekly update, here are some pics of what has transpired. First, the results of installing the wing and front windscreen. Man, that was a painful process.  I thought I had everything lined up and would not have to use much filler.  In the end, it just wasn't meant to be without scratchbuilding a whole new front part of the plane. 

CRN7 - 

Looking great sir, alot of nice detail on the pit. 

ok the seats are in a little black wash maybe the pilot and co pilot section

Those pics make the PBM look like it is similar in size the the B-17. Nice looking work thus far.

BK

up date on my PBM-5 cockpit not much detail but i can see why its going to get lost in the twilight zone

BrandonD - 

Yes friend, I am lucky to have such a wonderful wife. I never got upset or mad over it. Because as you stated it's just a plastic plane...that's all.

Oh, man, I'm sorry to hear about that, Hunter. Sounds like a tough break on a model that was really shaping up nicely. That said, I agree with the others -- it's just a kit, and having a wife who thinks about you and cares enough to buy you something for your hobby to surprise you with is worth far more than all the plastic planes you can accumulate.

Looking forward to seeing more of the Cessna.

-BD-

crown r n7

man you guy's eyes,working on 1/72 little float planes  most impressive still working on pbm-5 cockpit hurts my eyes zinc yellow and interior green yuck. sorry to hear on the albatross shelf it for another time.

 

Thanks CRN7 - 

I plan on going back to it after I complete this plus 2 other GB's. I am going to try and fix it or if I can't I'll keep all the parts that weren't damaged and save them.

goldhammer

 

 

modelcrazy

Hunter, 

At 1/72 that has got to be a wee little thing. Looks like a fun quick build and one that will allow you to concentrate on the water scene. 

 

 

 

 

I thought it was too, and another look at the box says 1/48.  Still almost too small for my hooks.  The biggest difference is more resin needed now..........

 

Will be fun to see as Hunter's skills are progressing rapidily.

 

Steve and GH - 

Just notice Steve's original post about the scale. Yeah it's a 1/48th scale Cessna. I do have a AirFix 1/72 scale kit that I am waiting to build. I agree with you Steve, 1/72 scale is very small. I just back from Hobby Lobby where I purchased the items needed to do the water dio. I am looking forward to that stage of my build.

BrandonK

Toshi, great finish. I LOVE IT !! Which pic do you want on the front page?

Hunter, I am looking forward to the new kit. It looks pretty cool.

BK

 

Toshi

1/48 is a world of diffrence then.

modelcrazy

Hunter, 

At 1/72 that has got to be a wee little thing. Looks like a fun quick build and one that will allow you to concentrate on the water scene. 

 

I thought it was too, and another look at the box says 1/48.  Still almost too small for my hooks.  The biggest difference is more resin needed now..........

Will be fun to see as Hunter's skills are progressing rapidily.

Jack,  I got to put that kit on my bucket list.  It looks like you are having a lot of fun with it.  I know we are enjoying the build.

Scott

Wow Jack, those floats are nearly scratch built now. Man, I can't wait to see this assembled and in paint.

BK

man you guy's eyes,working on 1/72 little float planes  most impressive still working on pbm-5 cockpit hurts my eyes zinc yellow and interior green yuck. sorry to hear on the albatross shelf it for another time.

Jack - 

Sir you have some very serious scratch building skills...Thank you for posting such a greatly detailed and informative build. I have enjoyed watching you work.

scottrc

Hunter, sorry for the Albatross, I had that happen a few times and my response has been that it just gives me an excuse to keep on building.  Hmmm, I am having evil thoughts of placing this Goose in a spot where it might meet a demise with a purse or crazy house cat.

Hey Scott - 

LMHO!!....I could be evil and milk it for everything it is worth(LOL). I couldn't do it though, the guilt would eat me alive. Great idea my friend. I'm sorry to hear that you have to fight this build the whole time. Good luck with it buddy.

Toshi, a fine job representing that big amphib.   It certainly is huge, isn't it - only room I would have for display is hanging from a ceiling.

Hunter, that is unfortuneate about the accident, but these things happen.  Good on you for keeping cool about it.

