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1/32 scale Mig 31 Firefox PP1

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  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:44 PM

kinda late getting this up but I finally had a chance to mold up my engine nozzel and inner burner can masters...you can see the mold underneath the first test castings of each, Overall, I'm very pleased with the final results on this particular detail of the plane. Enjoy Will

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:20 PM

Thanks gang,

I hope to get this pattern done and molded  by Wonderfest, totally missed last round for show and tell   :)...............

Will

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Singapore
Posted by albert_sy2 on Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:03 AM
beautiful model of a beautiful plane!
Groovy baby
  • Member since
    March 2004
Posted by ixtore on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 8:49 PM

Will,

Nice job on Firefox --- and very nice screensaver.

Richard

  • Member since
    October 2006
Posted by Plasticbender on Monday, December 18, 2006 6:20 PM
Impresive work and a magnificent model!!!!! PLEASE keep us posted in the progress of this project.
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Boyertown, PA, USA
Posted by Dubau on Monday, December 18, 2006 2:51 PM

WOW She's looking GOOD !

Bud 

" You've experienced a set back, and without set backs and learning how to fix them you'll never make the leap from kit builder to modeler "
  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Monday, December 18, 2006 10:56 AM

ok this post should catch everyone up to where I am currently with this build.

Again hope everyone enjoys the progress pics...it is a fun project and I really hate it when I have to set it aside.

Best,

William

this photo shows the fairing in of the main wing and fuselage interface. I wanted a seamless joint here. I used Evercoat Glazing putty here for the joint. It's a very fine filler that I actually can sand to a glass smooth finish if necessary.

Here's an overall view with the new wing tip fences in place. You can also see I've faired in the recesses for the vertical stabilizers to fit

These  next few photos will show the fuselage as it is today. The white and drak tan details you see on the leading edges of the wings are the "cooling" details, they have recessed detail as well. this pattern I cut in adhesive-backed viynl. The yellow viynl pieces  are masks for recessed areas.

and finally more photoetched details, this time the instrument panel both unassembled and assembled..hope you like it!

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Monday, December 18, 2006 10:25 AM

Here's and update with more pics!

Enjoy...

William

here's the Mitchell Gant (Eastwood) pilot figures for the replica sculpted by my friend, Masao. He really captured the likenes to Clint on these, espeically considering how small they are. The standing Clint actually looks just like the old movie poster, face and all.

Here's the Defense pod master pattern before chaffe...sp? "rocket launcher" barrels were added. there are several of these on the plane. two on the vertical stabilizers, two on the trailing edges of the trailing edge of the wings, and two on either side of the engine nozzel shrouds.

And here the barrels are installed...looks like the filming miniature now! this master was molded to save time of having to make 6.

This photo shows the overall rear of the plane, main fuselage. Here i've redone the drag/drone chute, the wing tip fences, the vertical stabilizer master, and the rear engine nozzel shrouds have at this point, been detailed and faired in as well. I will still need to add the two defense pods here.

 

I been  able to get certain details photoetched as per my patterns for the cockpit and various details of the plane... here you see a belly detail, the F.O.D. collectors, air brakes , wing brakes, and details for the cockpit, namely the glare protection shroud for the instrument panel as per the film miniature/full scale mockup. From left to right: main air brakes, FOD collectors top and bottom for the "air splitters"not sure what they are called",above them are the side plates to the glare shroud,to the right of those, the wing brakes. To the right of those is the belly detail, then below that the top of the glare shroud. to the right of that are the cockpit sill details and below that the main shroud master that gets bent to shape as you'll see in the next pic. there are some other  details that aren't mine. The gentleman wanted to use all space, so he did.

here are the flat pattern developed turkey feather nozzels masters before folding to proper shape. I've decided to make this a resin detail so there's no fowling up the specific bends to get the nozzels faceting correct.
I'm also utilizing several details from a Tamiya F4 C/D Phantom as this is the kind of aircraft they stripped for the Firefox gear and certain details, including the stripped MK 7 Martin Baker Ejection seat.

here's a close up of the patterns, can also see above the interior wall panels for the missle bays, and finished glare shroud for instrument panels, and the instrument panel accurate to film version.

This photo shows the Gant pilot in seat with various details. To this right of this is a close up of the details on the leading edge of wing for the plane. The part on top is the vertical stabilizer with defense pod attached.

