Toryu Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 With the P-26 Peashooter finished here I decided to develop the subject of golden age fighters a little further before returning to more conventional models. After all, my last biplane build had been 20 years ago. I selected a Classic Airframes P-12E from the stash and chose a nice unpretentious aircraft serving with the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field during 1935. However, taking a closer look, it appeared not to be an 'E' version, and after investigating for a couple of hours I concluded that it was a YP-12K, probably serial no. 32-46 or 32-50. The 'K' was a development of the P-12E, of which seven were converted and service-tested, driven by a P&W SR-1340-17 with G2 fuel injection. As such it possessed several special features which obviously are not included in the kit. Luckily a sufficient number of pictures could be found that showed the differences. There is an air scoop between # 2 and 3 cylinders with a duct along the starboard front, an external oil cooler on the port side, exhaust manifolds, no carburettor feeder box under the nose (exposing the fuel pump), and - on this particular plane - bomb racks under the wings and a square opening cut into the starboard side panel to make room for a tank (additional oil or experimental water injection?). But these were not the only complications. The Classic Airframes product has a number of shortcomings like inaccurate strut dimensions, lacking relevant parts and very soft plastic. On the upside, it offers good surface representation (rib rendering and panel lines) and a set of resin parts (tail wheel/skid, cockpit, engine), which is a bit bizarre in view of other missing details. I bought the only available aftermarket items - a Vector R-1340 (better fit) and the very recommendable CMK upgrade set (instrument panel, control surfaces and wheels, with the larger F4B hubs to be removed!). All other modifications were scratch-built, which was fun. Less fun, though, was straightening and fixing the warped upper wing on the weak struts. Thanks to the rigging the whole assembly became very robust at last. The project has now come to a satisfactory end. I'm happy that I persevered and hope it was worth the effort. Michael References The Boeing P-12E, Profile Publications No.2, Peter M. Bowers, Leatherhead Boeing P-12, F4B, Aero Series No.5, Edward T. Maloney, Fallbrook, 1966 P-12 / F4B in Action, Aircraft Number 141, Larry Davis, Squadron Signal Publications, Carrollton, 1993 The Official Monogram US Army Air Service & Air Corps Aircraft Color Guide Vol.1, Robert D. Archer, Sturbridge, 1995 Wings of Stars - US Army Air Corps 1919-1941, On Target Special No.6, Peter Freeman and Mike Starner, Arlington, 2009 https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/p-12/p-12_all.shtml http://axis-and-allies-paintworks.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?12967 Act 2: The F4B - now parked here. 61 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinback Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Proper job ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Great looking model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 You've made a superb job of that! Very well researched as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Looks great! Love "between the wars" aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 On 30/03/2019 at 14:10, Hobo said: Looks great! Love "between the wars" aircraft. On 30/03/2019 at 08:08, Vinnie said: You've made a superb job of that! Very well researched as well. Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, researching my subjects is an obsession, the more difficult the more exciting. I just wonder how many more models I would have built without investing the extra time... 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stromness Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) The dreaded „German Accuracy“? 😉 In this case it has lead to an excellent model! I don‘t really know what to praise more, the plane or the presentation. I see a lot of artistic subtlety in both.👏 You truly honored these cool machines with your build - after all they were cutting edge for their time. Edited June 6, 2019 by Stromness 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadMax8 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Very good work. One has a difficult time telling the real plane from the kit in your first two photos! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Brilliant job on that Michael, both of them come to think of it. Really nice work(s) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Bravo! Another gem! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Hello Michael ! Great Boeing, you did great !! A wonder out of a not so easy kit !! I have that same one in my stash ! I bought it to transform it into an F4B-4, but then I found an F4B-4... Congrats !! Sincerely. CC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvi Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 Nice work and good preview of what I have in store for my build. But it will be nice next to the Peashooter! Steve, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 17 hours ago, Corvi said: good preview of what I have in store for my build Thanks for your comment and for retrieving my model from the graveyard of Britmodeller posts 😀. In my original post I had included a survey of changes I added to the Classic Airframes kit, which I'd like to share here if it helps. