JayW

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

wonderful - that engine is a show winner on it's own
 
Peter

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Here is a picture of that front spar segment I made a couple weeks ago:
 

 
Well for a number of reasons I scrapped it.  A lot of work in the trash bin.  But I would call it a "proof-of-concept" effort, and the second try is almost always better than the first.  The main reason was that the middle was too tall and was not going to interface properly with the firewall that attaches to the top chord.  So that was enough of an excuse to just do it over, and in the process correct the dihedral, and also make it a little longer to better assure a good stiff wing.
 
Here is the new one as complete as I can get it:
 

 
See?  It isn't as tall in the middle.  Note it has items hanging off it, which will be seen (I think?) in the engine accessories compartment.  
 
From the bottom:
 

 
That cove in there has fittings which attach the aft centerline hook mechanism for the jettisonable fuel tank.  I am tempted to make that mechanism next.  We'll see which side of bed I get out of tomorrow.
 
More likely I will begin making bulkheads and frames for the cockpit.  Stay tuned, and stay well!
 
 

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Just caught back up with this thread, that engine is absolutely amazing Jay!
 
Brilliant work.
 
Cheer's,
Jeff.

Jay,
 
Glad to help, and to see them put to such great use!
 
Cheers,  Tom

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

All right.  A large milestone - the R-2800-8 is finished and on static display (my apologies for the crude mounting fixture).  A nearly year long adventure: 
 
   
 

 

 

 

 
Some lines were installed after the rear crankcase was installed - a large fuel hose from the fuel pump to the carburetor, and some tubing associated with the separator (the ZC yellow cannister on the side of the aft blower case):
 

 
With exhaust manifolds and the diaphragm:
 
 
 

 
 
When this piece of work gets installed into the aircraft, it will be a huge challenge to connect the myriad tubes, hoses, push rods, cables, and wire bundles to it.  Oh, and the complex shaped air ducts.  Wow.  But that is going to be a while.
 
Tell you the truth - I am not sure what I am going to tackle next.  The cockpit looms large, as does cowl flaps and nose cowl attachments, as does the engine mount truss. and firewall bulkhead.  I guess next post you will see.  Take care.

After the engine, I breathed a big sigh of relief, and then just couldn't figure out what to do next.  I know what needs to be done next - the cockpit.  And I guess that is what I will do.  But one thing leads to another.  The side walls need to be done first, especially important for the Corsair which has no floor, exposing the fuselage frames on the sides and bottom.  Right now it all looks awful and unrealistic.  So while doodling around wondering how to attack it, I started on the wing center section front spar.  Just....because. 
 
OK the center section wing front spar, or main beam in F4U language.  It is very visible in the engine compartment with cowl panels open:
 
  
 
And of course there is an engineering drawing VS-10072 - here is one frame of it:
 

 
Two tubes (one left, one right) of the engine mount truss attach to the front spar common to its lower chord.  Due to the heavy gage of the gull wings on the model (.08 inch scales to 1.44 inches!), the spar is narrower than it should be, which affects the location of those two tubes, which will cause interferences.  So I had to modify the shape of my spar, flattening the bottom.  This 4x scale layout (that is to say 4 x 1/18) shows what I am talking about:
 
 
 
That layout looks simple, but it is not!  I did alot of hours of layout work trying to get a spar that was the right shape, and located fore/aft in teh right place.  Here she is - just alot of plastic sheet, strip, and angle section:
 

 
Making it was alot easier than laying it out!  The two little pads with holes are where the motor mount truss attaches.  
 
These pictures show what it will look like when installed (the trained eye will notice I got the dihedral wrong - but fear not.  It's gonna be OK):
 
 
 

 

 
That last shot is from the bottom.  Note I have created "shoulders" for the big lower hinged door to nest up against (it's aft edge). 
 
I am going to have to rely on this spar section to maintain wing dihedral as I continue to dremmel away material from the part, making it more limber and flexible.  So I will install it permanently here real soon.  
 
Take care - next post I'll show you some progress in the cockpit area.  
 
    

Indeed you are Uncarina.  Thanks for that.  No self-respecting Pratt engine should be without its emblem:
 

 

 
Tom gave me a bunch of them.  Now the Thunderbolt has an emblem as well:
 

 
Of course these are from Fundekals.  The decal sheet includes 1/18 scale, amazingly!  That is if you can get them - Fundekals has been out of stock for quite a while.  Thanks again Tom!
 
Another update post coming soon.  Stay tuned.

For me it is the P-51D, arguably the first air superiority fighter.  Beautiful, and so lethal.