Smudge Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I just got my AZ X-3, so this is interesting. I have to agree with some of the comments. My first impressions on opening the box were that it is not up to the standard of some of their other recent releases. I did notice on the box that this is labeled 'Limited Run Technology' so that may explain a few things. A disappointment for me is the representation of the small 'slit' intake just ahead of the main intakes, this is just a raised lip, and for me will need opening up. Also, the instructions have some nice colour reference photo's, one of which clearly shows an extended ducted exhaust vent above the exhaust nozzles, but this is not represented in the kit, so I would have to scratch build that. Interestingly, in the video clip posted above by Dimiter this is much shorter, so must have been modified later in the X-3's career. On 23/01/2019 at 13:37, Dimiter said: Also, gentlemen, does anyone know the right type of ejection seat used on X-3? Definitely not the one included in the kit, I am afraid... I'm not sure if the X-3 actually had an ejection seat. The seat was lowered through a hatch in the underside, the pilot sat on it and was raised up into the cockpit, and the hatch was secured from the outside. Goodness knows how he was ever getting out in an emergency, which in the X-3 I believe there were quite a few. I think the kit seat is probably passable, but stand to be corrected on this point. Anyhow, nice work so far, and this should look really cool. On 24/01/2019 at 04:53, hsr said: And the holes for the stabilizer are way off too. but that is relatively simple to fix What do you think may be the issue here, hsr? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Some pictures that I hope you won't mind me sharing. http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/howard_mason3/x-3_stiletto/index.php?Page=1 Cheers. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimiter Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 And some more period photos as well http://rocketumbl.tumblr.com/post/129160664370/amp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimiter Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 35 minutes ago, Smudge said: I'm not sure if the X-3 actually had an ejection seat. The seat was lowered through a hatch in the underside, the pilot sat on it and was raised up into the cockpit, and the hatch was secured from the outside. Goodness knows how he was ever getting out in an emergency, which in the X-3 I believe there were quite a few. I think the kit seat is probably passable, but stand to be corrected on this point. Actually there was an ejection seat, but it was fired downwards through a hatch bellow the seat, in a way probably similar to the ejection sequence in the first 40 (or so) early F-104A Starfighters. However, the type of seat used on X-3 is a mystery 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 37 minutes ago, Smudge said: On 1/23/2019 at 11:53 PM, hsr said: And the holes for the stabilizer are way off too. but that is relatively simple to fix What do you think may be the issue here, hsr? It is just the asymmetry between the right and left side. They are not mirror images. The bend in the tail between the upper and lower halves where the stabilizer goes is higher on the right side then the left. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 29 minutes ago, Smudge said: Some pictures that I hope you won't mind me sharing. Please do. It is good to share and any additional documentation is welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 45 minutes ago, Smudge said: A disappointment for me is the representation of the small 'slit' intake just ahead of the main intakes, this is just a raised lip, and for me will need opening up. I noticed that, but fixing it is above my skill level ☹️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimiter Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, hsr said: I noticed that, but fixing it is above my skill level ☹️ May be to try carefully with a scriber? First to mark a groove and than slowly to deepen it... This is how I think to fight it 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 I was thinking of emulating it with a black decal stripe. I'll think about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 On 1/25/2019 at 10:15 AM, Dimiter said: May be to try carefully with a scriber? First to mark a groove and than slowly to deepen it... Actually turned out to be a lot easier then I thought. Just scraped along the base of the ramp with the back of a #11 blade. And I only stabbed myself in the thumb once. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 That looks good. Quite an effective method. I was thinking about replacing the whole thing with a piece of plastic card, or maybe drilling a line of holes with a very small drill bit and cutting out the slot. But scribing out a groove seems to produce a convincing intake. Nice work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Here's a photo of the seat. It was also an elevator: 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 3 minutes ago, Space Ranger said: Here's a photo of the seat. It was also an elevator: 4 hours ago, Smudge said: Goodness knows how he was ever getting out in an emergency, Looks like there is an emergency release handle on the hatch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Lots of cockpit and seat pix here: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195754/douglas-x-3-stiletto/ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Some declassified film footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXR9ufcNcAM 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 So major construction is complete! Not that there isn't still work to go, but all the main pieces are attached However looking at this picture I realized that the left right asymmetry expends to the canopy, even though it is a single piece , so I am going to have to redo the masking. Also on my punch list is to adjust the landing gear so it sits level and clean up the stabilizer. But I have suffered enough today and that will wait until tomorrow 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Space Ranger said: Lots of cockpit and seat pix here: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195754/douglas-x-3-stiletto/ Great pictures. That Museum looks fantastic. Hope one day I can get to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 5 hours ago, hsr said: Actually turned out to be a lot easier then I thought Where there's a will there's a way. Your efforts are bearing fruit and the side profiles are looking good. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 This kit looks like my definition of unbuildable, which is s shame as the subject is quite enticing. AW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Agreed. I am only still working on it because I am too stubborn to give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Kudos for tackling the intake problem. Everything else will seem easy next to that...! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Primed I am guessing it will probably require at least one more iteration of sanding and priming, but I think it looks pretty good . I won't bore you with the iterations so I'll be back when there is something more interesting to look at. I do want to thank all of you for inspiring me so far to make something better then I would have by myself. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Received my kit today, Considering how nice it looks in the box, those asymmetries are perplexing. It's almost as if different drawings were used for the fuselage halves. I hope the folks at AZmodel are following this and learning from it. I'll have to pull my Maintrack Project-X vacform kit out of storage for comparison. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsr Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, Space Ranger said: It's almost as if different drawings were used for the fuselage halves. I have 2 of them, (don't ask why) and they both have the same asymmetries. I was thinking different people worked on each half. Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrongway_joe Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 On 1/23/2019 at 8:37 AM, Dimiter said: Also, gentlemen, does anyone knows the right type of ejection seat used on X-3? Definitely not the one included in the kit, I am afraid... I took these pics at the Air Force Museum when they had the ejection seat lowered for maintenance. More X-3 pics are at https://daytonipms.org/x-3 Keith 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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