discussion P-47 Thunderbolt 1/8th construction

[Guest]

Hi Andy,I have been following this build with interest and I must admit it is certainly starting to take shape now and looking very nice indeed. I love the work you have done on it so far. I can see this one being a really nice plane once she is finished.

I only have to look at photo's like this just to get me in a building mood and that is a good thing !!.

Keep us posted with pics.

Regards......Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your valuable comments... most appreciated. I must say that i have impressed myself with this one. i only took up this hobby of building in October and this is my first ever. It has not been easy as it is a hard project for a beiggner to start with. Most of the big kits today come preformed in fibre glass and all you have to do is add the retracts, servos, etc and then paint it. Not very challanging. This is an old kit that was left behind by an old chap rest his sole. I guess he never got round to building it. There is a type face letter in the box that someone sent him giving a bit of history about a certain Thunderbolt. Not sure of the date of it, i cant remember but it is very old. Once i have finnished the kit i will scan the letter and put it on the site. I will try to see if his relatives/widow are still at the address and drop them a line along with some pics and would dedicate this build to him. I know it was around August time his widow took all of his things into my local model shop inc a couple of planes that he had finnished but never flew. He used to hang them up for display. The engine i have for this model is from a plane that he displayed, it is a couple of years old but has never been run, still as good as new. May he rest in peice.

Andy

 

[Guest]

Hi Andy,

That would certainly be a nice gesture to send the pics to the relatives as I am sure they will be thrilled to know the plane has lived on and done out in the scheme he was looking at.

I am certainly looking forwards to seeing the finished plane, You have done this one proud so far considering this is your first kit. I can only imagine we are going to see even better things in the future judging by the work so far. Keep it up !!

Regards........Mark

 

[Guest]

Hi Andy,That would certainly be a nice gesture to send the pics to the relatives as I am sure they will be thrilled to know the plane has lived on and done out in the scheme he was looking at.

I am certainly looking forwards to seeing the finished plane, You have done this one proud so far considering this is your first kit. I can only imagine we are going to see even better things in the future judging by the work so far. Keep it up !!

Regards........Mark

Thanks Mark,

I have uploaded thew docs i spoke about. As you can see this goes back to 1977, quite a time ago eh!. All i need to do is find out the color scheme from the information in the letter. The Freeveiw is exactly as the plane will be finnished so that if i compete it will have a nice peice of history for the docs book.

If you think that you can assist in pointing me in the right direction or if any mambers can help i would be grateful. I dont think for one minute that i'm going to find the chap who sent this original letter.

Cheers

Andy

P.S. You are too kind, but thanks for the comments.

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[Guest]

Hi Andy,

I just did a quick Google Image search on "Penrod & Sam" and it does throw up a few results. So worth a try.

One result can be found on the link below:

Google Image Result for http://www.cybermodeler.net/aircraft/p-47/images/P-47D21_Robert_Johnson.jpg

And another pic of the same plane below - this should be a nice easy colour scheme to do.

Regards..........Mark

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[Guest]

Hi Andy,I just did a quick Google Image search on "Penrod & Sam" and it does throw up a few results. So worth a try.

One result can be found on the link below:

Google Image Result for http://www.cybermodeler.net/aircraft/p-47/images/P-47D21_Robert_Johnson.jpg

And another pic of the same plane below - this should be a nice easy colour scheme to do.

Regards..........Mark

Thanks for your help with this Mark. It is a shame really as i did want to try to avoid Silver. There are a lot of variation for the P47 and i did fancy one or two of the camo schemes. Now i am torn.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Guest]

Hi Andy,I just did a quick Google Image search on "Penrod & Sam" and it does throw up a few results. So worth a try.

One result can be found on the link below:

Google Image Result for http://www.cybermodeler.net/aircraft/p-47/images/P-47D21_Robert_Johnson.jpg

And another pic of the same plane below - this should be a nice easy colour scheme to do.

Regards..........Mark

Looking closer at the image, i would say that this is not silver but grey. I'm happy again. This scheme would be easier to spray and would be the exact patern of the original. This will help loads as you know i am a beginer and that also relates to spray painting.

Cheers again

Andy

 

[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi Gang,

Time again for an update. The wings are on the fuse again. The wing fillets have been filled, sanded, filled and sanded again. Now this is done and the wings are fitted its time to complete the lower part of the fuse as this is a semi mid wing plane so to say. The formers are set in place and the stringers are fitted. Additional stringers are required for the support of the drop tank mechanism. To accomdate this i have fixed an extra stringer either side of the centre stringer at the location of the the drop tank fitting. We now have only one skin left to fit to this Jug and that will be tomorrow, i'm looking forward to it as from here on in the real fun starts... A little more filling once the skin is complete and we are off to the good times, out will come the resin and the glass.