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Monday, December 18, 2006 9:55 AM

Howdy gang,

I just noticed that FSM recognized my old Id here  as Sci Fi Replicator and not Sci Fi Propmaker...gets confusing for me but when i gave FSM my email address this is what they recognized, I'm sorry for the confusion, both names are mine.

these next photos show me changing the nose of the master as I wasn't satisfied with the faceting sharpness, getting this right totally changed the look of the plane...Looks right now, at least according to the filming miniature I based this entire project from.

Enjoy the pics!

William

these next pics show some refinements of the wing tips making sure they have the correct angle to the filming miniature.( They match)

Here are som photos while I was making the rear engine exhaust shrouds. The last photos will show the look of them once grafted to the main fuselage

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Monday, December 18, 2006 9:36 AM

ok here we go,

I guess I better start at the beginning, so I will show the master pattern builds from rough to as it is now to catch everyone that was or is watching this thread up to date.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by SCI-FI-REPLICATOR on Monday, December 18, 2006 9:04 AM

Howdy All,

First , let me apoligize for being away so long. I had a dream come true project come my way that I couldn't say no to. I got to be part of a team that restored the "original" 1954 filming miniature of the Nautilus used in Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. This monsterBig Smile [:D] is 11 ft long and almost entirely made of Brass. the end result made her look as she did in 1955 through 1966 , when she was displayed as part of the 20,000 Leagues Set walkthough at Disneyland  in California. here a pic  to show how she looks now

Anway, This is my favorite piece in the entire world, so to help restore her was a dream come true.

Ok. back to the Firefox, next post will start things off

Sincerely,

William

I see all the links mo longer work so this will be a few posts to "catch up"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 8:33 PM
These are the master patterns for the exhaust nozzel surrounds that the cast nozzels will drop into. These will glue right to the back of the master pattern and be molded in on the final tooling..last pics show the styrene strips attached and the shrouds set in place where they will become one with the fuselage
Enjoy da pics!
William






  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 5, 2005 1:02 AM
Clint Eastwood liked the design and since he was directing the movie, this is what he wanted. He who has the gold, makes the rules
William
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Singapore
Posted by albert_sy2 on Saturday, June 4, 2005 10:05 AM
Nice model! Offtopic: I don't know why the plane was designed this way by the filmmakers. For a plane that can supposedly fly at Mach7, it sure didn't look like it could! I read the novel first before I saw the movie back in the 80s, and I always imagined it look something like the SR-71.
Groovy baby
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 4, 2005 3:44 AM
Howdy, little update on progress
Carved out and puttied the master patterns for the engine nozzle surrounds. I just molded these up last night. I will be casting from the molds to make the final pieces which will be finalized in detail and permanently attached to the plane fuselage
Best,
William

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=503731
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 8:27 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Woody

It would be a real shame if the making of masters weren't shared here at FSM because it was misconstrued as self promotion. I say if your the guy who's sharing your work on masters with the forum then you are doing no wrong. If it shifts to talk about purchasing kits made from these masters, it needs to go to email. Please continue to share your talent and skill.


I agree with Woody wholeheartedly!

Sorry I misconstrued your posts as a promotion your product, William. I was primarily concerned that it might get yanked by the moderators, which would be a shame. Not only that, but I was seriously thinking about ordering one! I guess that's why I thought it was a promotion (cuz I was hooked!).

As Woody said, please continue to share your talent with us!

Oh, and thanks for clearing up the Propmaker/Replicator thing, too.
~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 5:46 AM
Orne,
Did i Really?

Man I'm sorry, geez , I hate to step on anyones toes, I apoligize profusely if I did.
Again I'm anxious to see how your model turns out. just think the Firefox is the wildest plane on film. :)

