mike romeo Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 So, after a bit of procrastination, I have decided to submit the really old and basic - but shape accurate - FROG bubbletop Typhoon, F389. I have had in mind to do a full updating of this kit for a while. However, this build will only go so far, as I want to mount this on the skybase that cane with the kit. I did a bit of Dremel work on the chin radiator, thinning the plastic, removing the exit flap and opening up the exit slot. Thus to facilitate the fitting of the Heller radiator bath and mounting. The mounting plate has had a piece of thickish plastic card glued aft of the bath, as it was too thin to fit previously. This has also been bent down a bit to flush fit the opening. And here's the extent of progress on the fuse. I will add the Heller cockpit floor on to a piece of card I have strategically positioned. You can also see the base for building up the rear of the cockpit flush with the rear fuse. Finally, the major outline annoyance for me was the bulbous blunt spinner. This is being replaced with the Academy 3-blade spinner which, although better shaped is, if anything, a bit small. I had to open up the openings a bit to fit the FROG prop blades. So, that's where we are. More in due course. Regards Marti 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Great stuff Marti Always good to see am extra Build joining the GB, stops @Rabbit Leader aka Dave getting complacent when it comes to maintaining the build list ! cheers Pat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Nice to see this one getting a bit of TLC Martin,built one a couple of years ago it had the spinning prop in the box. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, JOCKNEY said: Great stuff Marti Always good to see am extra Build joining the GB, stops @Rabbit Leader aka Dave getting complacent when it comes to maintaining the build list ! cheers Pat On to it Pat, however I'd better do a little bit of the 'day job' first, can't quite afford to not retain that. As for the 'complacency' line... I'd better not mention that I appear to be the only GB Host to actually have a Frog GB Gallery entry!! Now how's 'Rita' going, you two still on speaking terms? Cheers.. Dave 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Have been doing bits n' bobs to the Tiffy while the filler on the Hornet has been drying. The prop has been assembled and blades painted, exhausts have likewise been painted and added to the fuse halves. I felt that the exhaust openings were very wide, so these have been narrowed by edging them with thin card. The radiator assembly has also been painted and added. Less obviously, I have sanded the hell out of the rear fuse to make it a bit narrower. It's very subtle, but I can see the difference. Irritatingly, I have lost the Heller Tempest IP, so will have to find a replacement elsewhere. Then I can finish the cockpit, and add the tailwheel. The blob of filler is, hopefully, going to become a rear seat cushion. Hope to get the fuse joined this weekend. Regards Martin 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Hi Martin, Good to see a Tiffie, coming along nicely. Is this the first bubbletop in the GB? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Very nice start and a good kit to apply some TLC to. I join you in Team Irritated. The propeller from my Hurricane has gone AWOL overnight. The prime suspect is curled up on the sofa asleep..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Johnson said: Hi Martin, Good to see a Tiffie, coming along nicely. Is this the first bubbletop in the GB? I think so. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 On 8/17/2019 at 11:23 PM, SleeperService said: The prime suspect is curled up on the sofa asleep..... You might have to follow the prime suspect tomorrow morning when nature calls to do ones business.. it may be advisable to wear gloves! Cheers and good luck.. Dave 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 33 minutes ago, Rabbit Leader said: You might have to follow the prime suspect tomorrow morning when nature calls to do ones business.. it may be advisable to wear gloves! Cheers and good luck.. Dave In that case I'll get a replacement Hopefully it's just been batted under the furniture.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 At least you only have 1 "hairy hooligan" - I have 2 and they can be a real pain at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Well, I got Johnny Pilot painted and installed. I'm not showing a pic of the tailwheel as it's a mess, but I got the fuse together! Everything else is just dry-fitted at the moment. I'm thinking of thickening the wings - which are pretty thin - with a tapering thickness of card sandwiched between the wing halves at the leading edge. Any views? Regards Martin 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 19 hours ago, mike romeo said: I'm thinking of thickening the wings - which are pretty thin - with a tapering thickness of card sandwiched between the wing halves at the leading edge. Any views? If it were me I would leave it - there's no doubt it's a Tiffie! Having said that, if it was on my bench I might have a dabble...😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) Well, you're obviously well practiced at plastic surgery, so why not? Cheers, Edited August 19, 2019 by Johnson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Seems unusual in this build to hear any complaints about a Frog wing being too thin! Got to be a first. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 2 hours ago, PeterB said: Seems unusual in this build to hear any complaints about a Frog wing being too thin! Got to be a first. Given my experience with the Hornet, I did think it was slightly ironic! Regards Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Thin wing? why not carve it into a Tempest!! No seriously, just leave it and get it finished. If you want an accurate Tiff, go and buy the Airfix kit, you’ll be glad you did. Cheers.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 32 minutes ago, Rabbit Leader said: Thin wing? why not carve it into a Tempest!! No seriously, just leave it and get it finished. If you want an accurate Tiff, go and buy the Airfix kit, you’ll be glad you did. Cheers.. Dave Dave, Got plenty of those in the stash, and one on the shelf, thanks. Regards Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Hi Martin Can you be persuaded to finish this one, in our 2 week extension ? Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Hi Martin looks great, how did you get on with the wings. Be good to see this one built. Keep up the good work All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 Haven't touched it, I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 12 minutes ago, mike romeo said: Haven't touched it, I'm afraid. Let's be 'aving you then ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 4 hours ago, bigbadbadge said: Hi Martin looks great, how did you get on with the wings. Be good to see this one built. Keep up the good work All the best Chris You keep posting like this Chris and you’ll end up a GB Co-Host before you know it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike romeo Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 OK, wasn't going to do more on this till the Hornet was finished, but felt the urge to mangle plastic again while waiting for my desk vice and heat gun to arrive: The black dots are sprue soup to fill sink marks. Hope to finish the filling and sanding tomorrow. Regards Martin 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Looking good Martin, looks very brutish. All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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