Frog/Novo Airspeed Oxford - Finished

[AdrianMF]

Another one on the table:

 

The biggest problem with this is the canopy, which is nothing like an Oxford. The problem is caused partly by the upper fuselage, which should be much more arched. So I need a fix for that:

 

Also, the propellers are too small (and one of mine is broken) and the wing chord is too narrow. I’m hoping to scavenge or make some new propellers, and I will be inserting some 10 thou card to get the wing to a better chord.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

 

[Rabbit Leader]

Watching this one for sure Adrian. I was contemplating building one of these for the Frog GB (need to source one first) so will watch to see what magic you weave on this build. 

 

Cheers and best of luck.. Dave 

[zebra]

Good choice Adrian. I'll be following to see how you deal with those shape issues. Good luck with the build!

[AdrianMF]

I did some research today and found some plans that were posted here on Britmodeller.

 

Ive built a new canopy master that matches the higher roof profile and has the more streamlined and curved appearance of the real thing:

 

The nose is a bit small (Envoy-like indeed, which makes me wonder if a militarised Envoy got into their references) so I’ve made a new windscreen sill as a prelude to Milliputting.

 

And here’s a closeup of the whole horror of canopy mastering:

I have taken the same approach as Frog in including the fuselage section behind the canopy in the transparency. This allows me to build up the roof line any way I want, because you can’t see inside the roof that far back.

 

Oh, and the wings:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

 

[AdrianMF]

Cockpit floored and lined, canopy blank filled with balsa and outlined with a sharpie prior to Milliput:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

It’s at this point in canopy making where you think “Why do I bother?”:

 

Meanwhile I have added the over-wing step:

 

That’s it for the weekend because I’m about to drive up North for a funeral tomorrow.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

 

[AdrianMF]

Now sanded down:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

So I had a go with the hi-tech vacform equipment  

 

Top row, l-r:

* went all bubbly just as it went soft

* too bulgy, folded over

* went white

Bottom row, l-r:

* didn’t hunker down on the right hand side

* pretty good

* perfect! (I hope)

 

And here is the good one test fitted:

It should blend in pretty well if I put a strip for it to sit on. What you can’t see from the photo is that it’s 2-3mm higher than the existing roof line.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

 

[Col.]

You certainly don't pick the simple kits to work with Adrian but that makes for far more interesting models and progress  

[Grandboof]

Awesome work 

Martin H

[AdrianMF]

Cockpit time:

 

I am using the Frog seats because early Oxfords at least seemed to have the rounded seats with just lap belts. I will put something big black and boxy next to the back window to represent the radio but otherwise I’m done inside.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[Rabbit Leader]

My lord Adrian, you certainly know you way with plastic strip and card. That cockpit looks amazing!!

 

Who needs AM resin and PE when you can build all that from scratch? 

 

Cheers.. Dave  

[AdrianMF]

All painted up:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[Col.]

Comprehensive work in there Adrian

[stevehnz]

The work on the cockpit is really super, once again I'm in awe of your interior work.

Steve.

[AdrianMF]

31 minutes ago, stevehnz said:

interior work

Thanks all - it’s my favourite bit of modelling.

 

The canopy has been dunked in Future, cleaned off because it went runny, and dunked again, letting it drain off better this time:

 

And I’ve started to fix the wings. I intend to scribe the ailerons so I can get the narrower top and wider bottom:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

A bit more progress tonight. I made some four spoke wheels to replace the horrible kit ones, starting with the slightly-too-small-for-a-Blenheim wheels from the MPM Blenheim, slices of torpedo tail from the old Airfix Sea King and some plastic card. They will look OK with paint:

 

I also made a simple wheel well lining and somewhere for the undercarriage to hang off before gluing the wings together:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

I promised something black and boxy for the radio:

 

And I’ve extended the cowlings and wing fillets too:

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

Milliput has been deployed in large quantities:

 

This pack must be over four years old. I have nearly finished it and I’m hoping my next one is a bit softer.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[exdraken]

Excellent build!

Your cockpit work is astonishing!!

[AdrianMF]

Well that was quite a lot of sanding...

 

I’m happy with the wings and nose, but there’s still the wing roots and the weird diagonal join to fill, and a distinct rectangular belly section which needs a sheet of card adding (edit: oh, and the raised roof!). Then it can be back to kit assembly. Sadly I’m away for a week starting Saturday, so this is going away for a bit.

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[Col.]

Excellent progress again Adrian. A lot of work but the end result will be worthwhile.

[AdrianMF]

Back again. Out with the Milliput:

My Milliput is very old (bought at ModelZone waaay before it closed down) and hard. A quick squeeze of a pack bought some four years later resulted in the last half-inch of the current pack heading for the bin. Fingers crossed the old stuff is fine to sand when dried, but it is very difficult to apply and shape ( as you can see!)

 

Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[AdrianMF]

Lots of filing and sanding later...

 

Scribing and a bit of primer tomorrow.

 

 Thanks for looking,

Adrian

[Col.]

Hope the crumbly old Milliput sands down smoothly for you Adrian.