discussion Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[wonwinglo]

Duncan,the Ludd presented a lot of problems for Roy,parts missing,parts that did not fit,the usual things that happen with free plans that are drawn after the model has been built instead of the other way round,I will ask him how he got around the missing parts problem for you.

Regardng G-ERMS this is a unique one off Thunder AS-33 Hot Air Airship built for reasons unknown in 1978,named 'Microbe' she has been on loan since 1993 to the British Ballon Museum,sadly the gondola has got lost and Roy is in the process of researching the dimensions to build another,it had forward propulsion via the HB61.

I saw the envelope last week all packed in a large bag,it was last inflated I believe at Wellesbourne airfield on the occasion of a fly-in there,there were a few controlled airships built around that time one being built by Portslade school,Roy is keen to preserve this example,if anyone can elaborate on its history and real purpose then he would be delighted to hear from them,you can relay any messages via the forum.

Model balloons need to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authorities,and must not carry fire under any circumstances,in recent years examples have been inflated at the balloon festival held at Bath.

Hey Barry' date=' ask Roy about the tailplane on the Ludd. I didnt find it on the free plan. Did he just gessimate it or was it published later ? Anymore info on the airship G-ERMS ? Is that an out of sequence special registration ? Must have been big to need a .60.[/quote']

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Guests and Friends models.

A few more of Roys models photographed last week-

Sperry Messenger with top left Bristol 138,and to the right is a Bede BD.2,the nose on model in orange is a 'Chunky'

Ford Tri-Motor Model AT-5 with modified all lifting tailplane

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Old Piston Props never die,they get used as luxury hotels.

Tomorrow if you are out and about you could be in for a surprise,travelling from Coventry airport towards Carluke in Scotland will be a rare old piston engined airliner,a Convair 440 which was last used by Air Atlantique but sadly was never to fly again after catching fire in the air over Rugby during 2001,what happened was the CAA ( Civil Aviation Authority ) demand that performance tests be carried out on one engine to determine the rate of climb,the other engine was shut down and the aircraft continued to climb away,meanwhile unknown to the pilot the shut down engine had been drawing in fuel into the engine nacelle with the resulting bang as the engine was started again, causing the in-flight fire,the engine was then stopped once again and the propeller feathered and the aircraft put out a mayday to Coventry,it managed to fly on the one engine and land at Coventry,however inspection showed that the hydraulics had been badly damaged and more important the metal around the wing spar had possibly been fire damaged ? although tests were carried out on the metal it was deemed that the aircraft would never fly again and she sat outside for close on five years.

Andrew and Tricia Scott who own the Reynard Nursery at Carluke have acquired her for an unusual purpose,to fit out the interior to the luxury standards of an executive jet and mak her into a one bedroomed hotel,she will then be all set to be hired out by the night for those who want a very different type of overnight stay.

She will leave Coventry on 04-12-2006 on a long and winding trip by road eventually arriving at her destination after one overnight stop.

G-CONV Convair 440,to Reynard Nursery,Carluke,Scotland for conversion into luxury hotel,aircraft damaged by fire in single engine climb CAA test flight 2001

Pictures provided by Dave Peace shown as the Argentinian CS-TML Agroar and later Air Atlantique titles seen sitting here at Coventry in more active days.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Building solid models.

BUILDING SOLID MODELS.

During the summer months I enjoyed myself by preparing a set of blanks from which to work up some unusual subjects for my collection,you will never see these produced in plastic or even vac forms for that matter as they are mostly little known subjects,but never one to let things get in the way I set to with old plans,cereal box card and a pair of scissors to produce some templates from which to build them,once the templates are cut out then suitable offcuts of timber is selected,I like to work in Basswood as it takes paint nicely with the minimum of sanding and filling,but having said that Balsawood is friendly and workable in domestic conditions,do your sanding outside as the dust is so light it settles everywhere.

The amount of detail that can be added is entirely up to the builder,to me these models are more about the shape of the subject,much the same as recognition models were made during World War two by the different countries.

