Found. Flt. Sgt. Dennis Copping's missing WW2 P-40 aircraft. - Egypt 2012

[Gern]

This link might help @ https://www.google.com/search?tbs=sb...wdP_1gJeOA_19A

You know that file number has enough digits to record a detailed history (when it was created, where it travelled to and every molecule and compound it helped to form) of every atom in the universe!

[spanner570]

Thanks for the input chaps.
Gary, all those letters and figures frightens me.

Earlier, I found a blue print/ exploded diagram of the said ailerons.
They were, without doubt metal skinned front to back. It even mentioned the correct rivet spacings! :dizzy:

There again, as an identical copy of Copping's aircraft is way, way beyond my skills, I could just hack the ailerons off and bury them in sand....... Sorted! :thumb2:

Cheers.
Arfor Jobb.

[Gary MacKenzie]

Thanks for the input chaps.
Gary, all those letters and figures frightens me.

Earlier, I found a blue print/ exploded diagram of the said ailerons.
They were, without doubt metal skinned front to back. It even mentioned the correct rivet spacings! :dizzy:

There again, as an identical copy of Copping's aircraft is way, way beyond my skills, I could just hack the ailerons off and bury them in sand....... Sorted! :thumb2:

Cheers.
Arfor Jobb.

I promise I only ever post links that are safe.

[prichrd1]

...and yes, it was a beautiful sky. All pale now, but still warm. Have you any wayward goats in Conwy similar to those in Llandudno?

Ahh Ron, we see the goats almost daily - I live in Llandudno - Conwy on my profile is the county. We usually get invaded this time of year with the Transport Festival & Victorian Extravaganza - streets closed off and mayhem reigns for three days. How different (and quiet) it will be this year !!

Paul.
:smiling2:

[spanner570]

Gotcha Paul, what threw me was Conwy is the correct spelling for the town, never mind the English nonsense way. Me and the bride are regular visitors to Llan'....usually ending up in 'spoons!

Back to the build.
I've been mulling over how to make the skeletal remains of the control surfaces - Card, wood or plastic?
Click, grind, whirrrrrr....... I had a brain wave.

Luckily, I've kept the original plastic bits, so I drilled and filed the centre out.

This is the rudder. Well chuffed!



Once I've 'butchered' the two elevators in a similar fashion, I can make up the ribs.... :fearful:

Cheers.
Ron

[Steven000]

Great work Ron! :thumb2:

[spanner570]

Thank you Steven.

I've now dealt with the elevators as I did the rudder, except I broke one as I was filing off the residue inner plastic - Ping it went and gone.

So I've had to splice and glue in a new section.
As the Bat out of Hell song goes - 'Two out of three ain't bad'

You can see the repair on the left hand elevator.


Now for the ribs!

Cheers.
Ron

[spanner570]

Plastic card ribs and bits added to the rudder framework.
It might not be up to much, but it looks a bit like a naked rudder, and that does me nicely.


Cheers.
Ron

[Guest]

A great idea well executed I'd say Ron.

[scottie3158]

Ron,
Nicely done, looks like a naked rudder to me.

[spanner570]

Thanks Andy and Paul.
I've made the ribs for the rudder and elevators using plastic card.
I figured that due to sand blasting, the bare metal would be a light grey and not shiny.










I've also made a start on the bent metals around the aircraft.


Cheers.
Ron

[prichrd1]

Looking good so far Ron, nice bit of "skull skratchery" going on there.
:thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:
Paul.
:smiling2:

[spanner570]

Thanks for your post, Paul. It's helps to keep me going with the build.

Ron

[stillp]

Coming on well Ron. When you've finished that one, how about having a go at this: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...r-two-15550709
Pete

[Mini Me]

Now you've got me wondering 570......did these early "Warbirds" have aluminum or wooden ribs in their flight control surfaces? Just curious, not being critical. At any rate that is a first class job of skeletonizing the control surfaces. Perhaps some crusty bits of rotting fabric here and there to give it a "tattered" look? Tissue paper comes to mind....
Rick H.