David A Collins Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 (edited) I have added the instrument panel combing and Gun-sight, and re-shaped the front of the cockpit cut-out slightly to accept the windscreen vac-form better. Combing made from plastic card. Gun-sight taken from an unbuilt Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk24. . by hornet project Here are the parts dry-fitted for clarity. . by hornet project Note the vertical line scribed onto the vertical face of the wing root. This is the front spar datum, and all dimensions fore and aft should be made from this line. . by hornet project Combing and Gun-site fitted and painted. . by hornet project . by hornet project . by hornet project . by hornet project Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniele0865 Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Very interesting. I'm learning a lot about this beautyful aircraft. Keep on this good woork. Thank you David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbeach84 Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Yes, thanks for sharing your project & research, sir! Regards, Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) This is the de-icer tank added to the nose armour plate. This has been scratch built from sprue. . by hornet project Also for the fuselage, here is a guide as to which surface lines and detail to keep, and which to fill and sand smooth (highlighted in yellow ovals). Classic Airframes have added four vertical fuselage bands that are not actually there on the real aircraft. It is a misinterpretation of hidden detail on an original drawing. The real fuselage is very smooth as it is fabric covered wood. The only visible detail is the diagonal intersection either side of the nose denoting the side armour plate. There is also a round canopy release button just to the right of the windscreen, and the raised detail canopy rail. While under the belly you should keep the main access door panel lines. 2 by hornet project Fill the groove rear of the tail wheel cut out. There is no evidence of it on the original tail cone drawings. A dark area can be seen here on some old photo's but this is spray thrown up during landing/take off. 3 by hornet project Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidy Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 This thread is awesome. It will be an invaluable reference for Hornet builders everywhere, David. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Note the vertical line scribed onto the vertical face of the wing root. This is the front spar datum, and all dimensions fore and aft should be made from this line. Very useful and great work David. Could you give a measurement from leading edge for this vertical line, given it's importance for other dimensions. thank you Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Hi Troy,The root chord on the CA kit measures 77mm. The front spar datum line should be marked 21mm back from the leading edge, to put it in the best nominal position for this kit. Please note that any dimensions I quote in this thread are relevant to the Classic Airframes kit only. The other two kits still available in this scale (Trumpeter and Dynavector) have different relative dimensions so any taken from this build won't necessarily be correct for modifying them. I will post a few images showing some key dimensions soon.Thank you all for following this. Edited July 20, 2015 by David A Collins 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) This is the AN/APS-4/ASH (AI Mk. XV) radar installation for the Sea Hornet Night Fighter. IMAG1420 by hornet project I have created this assembly by modifying the existing resin radar part. I filed it round, but you may wish to turn a new part on a lathe, or find a suitable diameter part from another kit. BEWARE! Do not sand or file these resin parts without using an appropriate filter mask over your nose and mouth. The dust should not be inhaled. seahornetpreviewse_resin by hornet project Second step was to make its support frame. The two grey arched parts were cut from an unused bomb casing. The struts are unused braces from other kits. I have also filed two grooves around the radar housing itself to represent the joints between the front and rear parts. DSCN9073_1 by hornet project Here are a couple of views showing the finished installation. . by hornet project . by hornet project . by hornet project  Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 Colours for the radar are Humbrol matt 148 (radome tan) and matt 120 for the support frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) I have made a few more parts for the Radar frame and rear observers position. First the radar support structure is now complete. There is just a wiring harness to add from the middle upper part of the radar, to the left hand middle connector on the front bulkhead. For this I will use some thin gauge wire. . by hornet project Next, are some finishing details for the rear cockpit. In the following image I have left them unpainted for clarity. The head pad is fitted. The folded seat pan is on the far right, next to its image in the manual. . by hornet project The observers seat, has been assembled in its folded position. This was made from a spare seat base, and some smaller parts from the scrap box. I have also added the observers head pad, located on the front of the blister canopy opening. This was sanded from a small piece of sprue. . by hornet project  Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) Here are a few extra details to add to the fuselage. I have pencilled-in some additional surface detail that should be added: Canopy release button. Domed end of the fuselage tie-rods located at bulkhead 2 on both sides of the fuselage. Port fuel filler caps. Forward aerial attachment point. Upper Nav. light. Reinforcement blocks ahead of the observers canopy. b by hornet project d by hornet project a by hornet project I have added a radar scope to the rear of the bubble canopy cut-out. This was made from the hollow tip of a 1/72 red top missile! The reinforcement blocks are shown prior to sanding. They appear on all of the last Sea Hornets in service. c_1 by hornet project Also added at this stage is the arrestor hook and the position for the three downward identification lamps. Â Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 A most informative update, thanks. