LorenSharp Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 23 minutes ago, Alan P said: Fantastic stuff! I missed this on its first outing, good to catch up with such a rare bird in the process of rehabilitation π Β I can see it's in good hands though π Thanks Alan, good maybe but definitly shakey... And thanks for following alongπ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 2 hours ago, LorenSharp said: Thanks Alan, good maybe but definitly shakey... And thanks for following alongπ What a movie πΒ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 Just catching up, the detail in this is fantastic! Really impressiveΒ Β Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 I'm sure glad you are putting in all this work.Β As soon as you finish, Tamiya will announce a 1/48 Privateer.Β It will cost $229 (USD) but I have to have one.Β Β π Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, Ad-4N said: I'm sure glad you are putting in all this work.Β As soon as you finish, Tamiya will announce a 1/48 Privateer.Β It will cost $229 (USD) but I have to have one.Β Β π Your probably right. Be my luck. There is a resin 1/48 Privateer at that price but I don't know the quality. just that it would be HEAVY and definitely not my Brother.π Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 38 minutes ago, Ad-4N said: I'm sure glad you are putting in all this work.Β As soon as you finish, Tamiya will announce a 1/48 Privateer.Β It will cost $229 (USD) but I have to have one.Β Β π Don't care Iβll buy it ! Ive actually been inside of one and its very much on my wants list.Β 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 Quick update while waiting for stuff to print and stock to arrive. I got the main seams sanded down and 99% filled and added the tail assembly. There are a few spots to go over again and re-scribe the filled panel lines. But over all this old girl is starting to take shape once again. I'll try to get more uploaded later in the week. Until later stay healthy, stay safe. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 As I have a slight delay waiting on clear sheet for vacuforming some clear parts onΒ my Oxbox forΒ Anything but injection GB, I've had my mojo rejuvenated watching theΒ Β build of Β seeing @Navy Bird'sΒ Privateer. Thanks Bill. Anyways,I had to make some new sensor blisters that had deteriorated too much out of some scrapΒ resin blocks. Holding little itty bitty pieces of resin while sanding into odd looking compound curves is an exercise in absolute frustration.Β Nothing like almost getting done with a part and have it suddenly take flight.... right into the carpet monster's mouth.7 triesΒ Β and 3 completed parts later Once added them,Β I finished up the closing of the astrodome in front of the cockpit, and also added armour plate to the pilot and co-pilots sides and strengthing stripsΒ at the cockpit and just behind the rear bomb bay. Also re-scribed the panel lines that were covered over fixing seams and unfinished areas of the fuselage. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 Next I worked on the rudder and horizontal stabilizers. The rudder needed a new right half so I cut a new one out of sheet stock, Removed the trim tabs and reattached with proper hinges. The scribed those as well. The attached with a little offset. I'm contemplating getting some use out of my rivet tool and getting a set of the HGW rivets for the bomb bay doors as those were actually raised and I managed to sand them off the first time I built this. The next steps will be working on the noseΒ and tailΒ Β Β Erco and MPC (Motor Products Corp not the model companyπ)Β turrets then the adding the nose gear and making a new tail skid. and re-installing the cockpit seats and canopy. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 TAking a break from the fuselage I printed new parts for the Wings nmaely, interoir parts for the split flaps, new exhaust pipes and vents, then decided toΒ a few more thingsΒ for the fuselage(Suprise,suprise) some window framing. I'm still waiting on the the printer to finish the flaps, actuators and tail skid to finish about another 6 hours to go Almost like watching paint dry. I also got Vectors resin main gear well set. Thought about either scratch build new ones or printedΒ out new ones but opted for the easy way out. Probably have to get new wheels now too so it all matches 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 Since I separated the tail pieces had to do the same for the wing Another reason to do the flap system I'm tossing the lower split flaps for new and improved sets. Adding back the vac engine nacelles, I noticed that they have gotten extremely thin and fragile. So to keep things from shifting and distorting i added strengthening disksto the nacelles along with a new front cap. Also had to add new binding strips to where the nacelles attach to the wing (this will come back