1/18 Scale P-51B 3D Print Build

[JayW]

On 10/31/2023 at 2:16 AM, MikeMaben said:

https://shop.maketar.com/     ...still works for me.

 

Thanks Mike - I feel kinda dumb.

 

Meanwhile, let me show you all some progress.  First, I printed up the Malcolm hood in grey resin, just a test part.  Here:

 

 

The "glass" bubble, the side rails (or tracks), and one of the roller supports.  Assembled:

 

 

I learned a few things.  One, the parts are thin and flimsy and subject to warping or other deformities.  Two, my contour patches are not smooth enough.  Three, my rollers and associated stuff are too large, by almost twice.  

 

So Malcolm hood Mk II is coming up where all those little problems will get addressed.  It will be then when I try making it from clear resin.  Based on my -D model bubble canopy test part a few months ago, I do not have a ton of confidence.  We shall see. 

 

Then, I just could not help myself with the engine cowling part, and I began to skin it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two cowl panels you see there are quite compound curved, so they were done using annealed aluminum, and burnished into shape.  Went OK.  Got lots of practice on the Corsair....  The smiley face is permanently installed as well.  I think I will fully skin this part over the next few days, with just a tad extra at the firewall interface to better assure a good splice with the basic fuselage later (much later).  The perforated carb air covers were really hard to do - thirty two .055 inch diameter holes each that must be lined up very well.  They too are made from annealed aluminum, with a plastic back-up doubler.  I will leave them off until last so they don't get damaged in the coming wrestling match with the top compound curved cowl panels.  At that point they will get the cam -loc indentations and will really look the part. 

 

Lastly for this post - a sneak preview of my next 3D printed parts - the radiator intake duct:

 

 

 

 

The Rhino work on those two parts (the leading edge is a separate part just dry fit in the photos) was excruciating.  I just got the digital models done earlier today.  The printing took about three hours and change.  I think I have a success here.  The duct will be skinned for the most part (the leading edge part will not be). 

 

All right - next is Malcolm hood work, followed by surfacing around the radiator and oil cooler outlet.  

 

Take care!

 

Edited November 2, 2023 by JayW

[Uncarina]

Jay, I have so much respect for your skills, and I haven’t been watching your work manifest as much as it deserves. I apologize! Every time I check in to see your work it is a real treat. Your work here is amazing.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Gazzas]

Love that you couldn't wait to skin it.  Looks awesome!  I'm a big fan of NMF.

[LSP_Kevin]

Rivetting stuff, Jay, if you'll pardon the pun.

 

Kev

[Volksjager]

Really great work and very informative. Keen to see more 

[Woody V]

9 hours ago, JayW said:

Then, I just could not help myself with the engine cowling part, and I began to skin it:

 

 

 

I know this is going to sound extremely nit picky but the slots in deus fasteners are parallel to the edge when they are locked and perpendicular to the edge when not. They aren't screws, they're quarter-turn fasteners. Normally, I wouldn't bring this up but you're so dedicated to accuracy. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by Woody V

[JayW]

3 hours ago, Woody V said:

I know this is going to sound extremely nit picky but the slots in deus fasteners are parallel to the edge when they are locked and perpendicular to the edge when not. They aren't screws, they're quarter-turn fasteners. Normally, I wouldn't bring this up but you're so dedicated to accuracy. 

 

Woody!! As if I don't already have enough to worry about!  

 

You are right that I am pretty dedicated to accuracy.  And no, it is not nitpicky.  I hear ya man.  When I pressed in those slots I actually tried to pay attention to the drawings of the cowl panels and orient them like they are shown in the field of the drawing.  However, the drafter back in 1942 may or may not have paid alot of attention to how he drew the slots.  What governs the slot orientation is not the cowl drawing, but the drawing defining the underlying structure (a frame or rib).  It is there where the spring posts are defined along with their orientation.  Here is an example:

 

 

That part is behind the smiley face casting.  Note that spring orientation is not necessarily parallel with a local edge.  The ones on the bottom are canted - no doubt to allow room for each other since they are so close together. 

 

So to be really right on, all the underlying structure definition must be consulted to get those slots right; not the cowl panel drawings.   I have not been taking the time to study all those structure drawings.  I should.     

[brahman104]

Incredible stuff Jay! You've really taken skinning in your stride! As always, your attention to the smallest details is beyond compare.

 

Craig

[Woody V]

19 hours ago, JayW said:

When I pressed in those slots I actually tried to pay attention to the drawings of the cowl panels and orient them like they are shown in the field of the drawing. 

 

As with everything, there are exceptions to the rules and according to the drawing it's obvious this is one of those situations. 