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) Thanks for following. This is the belly door. If building an NF.21 with the door open, you will need to fill the large diameter hole in the separate kit part and add some detail to the inside. I have filled the hole with a piece of white plastic card, and marked the centre of the smaller aperture that should be there. On this mark, there is a drift sight mounted to the inside of the door, and it is the lens of this that can be seen on the outside (not a camera or window). Just below the rectangular drift sight can be see the locking handle. I have made both of these parts from sprue off-cuts. . by hornet project . by hornet project Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 (edited) Just a small update today. From a second Classic Airframes Sea Hornet kit that I intend making into an F20 or PR22, I have been able to get this spare second NF21 resin nose cone. Because I'm displaying this model with some fairings removed, to I'd like to show these parts on the ground next to it. For this radar shroud, if you run an 8.5mm drill down the exact centre of the part, you end up with a "hollow" fairing. Alternatively, if you can vac-form this shape then make a copy. This will be painted aluminium on its inner surfaces and the beige-green and sea grey on the outside. Also shown is the belly door, now painted in the dark grey Humbrol Matt 32, with the drift sight chart painted white and the door handle painted yellow. In this view can also be seen the small green block just to the right of the aluminium de-icer fluid tank. This is the electrical junction box for the radar wiring. . by hornet project Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier for 1/48 scale aircraft ground equipment used by the Fleet Air Arm in the 50's, or photo's I could scratch build from? I'm looking for a towing arm for the tail wheel, and trestles upon which ground crew sat or stood to reach higher parts of aircraft to service. Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier for 1/48 scale aircraft ground equipment used by the Fleet Air Arm in the 50's, or photo's I could scratch build from? I'm looking for a towing arm for the tail wheel, and trestles upon which ground crew sat or stood to reach higher parts of aircraft to service. Some of the Flightpath range maybe of use? https://www.djparkins.com/home.php?cat=277 A couple of other sets that might be of use? ICM do a set of RAF ground crew which has some ladders and tables etc. http://modelingmadness.com/scott/misc/figures/icm/48081p.htm Also as part of this set are some very handy pieces of ground support gear. A work table, oxygen or acetylene bottles, a tail stand, jerry can and ladder. Tamiya do a German tank crew maintenance set which has some useful looking parts as well http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/32547field_maintenance/index.htm HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Hi Troy, Many thanks. These are really useful links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Here is the finished and painted nose fairing. Detail that required adding to the kit part were the two small air scoops, either side of the radar. Noteworthy, is the aluminium ring at the front. On new aircraft this was painted the same colour as the rest of the airframe, but with use over time and wear due to the adding and removal of the aperture cover when the radar was not fitted, this paint would become worn away. Also, visible in the image below is the canopy release button on the starboard side of the cockpit. The centre button of which would be yellow. Nose fairing by hornet project Edited May 30, 2019 by David A Collins 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidy Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Enjoying the progress so far. If only you had done this two years ago, I wouldn't have given my dynavector kit away 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Enjoying the progress so far. If only you had done this two years ago, I wouldn't have given my dynavector kit away Sorry to hear that, but I hope this thread is the catalyst for you to get hold of another one! :-) Thanks for following progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidy Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I still have the Dynavector F3 stashed away, David. I'm sure there's a lot that I can learn here that will be helpful when I start building it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 I still have the Dynavector F3 stashed away, David. I'm sure there's a lot that I can learn here that will be helpful when I start building it. Hi Aidy, I intend doing a thread for the RAF versions as well in the future: F1, F3, and F4 as there are differences. I have an idea this will include the aircraft being re-armed, so the gun acces doors will be open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) So to recap on the NF21. The fuselage is pretty much complete now and ready for the wings. The nav/id lamps and transparencies will be added after painting. The wings will need the following mods: - Fill/sand selected surface lines on the top surface. - Cutting out the wing lower skin to make the undercarriage bay correctly. - Add detailed side walls to this enlarged u/c bay. - Investigate if engine fire wall requires changes or not? - Investigate if undercarriage legs need changes or not? - Make resin V1650 Merlin engine and convert to a 130 series. - Make the engine bearers. - Add detail to the bulkhead. - Cutaway one set of engine cowlings to show the Merlin fitted within. - On same side, remove the radiator cover fairing to expose the radiator and support frame below. I will probably do all of this engine work on the port side, as this has the standard length Merlin so should match the V1650 better. Edited August 1, 2015 by David A Collins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Hi David I don't know if this would be of use, and perhaps you already know about this, but Aires resin do a pair of Mosquito engines, with bearers and firewalls, I don't know how similar the Hornet is to the Mosquito in this area. the instructions are here. http://www.model-making.eu/products/Mosquito-FB-Mk.-VI-MF-Mk.-II-engine-set-TAM.html I thought some did an Aftermarket radiator panel, but not finding it, maybe be confused by this chap's build http://hsfeatures.com/mosquitofbvish_1.htm And, again, no idea if Mosquito parts would be of use. Excellent detail and additions, very informative. cheers Troy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Collins Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Thanks Troy, I will investigate these parts. I know for sure though, that the Hornet engine mounts are much narrower than the Mosquitos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonC Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 The 100 series Merlin installation in the Hornet had many changes to reduce the frontal area, so I doubt the Aires set would be usable without a great deal of modification. It's been a while since I've perused it, but from memory the RR Heritage Trust book (HS19) on the 100 series Merlins had some useful drawings. http://www.rolls-royce.com/about/our-story/the-rolls-royce-heritage-trust/publications.aspx#historical Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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