Jump to content

Recommended Posts

6 hours ago, Planebuilder62 said:

I built this low tech jig from Lego and secured the floats with blu tack.

Thanks for that Toby, jigs seem to be a sound idea. I regret that your picture isn't appearing for me there but I get the idea. 

"Planning and preparation prevents..... "

Etc 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, rob Lyttle said:

Thanks for that Toby, jigs seem to be a sound idea. I regret that your picture isn't appearing for me there but I get the idea. 

"Planning and preparation prevents..... "

Etc 

 

 

Toby's Float jig:

 

51853101245_28825a51ee_b.jpg

 

 

 

 

Chris

  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Various bits of tidying up and tinkering done as the opportunity arises, incl a couple of brass wire tie up things with a nautical name that will probably come to me eventually..... 

IMG_20220131_210129

Couple more I think on the float "bows" 😇

Some preparation on the wings too with the leading edge sections smoothed off and de-ribbed. And consideration of the flaps attachment. I've opted for the simple and functional way with 3 little strips of 1mm stock let in at the given positions....

IMG_20220131_205522

.... which will take the mountings incorporated in the flap pieces straight on the edge ..... 

IMG_20220131_205807

The shapes underneath can be shaped and filed when they are set, if required. I took my best guess at the kind of gap needed between the trailing edge and the deployed flap.... 

IMG_20220131_205830

I think I want to get the ailerons done too before the wings are mounted, and maybe the painting too. I've drilled for a couple of landing lights as indicated on the drawings underneath that lego jig by Toby Planebuilder62. This is going to be one of the many variations of the different marks of airframe I'm sure, but I'm going with it anyway. Those Canadians are great ones for improvisation and mods..... 😎

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Well, I've been right off the boil with regards to model building for a while. Just doing other things 😊 But I decided to have a go at the Norseman kit decals to see if they are viable after all the years of sitting in a box. 

The answer is Yes! 

IMG_20220311_231110

I wanted to get the fuselage decorated before other structural additions get in the way and I could see difficulties looming with the rigging lines to the tailfin. And with some deflection on the rudder, a bit of judicious snipping was required. The decals include a copious amount of carrier film surrounding the items so some extra trimming paid off. 

Well, it's something done! 

I'll see if I can crack on with this now. So many distractions 🤣😎

How's it all going on here anyway?? 

I'd better have a look at the gallery, bit of a catch up 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

All good Rob and this Norseman is looking great. We all get distracted from time to time (its called life) and unfortunately gets in the way of modelling when we don't want it too. We've still got a few months to go, but nice to see you cracking on with this kit 

Cheers.. Dave 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some decorations done and yellow topcoat over white primed surfaces. 

IMG_20220314_232422

I don't really know what to do with the grill type details inboard on the underside of the wings. What would they be for on a radial engined aircraft? I put a bit of grime on the surfaces to pick up the details, probably a bit too much. 

One P&W Wasp radial fitted. The kit has a prop shaft that should be trapped between engine and bulkhead but the minute piece protruding from the front of the crankcase would be useless for me. So I'll resort to my usual method of Ali tube bearing let into the crankcase centre and an Ali shaft fitted into the prop so it's a sliding fit. The tailplanes are painted and decorated too. I'm happy with the matching of the yellow surfaces. 

IMG_20220314_232521

Got to get my head around the fixing of the floats 

🙄

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

This little rascal is by no means forgotten, in fact it sits there looking at me most days while I faff around with other stuff. 

But I'm inching forward - often it's one step forward and two backwards - 

Leaving out all the failed attempts which I won't bore you with, the floats are on. 

IMG_20220405_221409

 

IMG_20220405_221425

Hmmmmm, that doesn't sound like much...... 😶

The inter-float diagonals got a little tension on the stretchy lines, being pulled right through to the outside of the floats. 

Four stretchy lines are fixed under the fuselage leg pieces - sponsons?? - and the floats are drilled with a view to using the same procedure to tension these lines down to the floats. I've got one done, but it's fiddly work under there.. 

Ladder runners are installed from the float to the door on the port side, and probably more important is the central support from the fuselage down to the rear spreader bar which is a length of brass wire. This remained adjustable until I was happy with the alignment of the fuselage to the floats as viewed from the side. The plane seems to be mounted slightly nose up relative to the floats. 

Then the extra legs behind the inverted V legs were added and then the ladder legs. 

This was all done on a "little and often" basis, though not nearly often enough 😊 and the structure is improving with each addition. Each part is quite flimsy but as they all work together, things improve. 

Surely I can press on from here..... 😎

Edited by rob Lyttle
Correction
  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have just caught up with this, and it is a cracker. You have shown some interesting ways of solving problems, and it looks like you are going to end up with a little gem of a model at the end.

 

Great work!

 

Ray

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, thanks for the encouragement Ray and Chris. I finally thought I had this box o' tricks under control but.... 

 

There's a major change of plan 😎

 

I know, I know, 

 

Float assembly started going awry with the combined effects of flimsy plastic, tension in the lines, and me pushing a bit too hard. I could have another go with some scratch build surgery, but I reckon I'm out of patience with the floats game now 🤔

It's coming off and I'm going for the ski option, for the time being at least. That way I can get to the finishing line with this, save some sanity and move on. 

Club meeting this evening so no real progress on the ski conversion, but I checked out all the parts, all still on the sprues, ready to go. 

Feeling better about the build already 😀

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, there's no point worrying about what could have been, the floats are a gonner and no looking back....! 