To me making these miniatures is a sort of folk art as well as scale modelling,I tend to look at them for the beauty of working in wood,the sky is the limit for subject matter and scale,just build as big or as small as you wish,my smallest solid is a model of the Auster A.O.P.9 to a mere half an inch wingspan,and the biggest is my elevon fot wingspan Avro Lancaster,most of the models however are to 1=72nd or 1=48th scale.

We are blessed today with many modern power tools,never be afraid to use these delightful tools which enable more accuracy especially for levelling timber and the time factor,even places like B & Q have small hand held sanders,my favourite bench sander takes care of unplaned timber that I scrounge from pattern makers shops for a donation to the tea kitty ! after all the employees only take it home for firewood at the end of the day,take along an example of your work,I did and they all gathered around to see the sort of model they themselves started with many years ago long before embarking on the task of pattern makers.

This miniature belt sander is just ideal for model building,it runs off a 12 volt transformer and has an adjustable sanding belt that is so easy to replace,this indespensible piece of kit will find a good home in every modellers tool box.

The sander is easily held in your hand and will sand beautifully woods,plastic and other materials,here is one in use-

Miniature sander in action.

This versatile tool is ideal for model building,here a fuselage has been shaped using the sander to finish it off nicely.

The modellers dream,at last a small sander that does a great job.

The simple but effective belt expander works with one allen screw,it runs like silk.

The single action allen screw which adjusts the belt.

Here are a selection of basic wooden blanks created from 3-view drawings for solid models each one will be gradually worked up to a finished model as and when time permits.

Abrams Explorer

Blanks laid out for the Abrams Explorer

Caudron Typhoon parts laid out with plan,note that the wing has already been sanded to aerofoil shape.

Basswood parts for the Caudron Typhoon laid out all ready for carving,the dihedral angle has been cracked into the centre section of the wing and fixed with cyno and baking powder.

Heston Phoenix shown with card templates,blanks and a shaped up wing,take time to explore how things will fit together,here the cabin top has been incorporated into the wing itself.

Graingers plans for the Heston Phoenix laid out alongside the solid model blanks,save plans from which to build yor projects,I also built a flying model from these same drawings.

Reid & Sigrist Snargasher,showing old Aeromodeller drawings and blanks,the fuselage in this case is hard balsa,note the pre cracked unusual outer dihedral wing

It is all about Esoteric model making,where else could you find such unusual subject matter ? perhaps very few people these days go to such lengths to build from scratch,but it keeps your skills sharp and your mind alert.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Lockheed P-80/F-80 Shooting Star.

The Small Air Force

THE LOCKHEED P-80/F-80 SHOOTING STAR.

Few airplanes in the history of aeronautics have been as successful as the Lockheed Shooting Star. It was the first operational jet fighter in the United States when it went into service in 1945. It emerged as victor in the world's first all-jet combat, and it won the distinction of remaining in production for a full 15 years after the experimental model was first flown.

The airplane had its origin in June 1943, when Lockheed was requested to design a fighter around the De Havilland turbojet engine developed in England in response to Germany's twin-engine jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262. The XP-80 was designed and built in the amazing period of only 143 days--37 days less than the original schedule. It was flown for the first time on January 8, 1944, and its performance was considered sensational.

The Army Air Force planned to build the Shooting Star in large numbers. However, only two of the machines arrived in Italy before the end of the war in Europe, and these were never used in operations. Despite the cessation of hostilities, production was continued on a reduced scale.

Lockheed built 917 F-80A's and B's, one of which was modified for an attempt on the world speed record. on June 19, 1947, this plane set a speed mark of 623.8 miles per hour. Some of these modifications were retained in the F-80C, 798 of which were produced in 1948 and 1949. At the same time, Lockheed designed a two-seat version, the F-94C Starfire. This model was equipped with radar for all-weather operations.

When war started in Korea, F-80's were sent to the battle area to help the South Koreans. On November 10, 1950, Lieutenant Russell Brown, flying a Shooting Star, made history when he destroyed a Russian Mig 15 fighter in the world's first decisive all-jet combat.

Final version of the plane was the T-33 trainer, which remained in continuous production until August 1959. The T-33A was a very hot fighter to handle, compared to slower piston engine aircraft, and an alarming number of airplanes were lost. The solution was a redesigned T-33A two seat trainer. Engineers at Lockheed called their operation the "Skunk Works", named after an imaginary factory in the "Li'l Abner" comic strip.

