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Showing results for tags 'meteor f.3'.
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Guys, Languishing in the stash has been the HKM Meteor F.4. My original intention was to build an RAAF F.8 from the Korean War and I was lucky enough to obtain a Fisher Models conversion set. With the announcement and now availability of the Revell F.8, I have one on the way from Hannants which I’ll build as the Aussie bird. But what to do with the HKM kit? One of my modeling goals for 2025 was to gain some level of proficiency with 3D design and printing. I have been able to stumble my way into a bunch of small parts like Curtis propeller parts for the P-47 and weapons pylons for an AD-4. I progressed to some more complex items like the XF5U landing gear and an ignition harness for the R-2800 engine. With a now near reckless confidence level, I decided to have a go at en even more complex 3D project: creating the conversion parts necessary to backdate the HKM F.4 to an F.3. Starting with several sets of drawings, none of which matched the others, I settled on one that I would use for the basis of the parts, tweaking it as necessary as I went along. I’ve planned a relatively simple conversion concept where the kit wings would be cut along a panel line just inside the inner side of the nacelle. The design consists of 4 parts per wing: forward nacelle, rear nacelle, outer wing and engine exhaust.v Ignore the ragged trailing edges of the nacelles, I was a bit over zealous ripping away the supports. The forward nacelle is designed with a spar to slide into the HKM inner wing and it will accept the kit’s engine accessories part, the rear nacelle also has a spar and will accommodate a separate exhaust tube for either the Welland or Derwent engines, a hollow outer wing fits onto a flange along the fairing at the outer edge of the nacelle parts. Shown here is progress to date, which is essentially blank concept parts to check alignment, fit and look; fit is close and the concept seems to be sound. I’m not a Meteor expert, but I’m thinking it’s close. I would love to hear opinions whether criticisms or suggestions! Everything is tacked together for now. Once I establish the final shape, I’ll work on panel lines and rivets, something I still have to teach myself to do in Fusion360. I’ve already created masks for the 4 plane detachment of aircraft deployed to Holland in early 1945. This is a total side hustle, work progresses mostly on a whim but I hope to see an F.3 on my display shelf in 2026. As mentioned earlier I welcome any and all feedback you all might have Thanks for dropping by John
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