RidgeRunner Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 1 minute ago, Lightningboy2000 said: Just a thought, did you make up the JATO pack for it? Hi Martin! No, I didn't but I am still considering it as a solution to my weight issue although I think she still maxed out at 6,000lb even with RATO :(. My load of 2 x 450gal tanks, the four HVARs and two 500kg bombs take her over that! I could pretend she is set up for a static display ;). I have an image of the RATO frame work from Rob de Bie but nothing more. If you do I'd welcome it All my best, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 2 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: Hi Martin! No, I didn't but I am still considering it as a solution to my weight issue although I think she still maxed out at 6,000lb even with RATO :(. My load of 2 x 450gal tanks, the four HVARs and two 500kg bombs take her over that! I could pretend she is set up for a static display ;). I have an image of the RATO frame work from Rob de Bie but nothing more. If you do I'd welcome it All my best, Martin I do have some colour artist drawings for it in one of my Thunderstreak books somewhere. I'm wondering if it's the same as what you have. It might be a matter of getting a curved piece of plastic from the spares box. I think it was a concave square shape panel bolted on to the underside with the bottles attached to that. How about just having it in static but with the 500kg bombs separately on a stand, maybe? Still looking impressive. Will we see it at Telford? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 4 minutes ago, Lightningboy2000 said: Will we see it at Telford? Sadly not, mate. I was reminded by Mrs RR that it is her 65th birthday on the 14th and we need to be away. It is also mine on the 12th and so I couldn't argue. We've booked to go to France. Next year, though, it is my 65th and I have already booked the International Hotel! M 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 So, I've decided to attempt the build of a RATO "bracket". I've kindly been given a set of images and drawings from which to work. I can't share them because they took the owner a bit of time and money to produce and he prefers not, I think. So, it will be a plastic card-based assembly with plastic rod and some left of PE stuff from which to wrestle it together. If it goes okay I will mount it on the 'streak Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 I managed to get a little done on the bracket for the RATO, using card and plastic rods. So, far I have the basic shape done together with the raised edge and locating brackets for the rear. These edges need to be shaped a little to show the seghmnted contruction. I need to then add the location brackets for the bottles as well as a couple of adjustment screws along the sides. There also needs to be a further plate at the front which I will build out of card. What I am aiming for is this: My attempt is slightly shallower but I think it'll be okay once it is adorned with the four bottles etc . It is essentially a flat plate that is scored and bent in to shape and had edges added. I have now ordered some 1.6mm x 1.1mm channel from which to make the bottle brackets. All will come clear soon Martin 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Fantastic work on that bracket. You had evidently better references for it than my simple hand drawn image. Interesting to think how much thrust this must have produced to counter both the extra weight of under wing stores & the bracket itself. Hardly aerodynamic was it! This will be a well endowed Thunderstreak! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Nice bit of scratching there Martin. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 3 hours ago, Lightningboy2000 said: Fantastic work on that bracket. You had evidently better references for it than my simple hand drawn image. Interesting to think how much thrust this must have produced to counter both the extra weight of under wing stores & the bracket itself. Hardly aerodynamic was it! This will be a well endowed Thunderstreak! 3 hours ago, Courageous said: Nice bit of scratching there Martin. Stuart Thanks chaps. I have now curved the plate a little more. When my U-channel rod arrives I will build up the rest of the brackets etc. I then need to make the bottles. I reckon 2.5mm rod will work with a .8mm insert to mimic the nozzles. I’m not sure how to make the handling rings, though. Any ideas? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: Any ideas? What do they look like? Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 You can see them on the photo above. I described them as handles but they may be protective rings? They are like those on gas canisters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 Now what I need to do is work out the colour of the bracket and the bottles Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: Now what I need to do is work out the colour of the bracket and the bottles Any ideas? I've got a hand drawn colour reference of it. The bracket is shown in red & according to the artist, the bottles are a cream colour. Found at the back of a book by Robert Robinson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 9 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: They are like those on gas canisters. They're going to be very big? What about wrapping some fine wire around a suitable sized dill bit. Remove the drill bit and yous should be left with something that looks like a coil. Cut down the middle of the 'coil' with a sharp blade and you should be left with lots of rings. Works for me in my diorama work. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 Thanks Frank @bentwaters81tfw, Martin @Lightningboy2000, Wez @Wez and Ron @Rob de Bie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted October 28, 2022 Author Share Posted October 28, 2022 So, taking the great advice from those mentioned above and earlier I set about getting the RATO cradle and bottles close to the finish line. My first job was to correct the "nose" of the cradle. It was almost pointed, whereas my original drawings show it squared off. I therefore added a bit of triangular sheet and some edging from rectagular rod. I measured a cut out the "deflector" that sits ahead of the "pointy" end, using the same sheet. The 1.6mm x 1.1mm U-channel rod arrived and so I used that to make the main brackets for the bottles. The secondary fixings were made from squares of the same sheet with 0.5mm rod sticking out and cut back. It still needs some cleaning/sanding, as well as a little PPP here and there. I also added a couple of "sway braces" - one to each side, using rectungular rod with 0.3mm rod pierced through it. I also got started on the bottles, using some approx 3mm dia sprue. I squared off the ends and rounded the edges. I then took on Stuart's (@Courageous) advice to produce the handling rings. However, rather than using wire I used 0.3mm rod as it can stick that easier. CA would have the tendency to ping off (I think)! To prepare the rod and the sheet strip for the other ends, I wound the lengths tight, held them over steam for a short while and cooled them off under cold water. As you can see, the rings are fitted and the strips for the other end are now secured at one end. Once firm I will stretch around the sprue. You can also see that I have drilled pilot holes ready to take the rear nozzles and a corresponding "stopper" at the front end. I will plug these with 0.8mm rod at the front and 0.9mm brass tube at the rear. Thats about it for today . I'll be back once it is all in one piece and primed! Martin 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 1, 2022 Author Share Posted November 1, 2022 As promised, a view of the (nearly) finished cradle and bottles after priming. There is a little tidying to do and then I can get on and paint the assembly. I have forgotten the "ignitor" for the bottles too! It seems the cradle was red and the bottles were dark grey. Correct me if I am wrong, please! Martin 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 Great improvements Martin. I used that same pics to update the Jato pack on my -F Plasticard was the name of my game. Congrats Man... CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 12 hours ago, corsaircorp said: Great improvements Martin. I used that same pics to update the Jato pack on my -F Plasticard was the name of my game. Congrats Man... CC o did you agree with red for the cradle? If so it looks brighter than Insignia Red to me. What did you do? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 Those JATO parts look fabulous Martin, should look the biz after a paint job. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 The way I painted mine at last. I used bright red but weathered it a lot... I think red to ease the picking up of the cradle after take off... My token indeed... CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 5, 2022 Author Share Posted November 5, 2022 On 11/2/2022 at 10:17 PM, corsaircorp said: I think red to ease the picking up of the cradle after take off... I think you are correct, mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 With Christmas past us and with available time, I have today received the Italian roundels from Mika. So, my next decision is whether I continue this labour of love or whether I wait for the Sword release and restart with a kit that should offer more refined detail..... hmmm...... As you can see, Mika thoughtfully has sent three colour variants . I have lots! Also included are the serial numbers that the Italian ‘streaks carried on the nose wheel door. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 30 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: So, my next decision is whether I continue this labour of love or whether I wait for the Sword release and restart with a kit that should offer more refined detail..... hmmm..... I thought for about a minute - and I’ll be finishing the Airfix 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Having got over my "what are your thinking!" moment, here she is in expectation of the final paint, some Glosscote and decals Martin 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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