In the early years some T-33s were blowing up just after take-off. The T-33 (F-80) had a fuselage tank just aft of the cockpit, filled through a zeus fastened cover plate and tank cap. Some of the pilots and/or ground crews were not diligent in checking the door or the cap. The aircraft would take off and at about 120 knots, the airflow would create a vacuum immediately over this cover. If it and the cap were not properly closed, the kerosene would be sucked out of the tank.

Immediately behind the the filler tube were spring-loaded plenum chamber doors feeding extra air to the engine. These didn't close until the aircraft reached about 200 knots. The combustible mixture would ignite and cause the airplane to explode. The problem was solved by placing two fins underneath the cover which had to mesh with the fin on the cap. The cover could not be locked if the cap wasn't secured. The pilots would always check the cover and it's zeus fastener after hearing the horror story once.

F-80 practises touch and go landings at R.A.F Wethersfield,UK.

You could sit for hours to get a shot like this as she whistles past.

Airbrakes out,pilots held the F-80 with great respect.

(Re-enactments with Airfix Lockheed P-80/F-80 Shooting Star)

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Mc Donnell F-101 Voodoo.

The Small Air Force

MC DONNELL F-101 VOODOO

McDonnell's detail design of a strategic penetration fighter intended to escort bombers of the recently established-21 March 1946-Strategic Air Command. The Air Force ordered two prototypes of McDonnell's original Voodoo under the designation XF-88. The first XF-88 flew on 20 October 1948, some 6 months after the contracted delivery date. This initial slippage, the contractor claimed, was the result of changes in the prototype's structural design. The change from straight wing to a 35-degree wing-swept back, along with the danger of compressor stalls at high speed, caused McDonnell engineers to alter the shape of the ducts through which air entered the turbine engines. The second XF-88, with short afterburners boosting the thrust of its J--43-WE-22 engines, did not fly until 2 years later.

The Air Force cancelled the XF-88 contract a few months after the second prototype's first flight. The decision was due primarily to the shortage of funds that had been forewarned by President Truman in mid-1948 and to the United States endorsement of defense plans brought back from Europe by Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal in the fall of the same year. These plans, urging greater use of the atomic bomb, meant that more atomic power had to be packed into SAC's forces. Hence, most of the Air Force money was spent on the B-36, one of the bombers that the F-88 had been designed to escort. Although the F-88 had failed to perform satisfactorily in its intended roles of escort fighter and ground support plane, many desirable qualities were attributed to its prototypes. Nevertheless, there were other reasons for cancelling production. A significant number of Republic's F-84Es, under contract since late 1948, had already entered USAF inventory and could satisfy immediate requirements for a penetration fighter. Moreover, a new model series of the proven North American Sabre, the F-86D-flown in December 1949-was expected to meet the urgent requirements for a better interceptor.

The Air Force, pending development of a new fighter, planned to replace the F-84E with the F-84F, the production of which had been decided. SAC, however, did not support these plans and wanted a long range fighter capable of escorting the transoceanic B-36s. On 12 January SAC outlined the minimum characteristics of the interim aircraft needed for the period 1952-1953. Headquarters USAF agreed to evaluate several contractor offers which might more nearly satisfy SAC.

The general operational equirements of 6 February 1951, published as Skeleton GOR 101, was subsequently expanded as GOR 101-2 to cover the aircraft's next model series. Both GORs were cancelled in November 1958, when the Air Force decided to terminate the F-101 production--the F-lO1B interceptor, excepted. New requirements, if any, would be met by modifying existing F-101s.

Included in the contractor's offers in response to GOR 101 were Lockheed's F-90 and F-04, an improved configuration of the McDonnell F-88, North American's F-93, Northrop's improved F-89, and three Republic . submissions the F 91, the already purchased F-84F, and another version of the F-84F that would be equipped with a turboprop engine. McDonnell's new F-88 was chosen, but the Air Force did not commit itself to go to production until several months later.