to haunt me as we shall see in a moment). Added the exhausts and vents along with the exterior parts from the Vecot set. I was worried that the wouldn't follow the curve of the nacelle since this is a Privateer not a B-24 but this was probably the only trueΒ fit success with this set. Β 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 The set is really well designed.. for a B-24. But with the added extras with the nacelles is not quite perfect. Mostly with the wing thickness in spots. But I didn't catch it until AFTER I sealed the starboard wing up. I managed to correct some of it so its not all that noticeable but good from a meter away and a heck of a lot better than the original build. The flaps and the interior bracing I had to split in 2 parts because of size. But once assembled fit was spot on. Β 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 But the draw back with the thickness is that I had to trim some of the wing/nacelles brace shims. it alleviated some of the distortion but not all. On the port wing I may have to see if I can trim any of the edging of the wheelΒ well to compensate further. The other discovery I had forgotten about and that was the outer nacelle had a noticeable "dip" not following the line of the wing. As I remember I used a LOT of Bondo and never did get it the way I wanted. This time I'll break out Milliput and see if that can fix the issue. Its hard to see but the dip is a good MM in depth. So that the latest, I did get my clear plastic sheet in today so I can continue on with my other project, theΒ Sanger Oxbox in the Anything but Injection GB and this works out so the milliput has time to set , then get the other wing sorted out andbeginΒ trying to add rivets to everything.Β with the flat siding and soft plastic I may be able to get something to look a little more "busy" and a proper look. I did order the HGW Rivets for the bombbay doors from Hannant's, but they won't arrive for a few more weeks. So until next time any comments suggestions or critiques are always welcome. Stay safe, stay healthy and model! Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 Since its been a while from last update here is the progress so far. The hardest hurdles(hopefully have been surmounted. Namely the wings and engine nacelles. The port wing was a pain but the starboard wing was a nightmare. Β Mostly with the nacelles. the original fit was never that great especially with the noticeable concave dip at the wing join. Add to that the age and fragilityΒ of the plastic and the thinness in some spots( so thin you could almost read the Lords Prayer through). [/url There were a lot of holes to contend with. I hadn't receivedΒ my MIlliput yet when I started this so i used several layers of glazing compound to fill in and build up low spots. followed by a lot of sanding and filing. I usedΒ plastic strip to attach the nacelles to the wing as most of the ediging had crumbled and attached a couple of pieces of square rod to add the the outer wing tip as it had a noticeable bend and this kept everything straigh.Well as straight as can in in this instance. Capping the nacelles again forΒ strength and to have something solid to attach the engines when the time comes. There is still a slight gap at the wing root. This is a common problem with the Monogram B-24. I'll need to sand down a little more and open up the interiorΒ mounting holes for the wings but nothing to difficult. The resin wheel wells fit a lot better this time after I shaved out and thinned the wing a little bit for a closer fit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 Added an over head control panel to the canopy, and masked off the window panes. Gave a coating of interior green before adding the primer coat. DidΒ the same with the bombardier glass. Now its starting to look like a Privateer. I will have to fix the port Horizontal Stabilizer again. The fuselage too a tumble off the bench and it snapped off. I re-attached it but the upsweep angle is too much So it thill have to be re-broken and reattached with the proper sweep. It may be a while before the next update. Mostly because next item on the build is to go back and re-scribe damaged lines and then put all the rivet holes in I did getΒ a set of HGW raised rivet decals for the rivets on the bomb bay doors. and a new set of nose art decals. But progress IS being made and completionΒ is in sight. So stay tuned hopefully the next update won't be as long in coming. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 What an effort to get it to look like a Privateer!Β Great job on this.