Ali62

Hi Guys 2 new sets for the Stearman Pt-17, as I said on the Gladiator set, you have asked for wing struts so I have decided to try them out on these two releases for now, I certanly think that the PT-17 will benefit from them. https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/product/stearman-pt-17-undercarriage-set-for-icm-kits https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/product/stearman-pt-17-wing-strut-set-for-the-icm-kits

Hi Guys Many have asked if I would do wing struts so I have taken a plunge at the first two sets for the Gladiator and the Stearman Pt-17, we shall see how these go. https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/product/gloster-gladiator-wing-strut-set-for-the-icm-kits

Hi Dennis Sorry just seen this now, I know these are a long time waiting......there is a plan right now, involving 3D cad and printing for the masters, I will hopefully have more news if the system is working and proceeding in the next week to 10 days........ regards Ali ps see new releases.....you may like some brass u/c for your WIP Lancaster??

It is a great kit, I am thinking of maybe trying it out for the training group build. As far as the undercarriage goes the main ones are similar in design to the Gladiator ones. Quite clever, but they are a little weak down at the axle, as is the tail wheel strut a little delicate, so I have sent these to get cast in brass. I am also going to see how the wing struts will cast in brass, will see how they turn out. Will keep you informed when they are ready. Ali

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11367.0 Got this information off a link on Britmodeller as above, this could be exciting for many of you guys on this BIG BOYS modelling site enjoy Cheers Ali

Hi Guys see my post here on page 27, I think this project has stalled for me, I do apologise cheers Ali

In many ways I do agree......BUT how much will that all cost in injection moulded???? I have a few ideas to fix some of the areas, and I shall be offer individual sets NOT one huge set, so modellers can decide if a certain fix warrants the price for them. If you are happy for me to do so I would like to make use of the information that you have supplied above, to add to what I have already. Thanks Ali Well Guys, I do not give up easily BUT I spent 5-6 hours yesterday redesigning the cowl, as the first one that we had drawn in 3D was not correct (a long story mainly my fault), back to research and model in hand and pencil, and black markers etc........ Came home earlier and spent another 2 hours on look and checking things to get information to go back to my friend tomorrow to redraw the cowling and quite a few other items and then I stopped in my tracks................I came up with the same error that AlexM has pointed out.......and yes others (especially Fencer-1) did try and warn me and all of us earlier but sometime you need to find out for your self as it were. I now need to agree with Fencer-1........THIS IS A START ALL OVER AGAIN PROJECT. I am now seriously consider what I do release for the kit, I have some rather cool wheels ready for production and will probably do a set of brass u/c but backdated to the B/C type not like the sort OF K ones that are in the kit, but that might be all. In summary as has been shown, above and in various posts the following is wrong fuselage section incorrect position of wing (that broke my will today, a few hours ago, at much the same time AlexM put his post up incorrect wing profile, and plan view, as shown by Fencer-1 the clear parts are all wrong the cockpit is all wrong the prop blade is way too short (I see Harold has done new ones, but not sure without seeing his new ones next to the kit ones how much he has changed them, and I assume he has them correct) the engine cowl as we know is incorrect, and now that I have looked into even more the backend of the engine/ cowl is not correct and needs changing as well, see picture below, added to this the engine is incorrect as we all knew for quite a while, however there are no exhausts provided either. My summary now is I have spent on estimation 30-40 hours of my time on this and in the region of £400-£500.00 on purchasing the kit, references, getting items drawn and printed, and now really have to wonder if it is really worth the effort............to continue. I think to those that want an A-26 Invader buy it and build it, and if you can or want to fix what you can and or buy some add on products just to make it look a little better. I am sorry for the disappointment as I had promised much and doing new clear parts etc. did not phase me too much, and I had fixes for things but when I realised earlier that the position and wing geometry was so bad I really just thought no matter what I or others do it is never going to look right, well without having to almost remake the model entirely from resin add ons. Oh well I will take the rest of the evening off and start fresh again with some of the other projects that will be challenging but hopefully a little easier. cheers for now Ali see below where the cowling at the rear is incorrect, the spacing that is marked need to have 6 exhausts in the area, it can only fit three, it not symmetrical in layout as Hobby Boss has it.

