AIRCRAFT - Civil Aviation Group Build, 8/21/2004 to 12/21/2004

Hiya folks, sorry i have been absent for what seems like ages, here is a progress pic of the chipmunk i am modeling, it is the ex ETPS aircraft that was writen off during a take off accident whilst towing a glider when in civilian ownership, lots of work still to do, i have almost finished the glider but that is still packed away after the house move, i know the g/b has ended but i still want to get this one and a few other g/b's done, i try and stick to my word y'see


pics of what the real aircraft looks like now. (my copyright so use them as you wish, just credit me for em)







best regards.

Greg

Well, we're a month into the GB, how's the projects coming along?

I am finishing up a Revell 1/570th Titanic for my daughter (which was promised a year ago but put off), and then I'll be starting the Aero Commander and Staggerwing. I figured I'll have to do them both at the same time, or I won't have time to squeeze in the J-3 before the end date.

Sadly, Kevin has dropped out due to time and access constraints, but still looking forward to seeing his "140" when it comes to life, and hope to be seeing some of the others updates soon.

Take care,
Frank

Hi,

As requested, I have posted the technique in creating a convincing "speed-blur" for your model display base.... go to:

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26766

Take care,
Frank

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChemMan Still, I doubt the pilot's ability to grease it in. He seems distracted.

In fact, I was feeling so embolden when we returned to the airport, the two in the back got out and Lisa ask them to go in the office and see if they have a bathroom..... when they disappeared through the door, OUR door closed, I started Nine Zero Hotel back up, and Lisa got a complimentary ride because she was my 100th passenger.... ummmm... no, because every 3rd Saturday we give away one.... ummm... no, I did it because I thought we needed a little time to put our heads in the clouds before saying goodbye..... anyhow, I greased 'er in (no pun intended) extremely well when we returned from our excursion.... maybe it was due more to me being stupid and showing off a little...... distracted... indeed! [:0]

Thank you for your kind words and take good care.
Frank

Frank,

The blur effect really came out well indeed, as did the Cessna!! The whole project looks very realistic.

Still, I doubt the pilot's ability to grease it in. He seems distracted.

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChemMan Frank, Please post some pics of your speed blur effect on the numbers when you get it done. It sounds interesting and I'd like to see how it comes out, and maybe try it myself.

ChemMan, and all.....

Here's some pictures of the finished Cessna 172 Skyhawk display.... as I have said before, this was initially intended for the GB, but I cheated and started before the official start time, but here's the results.










And here's a real picture of old Niner Zero Hotel.


Enjoy....
Frank

Frank,

Please post some pics of your speed blur effect on the numbers when you get it done. It sounds interesting and I'd like to see how it comes out, and maybe try it myself.

QUOTE: Originally posted by roadkill_275 Frank, That is totally awesome. Have you had any problems with the plastic not accepting liquid cement? I got started on my Cherokee and started having parts drop off because the cement wasn't cementing. Is this just an isolated case or is there a problem with the plastic? Haven't had any problems with the other kits I'm working on, just this one.

Good morning Kevin,

Thanks! I put all the tiny details on yesterday; steps, tie-down rings, landing lights, fuel vent tube, etc etc, and as soon as my battery gets charged back up, I'll post some more pictures.

Honestly, I rarely use liquid cement. Many years ago I got some, and I must have had a kit with poor plastic because it done the same as you said, fell apart. Maybe I wasn't using it right, maybe it was the plastic, but I just never bothered with it anymore after that. Call me old fashioned, but the tube & toothpicks just work for me. (oh yeah, and a couple tubes of Super Glue for those stubborn pieces)

Take care,
Frank

Frank, That is totally awesome. Have you had any problems with the plastic not accepting liquid cement? I got started on my Cherokee and started having parts drop off because the cement wasn't cementing. Is this just an isolated case or is there a problem with the plastic? Haven't had any problems with the other kits I'm working on, just this one.

Greetings all,

Here's a collage of the way I'm mounting my Modelcraft C-172 Skyhawk. I originally had this thing included in the GB, but got in a hurry and started it before the official start date, so I thought I'd show my progress on it.

With "Speed Blur" affects added, it will appear to be about to touchdown "On the Numbers".



I'm hoping to get this done in the next couple days, and will post the results.

Take care,
Frank

"Clear Prop"

Frank

Kick the tires and light the fires, this build is a go!!

