Rotorhead Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I flew this airplane as a student with VT-2 and later as a MC staff-pilot. I have always had a soft place in my heart for the plane and was thrilled when Kitty Hawk came out with a 1/32 scale kit of the T-28. I was fearful that that there would be a few deal breakers, the major one being the proper canopy profile for the B/C/D aircraft. As it turns out KH got it right. Brian Leitch did a really good review of this kit and I agree with him that there don't appear to be any deal breakers, just some room for personal improvement. Brian' Review Link I thought that I would start a Build-Log for my Kitty Hawk 1/32 T-28B as I didn't want to hijack anyone else's post. It's really just in the planning stages right now because I will be waiting on Eduard's Cockpit Zoom PE for the cockpit dash and side panels (hopefully, April). I'm also hoping that someone comes up with some better seats. I found that the engine, while crisp and sharp, isn't exactly correct. Since that does bother me somewhat, I plan to replace that engine. I "think" I'm going to use the Eduard Brassin B-17 R-1820. It is a pricy option but I do like that engine. The Eduard engine is slightly bigger in diameter. 41.5mm for the KH engine (that's without the added rocker boxes added) vs 43mm for the Eduard engine (that already has the rocker boxes). I will be cleaning up the Eduard engine and testing it before I make a final decision. I don't believe I will be opening up the cowling (but that might change). Regards Steve Youngtiger1, Harold, D.B. Andrus and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Steve, this is great ! I have one on the way as we speak thanks to JohnB ! This will be a great help to me and others. Carry on sir......Harv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Since Terrific intro and I will be following with great interest. Keep 'em coming Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Will watch with interest, whats the ID of the cowling? phantom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 At 43 mm diameter, the Eduard engine is accurate (but the scale thickness of the cowling cannot be reproduced accurately in plastic, so the heads will have to be shaved off fo fit, most probably) It looks better than the kit's part, but there is still room to get a better R-1820 IMHO ... At least, unlike the Vector representation, the cylinders are evenly distributed around the crankcase Will follow this build with interest Hubert Shawn M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotorhead Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Will watch with interest, whats the ID of the cowling? Shawn, thats a good question..............and it's difficult to measure as it's in multiple pieces and still on the sprues. What I did do, was fit the KH engine into the larger piece of cowl (the KH engine does have individual rocker covers that need to be installed (so they may be the same diameter of the ED engine)). I fit the ED engine into that same piece of cowling and it's darn close. If I elect to open the one side of cowl, then I probably would elect to shave (if needed) the inside portion only. I really have to say Im in love with the ED engine as it has the spacers between cylinders already placed along with the proper spacing. Fit of the exhaust pipes might be dicey. If I close the cowling, then it's a no brainer on shaving. I'm still playing with it and planning. I will wait for the Eduard Zoom for the cockpits. I will have to print my own decals for VT-2 or cut and paste from spare sheets. Regards Steve Harold 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Looking forward to this one Steve - always liked the look of the T-28! Iain Harold 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotorhead Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 More info on the inner diameter of the cowling.......can't be done yet, have to wait for a bit into the build. I put it together with tape but it's 5 pieces and it's shaky. With the ED engine inside, it would appear that it won't need to be shaved down any. The KH exhaust parts fit like a champ. I may have to adjust the length of the pipes fitting into the ED engine as I don't know just yet how that engine is going to sit in the KH cowling fore and aft wise. The bulkheads are not going to be easy. Will have to see if I use a modified ED firewall or use the KH firewall. I tried on the ID....... Regards Steve Harold and Youngtiger1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotorhead Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Here is a pic of the best I can do with tape and the cowling. The ED engine is in along with the KH head shield aft of the exhaust pipes. Everything fits snugly. I do not believe any shaving of rocker covers will be necessary. I do believe that I will close the cowling due to issues with converting the ED shield. The nose wheel well structure holds all the KH parts together well. If I spend all that time on modifications, this whole thing will eventually go to the shelf of doom. Keeping AMS to a minumum as I want to finish this one. A photo of the taped up cowl with the ED engine and the KH heat shield. A small spacer will be needed to mate the two but it will not be seen. Harold 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Looks very promising ! Thanks........Harv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Also, which brassen engine set is this ? They list 4 sets.....Harv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotorhead Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Here is a pic of the cowl along with the KH engine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing the KH at all. I think with the accessories added it would be a credible engine. I just want something more exact and Im willing to work for it. Here is the KH engine "sitting" in the cowl. The spacer between it and the heat shield isnt there. Harvey, each engine of the Eduard engines for the HKM B-17 are different. I believe each heat shield and exhaust tubing is different. I didnt care which one I got as each engine itself is the same. The KH exhausts work fine for the ED engine. The heat shield would need a lot of modification to use. Like I said....it's pricey....a bit more than the Vector but much easier to deal with. That is all MY opinion though. I have the #2 engine. Regards Steve jgrease, Out2gtcha, Shawn M and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngtiger1 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Great start Steve. It will be interesting to see how this engine situation works out. So, I'll be following with interest and I with many other modelers are all ears to your opinion since you know your aircraft. Keep up the good work Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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