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T-45C Conversion from Revell Kit


Timmy!

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Having a need to get something built, as my Jag project is in more of an experimental phase, I'm using a little spare time to work on a T-45C.  I have a 1/48 scale conversion already a 75% complete, but was shelved in favor of a Jag.  You can see glimpses of that project in this thread.  http://www.zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=11728  In the meantime the Kinetic kit came out and it all seemed just a little pointless.  A little over a year ago Pig put an Revell kit in my hands and the kit was thrown on the stash with a promise of someday it would grow into a T-45.

 

Having already completed a complete set of drawings, including decal art, for the 48th scale version a simple multiplication problem and the plans got scaled to 1/32 scale.  The Revell kit is a great place to start the big structures match well so no hacking up the fuse to make it fit the plans will be required.  Additions to nose, tail, wings and horizontal stab with constitute the main modifications.  The finished aircraft will be posed inflight to avoid the landing gear problem.  I have the references and drawings - I'm not willing to invest the time to scratch build those parts.  Again this is just supposed to be a distraction and scratch the itch to actually build something.  This will be one off - no molding conversion kit etc. for the same reason time is scarce and I don't want to get bogged down.

 

With any luck this will be an easy one and something of a test bed for the Jag, I'll be doing some surface stuff I don't think you have seen before and maybe a little 3d printing and CNC mating thrown in for good measure.

 

Here we go.

 

Fuse half over the plans to establish patterns for the profile adjustments.  

 

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Example pattern, pencil pointing to kit fuse line.

 

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Patterns glued to 0.030" styrene 

 

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Patterns glued to kit fuse

 

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After a little sanding and shaping viola the parts match the plan.  I know you have to look close white plastic over white paper blends together, but with any luck you get the idea.

 

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That's it for now on establishing the profile shape the actual filling out of the shape will began after the fuse halves are joined.  I'll then use a different technique to get the plan profile just right.

 

Now I'm on to the cockpit (no photos) which is going well already.  The Revell kit parts are proving to be an excellent base for the cockpit mods.  More on cockpit in the next progress report.

 

Thanks as always for checking in,

 

Timmy!

Edited by Timmy!
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Timmy!  This is going to be a cracker mate!

 

I cant wait to see what you do here.  Great start up, I had no idea there was so much difference.  Would the new Kinetic kit yield many useful parts??

 

Thanks for the post and am looking forward to your next update already!

 

Cheers

Anthony

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I've bought the Revell kit at the time to do exactly the same thing, but I have been struggling to get useable reference drawings, so the kit is still in the stash... Can't wait to see more of your progress, Timmy!

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Interesting to see this one on your bench Timmy!

I began a conversion a while ago but events conspired against me and it sits on the back burner. I look forward to seeing how you make the IPs and coamings. I was going to adapt a set of Hornet legs for the u/c but the gear up option is simpler.

 

Eager to see more.

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Thanks for checking in fellas much appreciated!

 

 

 

Mini update.  Little bit of computer work for mod parts - more to be done but these will be fodder for the printer or CNC.
 
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More in the next week or so.
 
Timmy!
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Sharp base design buddy. Very neat.

 

So you are going to use your milling machine to create the base in aluminium, polish it and then paint in the lettering and colours?

That will look superb. Eager to see it.

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Sharp base design buddy. Very neat.

 

So you are going to use your milling machine to create the base in aluminium, polish it and then paint in the lettering and colours?

That will look superb. Eager to see it.

Nailed it...bezactually how I will make it!

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Well an afternoon of work and I have the rear cockpit 2/3 roughed out.

 

Basically a lot of scabbing of plastic onto the kit parts to match the T-45 cockpit.  For the most part this is the first layer of detail.  At least one or two more layers of smaller details will be added.  I'm still fighting with myself to set limits on this detail as the cockpit will be closed and many details will be hidden. No I did not build the seats, I'm using Aries NACES seats, I'll have to do some slight mods to them but they will do.

 

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I gotta say it's good to be doing some good ol' fashioned plastic modeling - my itch has been scratched.

 

More soon,

Timmy!

Edited by Timmy!
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Progress continues.

 

Not shown left fuse half detail complete - almost a mirror image of the right half.  Only differs in that there is no map bag, instead a smaller solo safety pin bag and different location of the console lighting.

 

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Instrument panel coaming next and just a handful of minor details to go, then I'll turn to the front hole.

 

Timmy!

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