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Matchbox SBD-5


Sabre F-86

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Ok, Im in too. As I noted in Erwins post, I have the old Matchbox release.

 

I've dug it out, and dusted it off (koff hack wheez!) and clipped out the main airframe parts. All 11 of them. Looks like I got a fairly early one, there is next to no flash and the parts fit together with almost tamiya like quality. Thats all Im doing with it til Monday nite, which will be April 2nd.

 

I also dug out the two eduard PE sets for this and what I read is indeed true. The interior set just about completely replaces the kit parts, so it will be an interesting build. There are lots of tiny little bits in the set, and they do add a lot of detail. I also have the trumpeter SBD-1/2 in my stash, plus the Detail n Scale book and some other reference materials so I'm going to see about putting some effort into this one. This should be a fun project.

 

Erwin, the NZ decals are in an envelope, I'll have them enroute on tuesday along with the paint scheme.

 

Sabre

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Well, as usual, 3 different references give 3 different storys as to panel lines and access hatches, but only in minor ways. I've started checking the basic shape and panel lines, and for the most part they are pretty good. A couple missing on the wings, and a few extra ones on the fuselage where Matchbox mistook rivet lines for panel edges. I'm debating on whether or not I should try a new approach to the panel line issue, where I try to duplicate overlapping panels as opposed to scribed lines which more accurately represent butt joints. This is a simple enough model to make an attempt at it so I'm probably going to give it a whirl. I'll try a couple of trial runs on sheet plastic first to see if the idea works.

 

As far as I can see the kit has only two glaring problems, one being the shape of the bomb recess under the center section, the other is the tailplanes. The hinge line is suppose to be perpendicular to the centerline, but matchbox decided to sweep them aft a bit. Im not sure yet if the hinge line is in error or the planform of the tailplane. We shall see.

 

Im also looking for some replacement tires, with diamond tread and a fatter pneumatic tailwheel since the aircraft im doing was land based.

 

I expect to be hacking plastic momentarily.

 

Sabre

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Always check the PE when it arrives. ;) I ordered the set about a year or so ago and it arrived with a bunch of other stuff. Now when I want to use it, I find that one of the 3 interior frets is missing. :angry: I guess if I don't get a replacement I can try to make up the interior bits from scratch using Eduards drawings.

 

In the mean time, I've started building the wings n center section. I've added a spar to the outer wings so I can scribe them when they are fully cured, and I've seperated the ailerons. Not a difficult job, this is one case where the Matchbox trench diggers' wide n deep panel lines helps you out. Scribe them about 10 times and they break right free. I'll box the recesses in and add the hinges, so I can pose them a tad off set.

 

I have also tried that new technique for the lapped panels on the center section, but I fear I've over done it. It remains to be seen what they look like under a coat of primer. Worse come to worse, I'll fill them in again. Im not good at doing 'Subtle" :o and thats what this needs.

 

Anyway work progresses.

 

Sabre

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Ok been hacking plastic some more. I've back filled the inside of the center section with epoxy so I can make a stab at getting the bomb recess to look more like a SBD instead of a bomb. I've marked it out n the surface, and I'm about to apply the dremel to it once the epoxy hardens. I've also started to hack at the gear wells, to box them in better and add some structure and have the firewall/engine bearers/engine built. I'm going to start scribing the fuselage halves tomorrow morning.

 

It looks like I'm SOL with eduard about the missing fret :) , so I've ordered another set (along with a bunch of other stuff) and it should arrive in a week or so. In the mean time I'm thinking about building another model for this build. Don't know what yet, I'll have to have a look at my stash. Something Japanese for sure.

 

Sabre

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Finally got around to photocopying the drawings up to 1/32, which explained the problem with the tail planes. The planform is pretty spot on, except the leading edge is about 3/64ths to 1/16th too narrow at the root. I'm not going to bother with that. Matchbox did do the hinge line with a sweep by moving the inboard end ahead a 1/16th, so when I cut them loose I'll change them.

 

The bomb recess in the center section is a whole other kettle of fish, having only a vague resemblance to the real deal. Not only is the recess incorrectly shaped, its too long, and the bulge of the fairing is way too wide at the back end. It needs to taper a lot more than it does, and the amount of bulge on the flap itself is way smaller in reality. Of course, the flaps are about 3/32nds too wide as well and the holes are off quite a bit.

 

So the question is how much do I really want to fix it? I'm working on the shape of the recess, but fixing the taper of the bulge sounds to be much more of a headache than its worth. I may rebuild the flaps so fixing the width, hole size and shape can be fixed but Im not sure about the taper.

 

And on she goes. :blink:

 

Sabre

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Having built this a while ago I can understand what mods you're doing. Any chance of some piccies. even a borowed camera would be really cool. Good luck in the build...it should be fun and a good challenge.

 

Cheers Matty

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I've got a decent digital, I even have an account with photobucket or something. I just don't seem to be able to remember to take pics while I'm working on this. I'll have to tie a string round my finger.

