Jb65rams Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I have been looking forward to this GB. My entry is the Bell YFM-1 Airacuda, a 'fighter cruiser' that first flew in September 1937. Not a success with only 13 production aircraft being built. Not sure I would have fancied being the gunner sitting in front of the engine. The gunners cockpit reportedly filled with smoke when the 37mm cannon was fired. A search of youtube produced a short film of the Airacuda in action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatbaldbloke Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 What a wonderfully bizarre looking machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Great choice of subject (and the video was cool too!) Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Best of luck on this one, Sir. It is an aircraft of very striking appearance. May I suggest foil for the bare metal finish? I first came upon this aircraft as a kid reading Mr. Seversky's odd 'Victory Through Airpower' tome in our school library. He thought it the precursor of the interceptor fighter of the future.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 A good looking a/c but a flawed design...never mind the gunners cockpit filling with smoke - how on earth would they bail out with a bloody great prop behind them? Looking forward to you tackling this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Not sure about a foil finish, planning to use Alclad. I have been doing some dry fitting, it doesn't. The engine nacelles to the wings will need a lot of work. So with a break from convention I decided to start with the nacelles, it being easier to fill & sand before the wings are attached to the fuselage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 As a break from filling and sanding I fitted a small wing spar to strengthen the wing joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Looks like a good idea to break the usual order here,Sir. I recommended foil not just because I love the stuff, but because it does not require quite the mirror-level finish the various 'metallizers' seem to. But whatever finish you choose, I am really looking forward to seeing your further work on this. You are off to a good and thoughtful start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Thanks to a wet weekend I was able to make some progress. Doesn't show up in the photo, but I had to use a lot of filler. Tail planes have been drilled and pinned to strengthen the joint. Wings added. Something about this reminds me of Buck Rodgers, from the old B&W TV series. The undercarriage looks like being a week link, going to look at how I can strengthen them next. Just want a break from filling and sanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Wings added. Something about this reminds me of Buck Rodgers, from the old B&W TV series. Have to a agree! It's great to see it taking shape - a weird and wonderful machine Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Shaping up nicely, Sir! A treat to see.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 What a weird craft. Looks like a bit of a pig to build, rather you than me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 Think I am till going to be filling and sanding this, this time next year. Done a bit of work on the cockpit. Think the seat belts provided are a bit over scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Times running out but I am still hopeful of finishing on time.It sat on the side for a while as I was I needed a rest from filling and sanding. This weekend I was finally ready to give the NMF ago. I used Alclad Gloss Black Base finished with Polished Aluminium. As this was only my second attempt using Alclad I am happy with the finish, the first was an unmitigated disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 A bit more progress. Think it will be finished in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 That Alcad finish looks great on its own, and even better when contrasting with those strong decal colours Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Looking very nice, Sir. Glad to see this one coming together so well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted December 9, 2012 Author Share Posted December 9, 2012 Finished. More photos in gallery. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Brilliant (in every sense!) Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMChladek Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 That looks INCREDIBLE! Gotta lover what Alclad has done for our hobby as the finish here looks properly good (not to shiny, not too dull). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkennerley Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 very nice i think i will have to do this version as well as the one i have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Brought her home very nicely, Sir! Great work. Tough kit to get such a smooth finish on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 That's an absolute beauty - love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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