Wiggy

Hey Man, my research shows this "Springfield Bulldog Racer" used the Pratt & Whitney 535HP R-985 Wasp Junior. Wish we had an image from the rear. Maybe those pictures I harvested from the net are not Wasp Jr's? This is the same motor used in the 1931 Gee Bee "Z" and the Laird "Super Solution". Thank you for your input, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Hey Man, thanks for the kind words. Regarding the plugs- I took a close look and found something else that may be incorrect. Problem is, I"m not sure what is "right" now... I looked back through my research and found some differences between these Pratt & Whitney motors known as the R-985 Wasp Jr. The ignition "ring" where the plug wires come from: I've seen this in front of the pushrods, and I've seen it behind. I placed mine in front and thought that was correct... I think I can see some type of mount or feed for the "ring" coming-up between the cylinders in this shot. On the back of the Jug are the intake and exhaust valves- no room for another spark plug? Interested in your thoughts, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Greetings. So I managed to get the wings on, the gear legs and wheel pants, and wire the Pratt & Whitney... More to follow. Happy Holidays, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Thanks fellas for the welcome and the encouragement. I'm begining to see the fascination with 1/32nd scale- everything's HUGE! I confess I could have spent more time in the cockpit but the canopy is so small, you can't SEE anything. I need to make the ring and harness for the 9 spark plugs. I'm gonna' try some solder for the ring, then telephone wire for the harness- stay tuned. I managed to "open-up" the little chin intake. I don't see ANY navigational or landing lights. I guess the pilot NEVER flew after sunset? More to follow. -Quarter Scale Wiggy

My mistake- and away we go... Quarter Scale Wiggy

Greetings. So Chris was nice enough to let me finish my 1/48th scale Thunderbolt here on LSP. Now, I owe "something" in 1/32nd scale. The kit I picked is a Williams Brother's 1/32nd scale Hall's "Bulldog" Racer from the 1930's! Should be fun. "Pull the chocks." Quarter Scale Wiggy

Greetings. Nothing quite like crossing the finish line after a long project. This "Jug" has been on the bench over a year. I used the old Monogram 1/48th scale Thunderbolt kit. Capt. Dick Hewitt flew this aircraft: P-47D-25-RE BU#42-26635 while serving with the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group based at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England. I had to scratch-build the center line rack with fuel lines and filter, the brake lines, rear view mirror, gun barrel blast tubes, and I added the little drains. Found a nice ring and bead gunsight in my stash so I installed that as well. Thank you for allowing me to post here on LSP. I owe you something in 1/32nd scale. "On to the next", Quarter Scale Wiggy

Almost there... Still have to dress a few items, and get some better pictures. More to follow, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Hey Man, thanks for the kind words. Stay tuned- we're just getting to the good part. Many blue skies, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Hey Man, thanks for the words of encouragement. You're not the first to try and convince me to move to "the mother scale". More to follow, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Greetings friends. So I'm making some real progress with MX*E. Got the ring and bead gun sight installed along with a scratch-built rear view mirror. Trying to get all the "whiskers" installed before I shoot the oil and exhaust blow-by. She's gonna' get a very dirty belly. More to follow, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Hey Man, thanks for the kind words. I enjoy the research as much as the actual doing. I found-out the gunsight "nail" is just off center to port- makes sence. More to follow. Many blue skies, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Greetings. Amazing what you can do with bits and pieces of copper and brass wire. I scratch-built the center line rack, fuel lines, clamshell door arms, blast tubes and several drains. Can anyone help me with the "proper" iron gun sight position ahead of the cockpit? Looks like the ring sight was mounted on a small perch to the left of the optical gun sight. I'm wondering if the "nail" on the forward fuselage favored the port side as well. Pull the chocks, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Finally got the gear installed. Always a "big deal" when they can stand on their own. Can anyone tell me the correct 1/48th scale diameter of the machine gun blast tubes? More to follow, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Finished the unpainted fuselage stencil, cleaned-up a few areas and finally sprayed some clear flat. Those decals were making me nervous- especially when a large section of checkers departed the cowling "on my finger!" More to follow, Quarter Scale Wiggy

At least it's "correct". Till I get through the weathering process, it should look just right. Thanks, Quarter Scale Wiggy

So my friends, when it became obvious I'd used the WRONG color on the under surfaces, it took me a full two days to realize what HAD to be done. (Wiggy shaking his head...) If it's not right, what's the point? Too many stripes and decals to mask around at this point: time to break-out my favorite brush and just have-at-it. Correct color IS: RAF Sky "Type S"... While my brush and I were still on good terms, I finished the Top Hat and Cane. At least I'm back on track now. More to follow, Wiggy

>"...me thinks you used the wrong blue..."< See, that's what I really appreciate- "Hold the garnish please, bring me the meat and potatoes!" Excuses excuses I know, but here's the reason why I decided on the RAF "Azure" Blue: I took a UK aproach researching the colors on MX*E. When I discovered the use of RAF paint (that's pretty cool!), I interpreted "Sky Blue" in a British vein, I.E. "The azure skies of Dover". It really provides that "rich feel" of RAF colors. It kinda' has a Mosquito "aroma" to it. I added some straight Testors "Sky" to give it a more milky quality. It may not be quite 100% but my heart was in the right place. I rest my case. GUILTY- throw him in the hole. I'm planning on doing some black & white photography work when I'm finished. You'll see, She'll look just right. Thanks for bein' "up front". It's what keeps us honest and makes us better. More to follow. -Quarter Scale Wiggy

Thanks Man. I was concerned that 1/48th scale wasn't really supposed to be here- and you fellas were too nice to say anything. I guess: what fun are the rules if you can't break them once in a while. I'll try to hurry-up with this commercial so you can get back to the movie. Many blue skies, Quarter Scale Wiggy

Found this shot in the book: The Encyclopedia of Aircraft of WWII pg. 432. My scanner is on the blink so I had to take a picture of a picture. -Quarter Scale Wiggy

OK Man, will do. Thanks for the 1/48th scale "go ahead". Dig this great shot I found- the "dirty belly" of MX*E. Such a dirty bird... Of special interest is the "black" painted port gear door. Guess the invasion stripe fella didn't feel like transferring the under wing stripes onto this migrating panel. Also notice the unpainted natural aluminum areas where the wing pylons "were". God is in the details... -Quarter Scale Wiggy

Fellas, after thoroughly looking around this GREAT web site, I've decided I really don't belong here. Not me personally- just my 1/48th scale modeling. I'm a little fish in a big fish pond. This IS a "Large Scale Planes" forum and by rights, 1/48th scale simply doesn't qualify. I have a lot of respect for all the brave souls who build such HUGE model aircraft. Thank you for your research help and keep-up the good work. All the best, Wiggy

Comin' along... The latest set-back: found out I'd prepped the WRONG propeller. I had a nice Curtiss "asymmetrical paddle prop" all ready-to-go. After looking closely at the photograph of MX*E and doing some more research, I discovered the 13' Hamilton Standard propeller was what I needed. Short prop boss and no cuffs on the blades... Gettin' it right, Wiggy

Some more progress. More to follow, Wiggy

Greetings. So I'm lookin' at this Thunderbolt and I can tell there's something wrong. Something just doesn't look right. I started reviewing all my reference material on MX*E. After staring at the pictures, I realized my error: the ETO ID stripes on the tail were too wide! The 1/48th scale breakdown should be as follows: the ETO stripe on the tail was 12"=1/4" the stripes on the horisontal stabilizers were 15" wide=5/16" the invasion stripes were 18" wide=3/8". Hope this can help the next modeler to paint these stripes. Onward, Wiggy