airscale Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 oh, and the PE artwork is done 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I think I've worn out the word 'amazing', but there's still life left in it, so.....simply amazing modelling! Such an inspiration in scratch building 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I think I know now, why I stick to 1/72 I couldn't possibly do that level of detail, amazing work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 thanks chaps & evening folks ...on to todays bits and bobs.. ..the control column.. I got a few pics to work from and picked up on a few things.. the column itself is wider at the base with a sort of gradual flare, it is also quite curved and the grip itself has a fine ribbed texture that might be a bit challenging to reproduce.. the pic on the left is actually the column from N7654C.. ..to make the column itself I sketched a scale version so I knew the size / shape to work to and bent some rod over a flame to get the basic shape. Then I drizzled CA over the end to bulk out the bottom and then shaped it as near as I could to the true shape... ...for the pistol grip I set a bit of guitar string into another bit of rod and shaped & added detail - this was the only way I could think of to get regular even spacing... ...I gave it a little wash to try and show how it looks... ...added the linkage detail from brass etc and the main torque tube that goes under the seat... ..and assembled... ..and checked it all slots together as it needs to be assembled in situ through the cockpit aperture.. ..and in place... ..thats it for now - back soon TTFN Peter 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Simple as that, huh? You, Sir, are an inspiration! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTKC Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Simple as that, huh? You, Sir, are an inspiration! Agreed. I have been inspired to do something like this in the future. Far future, but the future nonetheless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 evening chaps just a little update as to be honest I haven't got very much done recently! ..the objective was to build the Rudder & Elevator trim control unit - it's this box with the wheel on it below... ..first up was the wheel itself - I cut a very thin slice from some brass tube of about 7mm diameter and added a plastic card flange to it. Then cut a three spoked bit of brass sheet and punched out a centre cap.. ..assembled the parts to make the trim wheel.. ...for the control body, I built the shapes onto a length of square stock - this serves as a useful handle until the time comes. The bits are just punched discs and brass sheet again - the forward knurled knob is made from airscale bits of PE... ..aded the part to the side wall and added the torque rods. To support the rods at the rear, I made a small brass sheet bracket - this can't really be seen once it's in place.. ..and here it is dry-fitted, waiting to be hidden by the seat so, one little bit in a few hours modelling - this build may take some time... TTFNPeter 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiton Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 This WiP that is something really fantastic !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 Thinking back almost 40 years to when I first joined up and was taught this stuff... Those torque rods may not be torque rods. I can't remember the name of it now, but, It's metal tubes with a flexible threaded metal rod inside. Turn this end and the other end turns. Also widely used for engine controls. Whatever, awesome modelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) I can't remember the name of it now, but, It's metal tubes with a flexible threaded metal rod inside. Turn this end and the other end turns. Also widely used for engine controls. Teleflex ? there was another one too but I can't remember the name of that *edited* Finally remembered - Bowden cables Edited February 6, 2015 by hendie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Yes, it was Teleflex. Still in use for steering control on speedboats. Bowden cable is the same as a bicycle brake cable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 ah - I learn something every day! thanks chaps ...the next part on the F7F bench is all the control rods underneath the throttle quadrant - they are helpfully picked out in different coulours on this restored bird... ..I made a shaft and many, many tiny cams & lever arms added some tube and banjo fittings for the rods that go upwards to the throttles - these parts were super-tiny and pretty tricky to assemble... ..also made up the control rods from albion alloy tubes - crimped & drilled the ends to take tiny rivet fasteners... ..after assembly I taped the unit to a square to get the control rods straight and make up a bracket to hold them later on... ..and eventually it was complete and ready for fitting... ..and fitted into place on the sidewall.. ..and another dry fit to make sure it doesn't foul anything and I can still get all the sub-assemblys in, and out of the cockpit opening... ..so thats it - about 50 parts in another little bit - at least at this rate in 11,756 days I will have finished... TTFNPeter 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwaterous Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 I can wait 32 years, this is good enough. But I think there are people who would like to see it completed sooner than that... K 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 ..so thats it - about 50 parts in another little bit - at least at this rate in 11,756 days I will have finished... TTFN Peter But just think of all the wonderful entertainment you're getting out of it! Excellent value for your money 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Stunning work as always Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatalbert Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Beautiful work,in a way it would be a shame to paint it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engineer66 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Outstanding work Airscale. A true lesson in model making! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 thanks chaps! woohoo! my custom Photo Etch just arrived and I have to say I think it is exquisite PPD just do amazing things - so in the spirit of the big reveal.... ..well packed as always... ...they helpfully did two copies - one in 8 thou and one in 6 thou brass... ..and the detail is fantastic... ..can't wait to get on with it now... TTFN Peter 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTKC Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) That is REALLY cool! I wish I had the skills to do what you are doing with this Tigercat. I guess with many years of practice... EDIT: Will you be painting her in in the USN scheme or as Tanker #18? If you chose the latter option, you could also make the tank, which could be made removable as that is how it is (was?) in real life, and would not have to fit perfectly... Edited February 7, 2015 by POTKC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Bloody brilliant, that's all I can say! Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Love the P.E mate, that will definitely pep up the cockpit area etc. Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 That is REALLY cool! I wish I had the skills to do what you are doing with this Tigercat. I guess with many years of practice... EDIT: Will you be painting her in in the USN scheme or as Tanker #18? If you chose the latter option, you could also make the tank, which could be made removable as that is how it is (was?) in real life, and would not have to fit perfectly... One day in a galaxy far, far away it will be painted as Tanker #63 N7654C operated by TBM Inc, though it won't have a fire retardant tank as I think they spoil the aircraft's lines... the pics I have show it without a tank (and without one in sight) so at least I don't have to build one! so, now I needed to make the throttle quadrant - it's a bunch of complex handles & levers and took some time to mentally dis-assemble into components I could try & recreate... ..there are the two main throttles at the top with their 'bullet' like handles, and then a number of other controls (I can't profess to know what they are...).. ..I cut a thin strip of brass to start making up the two lower handles and put a bit of plastic rod in my new dremel to turn the ball-like handles.. ...I made up the others and cut out the first few of the body panels from the PE I had made... ..and started making the first section - the main rod serves as the base for everything else to orient to.. ..working through the levers... ..also made the throttles by turning some tube in the dremel again.. ..the second section only has one canted lever and a different kind of handle... ...during assembly - using rods to keep alignment... ..and the finished part - again, a full day's effort at the bench... ..I think I will paint it next as I have had trouble in the past trying to get in all the crevices - I might try the uschi blackening agent I have to turn brass black, but I have never managed to get it to stay on very well.. ..once painted I can think about hooking it up to it's connector rods etc.. TTFN Peter 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 That is a damn fine bit of scratch building Peter. Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caerbannog Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Nuts!!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 again, a full day's effort at the bench... A day well spent. Excellent work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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