Β Though those vac-form engine nacelles were a treat, they are the best way to show the engines without weighing down the wings too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 30, 2021 Author Share Posted July 30, 2021 A another small update between the re-scribing and the part that is just "riveting"Β my attention . I opened up the area at the top of the nacelles for grating. I used some brass screen cut to shape and printed out a frame to go over it. The framing was too tall and had to be sanded. Any thinner and it wouldn't have printed properly. Β Once those were in place I printed out new cowl flaps. Removing the old wasn't hard as they practically fell apart on their own from age. from there it was a matter of attaching 8 regular sized panels and 1 smaller one. TheΒ smallerΒ bracing from thin flat strip and then following up with .3mm silver beading wire forΒ the cabling. 9 panels down, 27 to go. Oh Joy... So until next time stay safe, stay healthy, and stay out of the heat ,Oh and of course, keep on modelling. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 This is a Herculean job you've taken on, but step by step it's coming together. Really tenacious modelling, Loren!Β Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Iβm enjoying this - I have the same conversion slowly moving up the pile so am taking notes.Β Β Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Smashing work. I always love it when there are more scratch built parts in an obscure bit of a build than the were in the whole of the sort of kits we built as kids!  Presumably the cowling flaps had a spring to make them open and the cable pulled them shut? Never really thought about it before⦠ Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Red Sox Fan Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Amazing workβgreat jobβbest, ErwinΒ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 7 hours ago, Alan P said: This is a Herculean job you've taken on, but step by step it's coming together. Really tenacious modelling, Loren!Β Thanks Alan. The hardest part has been handling the old vac parts. Not only fragile but want to disintegrate at the slightest provocation. 4 hours ago, tomprobert said: Iβm enjoying this - I have the same conversion slowly moving up the pile so am taking notes.Β Β Tom I hope the vac plastic is in better shape than mine. 45 minutes ago, AdrianMF said: Smashing work. I always love it when there are more scratch built parts in an obscure bit of a build than the were in the whole of the sort of kits we built as kids! Β Presumably the cowling flaps had a spring to make them open and the cable pulled them shut? Never really thought about it beforeβ¦ Β Regards, Adrian THanks, I think so Adrian.I hadn't really paid any attention to the cowl flap mechanism until I did worked on a F4U Corsair for a BG a while back and came across some images that showed the inner working. I think it worked along the lines of the same type of mechanism you would have on the throttle of a lawn mower. The cable would advance(open) or retard(close) the flaps depending on where the lever was positioned. 32 minutes ago, VT Red Sox Fan said: Amazing workβgreat jobβbest, ErwinΒ Thanks ErwinΒ π 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 Moving on from the re-scribing and riveting(finally) I got the engines re-assembled and tidied up. I had used the wiring harness' form on older B-24D ProModeler I built years ago years ago to add a little something. Began the building the nose turret.Masking the panels then giving a coat of interior green to the interior and the framing. Interior pieces of the gun magazine cleaned up and repainted adding a gunsight and the gunners seat I removed the gun barrels like is did for the side turrets.they were soft white metal and looked like tied up spaghetti. I'll add new ones at the end to keep them from breaking off in the interim. Finally a coat of yellow primer to the outside. Speaking of yellow primer... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 I'm trying a little experiment with the HGW rivets. In the Privateer the one place that raised rivets stand out is the bomb bay doors. They applied very well, I don't know if they will show up very well but we'll see. Once I applied those and let them dry over night I gave everything at strategic places a coat of duralumium then a coat of yellow primer followed by a coating of salt along the panel lines and high wear areas. Once I give the whale its paintjob I will brush away the salt leaving areas of wear and tear on everything. Next step after the salt dries I'll add some pre-shading before commencing the main painting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 Final Update for the evening,Main Tricolour paint job done. Still have to work out why the port wing won't set fully into place. But that is a problem for tomorrow. I'll probably have to augment the salt weathering with a fine tipped brush and some aluminium paint and dark chalk to highlight the panel lines and rivets. Now it's starting to look like a real Privateer, I may finally be over the hump on this littleΒ project. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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