Jump to content

Trumpeter conversion to a Swordfish Mk III


Recommended Posts

Hi guys,

Having actually started this model instead of just looking at the parts and then putting the box in the cupboard, I thought a thread recording the build might help keeping me on track.

Trumpeter Swordfish. Out of the box, it makes up into a very impressive model. There are quite a few aftermarket sets for it, most of which I seem to have added to the stash! Like all kits though there are plenty of areas that could be improved upon, so I thought I'd give it a go. I have also started a bit of web site at www.flyingstart.info, but I suspect I'll get the progress pics here before updating the site.

Please guys, badger me to keep going if I stray from the path!

Right, a few pics of progress so far.

I've skimmed off all the panel latches as these will be replaced with Eduard etched items.The pilots Browning MG blister and blast trough have been smoothed over by wielding a razor saw and dollop of white fine milliput, and the panels lines refined and deepened slightly; the Swordfish is a very 'panely' aircraft, especially after a lot of maintenance, where the edges of the panels get dinged and bent. I want this model to look like it really HAS been 6 months on a MAC in the North Atlantic...

The wings, tailplane, fin and rudder have all been sanded smooth, as I consider the rib tape 'detail' is a bit OTT, (Over The Top) and the starving ribs effect on the wing fabric is waaaay OTT, so that has all been filled with 3M Red filler and smoothed back. I've tried to keep a hint of tautness, and of course I'll have to put something back for the rib tapes, but I'll tackle that later. Funny, all Swordfish and SPAD kits have traditionally suffered from grossly exagerated fabric sag, I have no clue why!! I'm going to have to do the same job on a Hobbycraft SPAD I have in the stash...

Other jobs done so far include skimming out all the cockpit sidewall details above the moulded longerons. I'm going to leave the rest as it will be hidden behind the tubular fuselage structure and other details.

I ditched all the kit bombs as they are hopelessly misshaped, so drew up some more accurate shapes on Rhinoceros 3D CAD program, and had them build on a rapid prototyping machine. I then made up some RPs with 22 guage stainless tube cut to length, and warheads, fins and supports, and a 250lb Depth Charge as well.

Next job will be putting all the fuselage details back, using the Eduard etched bits, and cutting out the slats and ailerons. More pics soon. Any comments or suggestions more than welcome!

DSCN0673.jpg

DSCN0674.jpg

DSCN0675.jpg

DSCN0676.jpg

DSCN0677.jpg

DSCN0678.jpg

DSCN0679.jpg

DSCN0680.jpg

Edited by wunwinglow
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Frank, I'm lucky enough to have a job that includes running a couple of RP machines, and a couple of CNC milling machines, and an indulgent boss who odesn't mind the odd 'test' part going through the works! I must be mad. I spend my working day making models, then come home and make models...

 

Thanks for your encouraging words,

 

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Frank, I'm lucky enough to have a job that includes running a couple of RP machines, and a couple of CNC milling machines, and an indulgent boss who odesn't mind the odd 'test' part going through the works! I must be mad. I spend my working day making models, then come home and make models...

 

Thanks for your encouraging words,

 

Tim

 

You're a lucky man! I also work with Rhino at my job (jewelry design) but no rapid prototype machine I can "borrow" to make model parts!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks chaps for the comments. A bit more progress, having spent the afternoon in the shed with a thunderstorm crashing all about!

 

The wing panels have been glued together, lots of clamps to keep the seams tight. I want to make the upper wing in one piece, so have seperated the struts from the root ribs, drilled the ribs for wire-reinforced struts later on. I added some reinforcing pads of styrene strip as the drilled holes were very close to the edges of the rib parts.

 

DSCN0683.jpg

 

DSCN0685.jpg

 

DSCN0686.jpg

 

Hoping to get at least the upper wing glued together later tonight.

 

TTFN,

 

Tim

Edited by wunwinglow
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tony!! Thanks, reminds me of a whole load of GBU15s, Ballutes and so on!! My goodness, feels like a hundred years ago........

 

See you in Antics sometime, maybe?

 

Tim

 

Good to see your talents on display Tim! I mostly sit in my study in Stoke Gifford with chalk and slate writing tablet to hand (book on the F-15 in progress) and am wondering when the last jet to rattle the roof tiles will be on finals to Filton. End of an era, sadly!

 

Was tempted by the Stringbag kit so I'll be following this with interest! Wish I possessed your talents, and am far too chicken to post WIPs.

 

Have two Hunters on the go and am daring to do Jonathan Whaley's flying comet plus a T.7 twin-stick conversion, but really looking forward to Trumpy's A-6 next year, and then maybe a brace of Lightnings in NMF, if my nerves steady a bit!

 

Tony T

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A bit more work on the wings. I've sectioned out the ailerons and leading edge slats, which meant the wings became very flexible, so I glued in some thick plastic strip (Evergreen) to block up the resulting holes, as well as stiffen the wings again. Notice the aileron grooves are moulded in different places at the tip ends of the lower wings, and so ignore the underside detail and use the upper surface mouldings as a guide. The ailerons end half way between two of the main wing ribs, not at a rib station. No, I don't know why either...

 

It is all a bit rough just now, but once the glue has set I'll fill the slat locations with Milliput and smooth down, same with the leading edges of the ailerons, then look at cleaning out the aileron cut-outs in the wings. The slats will also be back-filled with Miliput, and all the joints filled and smoothed, along with a few stray saw cuts. Whoops. At least it wasn't a finger.....

 

In the first pic, the upper wing is just pushed together. I won't glue it until all the detailing is done.

 

As always, comemnts and suggestions more than welcome!

 

DSCN0687.jpg

 

DSCN0689.jpg

 

DSCN0691.jpg

 

'Bye for now.

 

Tim

Edited by wunwinglow
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking Great! I have seen a couple of these getting built lately... and I thinking I should pick up sometime!

 

I must be mad. I spend my working day making models, then come home and make models...

 

I know that feeling!

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
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...