Chek Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 (edited) Incredible work Eric, and likely the most authentic scale reproduction of the engine turned panels I've yet seen. Following a link posted on Hyperscale, there's a photo gallery of 33 period photos of Lindbergh's flight tests when collecting his aircraft from Ryan's San Diego factory and a post-transatlantic flight visit.. Not many detail photos of the aircraft, but some, and plenty of period detail. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-lindbergh-photos-20170507-story.html Edited May 12, 2017 by Chek ericg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericg Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 Incredible work Eric, and likely the most authentic scale reproduction of the engine turned panels I've yet seen. Following a link posted on Hyperscale, there's a photo gallery of 33 period photos of Lindbergh's flight tests when collecting his aircraft from Ryan's San Diego factory and a post-transatlantic flight visit.. Not many detail photos of the aircraft, but some, and plenty of period detail. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-lindbergh-photos-20170507-story.html Thanks alot for the link. a few that I had not seen yet. Onto the slightly more difficult front panels. I made up some templates using my mask cutter and then traced the patterns onto the aluminium. I then applied the engine turning technique as per the method described earlier. One the glue was set I was left with this: I then applied pressure to the areas where the holes were for the cylinders which allowed me to see where I needed to remove the metal. \ Using a new blade I carefully cut out most of the hole And then used a toothpick to burnish the edges smooth as well as make the holes for the intake manifold and the push rods Perfect! just one more to go. kkarlsen, Hubert Boillot, Whitey and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 You are one talented modeler. Sincerely, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Craftsmanship mate. Looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palm-tree Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Beautiful work Eric! How are you going to do the markings? Will you consider having custom stencils made and airbrushing rather than risking decals? Best wishes for the rest of the build. P-t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel_W Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Eric, The cowling looks incredible. Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Eric Tremendous work on the cowlings and spinner - absolutely flawless Keep 'em coming Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericg Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 I finally finished the metal cowls. To say that I am happy with the finished product is an understatement! What started out as an idea, or more of a challenge to myself is now a reality. I always say to those that visit my workshop that there is no such phrase as `can't be done'. A few small touch ups were carried out using the same felt tip in the dremel. Completed, ready for markings. Anthony in NZ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Eric No truer words have been spoken. Amazing work Keep 'em coming Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Sensational work Eric......mind boggling indeed what you did there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClumsyDude Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Unreal work mate ... definitely owe yourself a victory lap over those panels. Well done. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericg Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Now that the hard bits were out of the way it was time to move on with the markings. The real test of the mask cutter was going to be the Spirit of St Louis text on the cowl. Of course, I had the kit decals to fall back on if the machine couldn't do the work required of it but this project was always about pushing the boundaries. I Using the same process as before, scanning in the kit decals, allowing the software to work out the lines, and then editing the lines to appear as close as possible to the real aircraft. It took multiple attempts to get it right, as the machine sometimes doesn't cut exactly what is on the screen, especially for stuff this small. Some areas of the letters required larger angles of points and slightly different shapes to some of the curves. It was a process of design, cut, place on the model, assess and then redo as required until I got something I was happy with to shoot paint through. As can be seen here, each letter is made up of a series of points which can be clicked on and dragged around and each point has a radius on it which can also be edited as required to change it angle or curve. Another handy feature of it is that once the text was complete, it can be `grouped' and scaled up or down as required. Even the angle of the `Spirit' part of the text was able to be isolated and its angle changed to suit the kit cowl. Whilst I was in the final editing stage of the masks, I made a small allowance to the underside rego, as the left side of the N wraps around the pitot tube. The final sheet: Just like a bought one (although this one has been solidly tested on a real model!) Now the fun part, shooting paint through my home grown masks. I decided to start on the least visible marking, the underside rego. I used Gunze Tire black thinned with MR Self levelling thinner and sprayed at a low pressure. Next up was the topside rego, a much larger mask. Bloody perfect! Girlscanplay2, Anthony in NZ, TaffyMan and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Bloody perfect, all right! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericg Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 (edited) The tail markings were next, same process. Whilst the paint was drying on the main markings, I used some bare metal foil to replicate the oleos. The brass oleo was painted with the rest of the model and required finishing to give it a polished metal look. I cut up a small piece of bare metal foil (much thinner and fragile stuff than the foil I used on the cowls) Wrapping it carefully around the oleos. I then burnished it onto the oleo with a cotton bud. It was then time to spray the Spirit of St Louis titles on the cowl. This was probably the high point of the markings process as it allowed me to preserve the metal finish of the cowl without any carrier film. Masking up the cowls wasnt really a problem as they are quite tough due to the type of metal used. Great success! I was a little dubious as to whether it would work to begin with but now I am hooked! Not too long before this one will be in my display cabinet or on a show table. Edited May 14, 2017 by ericg easixpedro, Whitey, Maurice and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simmo.b Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Look out expo!!!!! Scale32 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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