Hi Jim The plan is follows, I am getting a new pattern made for the blown section made, once the master is done then the casting experiment will take place, hope that all works, if it does I have a few other areas I want to look at, external features, then at that point I will decide on how and what parts I will offer. with quite a few projects on the go and most of them in try and see ‘of the experimental type to see if I can get new ideas and methods to work’ it will just take time to unravel them all. If I could devote full time to the projects that would help, but I still have a full time day job that needs to be done. The good thing is that you will all hear about the developments right here, as projects are ready. Ali

Thank you for all the positive responses guys, things are getting and been worked on, on various subjects and areas. I will share new information as I think it is at a stage to show positive progress.

Thanks, firstly I will try and get some of what I think are more essential areas fixed and addressed, once those are done will look at other areas as long as sales and interest is still there.

In many ways I do agree......BUT how much will that all cost in injection moulded???? I have a few ideas to fix some of the areas, and I shall be offer individual sets NOT one huge set, so modellers can decide if a certain fix warrants the price for them. If you are happy for me to do so I would like to make use of the information that you have supplied above, to add to what I have already. Thanks Ali

As promised here are some of the products that are now started and being worked upon. Wheels and cowling, more will follow, including a further set of wheels and there will be two different undercarriage sets as there is variances, and there will also be a specific engine set, that is currently being drawn in 3D. Many more parts are planned for the aircraft, some more correction/ improvement sets as well as conversion sets, details will follow as the development takes place. shown below are 3D CAD drawings for wheels as well as the printed wheels that are being prepared for casting shown below is the kit cowling and the new 3D CAD cowl, once printed will check fit and details to the kit parts

Hi Guys Thank you all so much for the kind welcome to having my own designated area on LSP. As many know I have been around for a long time on LSP. However I decided it would be beneficial for me to sponsor the site so that is a good thing and it also then offers Aerocraft Models their own space which I prefer. Currently I have a lot of sets in the works and or planned for the larger scales so this will be the place for me to announce products, show development of those products, and to get feed back and information from those that would like to contribute. Just recently I must say that I have been overwhelmed by the support and information in various formats that members from LSP have supplied to me, so thank you for that, and I will say that quite a few of these are now being considered and some have started moving along the line into the works. Sometimes my output is not as fast as I would like and or you the customers would like but there are factors that do affect that, firstly I am a one man show for the main part, however I do have guys that assist me in certain aspects i.e. decal drawing, 3D cad drawing, some of the casting in resin, and then all brass is cast by a specialist company. Added to that I do have a full time job so Aerocraft happens after the work day, and needs to be fitted in and around other aspects of life. I have learnt from some past experience not to make to many bold statements to far in advance of projects being released for many reasons, so I do hold back a little until I am sure the product will work and that I also keep some of my ideas under wraps. One of the products that I did stumble on was announcing the replacement 1/32 P-51 canopy for the Revell kit.......it was on my website for almost 2 years before I could sell it, just so many little things did not go right until I took a whole new approach, and also I fond a new clear casting resin that I could work with that gave good results. With some of this in mind other projects that I had mentioned I would look at also did just not materialise, well I am hoping now that some of those may now start to see production, but I cannot and will not make too many promises until masters and trials are completed. So to whet your appetites here are some of the subjects I am working on 1/24 Hellcat -3 conversion, this is already in the works there will be a few box offerings with alternate decals 1/32 A-26 Invader.........lots of sets, some are already progressing quite well, will start an individual thread on that soon 1/32 B-24 Liberator, I did say I would do the turrets, yes I know more than a year ago, but I have fresh eyes on those and hope to be getting some assistance in getting some new masters developed, they are very complex items and if I do get them into production I want them as good as possible. If some of my ideas work then there will be items for the D and the J. There will also be other parts and sets other than just turrets. 1/32 P-51B parts for the Trumpeter kit, some guys requested a look at the Malcolm hood, I have done quite a lot of home work and I think I have found some solutions to doing a few sets that will help the kit......it will never be perfect but will hopefully improve it. I am looking at trying a new method on the blown canopy section, at this stage I have no idea if it will really work BUT I am going to try. 1/32 F-105 Thunderchief, for this some members have also asked for me to look at the canopies, and once again I will look, however I have not done much personal research with the parts comparing to the references so this one is a little further down the list. Well I hope that this small snippet at least gets some interest going, and do not forget I also do work in other smaller scales as well. Catch you all again soon with more information as it develops, and some surprises as well, to keep you on your toes. cheers Ali

I have received more references and a few more on the way in the next week, I also have a few items that are WIP with a friend doing some 3D cad work for some of the masters. Quite a few folk have already offered help from this forum, so over the next few months I hope to develop quite a lot of detail and or conversion sets for this pretty cool aircraft, it will take time but the wheels are at least in motion....... Ali

Ok as an update, I have the D on loan as I said previously, I have just ordered a G and a book or two to help me sort things out. So in the next little while I will look at the canopy sections and maybe one or two other items once I have the kits and the reference materials. If any of you can help in any way by sending pictures or drawings of areas that need fixing then that would be great. Ali

Well I highly doubt that there will be another made in 1/32 scale..... but who knows, so will have to see what and or anything can be done with this offering we have.

