Matchbox Tempest II with enhancements

[TeeELL]

I haven’t been able to buy any newer tool 1:72 Tempest II kits but I did find a Matchbox version for a very reasonable sum.  This is my place holder for the build.

 

You will doubtless be aware of the kit shortcomings (ie trench-like panel lines and no cockpit details) but overall the kit stands up well to the latest Airfix Tempest in terms of dimensions.  I am using references various and the Airfix kit to design and print enhancement parts for the kit and to add details missing in the Matchbox offering.

Components I’ve designed so far include: seat, instrument panel, floor, control column, exhausts and top vent panel for the forward fuselage.

 

[perdu]

You really got me!

[TeeELL]

Here are some views of the CAD drawings or printed components:

 

This is the instrument panel and side panels.  On the left you might be able to make out the throttle and its outboard shield, center top the gunsight, on the right side the levers and center stage the instruments.  To be honest, I’ve bought the Yahu printed instrument panel so those ‘instruments’ will be covered.

 

This is an image of an early version of the cockpit ‘floor’, it fitted perfectly between the raised sections of the kit you can see in the image.  I’ve since determined (and redesigned) that the ‘floor’ would sit on top of the raised sections.  The control column is a separate print that I attached ‘for effect’.  I’ve also remembered that I have designed and printed the rudder pedals but I’ve no photograph available just now.
 

 

The seat has been copied from the Airfix kit with additional work such as the strap support bar above the back rest, I’m not sure why I don’t have a photo of the seat itself?  I have printed an alternative version with holes where the protruding rods are, that way I fit styrene rod through and cement the ends to the inner wall of the kit, move the seat to the correct position and then cyno it in place (bit like a contour gauge).
 

 

You should be able to make out the rounded ends of the kit exhausts, rather than try and correct them to the rectangular shape I designed and printed a replacement - as shown; this will require the surgical removal of the originals.
 

The final part, for now, is the grill that sits atop the forward fuselage.  I designed the following as much to see how I could achieve the look, I didn’t have the kit available for accurate dimensions but this gives you an idea of how it might look:

 

[TeeELL]

I must also extend thanks to Johnson for his build of the Tempest II (I’ve no idea how to achieve the ‘@Johnson’ thing that others are employing!?

[TeeELL]

I have made the rather rash decision that the Airfix Tempest kit will be an acceptable reference assuming (I know, I know) that the designer had access to LIDAR etc when creating the model.  If my assumption is correct then the Matchbox designer of 50 years ago made a pretty ‘good fist of it’ as the parts (ie outlines, position and shapes of U/C doors etc) from the 2 kits match very well.

[Mattlow]

Nice work..

 

Must be satisfying designing and printing your own corrections/enhancements..

 

Matt

[Beard]

The Matchbox Tempest II made had cockpit parts from a scrapped Academy V (the next one will have parts from a scrapped AZ V which didn't get finished, due to spilt tea and not looking where I was stepping) but I'm fascinated by 3D printing so will be following.

[TeeELL]

I’ve designed a grill using dimensions taken from the model.  My ‘practice grill’ was too large in diameter so I created a ‘clean sheet’ alternative;  I’ll print off a couple of samples tomorrow to see how they look.

[TeeELL]

My printer has just finished producing the grill, the U/C actuating mechanism and some better supported exhausts.  Once I’ve processed them through the cleaning and UV stage, I will photograph them in situe to see how they look. 

[TeeELL]

Here is a view of the original panel on the kit:

 

 

This is the 3D printed grill resting in position over the kit part:

[Brandy]

I think it's safe to say that's an improvement!

Nice work.

 

Ian

[TeeELL]

30 minutes ago, Brandy said:

I think it's safe to say that's an improvement!

Nice work.

 

Ian

Thank you Ian.

[TeeELL]

A little more preparation made.  The undercarriage actuators have printed very well although I may need to adjust some dimensions but I cannot do that until I remove the lumps of plastic representing the kit interpretation.

 

I am in 2 minds about replacing the undercarriage legs just now.   It might happen as it would be a shame to leave the integrally moulded legs in place.

