1/32 Avro 504 scratchbuild

[kensar]

I have the turtledeck on the rear fuselage now.

 

I have had an idea for engine turning for some time and decided to try it.  I used a Dremel drill press accessory and mounted a 1/8" chainsaw sharpening stone.  This stone is 1/8" diameter and has a flat end.  I'm doing the engine turning on aluminum HVAC tape which will eventually go on the firewall of the 504.  Underneath the aluminum tape is a bicycle tire inner tube stretched over a small plate.  The inner tube 'gives' and yields more even impressions in the alum tape.  I also clamped a piece of wood on the drill press base to use as a guide to get the rows straight, moving it to start a new row of impressions.

 

 

 

 

 

The impressions are a little larger than I wanted (4" diam in scale), but I think they look good.  Being on the firewall, they won't be front and center, but the process has been proven.  Next time, I will use my mill with the X-Y table to get more precise positioning of the impressions.  I'm happy with the results considering the amount of effort and time expended.

 

[Rockie Yarwood]

Beautiful work, Ken! I think you are really on to something with the engine turning. Have you tried to apply the tape yet- wondering how the texture holds up when you burnish the tape down on a surface?

[kensar]

I don't think I burned through the tape, and its going on a flat surface (the firewall), so I don't have concerns at this point.  The texture should hold up well.  Guess I should peel off a part of it and see what happens.  This tape has very strong adhesive, so I won't have to burnish it - just press it down.  We'll see!

[kensar]

 

Time for an update.

 

Some work on the fuselage.  Test fit of the wooden panels on the top.  Woodgrain done with oil paints.

 

Pre shading the fuse.

 

Painted.

 

Working on the cowling.  Used Bondo auto body putty for the top of the cowling.

 

 

 

 

Also working on the landing gear.

 

 

And the 'toothpick'.

 

 

I usually skip around in the build to keep interested and motivated.

Thanks for looking in on this build.

 

[Marcin_Matejko]

 

[airscale]

wonderful

 

it is so rewarding to watch something appear from nothing - excellent job & that IP is superb!

 

Peter

[kensar]

Thanks for the encouraging comments and reactions.

The build continues...

[kensar]

Another update on fiddly details.

 

Mock up of landing gear.

 

 

 

 

Work on the 'toothpick' mounting points, before painting.  I used PE turnbuckles for some of the cable mounting points.

 

 

 

I have some color on the cowling.  I'm waiting a few days before clear coating.

 

Thanks for looking on on this project.  

 

[Anthony in NZ]

Oh my word that is spectacular....how did I miss this??

 

You sir are a real craftsman!

[kensar]

Thank you Marcin, Peter, and Anthony.  I appreciate your encouraging comments and I admire the work of all of you.

 

[wunwinglow]

Beautiful work!

 

[kensar]

I have removed the paint masking and applied the engine turned firewall.

 

 

The engine turning looks more subtle than the picture shows.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[kensar]

Just a short update.

I've installed the aluminum panels on the bottom of the fuse and done some weathering.  The aileron cable system is on the exterior of the wings, so they protrude from the bottom.

 

 

 

While awaiting for some paint to arrive, I've done some work on the struts and cabanes.  These are wood and will be stained and will have brass ferrules on the ends (painted black).

 

 

Thanks for looking in on this project.

 

[kensar]

Work on this paused for more paint to arrive, but I have put together one more detail - the cockpit coaming.

Heated and bent some styrene and added the rear part.

 

 

Add some sewing thread.

 

Paint and put it together.

 

 

Until next time...

[themongoose]

So cool to follow along as you come up with creative ways to make things. Love the turned aluminum firewall for sure!