I shall wave my magic wand tonight and by the end of next week you shall have one parcel on your front doorstep containing a BRAND new P-51B kit, perfect in every sense of the word, and the very best kit ever produced, baring none.......

Ok, I now have a D kit that I have borrowed......... On this example there is quite a lot of distortion on the screen section, on both of the side sections and the opening canopy has almost ‘dents’ within the canopy, that cause distortion, so although clear as they are they are not great. So to clarify what are the major issues? From what I gather other than any mould deficiencies that some kits have there are shape problems? I have not even started or will not have much time to look and start serious searching / research do any of you have good pictures to illustrate what is needed. Secondly I only have the D, Tony T has offered to send me parts and especially for the G, but as he is currently having to shield for possibly some time to come he is unable to get parts off to me, anytime soon. So is anybody else in the UK able to help out with fuselage sections for the G and the main canopy? cheers Ali

As I have told Boyd, I made contact with Grey Matters they do not have the P-51B canopy that Jerry did. So if there is enough interest I will have a look and see what I can come up with, but it will not be an overnight fix, but let me know your thoughts and or any other areas that maybe useful to have addressed on this P-51B kit......as most or any other options look still to be a fair way down the line. cheers Ali

Hi As can be seen I contacted Tim to find out what the full story was and is. I did not cross his path and or get involved in making masters and parts when there is a solution available. However if there are a few of you who think that other canopy sections would be useful, for any of the P-38 Lightning Versions, let me know. I am not sure what and if there are any further short comings that need to be addressed. I am glad has put the matter straight from his side. cheers Ali

Well we will need to find out what is really needed and I need some help and feed back if there is need for work to be done on the D and the G. A friend nearby is going to loan me his kit but I am not sure if it is a D or a G. I need to see some parts in my hand to start seeing what questions I may need to ask you guys. will so how this develops as time goes by. cheers Ali

Thanks for that, ok let us see what happens, it looks a if there are some guys with the vacform canopies, and I do not want to get involved if Grey Matters are still supplying the required parts with their sets. I am here if any of you need me to do a screen or canopy set. cheers Ali

I have been watching this thread with interest, I have a kit on the way, it should be here with me in the next week or so. I have some ideas For replacement parts, either upgrades and conversions, possibly even up to doing the K but we will have to see. I am sure that Hobby Boss will release the glass nose as we have send that on there pictures. i am willing also to do new clear canopy parts for versions and corrections, but just remember NOTHING will be a quick overnight fix. I have a day job and this venture is all in my spare time, but the more accurate and detailed information that I can get to specific areas one at a time I can work on those parts. i have made other offers for other clear parts for other subjects this morning so we will just have to see. please PM me if you are wanting to assist in any way, and or even to produce more elaborate conversions like the K. Just as aside I still do intend to get turrets out for theB-24 and also the Hellcat -3 conversion in 1/24, but more of that later as I do not want to drift this thread....... cheers Ali

I have already replied to two other requests for clear cast parts this morning. I am willing to help as long as you guys are willing to help me. I need reference for exactly what you are wanting and also I need the relevant kit parts on loans to make sure everything works out, I.e fuselage, canopies and any coaming or any other item that might fit within or foul within a new clear cast canopy. please send me PM’s and we can take it from there. Cheers Ali

I would be prepared to try and assist with making up a canopy set if I know exactly what you want, so do let me know. i will also need on loan ONLY, the following, cockpit surround, I.e fuselage (so I can make it fit) the original canopy parts, and any comings or any other parts that need to fit within the canopy area. Please PM me any details and then if somebody is willing to send me the relevant parts, on a return basis. I live in Scotland so UK based may be preferable, but not essential. Also remember this will take time, and not an instant solution. i will make new masters and then cast in clear resin. cheers Ali