AdrianMF Posted January 13 Posted January 13 In the Golden Age GB last year I managed to complete a Miles Hawk Major, converted from the FROG Miles Magister kit: After trying to convert from the parts, I ended up scratch building the fuselage, undercarriage and tail, using just the wings and power train of the kit. The Sparrowhawk is a smaller single seat version of the Hawk Major created especially for racing. I had it lined up for the GAGB too but ran out of time. I hadn't started it (OK I'd glued the wing halves together) and I intend to scratch build a fuselage and tail. I have a growing collection of Magister parts and a whole extra kit: I'll start next weekend. Thanks, Adrian 22
Malc2 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Love the Sparrowhawk, I need one, but shall be making do by vicariously watching yours take shape! Apparently the Sparrowjet is being rebuilt back to its original form by Ron Souch's workshop in Hampshire, have thought several times of asking to have a look! Malc. 1
Grandboof Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Sure to be another gem from you. Great choice. Martin H 1
AdrianMF Posted January 14 Author Posted January 14 14 hours ago, Malc2 said: Sparrowjet That always seemed like a step too far! But it flew... Regards, Adrian 1
bianfuxia Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Good choice - I love these weird little types from long ago that I've never heard of. Watching with interest! 1
AdrianMF Posted February 22 Author Posted February 22 On 13/01/2025 at 12:33, AdrianMF said: I'll start next weekend. That was a long week! I'm currently watching varnish dry on a Polikarpov R-5 and it's time to pick this fella back up. I'm making a new fuselage, starting with the lower box section: Then make some bulkheads, all the time bearing in mind how the pieces fit together and where to take off 20thou/0.5mm for the thickness of the card: 12 1
AdrianMF Posted February 22 Author Posted February 22 Got back from the pub and had a go at the coaming: I just want a small section of hollow coaming over the cockpit - the rest of it can be made out of two part car filler and sanded down. I found a paintbrush 1mm smaller at its widest point than the diameter I needed and pulled some heated 20thou card over it, then trimmed and sanded it down to fit. Just visible in the picture is my new toy - a "Double Sided Folding Diamond File Sharpener", from a well-known auction site. It provides a flat, rigid sanding surface. If it works out, I will look for some sharpening plates, for sanding down larger vac form parts. Next stop, make a cockpit and cut the opening in the coaming... 16 1
CliffB Posted February 23 Posted February 23 Possibly the best looking of the family? Another wonderful choice Adrian. 1
bianfuxia Posted February 24 Posted February 24 This is looking amazing. Whatever you consumed at the pub keep it up. 1
Grandboof Posted February 24 Posted February 24 5 hours ago, bianfuxia said: This is looking amazing. Whatever you consumed at the pub keep it up. Nothing like a good brew to keep the wheels turning 1
The Spadgent Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Crikey!!!! I wish I could model like that after the pub. Your skills are outstanding. I’ll pull up a chair and grab a pint of whatever you had. 😉 Johnny 2
AdrianMF Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 Thanks Chaps! On 23/02/2025 at 05:47, CliffB said: Possibly the best looking of the family? Absolutely! (Just don't tell my brother though) Regards, Adrian 1
AdrianMF Posted May 8 Author Posted May 8 And another long week! Back at the bench after an obscure Avia or two, a Lysander TT and two Burmese secret agents, as one does... I'm getting the fuselage finished today (I hope) and I've gathered all the parts I will need to get it finished: I will be using two part auto filler for the curved fuselage coaming and wing fillets, and I may need a larger wheel. I am ordering one of those dental vac form machines for my birthday, and if it arrives on time I will be able to make the windscreen with considerably less bad language! 9 1
rob Lyttle Posted May 8 Posted May 8 Nice. So basically you're saying throw the Frog kit away and make your own.... I pretty much came to the same conclusion with mine, and I was only trying to make a Magister, (or whatever a civvy 2seater is called.) Good luck to the finish line 👍 Edit "Hawk Major", would that be right,? 1 1
AdrianMF Posted May 9 Author Posted May 9 10 hours ago, rob Lyttle said: "Hawk Major", would that be right,? Yep! Here's one I made earlier, in last year's Golden Age GB. @Malc2 and @bianfuxia - good to be back and thanks for the extension! Regards, Adrian
CliffB Posted May 9 Posted May 9 12 hours ago, AdrianMF said: I am ordering one of those dental vac form machines for my birthday Do let us know how you get on with that (they're quite tempting) 1
AdrianMF Posted May 9 Author Posted May 9 13 hours ago, CliffB said: Do let us know how you get on with that Haven't ordered it yet! Probably won't turn up in time for this GB 😭. I got my cockpit sorted today: I can stick that all in and then slap some two part filler around it to get the coaming started. I have roughly blocked it out with some thin card. 8
AdrianMF Posted May 9 Author Posted May 9 Gosh! It's even visible: ... just ... Now, where's my P-38? (And I don't mean air support) 9
AdrianMF Posted May 9 Author Posted May 9 Filler on and sanded down: Had to make two batches because I'd forgotten how fast it sets! Wings and tail next. Wings will be cut down and reshaped at the tips, tail surfaces will be made from card because it's easier than trying to adapt the kit pieces. As there are so few parts (wings, nose, possibly one wheel) coming across from the kit, I wonder if this is a "conversion from ..." or "scratch build using parts from ...". Hmmm 🤔 11
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