Woody, Sorry, but I didn't make it to Wonderfst, I really wanted to ,but didnt get the travel time necessary from work to make it there. Yes I've been showing the masters on this forum to show progress of the build..fun stuff, If I'm not hurting anything, then I will continue do do so, otherwise I'll stop.
Best,
William
  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Orne on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 4:02 AM
William, I suggest you take your own actions into consideration when, during late 2003, you posted links to your "studio-scale:" model directly in the Starship Modeler Forum thread I started to post pictures of my original MiG-31 model.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Third rock from the sun.
Posted by Woody on Monday, May 30, 2005 9:15 PM
It would be a real shame if the making of masters weren't shared here at FSM because it was misconstrued as self promotion. I say if your the guy who's sharing your work on masters with the forum then you are doing no wrong. If it shifts to talk about purchasing kits made from these masters, it needs to go to email. Please continue to share your talent and skill. I looked for your bird at Wonderfest but I didn't see it.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 30, 2005 8:46 PM
Hello Brian , yes it's me both times, I couldn't get my other name to work so I re resgistered....I also would like to apoligise for miss assumption of posting my fox as a kit available to all, this isnt the case , as I said earlier, I would entertain a private commission for a built up or kit if there was an interest, and to email me privately. I do humbly apologise if this is indeed a solicitation, this is not my sole intention what so ever.
What can I do to remedy this?? I think the damage is already done, if any???
Sincerely,
William
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Monday, May 30, 2005 2:03 PM
Great looking Firefoxes, guys!
I loved that film and always thought that was one of the coolest aircraft designs. You are all doing the design justice!

Question:
What's the difference between SCI-FI PROPMAKER and SCI-FI-REPLICATOR? William, are both those names you? Having a hard time telling from the posts, but it seems to be the same guy. No problem, but a little confusing.

One note: Although it's certainly not my place to mention this, it appears that both SCI-FI PROPMAKER/SCI-FI-REPLICATOR and Orne are promoting their own commercial products here, which is strictly against FSM policy.

Again, not my place as such to police the forums, but just thought I'd give you guys a heads-up in case the thread gets yanked by the powers-that-be. Actually, I'm kind of surprised it's gone three pages already!

All that aside, great work, guys! Thumbs Up [tup]
I'd definitely love to have an affordable Firefox in my collection.
~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 30, 2005 12:48 PM
Orne, it's great that you are doing a Firefox as well. They shouldn't and can't be compared to each other as I'm going for a different level of detail(waited a long time and collected tons of reference of the years) using mostly resin. Please have the courtesy not to Hijack my threads to announce your model throughout the net.
Best,
William
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 29, 2005 2:38 PM
well howdy Orne,
welcome aboard!
William
  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by Orne on Sunday, May 29, 2005 7:06 AM
Actually there's another MiG-31 kit available - William bought an earlier version of the kit - and I'm releasing a completely revised 1/32 scale MiG-31 Phase II kit June 14, 2005:

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/rebellioncreations.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=743

More photos of the pre-production prototype kit buildup in mid-paint, and parts-breakdown:

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/maydaymig31.msnw?Page=1

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/maydaymig31.msnw?Page=2

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/maydaymig31.msnw?Page=3

Note side-by-side comparison shots of the MiG kit alongside a Revell 1/32 scale F-15C Eagle. Photos of detail parts will be posted soon.

Phase II F-62C Valkyrie II kit options are being tooled as of this date.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 29, 2005 5:29 AM
this is the image that was used for reference to do the Gant standing sculpt, my firend Masao did the sculpts seen here...I think he did a great Job...yup it's the first Firefox with figures.
Enloy!
William



  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:43 AM
Hello,
thank you for the compliment..there are actually two other resin kits out. 1 by Planet X at 1/72 sale the other by Studio 2 at 1/48 scale trouble is ,neither of them are close to what was actually used on the screen.....I have both of them so I can say this is fact ,not speculation...too bad really
best,
William
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Monday, May 23, 2005 5:13 AM
I have heard of another resin model of this aircraft but this is very impressive!
Keep up the good work!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 4:27 AM
Hi all,
well I just updated the pics at the RPF forums site.
night before last, I spent removing all the gloss finish off the master. This will ease placement of the panel lines by mechanical pencil. Once it's all lined out I will shoot a coat of clear over the pattern and then begin the labor intensive task of scribing all these panel lines for the tool. Last night I went back and finalized the nose facets sharpening up the edges for this area. It is this area of the plane that is often missed shape and contour wise. anyway on to the hyperlinks

Enjoy!
William

http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck12s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck14s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck15s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck16s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck21s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck25s.jpg
http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/buck23s.jpg
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 11:54 PM
I'll be doing the casting on this as well.....It's what I do :) yes there will be a complete cockpit and clear glass(plastic)
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Third rock from the sun.
Posted by Woody on Saturday, May 14, 2005 11:14 PM
Great looking master! Who is doing the casting? Will there be a complete cockpit? Once again, she's a beauty.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
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