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1/48 North American N.A.16-4M / ASJA/SAAB Sk 14


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Now when most of the hangover from the 08-Open contest here in Sweden is over it's time to start something new.

And for some unexplained reason I got a sudden urge to start cutting up resin bits. confused.pngsuspect.gifkopfschuettel.gificon_scratch.png .

So, obviously I pulled out the 1/48 Belcher Bits North American BT-9 kit from the stash to make a SweAF Sk 14 Trainer. Not often you see this plane get built in any scale.

A preview of what's in the box can be found here.

This is what you get to start with, resin parts from Belcher Bits. Plus you get a complete occidental Harvard kit, of which not much will be used.

Sk14-001_zps1e6awjes.jpg

Sk14-002_zpsy5jzpwco.jpg

On top of that I shelled out for a replacement engine from Engines & Things, plus I got some help to make new wheels for the Sk 14, as the for the type so charismatic balloon tires where not included.

As a fact, I decided to start this build with the engine installation, as I suspect it will require quite a bit of work.

These are the bits involved.
Engine & Things Wright R-975 Whirlwind engine
Sk14-003_zpsahvl06bz.jpg

Sk14-004_zpszgqpw3y8.jpg

And the Belcher Bits parts
Sk14-005_zpsdwscbieg.jpg

Hmm...It's going to require a bit of TLC to get this puppy to fit.
Sk14-006_zpsbkyrd6es.jpg

Well, we're of the starting blocks, hope to get the steam up on this one.

/Johan

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I began the proceedings with sanding away as much as I dared from the inside of the engine cowling

Sk14-009_zpsyfnsxpir.jpg

I also enlarged the forward opening and drilled out the hole for the exhaust.

Sk14-010_zpss0jdy4xd.jpg

After that the rear part of the cowling got its treatment.
As can be seen it has four bulges/air outlets on the sides. But from all references I've seen there should only be two on the left side
Sk14-011_zpsi2wisfns.jpg

So, the bulges on the right side where sanded away and the resulting holes squared off.
Sk14-012_zps8yqt7gpo.jpg

Which where filled with evergreen plastic strips.
Sk14-013_zpsao3ly2ra.jpg

After that the molded on engine was cut off. A few swipes with a saw and it's history.
Sk14-014_zpsg48nlbic.jpg

The rear ring was then drilled and thinned out much like the forward part.
Sk14-015_zpsilnditjx.jpg

Sk14-016_zpstvwuafe7.jpg

After that it was a small matter of marrying the two parts together
Sk14-017_zpscysobuin.jpg

Sk14-018_zps5in2ylyl.jpg

stay tuned

/Johan

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To get the engine to fit some modifications to the engine itself was necessary.

Just to simply sand down the cylinder heads would probebly be enough, but I think to much of the engine will be seen so that wouldn't look very good.

So I cut off all the cylinders instead and sanded away at the bottom of each cylinder.

Sk14-019_zpsmeijrhkk.jpg

With all cylinders sanded and re-attached the engine gets a somewhat compact appearance, but that will have to do.

Sk14-020_zps3sfbaasn.jpg

Now it fits. :D
Sk14-021_zpsvh2fdxef.jpg

Sk14-022_zps2wnqkwgz.jpg

Looks a bit better than what Belcher Bits gives you.

/Johan

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Need to make a engine mount for the new engine.

Started with forming a plastic rod round a suitable sized handle.

Sk14-023_zpsktvgpokh.jpg

On which I mounted four mounting rods
Sk14-024_zpsiltnpmda.jpg

A rather significant amount of resin was chucked away from the forward fuselage section. After that the mounting points for the engine was measured and drilled out.
Sk14-025_zpsy0bs7yz8.jpg

Seems to fit rather nice
Sk14-026_zpsygbvf99i.jpg

And the forward distance was aligned
Sk14-027_zps2ii5sbcf.jpg

All adjustments was done together with the engine and engine cover to get all the distances right between all the components involved. Not an easy task at all times.

When I finally thought I had got it close enough I glued on mounting stops and cross members for added support.
Sk14-028_zpsmiumlqtv.jpg

Sk14-029_zpsbc8souio.jpg

And with the engine loosely in place
Sk14-030_zpsjjrmr2kp.jpg

Sk14-031_zpsdlccuagj.jpg

/Johan

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