The October production decision was the result of Korean War experiences. Existing fighters had proved unsatisfactory as escorts for B-29s. Between June 1950 and September 1951, American pilots flew a mix of fighters and downed 13 Russian-built MIGs for every plane lost, a ratio reflecting superior flying skill rather than better equipment. The Air Force thus found itself facing two problems: development of a satisfactory escort fighter and replacement of the F-84s and F-86s used in Korea. In October 1951, it released fiscal year 1952 funds, previously allocated to the F-84F and F-86F aircraft, to get McDonnell's new F-88 into production without further delay. Moreover, instead of procuring the Voodoo solely as an interim fighter while an "ultimate" long range fighter was being developed, the Air Force decided that the latter would be obtained by improving early Voodoo productions. The first production aircraft would have the same airframe as the "ultimate" series, but the first aircraft would only incorporate "available" production-type equipment, systems components, and engines. Then, as more advanced equipment became available, the airframes would be modified to receive them.

The Cook-Craigie production policy (26 November 1951), outlined for the Convair F-102, was extended to the new Voodoo. This meant that the initial production run of the basic aircraft would be kept to the minimum needed for comprehensive testing. While these aircraft were being assembled, preparations would be made for full scale production of a version that would incorporate the changes judged necessary because of the test program. The test airplanes already produced would then be reworked on the production line into the approved configuration. The leading objectives were to eliminate the faults in a basic design before many aircraft had been built and to get operationally effective weapon systems into tactical use as quickly as possible.

The improved Voodoo bore the designation F-101. The Air Force Council directed the new designation because of the significant differences between the F-88 and the new configuration proposed by McDonnell in May 1951.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-1950's Swedish spy aircraft connected with America.

The newspaper "Svenska Dagbladet" reports that there's more evidence linking a Swedish spy aircraft shot down by the Soviet Union during the Cold War with American intelligence agencies.

The DC-3 was supposed to be on training flight over the Baltic when it was shot down in 1952. The Swedish government later admitted it had been carrying out radio espionage on the Soviet Union.

"Svenska Dagbladet" cites a now-deceased engineer for the Swedish Defense Research Agency, who said the aircraft carried secret American equipment on loan from NATO.

According to reports, the divers who salvaged the plane on the bottom of the Baltic two years ago, found no traces of the American equipment.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The last one for a while.

Readers,forum members,friends and countrymen ! it is with deep regret that this will be my last diary entry for some time,tonight I had the shock news that our house has been put up for sale by the owner,we have to be out by mid February 2007 so this does not leave me a lot of time to get packing and sort out somewhere else to live,I have already made a start and completed 11 boxes of books tonight,there is only another 15,000 to go ! let alone my precious model collection,tools,art materials and then all of the usual domestic items and admin matters that need attending to,this has been a shot out of the blue but I am optimistic that things will turn out for the better eventually,the thought of getting everything set up such as computers etc does not bear thinking about but I need to keep positive.

My sincere apologies over this but as they say 'It will be all right on the night'

I will keep everyone posted as and when events happen,thank you for your loyalty,kind comments,pm's and e-mails,keep them coming,it is just that I will not have much time to write here for the next few months,normal service will I hope be resumed as soon as I find somewhere else to live ! I really am not joking,so wish me luck.

 

[Guest]

Barry, I cannot begin to imagine what a shock that must have been for you. To announce it just before Christmas as well cannot have been the most thoughtfull thing to do.

You must have an absolute mountain of stuff to move as well, with most of it being of a delicate nature.

As you say it may well work out for the better in the long run but you have a lot of work ahead of you on top of your normal working day.

I understand your requirement to need to cut down your time on the computer but please keep in touch, keep us informed and hopefully you will be back up to normal when you get established in a new place.

I am probably not a great deal of use to you now I'm away until March but if there is anything I can do to help in the way of storage etc. don't hesitate to let me know. I still have quite a bit of space left in the garage and the workshop!!

 

[Guest]

Best of luck Barry.

 

[wonwinglo]

Thank you Richard for your kind offer,off to get boxes now from Sainsburys to commence the mammoth task.

Yes it was a bombshell dropped upon us and I certainly could have done without it at this time.

Please bear with me during the uproot and trauma.

