rock1947a

Page 2 of instructions.

Hi again everyone. It's been a while, but the Lone Star F3F cockpit was delivered this week. I took photos of the instructions and parts, but the upload of the parts photo failed because the file is larger than the available space. I thought I used the correct resolution stipulated in the wesite instructions when I took the photos. I think the I can psot the instruction images. Below is a short description of this set. I'll try to figure out how to get the photos posted soon. Any suggestions would be welcome. There is a pretty clear 2-sided letter-size page of instructions that has drawings of the parts and indications of their correct locations. They also provide instructions for modifications to the kit and update set parts. 13 parts Instrument Panel with recessed nstruments. The dial indicator needles are embossed an each instrument. Right and left cockit walls with numerous switches, knobs, wheels, levers, etc. I haven't determined how accurate these are, but they look good enough for my purposes without much modification. Control Column with wiring. Cockpit floor with some wiring, instrumentation, and oxygen bottle molded on. The instructions clearly describe how to add some small rod to add the provided control column over the floor recess. Rear cockpit bulkhead with seat and head cushion molded on it. The area on both sides of the seat are open, which allows viewing behind the bulkhead. The seat is very thin and has the seat belts molded on the right and left sides. Rudder pedals and operating mechanisms. One of the rudder pedals is not fully cast on my set, but enough of it is there to all a little cyanoacryate gel to fill it out easily. Right side Radio Compartment Wall and Floor for behind the cockpit with well-defined electronics and radios molded onto them. Radio Compartment Access Panel for right side of fuselage. 2 replacement wheels that are well cast and much wider than the origina kit parts. The outer wheel cover is complete. The locating hole for the landing gear axles don'g go all the way through them. 1 plug to cover the left side landing gear operator. I'm far from an expert modeller, but this set is well worth the price to me. It's a simple way to dress this kit up and I think the end result will look convincing if not a contest-winner. There are very few resin bubbles, pits, or other imperfections. There is quite a bit of extremely thin flash around most of the parts, but clean-up takes very little effort. I cleaned most of it off the parts while they're still on the sprues before taking the photo. The attachment points between the parts and the sprues will need some care, but are well-defined. I hope this description is usefull. I'll try posting images of the parts again when I have a better idea what I'm doing. Pete

Hi everyone. I couldn't ask for a more helpful, knowledgeable, and entusiastic response to my original plea for help. I'm especially indebted to Mike in calif, Astro32, Dr. Metz, Rato, Ray, and DougN (as well as anyone else who's been following this thread and might contribute further suggestions, comments, or opinions). Pete For those interested in building and/or improving this 40-some-odd-year-old kit, I'll summarize what I've learned in just a couple of days from the kind and generous Forum Members. There are probably other usefull accessories and references, but I'm listing the ones I'm aware of. Kit: There have been several re-issues of the original Monogram 1/32 F3F-3 kit. The latest I'm aware of is Revell/Monogram #85-5836. Although it's not curently widely available from internet vendors, it frequently surfaces on eBay and a couple recently sold for $10.00 - $20.00 + postage/handling. Accessories: Note: These products may be available from other vendors, but I'm including the URLs for the manufacturers. 1. Yellow-Wings Decals #32-003 http://yellow-wingsdecals.com/decals/produ...;products_id=78 2. Lone Star Models LSM 0286 F3F-3 cockpit (I haven't seen the contents yet, but will post pictures when delivered.) http://www.lonestarmodels.com/ 3. Vector Engine #32004 http://www.neomega-resin.com/vector/american.htm 4. Master Details USN/USMC pre-WW2 Aviator #32013 http://www.ventersaerospace.com/32013.htm References: Grumman Biplane Fighters in Action: Squadron/Signal #160 ISBN 0-89747-353-1 The drawing of the F3F-2 on page 37 of this book needs to be enlarged with a printer setting of 189% as kindly mentioned by Rato in the above thread. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Peter Westburg Scale View Drawing Grumman F3F-2 DD-0058462.4 (3 sheets) - I haven't seen these drawings, but just wanted to list them for your information. http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/ (search for f3f)