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigomar Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Pre war yellow wings beauty ! I remember having done that kit a long time ago, and some suffering! Cheers! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Beautiful work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 I say that you recreated this subject perfectly. Very nicely done. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcello Rosa Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 "The project has now come to a satisfactory end" A strong candidate for understatement of the year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 What a wonderful presentation of a modified yellow wings biplane. The conversions you did seem planned and fit with the kit and painting yellow wings is always a fun experience in itself. Well done. Thanks for sharing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B. Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 HI, I am discovering your presentation late, just now... I have to say I really like it. Very nice effort. Really enjoy 2 initial photographs and I had to guess what it was. Colored and B/W versions of the same photograph and therefore actual aircraft twice ?? model twice ?? Until I found out some background details differ. Skilfull modeling and shooting. Best Eric B. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 I must have missed this first-time round, but what a result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bissyboat Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Stunning build. ⚓🙌 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newvall Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Very nice built, I'm fond of golden age planes. Congratulation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthViper Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 On 29/03/2019 at 14:55, Toryu said: With the P-26 Peashooter finished here I decided to develop the subject of golden age fighters a little further before returning to more conventional models. After all, my last biplane build had been 20 years ago. I selected a Classic Airframes P-12E from the stash and chose a nice unpretentious aircraft serving with the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field during 1935. However, taking a closer look, it appeared not to be an 'E' version, and after investigating for a couple of hours I concluded that it was a YP-12K, probably serial no. 32-46 or 32-50. The 'K' was a development of the P-12E, of which seven were converted and service-tested, driven by a P&W SR-1340-17 with G2 fuel injection. As such it possessed several special features which obviously are not included in the kit. Luckily a sufficient number of pictures could be found that showed the differences. There is an air scoop between # 2 and 3 cylinders with a duct along the starboard front, an external oil cooler on the port side, exhaust manifolds, no carburettor feeder box under the nose (exposing the fuel pump), and - on this particular plane - bomb racks under the wings and a square opening cut into the starboard side panel to make room for a tank (additional oil or experimental water injection?). But these were not the only complications. The Classic Airframes product has a number of shortcomings like inaccurate strut dimensions, lacking relevant parts and very soft plastic. On the upside, it offers good surface representation (rib rendering and panel lines) and a set of resin parts (tail wheel/skid, cockpit, engine), which is a bit bizarre in view of other missing details. I bought the only available aftermarket items - a Vector R-1340 (better fit) and the very recommendable CMK upgrade set (instrument panel, control surfaces and wheels, with the larger F4B hubs to be removed!). All other modifications were scratch-built, which was fun. Less fun, though, was straightening and fixing the warped upper wing on the weak struts. Thanks to the rigging the whole assembly became very robust at last. The project has now come to a satisfactory end. I'm happy that I persevered and hope it was worth the effort. Michael References The Boeing P-12E, Profile Publications No.2, Peter M. Bowers, Leatherhead Boeing P-12, F4B, Aero Series No.5, Edward T. Maloney, Fallbrook, 1966 P-12 / F4B in Action, Aircraft Number 141, Larry Davis, Squadron Signal Publications, Carrollton, 1993 The Official Monogram US Army Air Service & Air Corps Aircraft Color Guide Vol.1, Robert D. Archer, Sturbridge, 1995 Wings of Stars - US Army Air Corps 1919-1941, On Target Special No.6, Peter Freeman and Mike Starner, Arlington, 2009 https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/p-12/p-12_all.shtml http://axis-and-allies-paintworks.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?12967 Act 2: The F4B - now parked here. what a paramount wonderful fine work, search, efforts. Also excellent article with precise pictures and library references . I do believe you have made a perfect modelling article here teaching, explaining, showing about an subject. Congratulations SouthViper from Brazil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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