Like the cockpit i have dumped topflites moulded Turbo Cooler flaps and constructed my own from G10.

Andyeace:

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Well gang,

Here we go. I am now at about half way stage on this project and we have the last peice of the skin fitted. What a struggle to part the wings from the fuse, even though i put grease proof paper between the joints, the Zap got everywhere and i was fighting for half an hour to seperate the buggers. Anyway i manged in the end and as you can see she looks the biz. Moving on to the engine cowl you will see Topflite moulded effort. It comes in three parts and has to be cut and dremeled to perfection. I wasn't happy with the soild moulding of the flaps, wouldnt look scale at all. So i got to cutting and fileing and then added some lytho plate ( great stuff if you can find it and its free) added some cut peices of evergreen rod to provide an hinge effect. When painted and weathered it should look the biz. I still have to add some more detail to it yet, there are some brass release catches that have to be installed so i will get some brass shim stock tomorrow. Also we have to create the exhaust pipes that stick out of the bottom. Looking forward to the weekend, the fibre glassing begins. I will be happy then because the plane will have a good solid hard covering, at the moment it is very soft and i have to handle it very carefully.

Andylane:

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[Guest]

Well gang,Here we go. I am now at about half way stage on this project and we have the last peice of the skin fitted. What a struggle to part the wings from the fuse, even though i put grease proof paper between the joints, the Zap got everywhere and i was fighting for half an hour to seperate the buggers. Anyway i manged in the end and as you can see she looks the biz. Moving on to the engine cowl you will see Topflite moulded effort. It comes in three parts and has to be cut and dremeled to perfection. I wasn't happy with the soild moulding of the flaps, wouldnt look scale at all. So i got to cutting and fileing and then added some lytho plate ( great stuff if you can find it and its free) added some cut peices of evergreen rod to provide an hinge effect. When painted and weathered it should look the biz. I still have to add some more detail to it yet, there are some brass release catches that have to be installed so i will get some brass shim stock tomorrow. Also we have to create the exhaust pipes that stick out of the bottom. Looking forward to the weekend, the fibre glassing begins. I will be happy then because the plane will have a good solid hard covering, at the moment it is very soft and i have to handle it very carefully.

Andylane:

Hi Gang,

Had a close look at the engine cowl on this one and decided that the flaps were not enough. A picture of the Penrod & Sam revealed that the engine cover is made up of 4 parts and is fasterned together with brass release catches. I have made the cut-outs for these and will be copying them from brass shim stock. The next stage was to cut out the cowl ring from a peice of stock 14 inch by 1 1/2 inch by 3/8. This had then to be formed into the relative peices. The drawing image shows the location on the engonge fire wall. Next you will see that the fibre glass has started to go on. We'll soon have the spray guns out gang.

Andy

 

[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi Gang,

I'll give this another go... this is my third attempt to upload this installment. The cowl detail looks good now that i have got rid of the mould look. I have checked the free veiw that i have got of Penrod & Sam and it appears that the cowl is in 4 sections and is retained by no less than 8 brass catches. I have cut out the recesses for these and will make them from Brass shim stock. The next part of the project was to cut out and shape the cowl ring from a staright peice of stock. You will also see that i have now started to fibre glass the model. Wont be long now gang, we will soon have the spary guns out.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Well Gang, its been a sticky week!. The fibre glassing is now complete and its time for sanding the whole model before applying the flow coat. 60 grit first and then 220 grit. Days of this ahead of me. Its best to do a good job here or it will look like paint runs after i have applied a couple or so coats of primer. Now i am at this stage i think i can take a little rest and may go Clayshooting on Sunday. I havent been since i started the Jug and you need a break now and then. Soon be spraying guys.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 Under Construction

Its time again to let you see a little more of the old Jug. Here are the next stages of the build process. Hopefully it will be more interesting when we get to the scale detail stage. As you can see folks the upper canopy is complete and its now time to progress onto the lower section. All of the ribs sit nicely into place and form the base for the connection of the lower ribs, The fuel tank roof sits directly behind the .90 Four stroke engine. The wing support crutched are next to go in along with the fire wall and fuel tank floor. This is a tricky build section as you have to dry fit several parts and try to align them and make sure they fit before glueing them together. A shot through the fire wall shows how pefect this model is manufactured and the quality of the parts are second to none, exactly what you would expect from a TopFlite Gold Edition Build Kit. The final stage here is to fit all of the stringers rear of the wing bay before applying the lower skins. The front area is left until the mid wing section is constructed along with the section of fuse below the wings, This is to enable a better contour by applying the skins in one and then using the razor saw to cut out the removable wing section. Stay tuned folks.Andy

Hi Andy,

I didn't appreciate this was your first model. Can't help but to be impressed. It looks great.

