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Something old-school - scratch-built 1:32 Dart Kitten - using old and new tech!


Iain

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Erm - thanks Kev.

 

But no skill, not a lot of patience and just realised it's taken two years to get this far - so the time bit is out of the window too!!  :)

 

Iain

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Wing centre section split and carved to fit around fuselage curve.

 

Spar tube added to fuselage from brass and sanded back to surface.

 

Smaller dia. tube cut to size and holes drilled in inner sections to fit.

 

All seems to work!

 

post-260-0-04504200-1457830033_thumb.jpg

 

And couldn't resist a quick mock-up - brought to you by the colour blue (tack) - looking more aeroplane like now:

 

post-260-0-08134700-1457830047_thumb.jpg

 

Night folks!

 

Iain

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Thanks guys - had our flying club's spring clean at RAF Halton yesterday - so was able to show Dave where we're at (and apologise it's taken so long  :( ).

 

Dave's getting hold of some more photos from the new owners of the aeroplane - wing underside and rear-half of cockpit - but in mean time there's still a fair bit to crack on with...

 

To those that think scratchbuilding is difficult, or taxing, or requires 'certain skills' I'd say that's rubbish. If you can wield a craft knife/scalpel and know how to measure and glue stuff - you can scratchbuild - especially on something with relatively simple shapes like this!

 

As Tim said earlier - give it a go. The satisfaction as it comes together is immense!

 

Iain

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  • 11 months later...

This has been parked way too long - so have been fettling away again slowly over last month, in between other stuff.

 

Managed to acquire a CD of detail shots that have filled in a lot of blanks and confirmed a few things.

 

Rear decking almost complete after several false starts and, having carved some wooden patterns, the kitchen has been reverberating with the sound of an angry vac-form machine. Need to get some more sheet styrene methinks...  :frantic:

 

Update photos over the weekend hopefully.

 

Iain

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Some photos...

 

Spine on - just upper headrest part to do:
 
IMG_9567_zpsg62kke6u.jpg
 
IMG_9568_zpsqbjolkyz.jpg

 

This is my vac machine - designed for dental work it's ideal for making small vacform components. A balsawood pattern has been carved and sanded to shape and placed on the vac bed. A sheet of 1.5mm thick styrene heated in the holder (top section is an electric heater) and dropped onto the pattern using the lever at right, whilst switching on the vacuum. And this is the result:

IMG_9571_zpssj5j65kv.jpg
 
IMG_9569_zpsmjag02j4.jpg

 

The sign of a good 'pull' pulled tightly around the edges. The pattern in made about 5mm deeper than needed and narrower all round to allow for the thickness of plastic.
 
IMG_9570_zpsia4ukylv.jpg

 

Trimmed back and prepped on a flat sheet of 400 grit wet and dry on a flat surface, the new part is test fitted:

IMG_9572_zpskvcsswhr.jpg

 

Then, using the pattern behind to keep the shape, a cut with a fresh blade made to make the cockpit opening:

IMG_9574_zpszeu5a5oj.jpg
 
IMG_9573_zpswl8kcvlg.jpg

 

Next - the headrest fairing and some cockpit details and instrument panel.

 

Iain
 

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Guest Peterpools

Iain

Geez, gotta love it. Awesome idea and build. Just enjoying following along and soaking up the atmosphere.

Keep 'em coming

Peter

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