IMG_20220407_222035

 

IMG_20220407_222101

It feels like a relief, to be honest. I can now get the little rascal done and get onto other stuff. I've got so much of a backlog sitting round here, I really need to crack on 😎

I've just been reading up on the Air operations of the RCMP in Canada, something of which I had no idea! They had a Norseman, and DH Dragonfly aircraft in the early days.Accompanying the article was a lovely picture of a Mountie on horseback beside a Lockheed L10 Electra 😍

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is more like it.... Progress 👍

IMG_20220407_235202

 

IMG_20220407_235153

 

IMG_20220407_235337

The cowling is just dry fitted - this needs a coat of yellow. Some other dabs of paint required, but I wanted to get the assembly done and sorted. 

Hey look, it's an airframe.... 😎

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

And suddenly, the Norseman is finished! 😇I tried some Turtlewax over the paintwork - I got some to try and lift the finish on a couple of car bodies. Not so easy to buff up with a bunch of struts and rigging in the way but generally it's sealed the surfaces and shined up a bit. 

The only other addition is a piece of plastic tube for the exhaust stub. The kit part is looking a bit inadequate.

 

IMG_20220409_170052

 

IMG_20220409_170031

 

IMG_20220409_170157

 

In conclusion then, I'd have another go at the floats option if the chance arose, but I'd avoid using the stretchy line. 😜

I'd probably scratch a metal alternative for the float attachment legs. 

And I'd get in the right frame of mind to storm the procedure - wham bam😎

But it's a blessing to have the alternatives incl in the kit. 

A quality little Matchbox kit with all moving surfaces supplied separately - I like a bit of movement on the moving parts, it kind of animates the airframe and brings it to life a bit. 

I've got a couple of Arctic type figures and a husky dog team and sled somewhere, they are in a Monogram Ford Trimotor box, that would look quite good beside the Norseman.... 🤔

Well, it's been an adventure, thanks for encouragement and patience while I faffed about with this 'un! 😋

Galleries here I come 

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • rob Lyttle changed the title to Norseman SKI plane PK125
On 24/01/2022 at 10:47, rob Lyttle said:

This is the issue, Dave..... 🤣😅

For masks on windows I learned from @perdu that a “brand fire new” I think the term was, blade is the way to go. Every time I start making windows is when I get a new blade for the old Swan Morton out of its little paper wrapping. It’sa bit of a faff but works a treat.

Regardless, my apologies for missing this little treat while it was happening but I have spent a lovely while this morning catching up and enjoying the build. A real shame about the floats. I thought they looked great. I’m now considering adding floats to one of my Tigermoths. Or I might just see if I have one in the stash. I think there’s an Arado in there somewhere.  Skis look good also but for me I loved those massive buoyancy sausages! 😇 great work dear sir. What’s next? I’ll tag along for that one for sure.

 

 Johnny

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well done Rob, the finished Norseman looks a treat and I wouldn’t worry too much about the float to ski swap over, these things happen and your change of mind has resulted in a finished kit, rather than a shelf of doomed. Well done and thanks for your excellent participation. 

Cheers.. Dave 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the cheer, Ray. 

The ski plane has been off to a model show on Saturday, on the club tables, and fitted in quite nicely. 

But...... 

You know I can't resist a challenge.... 🥳😋

IMG_20220425_004256

 

IMG_20220425_004305

 

It ain't over till it's over.... 🤣

I'll keep you posted. 

Plenty of retail opportunities at the show and I got 2 modest purchases, another DHC-6 Twin Otter, which could go on this GB, and a much sought after BN Islander by Airfix, which can't! 

I've been wanting to do a Scillies Skybus Islander to go with my Twin Otter for a while but I have to say the kit livery for the Aurigny aircraft is very appealing. And yellow! 

We'll see 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, rob Lyttle said:

Thanks for the cheer, Ray. 

The ski plane has been off to a model show on Saturday, on the club tables, and fitted in quite nicely. 

But...... 

You know I can't resist a challenge.... 🥳😋

IMG_20220425_004256

 

IMG_20220425_004305

 

It ain't over till it's over.... 🤣

I'll keep you posted. 

Plenty of retail opportunities at the show and I got 2 modest purchases, another DHC-6 Twin Otter, which could go on this GB, and a much sought after BN Islander by Airfix, which can't! 

I've been wanting to do a Scillies Skybus Islander to go with my Twin Otter for a while but I have to say the kit livery for the Aurigny aircraft is very appealing. And yellow! 

We'll see 

 

Hello Rob, it is good to see the floats making a reappearance, and that looks like a good, solid way of getting them together,

 

Good luck with the Twin Otter, I will keep an eye on it for the thread,

 

Ray

 

PS, I am envious of the Islander, I have been after one of them for quite a long time, I missed them when they were easily available, that was a good nab for you.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Ray S said:

I am envious of the Islander, I have been after one of them for quite a long time,

I know..... It's taken a while to get one that isn't a silly price. I was hoping for a relaunch from Airfix in the Vintage Classics range, but not looking imminent. Cute little kit complete with interior seating, separate doors, transparent parts look good, even a civil pilot with separate posable arms! Not sure what is in the Defender version boxing, all those bits are probably on the sprues 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 25/04/2022 at 05:57, bigbadbadge said:

I have not thought of automotive polish before, sounds interesting.

Thanks Chris. I got some on a whim..... I've got a couple of car body shells that needed to be improved in appearance, try and get some more shine. I have no wish to be involved with toxic paints that require breathing apparatus and specialist facilities!! 😀

It makes some impact on the finish of the paint, and I notice that it makes a real nice job on the clear parts, windscreen and rear windows etc. 

And it's not prone to making drips and runs like kleer type. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...