 

I've got 3 days off this coming week so I'll try to get some pics happening.

 

 

Sabre

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I tried taking some photos but the lighting in my shop is pretty bad for that, so I'll be trying some outside today.

 

In the mean time, the wing panels are scribed, and I'm working on the hinges for the ailerons. I've filled the ailerons with resin, and am now adding the curved front edge before I cut the hinge slots. The center section of the wing is now full of resin, in prep for trying to carve a new bomb fairing. I've also scribed the tailplanes, and moved the elevator hinge line to its proper location. I'll be cutting the elevators free today and getting them cleaned up.

 

I cut the prop blades on a biase and scarfed in a 3mm piece to extend them to the proper diameter, now I have to clean them up and narrow them down a bit. The two part hub is pretty abysmal so I've glued it and filled the woopies with epoxy. Once its cured I'll sand the hub to shape and add the bolts on each face. The engine is together, but I'm not going to waste much time on it, other than painting and weathering it as the cowling will cover most of the lack of detail. Same thing for all the interior structure of the engine mount and oil tank. Its hidden, so why bother. Exhaust pipes are drilled out a decent amount, and Im thinning the tube edges to paper thickness to better represent the exhaust.

 

Work on the fuselage interior is at a standstill waiting on the new PE set, but I'm going to start scribing the exterior in the next couple of days.

 

I have to say, I'm glad I'm out of my slump. I stopped working on models in August of 2005 prior to moving, and have only just got the shop up n running so its been more than a year and a half since I touched one.

 

I may not get much done from now til the second week of May, as its boat launch time and I have to get Espina ready. We launch on the 28th and mast step on the 1st saturday in May, so its time for painting, sanding and varnishing. I hope the weather gets better cause its still pretty damn cold out.

 

Sabre

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  • 2 weeks later...

Been getting a little bit more done in between trips to the boat yard. I've started reshaping the bomb fairing, and I'm happy with the way its coming along. Same with the propellors. I've separated the elevators, and am working on getting the leading edges rounded again and building the hinges.

I've got one side of the fuselage scribed, with some panel lines removed, others shifted a bit. I'll be priming with Mr Surfacer in the next couple of days so that should make it easier to pick out all the niggley little over shoots on the scribing. Dark blue plastic can be a bit hard to see things on.

 

Still not able to get decent photos, but I am picking up a couple of flourescents, which may help. Try it again next week.

 

On a happy note, Eduard came thru with the missing fret, gotta love them for their customer service. I don't even remeber where or when I bought the set but they made it right. Kudos to them.

 

Sabre

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  • 2 weeks later...

Finally back to working on this one. The replacement fret for the eduard PE set arrived, so Im starting to work on the cockpit, and have done all the plastic destruction preparatory to bending metal. Im also working on boxing in the landing gear bays to make them look more like the orginal, and adding the small bit of plumbing you can see in the open bays.

 

Slowly we get there.

 

Oh yeh, I've got 3 days off and its going to pour buckets, so I may get a lot done. Sure wont be working on the boat in the rain.

 

Sabre

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Ok Finally some photos.

 

IMG_0661.jpg

 

Above, we have my feeble attempt at duplicating lapped panels. As I said in other posts, I do need to work on Subtle, as these would be about the same as lapped sheets of 1 inch planking. Not too pretty but worth further attempts. I'm going to fill these and try again.

 

IMG_0657.jpg

 

This is where I am with the modified bomb recess. Note the change in shape of the recess and the taper at the end. I've started to replace the center flap, marking out the location for the holes. Then I'll make up the tiny bit of taper on that part, to match the main section. I've narrowed it at that point by about 3/16 on either side.

 

IMG_0658.jpg

 

The two fuselage sides, scribed and with the interior started using the Eduard set. The tail wheel will be replaced with a nose wheel off a Monogram P-39 out of my scrap bin, with a modified strut. It'll all look better when I get some primer on it and get the panel lines cleaned out.

 

untitled.jpg

 

Here we have the altered tailplanes, which will be posed when complete. You can see where Matchbox had the old hinge line, now filled in. The engine with its modified propellor blades (still shaping them) and my double amputee pilot and gunner. I'm still debating on whether to put them in, in which case they will have to be modifed or just bin them.

 

IMG_0659.jpg

 

Last but not least, the outer wings with the ailerons seperated, and panel lines scribed. As of 15 minutes ago, I was working on the aileron hinges. They are coming along, and will be posed slightly off set. As noted above, If I put the crew in, I'm going to try modifying the pilot to be looking to one side, with his arm and the joystick offset as if he was doing his preflight control check. The gunner will be futzing about checking out his MG. Or not.

 

The clock is ticking, and hopefully I'll get this done by the due date. Its a motivational thing, still being dragged in too many directions. Its summer and I hear my boat calling me to come sailing. Its hard to resist.

 

Sabre

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  • 4 weeks later...
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