 

At front, Matchbox have a basic flat plate with a marked join line:

 

Although very litle can be seen once the spinner is in place:

 

However, the front face of the Centaurus sits about 2mm further back into the engine nacelle.  I have designed a basic representation of the engine to replace the flat plate:

 

I have fitted a set of rudder pedals to the revised floor, just to see the effect, the quality of photo isn’t too good as the parts are small:

 

Thats all for now folks!

[Hook]

On 10/13/2024 at 5:57 PM, TeeELL said:

(I’ve no idea how to achieve the ‘@Johnson’ thing that others are employing!?

If you type an @ followed by the username, you should be getting a selection of corresponding users. An @ followed by a t and two e's gives me @TeeELL.

 

Lovely work so far on the Matchbox kit!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

[TeeELL]

1 hour ago, Hook said:

If you type an @ followed by the username, you should be getting a selection of corresponding users. An @ followed by a t and two e's gives me @TeeELL.

 

Lovely work so far on the Matchbox kit!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

Thanks Andre, I’ll give it a go next opportunity.

[TeeELL]

I’ve applied some paint to a 3D printed ‘Centaurus’ and will photograph it tomorrow.  I’ve also rechecked the position of my printed floor and it actually has to sit as originally planned, fortunately I didn’t throw away the prints.  I have shelved the idea of printing 3D U/C legs as they would be quite delicate and possibly not of sufficient robustness.

I will actually have to start construction very soon!

[TeeELL]

Apologies for the poor quality images due to a combination of poor light, hand held iPad at maximum zoom and cropped photo.

The Centaurus has been painted, to be honest rather roughly in order to take some photos.  I printed 4 so I can do a better job with a second one, that said, not much will be seen!

 

 

I didn’t add any cooling fin details as the fins on the real thing are difficult to see and, in addition, the engine is buried in the engine nacelle and a significant amount obscured by the nose cone.

[TeeELL]

Looking at the thickness of plastic at the very front of the engine nacelle, I am wondering if a replacement 3D printed part might look more prototypical?   I’ll have to do some experimenting with Fusion360.

[TeeELL]

With the engine in approximate position, I’ve revised a few dimensions to the ‘gearbox’ extending it forwards and creating a Prop attachment that should allow the propellor to rotate (not the end of the world if it doesn’t).  I’ve also designed a better cowling front which will create the illusion of a ‘skin’ and allow more of the front of the Centaurus to be seen.  The revisions/new parts are in the process of being printed.

[klubman01]

An interesting project.  I wish you well with it, and will follow with interest.

Trevor

[TeeELL]

2 hours ago, klubman01 said:

An interesting project.  I wish you well with it, and will follow with interest.

Trevor

Trevor, 

  it certainly won’t be a ‘silk purse from a sow’s ear’, but I’ll do what I can to lift it.

[TeeELL]

Having looked at the cowling I decided that it didn’t match that of the real aircraft.  A few minutes with Fusion360 sorted that and I’ve now printed the revised version.  Photos tomorrow.

[TeeELL]

I hope to present the ‘engine’ and cowling later today, in so doing it might be possible to see the ‘engine’ past the spinner as the cowling has a thin wall.  Having measured the various components: engine, cowling and cowling fitting lip, Matchbox propellor and associated parts I’ve tweaked the CAD drawings of the engine to allow it to fit snug and square against the cowling fitting ring; it will be possible to fit the ‘engine’/cowling ring/propellor assembly as one.  As I typed this I had a bit of a revelation - if I print the ‘gearbox’ separate to the ‘engine’ then the ‘gearbox’ and propellor can be fitted after painting which will save masking the prop and spinner, just a thought…….?

[Graham Boak]

Is there a fan before the engine, as on the Buckingham, FW 190, La 5 etc?

[TeeELL]

11 minutes ago, Graham Boak said:

Is there a fan before the engine, as on the Buckingham, FW 190, La 5 etc?

No Graham, not on the Tempest or Sea Fury.