I found the Allouette very basic and it made me feel like I know what those early helos like the Bell 47 must have been like to fly in. kind of like sitting on a bench in a goldfish bowl flying through the air.

No I haven't checked with the helo forum but I think it will be pretty simple, just a few pieces of sheet styrene. I know what you mean about ebay, I finally got a 1/72 A26 Invader after several tries and have been trying to get a 1/72 MBB BO105 and a 1/72 Privateer, almost had the BO105 a couple of times but wasn't paying attention once and another just went beyond what I was willing to pay.

Sorry to hear about your hand, it must be quite annoying even without considering the lack of building.

I haven't abandoned this, honest. Natomac, sorry but the Gee Bee is an air racer and as such I can't allow it in the GB. Frank, Good to hear that someone is getting something done kit wise. I haven't been able to touch a model for two weeks now, I broke two fingers on my right hand and two bones in the palm. A little tip, DON'T drop a refrigerator into a trailer when your hand could get caught between it and the trailer side. Aaron, the Alouette looks good. Have you posted in the whirlybird forum yet? They'll be able to answer your question about the box and could probably give you tips on scratchbuilding it. While I have been inactive modelwise I have been hunting for kits on e-bay, found my 180 but keep getting outbid on it. Same story with my Beech D 17. Ah well, guess I'll keep trying.

That's cool, Aaron, we all need a few warm-up projects to get us in the right mood! The Allouette is a beautiful helicopter... can almost hear it's unique sound, thanks for the picture!

Take care,
Frank

Well I've started but to warm up I'm doing a Heller 1/72 Allouette 3, before jumping into the DC6. This particular aircraft was used by the US Forest Service's Kernville Helitack crew in Kernville , CA. This aircraft had its last season fighting fire in 2000 and was one of the last Allouettes flown by the US Forest Service, it was replaced by a Super 212 in 2001. I'm going to need to scratchbuild the large square filters? / oil coolers? that go on the side of the turbine since the Heller kit does not include them but other wise it will be mostly OOB.

Hi everyone, just stumbled across this GB and I was wondering if it's too late to join. I have a 1/48 Testors Gee Bee that's been sitting on the shelf for way too long, and this would give me a great reason to build it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChemMan As an aside, has anyone else ever tried to stick a pilot from one of the 1/48 military kits in the cockpit of a Minicraft GA model? Either the depicted military pilots are 6'9" and 290, or the Minicraft cockpits are smaller than 1/48.

I have used my drummel with a small grinding bit and worked away the the figures backside, from behind the knee's to just below the neck; this makes the figure look like they're sitting IN the seat, instead of of atop the cushion. Also, with a little work with the drummel, the oxygen mask can be skulpted into a halfway decent facial expression, and the helmet into a haircut or cap.

I've got a figure to use in the Clipped-Wing J-3 kit I'm doing for the GB, and he's going to have a straw hat, cover-alls, plaid shirt, and a beard! aka: Flying Farmer

Take care,
Frank

Well, I'm almost ready. I have had the Cherokee 140 kit for quite a while now, awaiting inspiration. All I have to do is dig out some pics of old N4124J when I owned her. I also have to go through my files and locate a decal sheet that has the common GA flight instruments on it.

As an aside, has anyone else ever tried to stick a pilot from one of the 1/48 military kits in the cockpit of a Minicraft GA model? Either the depicted military pilots are 6'9" and 290, or the Minicraft cockpits are smaller than 1/48.

Ready on this end, Kevin.

You can probably go ahead and remove the "Cessna Skyhawk" from my GB list, as temptation has caused me to be within a couple days finishing it now! I'll post some pictures when it's done for ya'll to see, but we'll just name the Bob Hoover diorama as it's replacement, cool?

Take care,
Frank

yep, i'm ready even if my modeling time is being totaly messed up with house / work and other stuff including a couple of 1/1 projects (jet provost restoration and my landrover that just got a new transmition and then its overdrive siezed up on me striping out an overdrive at the side of the road is NOT fun, belive me, i've had to do it, now the landrover is mobile again and it will only do 45mph flat out!!! about right for a diesel landie with no overdrive but not fast enough for long trips, and the jet provost is 75 miles away it'll take me almost two hours to get there.
best regards.
Greg

3 weeks to go, everybody about ready?

