Fulcrum Guy Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 As I wait for hopefully what will be my next big bird, I figured give a crack at a scale that I'm not anywhere near used to doing. I got this as a going-away present from my shop at Mildenhall (rather than the bog-standard cricket bat everyone gets) and now that I feel a little bit more able, I'm going to attempt to tackle this beastie. I'm also going to take a page from @clive_t for the bare metal, but instead of using plumber's tape, I'm thinking what would be better than something used on actual aircraft? And so, on the suggestion of a coworker, I'll be coating her in what we call in the maintenance world "speed tape!" 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 This sounds interesting, I'm looking forward to seeing how 'speed tape' measures up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolay Polyakov Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 I’m in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 9 hours ago, clive_t said: This sounds interesting, I'm looking forward to seeing how 'speed tape' measures up! Not half!! Go for it @Fulcrum Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egi vandor Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 I'm going to build this kit too, so i will look carefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 And, I just bought the YB-35, so I too will be watching carefully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 Little update: now that the boss isn't as sick today, I figured I'd get a bit of spraying done. I give you guys that do small scale credit, the detail is so minute! As is standard, I started with the front office, using Alclad Duralumin for the main colour, picking out the boxes with Model Master Aircraft Interior Black, and hand painting the seat cushions in Mig red: Also, based on reviews that I've read from those who came before, I ignored the instructions and attached the outer wing halves to the main body parts. The reasoning behind this is if the inner portions are closed up first, then outer wings are attached, there will be a very noticeable step between the two sections. Attaching this way allows me to mold the wing sections to each other better, and create a (relatively) seamless transition. The lower section does allow for a block to be added for additional structural support, but I'm still going to be adding wide strip styrene to act as longerons. Fair word of warning to those who either are building this or plan to: she's a big girl! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 Latest update: the front and rear offices are done. I'm hoping that, should she have gone into production, the interior would have gotten some sort of paint job, at the very least an anti-reflective coating, because all that bare metal is bright! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 That interior looks so 50's sci-fi! (Yes I know it was built in '47....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Wow, that is big! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 (edited) I always liked the Northrop wings since I saw the film "The wing will fly". Impressive build of an impressive aircraft! Cheers / André Edited May 6, 2019 by Andre B 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egi vandor Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 8 hours ago, Andre B said: I always liked the Northrop wings since I saw the film "The wing will fly". Impressive build of an impressive aircraft! Cheers / André I watched it too, and interior seemed green to me. So i used Interior Green to paint cockpit of my YB-49. Anyway, almost nothing will be seen on ready model. YB-49 may be seen in 1953 movie The War of the Worlds: https://ok.ru/video/37985979049 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 6, 2019 Author Share Posted May 6, 2019 The cockpit and rear position are in the plane, and she's sealed up, shame that all that detail that was surprisingly included for such a small scale will go unnoticed due to the small canopy. I also decided to go with a "what-if" scenario, and made her a full production bird, including white landing gear and wheel wells 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 Last night I jumped in and tested my Speed Tape theory on one of the flap assemblies, and, whaddayaknow, it's a viable option! Feeling pretty accomplished, I proceeded to cut the panel lines, so each bit of foil represents an actual panel. Once the flap was done (save the forward wraparound edge, that'll take a long thin bit that I unfortunately don't have) I moved on to the main structure, and I think it looks pretty darn neat for my first go at foiling As per usual, questions, comments and gripes are all welcome! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 That looks pretty good to me. Is it possible to get hold of this speed tape commercially? Also, how easy is it to iron out wrinkles etc? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 @clive_t It is a commercially available product, and not TOO badly priced (did a quick search on Amazon US and found a 2.5in x 60yd roll for around $27.) It's called 1581A by 3M. Biggest problem with it is that there's red stencilling all over the foil face indicating that it's the cold weater product, thereby cutting down the usable area. The other option is vastly more cost-prohibitive, which is 3M 425 tape. As for smoothing, I'm sure you're already aware that the key is to take it slow. However, should any kinks pop up, like they do if you pull up the tape to reallign it, I found that running the back of my fingernail softly over the surface flattens it out nicely. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Thanks for that, very interesting. Re the red stencilling, would it be possible to remove with a fine grade abrasive? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 I'm not sure, but I think the stencilling is under the lacquer coat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) Quick little update, the real flightline has been busy, so haven't had much time to devote to my "therapy." The panelling continues, @clive_t for the 1581A tape, the markings are over the lacquer coat, so with a sheet of kitchen roll and a bit of elbow grease they'll come off leaving the bare metal. Also, for those building along and attempting this technique, the panel lines molded in are pretty shallow, so further scribing is required to get the foil to "catch" for the panel lines. Edited May 20, 2019 by Fulcrum Guy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Looking good so far! One of the things I found when foiling the Airfix MiG was that the foil, when sanded, seemed to effectively 'close up' the pre-moulded panel lines. They were still visible, but less obviously so - which I think was a happy accident! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 I think I'm going along the same lines (No pun intended) with giving each panel a good polish with kitchen roll after I'm happy with placement and cutting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Looking good so far. This stuff is self-adhesive isn't it? I'd suggest you get an old dog of a kit out of the stash... everybody has one! And practice various methods of finish. Worn out emery boards, steel wool, metal polish. On a test piece you can "test to destruction" if necessary, whereas on a valued model you have to go cautious. I know this isn't a rivety type of airframe, but for future you might want to look out for a dressmakers pattern wheel. Just run it along a straightedge 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f111guru Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Late as usual. Grabbing a seat in the back. I've both kits when they were shipped as AMT-ERTL many many years ago. Great start and progress. Ron VanDerwarker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 7 minutes ago, rob Lyttle said: Looking good so far. This stuff is self-adhesive isn't it? I'd suggest you get an old dog of a kit out of the stash... everybody has one! And practice various methods of finish. Worn out emery boards, steel wool, metal polish. On a test piece you can "test to destruction" if necessary, whereas on a valued model you have to go cautious. Thanks, since this isn't really my scale, this one IS the testbed, mainly to see if I have the skill and patience to attempt foiling. The foil is self-service, but any peel up "oops" can be smoothed out. I will definitely keep an eye out for those pattern wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulcrum Guy Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 4 minutes ago, f111guru said: Late as usual. Grabbing a seat in the back. I've both kits when they were shipped as AMT-ERTL many many years ago. Great start and progress. Ron VanDerwarker Funny you should say that, the runners are still marked with the AMT/ERTL logo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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