One quaestion - I notice you are using a green filler to cover those slight imperfections. Can you tell me what compound you are using.

Thanks

Peter

 

[Guest]

Hi Andy,I didn't appreciate this was your first model. Can't help but to be impressed. It looks great.

One quaestion - I notice you are using a green filler to cover those slight imperfections. Can you tell me what compound you are using.

Thanks

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the compliments. The Green filler is Squadren Green Putty, it also come in white and is made by Squadren. Most model shops sell it, it is fantastic... one swipe across the area, leave a couple of hours and it sands great. Comes in Oil paint like tubes. Hope you find some. Well worth having in your work shop. You can get it mail order if you cant find any from Models2U - Bringing Models To You

Cheers

Andy

 

[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi gang,

Well this is where it starts to get interesting. The fibre glassing has been completed and now she is passed the delicate stage and can withstand any impeact that would have caused serious damage in the balsa stage. Sanding firstly with 60 grit and then 240 grit we remove all of the bits and scabs. Following this, what seemed to be endless procedure we applied the flow coat. This has left the plane as smooth as a babys... it is now that we can attach the rudder, flaps and ailerons. To make sure the hinges stay in place and to avoid glueing them up a hole is drilled and cocktail sticks are inserted through the structure, a quick wick with thin Zap and they are stuck in place. They are then trimmed with the Razor saw and sanded level. At this stage some would say that she is ready for painting and soon to be airborn... well, thats ok if you just want a plane to fly, in this case it is not so. There is about as much to do now as i have already done. The plane will now require all of its scale detail and many parts and peices have to be made and fitted before the first coat of primer is applied. And before that we have the dreaded job of moulding and cutting the landing gear doors. The major task ahead it to see if the plan worked regarding the landing gear and will they retract fully, you will remember i was a little concerned about the space in the wing for the struts and wheels. Stay tuned for some great scale detailing.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi gang,

A bonus upload today. After much pondering i have decided to get the landing gear dilemma out of the way. Firstly you can see the ailerons are attached now and trimmed with the razors saw.

To enable the landing gear doors to be exact i have traced the drawing and located it exactly ( i hope ) on the wing. This drawing doesnt allow for doors to be fitted to this model so this is another scale detail that i am adding. The copy is then transfered to the wing by running over the trace with a pencil, as this is traced on both sides it allows you to work a little like carbon paper. Before we can cut these out i have to lay up around 4 layers of fibre glass mat over the top of some momo cote. I will go throught this when i have the pics.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi Gang,

Here we go again. This is the continuation of the under carriage doors that i promised to show you. Firstly having marked out the location on the wing i lay down some iron on monocote to use as a parting agent, this is good because nothing sticks to monocote. Having done this and covered the work are, three layers of fibreglass are applied to obtain the required thickness of the doors. Doing it this way we will end up with doors that fit the profile of the wing exactly. At this point the doors that will eventally be three parts remain as one. Once dried a flow coat of finnishing resin is added and then sanded out.

Andy

 

[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Oops sory forgot the pics.

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi Gang,

A quick tip. When you are looking for a perfect finish to areas that require a decent sure. A good grade of traceing paper is a usefull peice of kit. Once satisfied just glue into place and paint. Here you will see that i have usesd it to finnish of the curves to the flap section on the wing.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Hi Gang,

Once the doors are cut from the fibre glass to the exact shape we can draw an outline around them and useing the dremell we can cut out the openings. Fibre glass is layed inside to provide a little more strength and for fuel proofing.

Andy

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[Guest]

P47 D Thunderbolt Construction 1/8th Scale

Having applied the fibre glass its time to start building the scale detailed interior of this section. Struts are fitted internally to provide a solid structure to fix the evergreen to. Once lined out the rivets are added to the detail before painting. When doing scale detail it is best to get it as imperfect as possible to obtain a true reality veiw.

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