Double scratch build: 2x 1/32 SAAB MFI-9B Junior aircraft

[Derek B]

A little (slow) progress. I had to make some plunge mould tools to replicate the (handed) cockpit  elbow room 'blisters'. However, my wood is packed away, so what could I use as a substitute? The answer was to use a piece from an old demolished plant trestle frame, which appears to be made of a honeycomb type imitation plastic wood material (needs must!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by Derek B

[Derek B]

Some more progress. The plunge moulding didn't work out - the plastic sheet I have is too thick and would not form properly and I have no more suitable thin sheet, so another approach was required.
 

After giving it some thought, I elected to make use of the plunge mould too I had made (which is double ended for the handed cockpit blisters, but I ho repair one end due to heat damage - it melted), so I decided to use it as a male pattern to form putty over.
 

After I applied a coat of vaseline over the mould shapes, I applied a layer of Milliput epoxy resin putty. Once they were cured, they were prised off and externally shaped, filed and sanded to the correct shape (sort of 1/32 Easter egg shells!). The maximum thickness of these blisters are approximately 0.4 to 0.2mm, so is not for the faint-hearted...those of a nervous disposition should look away now! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek

[Kagemusha]

Nice clean work Derek. 

[LSP_Kevin]

That's some impressive work, Derek!

 

Kev

[Starfighter]

Brilliant! 

[Alain Gadbois]

Fine work on those parts!

 

Alain

[Derek B]

I have some questions for my knowledgeable friends here? As you may be aware, I am making two SAAB MFI-9B Junior aircraft, one as used by the Flygvapnet for a short time for trial as a training aircraft, and the other will be a 'Biafra Baby' aircraft as used by Count Carl von Rosen - it is this latter aircraft that I require some help with.

 

a) Did the Biafran MFI-9B aircraft have the luggage compartment (hollow area behind the two seats) installed on these aircraft during operational use, or were they removed?

 

b) It is known that a bespoke fuel tank was made and installed on the Biafran MFI-9B aircraft, probably replacing the left seat - Are there any images or other details for this tank installation?

 

c) Does anyone know if this bespoke additional fuel tank was actually used during normal operations, or was purely used for ferry purposes?

 

d) When the aircraft were camouflaged, it can be seen that it appears that the internal canopy frames were left in their original colours. Is there confirmation that the top deck of the fuselage underneath the clear aft canopy (aft of the seats, and around the filler cap area) also left in original colour or was it camouflaged? (I would expect it to be camouflaged, but want to be certain).

 

At this point in my build, question a) is the most important to answer, as I have to plan ahead and I would have a fair amount of rear fuselage internal detail work to complete before I can assemble one of the fuselages if the luggage compartment was removed.

 

Many thanks

 

Derek