QUOTE: Originally posted by oldhooker Aaron: Then you'd be "69fj55"? That's cool, at least I know a real modeler's getting it! I was busy in the yard when the close time came, so it got around me. I built one back in the day, and remember it being very well detailed and an easy build (of course, they were all easy build's back then). Never got to be in a Mooney. A fellow down at the airport I hung out at had a grey and white Mark21, but it was private, so I grew up in the J-3 and Champ, with time later on in life in 150's & 172's, after the Army. Always loved seeing their silhouette against a blue sky! Yes, keep us updated when the project comes around. (in fact, why not make the Super 21 part of the GB?) Take care, Frank

Yep, that was me, I was asking my grandmother which Cessna's they had owned because I was thinking of building one for them, it was pretty clear that she would have liked a Mooney so just on a whim I typed in mooney when I was on ebay and caught that one right at the end. I may do it for the build but was planning to do it before the build starts. Either way I'll be sure to post some pics.

QUOTE: posted by roadkill_275 oldhooker, you have definately got your work cut out for you with that Aero-Commander.

I'd have to lengthen the wings a bit, scratch new engine/gear nacelles, new nose, and overhead transparencies.... in addition to scratching the interior (especially the cockpit / pilot with straw hat, etc) and vacuforming new clear pieces, as the kit supplied glass is WAY too thick! (might look good on an MU-2, but not the Commander. )

I've been on the trail of one of those kits for quite some time... paid more than I should have for it, but was determined to get it this time. That plane in 1/48 scale would be awesome!

Concerning the diorama; I found a picture of Bob doing a low pass in his Shrike, with smoke billowing from the top mounted exhaust, creating puffy contrails........ also conjuring up an idea:


.........you know, if someone were to mount the model to the inside of the clear display case on two lengths of coat-hanger wire, attached to the upper surface of the engines with a smaller piece of wire, then airbrushed and lined with whiffs of cotton to simulate smoke.... with a mildly blurred runway surface under him... it would appear the model would be in flight, within the case. [:0]

Hmmmmm...... have to think about that a little bit!

Take care,
Frank

Aaron:

Then you'd be "69fj55"?

That's cool, at least I know a real modeler's getting it! I was busy in the yard when the close time came, so it got around me. I built one back in the day, and remember it being very well detailed and an easy build (of course, they were all easy build's back then).

Never got to be in a Mooney. A fellow down at the airport I hung out at had a grey and white Mark21, but it was private, so I grew up in the J-3 and Champ, with time later on in life in 150's & 172's, after the Army. Always loved seeing their silhouette against a blue sky!

Yes, keep us updated when the project comes around. (in fact, why not make the Super 21 part of the GB?)

Take care,
Frank

oldhooker, you have definately got your work cut out for you with that Aero-Commander. That is a positively sickening shade of yellow!! Actually I'm jealous. Ah well, theres more on e-bay.

Welcome aboard ewc2003, yes the Bell will be fine.

ewc2003, I asked about helicopters and was told they are ok, this is what I was told

Q3: Yes helicopters are acceptable, except for the dedicated gunships like the AH-1 and AH-64. There are a lot of UH-1s' and Sikorsky S-76 (UH-60) out there. Look at the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico for good examples of these.

So I would think the 206 would be fine.

Oldhooker, sorry but I think I beat you out on that Mooney, I just got one off ebay yesterday. I'm going to build it for my grandfather as soon as I get some pics from my grandmother, he had a real one for many years. I'd be happy to fill in any details about the kit when I build it if it wouldn't be taken as rubbing salt in the wound.

Is this limited to only aircraft, or can we use helicopters as well.. I have an old Fujimi Bell 206 Jet Ranger, that I would like to modify to look like one of the helos used for the oil platforms out in the Gulf of Mexico... :)

QUOTE: Originally posted by roadkill_275 Could this possibly be an old RoG kit?

Don't know, but the mold looks much like the Hobbycraft version, obviously shared.

Speaking of E-Bay, I got the Aurora Aero Commander in the mail a couple days ago, and thought I'd show what's inside. Yes, I opened a sealed 1962 Aurora kit with the .59 cent price tag still on it.... can you beleive that?

http://gunsagogo.org/auroracommander.jpg

The thought of modifying it into a diorama of Bob Hoover's "Shrike", rolling down a runway on one main gear with the props stopped & feathered, finally got the best of me!


...... something like this.

(well, there goes another one in the "to do" stack!)

Take care,
Frank