[TAG]

Superlative work, Jay, but then again that's what I've come to expect from you at this point.

 

Malcolm hood looks great, despite the kinks that still need ironing out! There is another detail that I think is important to point out if you're definitely going this route, there is a long triangular-shaped insert -made of wood- which was inserted directly underneath the rollers to align the Malcolm hood with the aircraft's general thrust line and make sure it tracked back smoothly. Here's some piccies, you can easily make out the wooden inserts under the roller bars, hope it's clear what I'm referring to:

Major James Howard (MoH recipient) in Ding Hao.

 

Lt. Ralph "Kid" Hofer in Salem Representative.

 

Colonel Don Blakeslee in an early -B model, note the divots and scars on the plane's skin under the wooden insert from the removal of the factory-installed greenhouse canopy.

 

Hope that helps, looking forward to more amazing progress, Jay!

 

- Thomaz

Edited November 3, 2023 by TAG

[JayW]

7 hours ago, TAG said:

There is another detail that I think is important to point out if you're definitely going this route, there is a long triangular-shaped insert -made of wood- which was inserted directly underneath the rollers to align the Malcolm hood with the aircraft's general thrust line and make sure it tracked back smoothly. Here's some piccies, you can easily make out the wooden inserts under the roller bars, hope it's clear what I'm referring to:

If you are talking about an upwards extension of the fuselage skin to accommodate that roller bar, I am certainly aware of it although I had no idea it took the form of a wooden block!   In this pic - I show the roller bar and the hood shape, along with the local fuselage surface, trimmed close to what the actual trim is on the actual aircraft, which is the centerline of the upper longeron (longeron solid is colored green):

 

 

 

For whatever reason the designers needed that roller bar up above the fuselage skin, so had to literally create a surface for it to attach to, at least the front half of it.  So yes, I am aware of it, and have some ideas how to contend with it.  

 

That first picture you provided - so much to unpack there.  As many already know, that aircraft is the mount of Jim Howard and named "Ding Hao!", a Chinese expression that he adopted for his nose art as a result of his days with Chennault's AVG Flying Tigers in China flying sharkmouth P-40's.  Hence the rising suns on his scoreboard.  He transferred to the 354th FG around when it deployed to England.  And soon after won the MOH for a bomber escort mission in which he was described by onlooking bomber crews as a "one-man air force", laying some major hurt on Luftwaffe interceptors, to the point of continuing to attack after his guns jammed.  The description of the mission on his award is breathtaking - above and beyond the call of duty....  And I am sure he liked his Malcolm hood!  

 

Thanks Thomaz - great to have you on the team.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by JayW

[easixpedro]

1 hour ago, JayW said:

so much to unpack there.  As many already know, that aircraft is named "Ding Hao!", a Chinese expression that he adopted for his nose art as a result of his days with the Chennault's AVG Flying Tigers in China flying sharkmouth P-40's.  Hence the rising suns on his scoreboard.  He transferred to the 354th FG around when it deployed to England.  And soon after won the MOH for a bomber escort mission in which he was described by onlooking bomber crews as a "one-man air force", laying some major hurt on Luftwaffe interceptors, to the point of continuing to attack after his guns jammed.  The description of the mission on his award is breathtaking - above and beyond the call of duty....  And I am sure he liked his Malcolm hood!  

 

You are correct, there's a lot to unpack!

A lot of the AVG were actually naval aviators (I've heard close to 75%, but haven't taken the time to verify). Howard was one of them. He flew F3Fs with VF-6 off USS Enterprise when he transfered to the AVG. He was also born and grew up in China - left when he was 14. I would daresay that all of the AVG have equally crazy background stories. 

 

Have really been tempted to do a display of his F3F, P-40B and P-51B in flight, but have never followed through with the thought...  

 

Sorry for the hijack, now back to your regularly scheduled awesomeness!

-Peter

Edited November 3, 2023 by easixpedro

[JeepsGunsTanks]

This book, and the painting of James Howard on his MOH mission was one of my favorite things as a kid. I carried this book around everywhere. 

 

@JayW are you doing your amazing P-51 up as his bird? If so that's AWESOME!

[JayW]

4 hours ago, JeepsGunsTanks said:

@JayW are you doing your amazing P-51 up as his bird? If so that's AWESOME!

 

No sorry - this one is going to be Cripes A Mighty.  Long ago I got a Rutman resin P-51B in 1/32, and made it into Ding Hao.  What a devil of a kit!  

[Neo]

Wow love the progress your making, 

 

im curious on the skinning part you mentioned "annealed aluminum" could you share more detail about what you use and what the process looks like ? i do allot of foiling myself so im really interested in this