Thank you for the clarification about the wing extension correction being needed on both the inboard outboard wing sections Dr. Metz. 4 extensions needed on each wing makes the correction a little more difficult, but I think I'll try it anyway. I found the drawings in the Squadron book, but I'm not sure what scale they are. If they're 1/48th scale, I know I need to enlarge them by 150%. If they're in a different scale, I need help figuring out the enlargement %. My problem is complicated by the fact that I don't actually have to kit to measure against since it hasn't been delivered yet. Sorry I have to ask for more help for a dumb question. Thanks everyone.

Hello Rato. Wow!!! Thank you for sharing your research with me (and the other LSP members/visitors interested in this Golden Age aircraft). The images are just what the Doctor ordered. Did you create the plan drawings yourself, or is there a source where I could obtain/purchase them? Judging from your rudder comparison, I think it might not be too difficult to cut the base of the rudder/stabilizer from the fuselage and add a shim to the bottom to conform more to the correct dimensions. I'm afraid it might make the tail look out of proportion with the fuselage spine though. What do you think? I'll be happy to post the best pictures I can of the Lone Star cockpit when it arrives. I'm a little confused about what the set contains, because their website describes product LSM 0286 as an "F3F-3 cockpit", but a Google search refers to a 2006 announcement for "1/32 F3F cockpit wheels and radio comparment for Monogram kit". In any case, I'll be happy share a description and photos of whatever is delivered with you and this forum. Thanks a million for sharing your work with me, and for your help. Maybe by comparing notes with everyone interested we can come up with a reasonably acceptable upgrade of the basic kit that isn't too difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. Hope to hear your opinion (or anyone else's) about my rudder correction approach soon. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Pete

Hi Mr. Metz. Thanks so much for providing the information I need to extend the F3F-3 wingspan. Do you know if the extensions should be made inboard or outboard of each of the inter-plane struts? I'd like to make the correction in the proper area of the upper and lower wings. I greatly appreciate your help, as well as everyone else who provided information or are interested in this subject. Pete

Right! I need to examine my references more closely. The Squadron book includes a photo of the Gulfhawk on page 44, which the caption says had F2F-1 wings with a wingspan of twenty-eight feet six inches and the fuselage of an F3F-2. On page 37, the specifications for the F3F-2 indicate a wingspan of 32 feet, so it seems the F3F-3 wingspan should be 3 1/2 feet wider if the same wings are included in the both kits. When I receive my kit, I'll be able to measure the wings to come to a proper conclusion. I forgot about the Vector R-1820 engine. For anyone else who might be interested, it's their product number 32-004. Thank you for your interest Astro32, and also to Mike for referencing the Squadron book.

Hi Mike. Thanks for the tip about the Smithsonian. I'll check it out. It sure would simplify things not to have to modify the wingspan. I still have a nagging memory about a magazine build article several years ago stating that the kit wingspan is too short. I'll go with the squadron book info if nothing else turns up. I just ordered the Lone Star cockpit yesterday without having actually seen it. I have some of their other accessories, which I found very useful. If it turns out not to be "perfect", at least I expect it to be a time-saving starting point. When I receive it, I'll try to post some pics of it for you. Thanks again for your help. Pete

Hi everyone. Does anyone know what updates or corrections are needed to improve the 1/32 Monogram/Revell F3F-3 kit? The only aftermarket accessories I can find are the Lone Star cockpit and Yellow-Wings Decals. I think I remember once reading that the wingspan needs to be adjusted, but I can't find the details about it anywhere. From what I recall, the F3F-3 kit wings are based on their Gulfhawk II kit, which supposedly should have had a different wingspan. Am I mistaken about the wingspan difference? Do the F3F-3 upper and/or lower wings need to be lengthend or shortened between or outboard of the inter-plane struts? Numerous internet searches haven't provided this information. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Any information or direction would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, and I hope your projects are progressing enjoyably. Pete