 

[Guest]

As long as you don't feel uncomfortable as regards asking for help. I reckon I could accommodate about a transit van load of boxes if you needed to and I would be more than happy to offer the space.

Good luck with the upheaval and I hope you come up with somewhere suitable for you both.

 

[Guest]

Barry, just a thought but at a time of such a major upheaval and uncertainty what about getting a laptop for all your communication requirements?

I bought Annette her own for Christmas which was an Acer for abour 450.00 pounds and it has an excellent spec and will do everything you will want of it. All you will need to do will be to set up an ISP to give you a dial up connection and you can plug it into any telephone socket for a connection.

You could even set up a Broadband connection and still use any telephone socket but with the broadband modem as well. They really are surprisingly well equipped machines and very small and convenient nowadays it may be worth considering for your immediate requirements.

It could easily become the only machine you will need in your new place as well as they can comfortably run flight sims etc.

 

[wonwinglo]

Thanks once again for the offer Richard,however I feel the sheer logistics of moving the boxes twice would make it extra work,I do not wish to sound ungrateful,your heart is in the right place.

Right lets fill 26 Chardonay boxes with stuff for starters ! I will be in the background and connected for the present,just having a cuppa.

 

[Guest]

Thanks once again for the offer Richard,however I feel the sheer logistics of moving the boxes twice would make it extra work,I do not wish to sound ungrateful,your heart is in the right place.Right lets fill 26 Chardonay boxes with stuff for starters ! I will be in the background and connected for the present,just having a cuppa.

Not a problem Barry, the offer is simply there in case you need an escape route at some point!!

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-A chance to buy my Avro Lancaster model.

See E-bay items- 250059434133 Avro Lancaster model

And 250059441522 Enstrom helicopter front cockpit section.

 

[Guest]

I hope the move works out for the better Barry. I look forward to normal service being resumed.

 

[wonwinglo]

Yes Richard by co-incidence I have recently purchased a nice new laptop,you have answered a question these as I never realised you could use the Broadband via a standard telephone connection,so that is how they do it,I need to get in touch with ntl over the swap over,problem is we are in limbo,no dates of move etc,I contacted the removal company who wanted a date but I am unable to give them one as yet because the place we are hopefully moving to has to be refitted,decorated and heating added.

As today I now have 67 boxes filled,only a drop in the ocean,keep going down to Sainsbury's for more boxes,makes you realise how much wine is consumed ! my back is killing me and I have just finished tea after working non stop since 5 am,more stuff to pack,knock it on the head at 9.30,seven sheds to empty and dismantle still and then a start on the domestic stuff,lets hope that it is all worth it ? all single handed,if I get a minute I will photograph the stack of boxes here in front of me,trouble is the boxes get in the way,if anyone has any tips on moving then please let me know ? and thank you for the laptop suggestion,it certainly is an idea to get operational quickly,I do not even know yet if there is a line connected to the new abode ? I will be leaving all of my Broadband fibre optics here for the new owner.

Barry, just a thought but at a time of such a major upheaval and uncertainty what about getting a laptop for all your communication requirements?I bought Annette her own for Christmas which was an Acer for abour 450.00 pounds and it has an excellent spec and will do everything you will want of it. All you will need to do will be to set up an ISP to give you a dial up connection and you can plug it into any telephone socket for a connection.

You could even set up a Broadband connection and still use any telephone socket but with the broadband modem as well. They really are surprisingly well equipped machines and very small and convenient nowadays it may be worth considering for your immediate requirements.

It could easily become the only machine you will need in your new place as well as they can comfortably run flight sims etc.

 

[wonwinglo]

Thank you Bob,much appreciated,I am still here if you need me.

I hope the move works out for the better Barry. I look forward to normal service being resumed.

 

[Guest]

This really has made me think what i would do when suddenly faced with having to move house, it filled me with dread. I have no where near the mass or scale of models that you have aquired over the years. Never the less a loft full of tools, paints, models etc-Shed full to overflowing- garden full of kids play frames, trampolene, see saw etc. Inumarable cupboards full of stuff collected over the years, the list is endless.

Time for a declutter me thinks....just incase!!!

Hope you move goes well!!