Army_Air_Force Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 (edited) At the back end of last year, I was contacted by a friend who was interested in a couple of Broussard models. After a quick search, I found there were no current Broussard kits available and because he wanted a couple of models, the most logical option was to scratch build a master model, then moulds and resin cast parts. After a chance viewing of a thread here on BM, I found out that there were other people who might be interested in the Broussard too. I guess they'll have to wait and see how this turns out!!! It's quite some time since I scratch built something at this size. I'm more used to scratch building between 1/6 and 1/3 scales! I've just finished a project, and another is nearing completion, so I'm just about in a position to start working on "Bruce", the affectionate name for the Real Aeroplane Company Broussard that I'm using as reference. I have some drawings and photos of the aircraft, but I'm planning a research trip to the aircraft in two weeks time for further measurements and photographs. I should be in a position to make a start on the master parts soon after that visit. The model will be about 7.5 inches wingspan and about 4.7 inches long. Here's a few pictures of the subject aircraft that I was lucky enough to have a flight in last year. @RidgeRunner @Wez @stevehnz @Colin1967 @fightersweep Edited October 23, 2020 by Army_Air_Force 14 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 I'm still up for one, mate! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Great photos, I'm still keen on this too. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Let's sit down and watch!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Woohoo! I'm onboard for this one! And yes! I'm still signed up for a Broussard. (Commited as I've bought the decals!) Looking forward to following the progress on "Bruce". Best regards; Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I'm still interested but not at any price (sorry but that's the way it is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 This should prove fascinating. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 6, 2018 Author Share Posted February 6, 2018 I'm making the master patterns at my own cost. The kit of parts will be resin cost plus some labour time to cast the parts, but I know people won't pay hundreds!!! ;-) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 6, 2018 Author Share Posted February 6, 2018 3 minutes ago, TheBaron said: This should prove fascinating. Tony Or I'll be documenting my slide into insanity!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 (edited) I'm off to Breighton this weekend, or at least one day of the weekend with my camera and survey equipment all ready! It's going to be a busy day. Edited October 23, 2020 by Army_Air_Force 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Good luck with that! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 That slide into insanity, I'll see you down there And we won't be there on our own either Do you mind if I whip in and out, I have no interest personally in Bruce but am always aboard for a decent scratch build Go on go on go on, it'll be fun 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 I had a very busy 5 hour research trip at Breighton Aerodrome today. I came away with lots of measurements and just over 300 reference photos of the 'Bruce'. Because I was working in the dull hangar, I shot everything in RAW format, so it's going to take a while to adjust and save each image to bring out the details to their best advantage. But I have lots of data to work with now, so it shouldn't be too long before I make a start on the patterns. I'll post up one or two reference photos later and can make them all available to anyone wanting to do a Broussard in the future. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Judging by your survey gear and shooting RAW this is going to demonstrate a significant level of fidelity to the original Stephen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 (edited) Here's just four of the 304 images taken today. Edited October 23, 2020 by Army_Air_Force 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 The excitement level is rising :) Martin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Woohoo! You have my full attention Sir! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Love the way how you do your research, this should be an interesting job! You will be followed!!! Cheers, Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) I'm very close to making a start. I'm just working my way through the photos and measurements taken at the weekend to finalise the size of the 3-view drawing I'll use for templates. I'm much more practiced in scratch building hollow models at a slightly bigger size such as my 1/6 scale R/C B-17G seen below, but I did spend a couple of years working for a company that did a lot of prototyping for the MOD, building 1/16 and 1/35th military vehicle models and 1/100 and 1/200 warship models. I usually ended up with the job of making the helicopters, landing craft and deck vehicles which were all styrene and acrylic masters which were then moulded and resin copies made. I'll be making the master patterns from 'modelboard' resin blocks - the green lump below! Scratch building should be moderately easy. All I have to do is cut and sand off anything that isn't Broussard shaped. What I'm left with will be a Broussard! How hard can it be?? Edited October 23, 2020 by Army_Air_Force 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 33 minutes ago, Army_Air_Force said: I'm very close to making a start. I'm just working my way through the photos and measurements taken at the weekend to finalise the size of the 3-view drawing I'll use for templates. I'm much more practiced in scratch building hollow models at a slightly bigger size such as my 1/6 scale R/C B-17G seen below, but I did spend a couple of years working for a company that did a lot of prototyping for the MOD, building 1/16 and 1/35th military vehicle models and 1/100 and 1/200 warship models. I usually ended up with the job of making the helicopters, landing craft and deck vehicles which were all styrene and acrylic masters which were then moulded and resin copies made. I'll be making the master patterns from 'modelboard' resin blocks - the green lump below! Scratch building should be moderately easy. All I have to do is cut and sand off anything that isn't Broussard shaped. What I'm left with will be a Broussard! How hard can it be?? I was just thinking "I know that name from RCMF"... now I'm sure of it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 hour ago, Army_Air_Force said: I'll be making the master patterns from 'modelboard' resin blocks - the green lump below! Scratch building should be moderately easy. All I have to do is cut and sand off anything that isn't Broussard shaped. What I'm left with will be a Broussard! How hard can it be?? I built a couple of Merlin "kits" (Fokker DI and DII) along those principles, and that wasn't supposed to be a scratchbuild! This should be fun to watch! Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Just caught up with this thread and I'm thoroughly engrossed already it will be fascinating to watch the process unfold from inception to finished model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Stephen, Great work so far. Wez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 I've spent the evening comparing the measurements I took with a tape, and those from the rules in the photos, with the positions of items on the 3-view I had. The 3-view isn't 100% accurate, though close-ish. So I'm now using my data to create a more accurate 3-view to use as my main reference for the model. Perhaps I'm going a bit overboard with some things, as a 3 inch measuring error on the full size, is only a 1mm error on the model, but if I start out with a drawing that is out by a millimetre or two, and my building accuracy is slightly out too, the errors will soon add up. This will hopefully mean my outline and angles will be right. Time will tell!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gondor44 Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 On 18/02/2018 at 10:38 PM, Army_Air_Force said: Here's just four of the 304 images taken today. Only 304 !! Gondor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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