Scott, hang in there bud.  It's crazy the stuff we sometimes put ourselves through.

-----------------------
Thank you BrandonK, Bish, and Hunter.

Since the floats required some putty work, I decided to go ahead and fix their shape.  They look like they needed a bit deeper curve at the forward bottom end when compared to this side profile line drawing:

To ensure they receive equal treatment, the pair were taped together.  After careful study, three points were found as appropriate area for 'fattening up'.  The 0.5mm rods were glued straight across both, and once dry, separated with a sharp knife.

A narrow strip of sheet plastic (just slightly wider than the floats themselves), was glued in place.  I started from the rear and moved forwards, allowing some dry time at each new curved point.  The front and back ends also received some sheet plastic to fix the steps created from the uneven fit.  Followed up with some carving of excess plastic and a little sanding.  Then it was time to go nutz with the putty ....

regards,

Jack

Well GB friends, this project is about ready to make me go insane.  The clear front windscreen, which is a two part assembly, is about 1/8" TOO DAMN SMALL  overall and the wing won't fit. I spent all week triming, sanding, filing, filling, and sanding and the kit is now sorta resembling a Goose.  Now to figure out where to trim to get the wing assembly to fit without having to do a bunch of filling.  Oh, and as I type this, the glue is outgassing and fogging the clear wind screen.  I must have used too much.

Hunter, sorry for the Albatross, I had that happen a few times and my response has been that it just gives me an excuse to keep on building.  Hmmm, I am having evil thoughts of placing this Goose in a spot where it might meet a demise with a purse or crazy house cat.

Toshi, you are really making some beautiful aircraft. I am glad you are in this GB.  It was a pleasure building along side with you. 

Well, back onto the Goose.  Wish me luck, I'm about to cook it!

 Scott

Toshi, great finish. I LOVE IT !! Which pic do you want on the front page?

Hunter, I am looking forward to the new kit. It looks pretty cool.

BK

Hunter, 

At 1/72 that has got to be a wee little thing. Looks like a fun quick build and one that will allow you to concentrate on the water scene. 

Hunter

Hello Toshi,

Thank you buddy. Your Catalina turned out great! I really like the paint job. You the man Toshi 

 

Toshi

Bish

Toshi, great job on the Cat.

Hunter, ooooooooooooo, that not good. But your a better man than me. If that was me, my other half would not hear the last of it for months, or at least until she bought me at least one kit.

But i am just evil that way.

 

Hello fella's,

Well I got the Albatross mess cleaned up and out of the way for now. I have got my second entry out and just finished cleaning and priming the spurs. I am going to let them cure over night before assembling it. I have deceided to set this build in a "Backcountry" setting diorama.

This is a MiniCraft 1/48th Cessna SkyHawk 172. This is going to ba a straight forward build. This will allow me time to work on my very first diorama. I have been lucky enough to gain alot of tips and information from Steve (Modelcrazy) on how to layout and construct a water base for my idea. Thank you very much Steve for all of your time, tips and suggestions. I really appreciate the time you took to provide me with all of that.

Here is the kit itself.....

As you can see....pretty easy and straight forward kit.

BISH - Don't make me unleash it! LOL 

plasticjunkie

Hunter

Sorry to hear about this. Hey mierda happens sometimes so on to the next.

Sometimes one tries to help and disasters happen without a warning. I could just imagine how bad Mrs. Hunter felt. She meant well and was trying to do a nice deed for you. That poor lady Deserves another hug! 

I suggest salvaging what you can and start on another.

 

 

Thanks PJ,

I have already gone through and got the pieces that I could use on another build for spare parts. The fusilage is pretty wrecked(lol)

Hunter

 

Bish

Toshi, great job on the Cat.

Hunter, ooooooooooooo, that not good. But your a better man than me. If that was me, my other half would not hear the last of it for months, or at least until she bought me at least one kit.

But i am just evil that way.

 

 

 

 

My man Bish, I can always count on you for a great laugh. 

 

 

One day, then you will see my real Dark Side.