aldousyuen

Putting all the stuff together. It's quite a big cat. The x-fligt is nearly half of it's size. I start to paint a layer of black epoxy.

Tomcat_104

My Feedback: (42)

[8D]Aldous,

Did you tell me when your F-14 was going to be available?

aldousyuen

Hi Tomcat_104,

Though I have to commit a minimum of 10 units, it's built to order. Based on the first set I received, I can request minor modifications to subsequence sets. EasyTiger is the one does not want to wait. I know he can make modifications himself.

It takes 2-3 weeks to build once your confirm your order.

Cheers, Aldous.

aldousyuen

Computer drawing turns into practical. The top of the plug machined out in one piece. It's very difficult to manage.

aldousyuen

It should be easier to do it in pieces. This is the nose portion in computer drawing.

aldousyuen

Learning Solidworks hard, and progress well. This is the most difficult part to draw! But once it is done, it's the CNC to do the hard work.

aldousyuen

CAD/CAM technology helps a lot. I got the plugs of the nose portion. The surface is machined to the finest with parting plane, together with the underside sparrow missile wells! They're directly cut from PU (prototype resin) and no sanding is required. Spreading a layer of primer (and carving panel lines) will make them ready for waxing and pull the molds.

I'm going for 1 week business travel. Hope to receive more plugs when back.

aldousyuen

My Kindergarten Solidworks skillset worked out. The nose is cut in upperside and underside halves which allow cutting of missile wells. The parting board is cut with the upperside. The smallest knife is 5mm and it cannot cut the rounded bottom of the well, I need to sand it to shape.

aldousyuen

This is the underside of the fuelage body. Since it it too big, there are altogether 6 parts. The front and the back, 2 engine back housings and 2 intakes. The 2 intakes will be on separate molds because they create undercut. The parts fit well and I sprayed a layer of primer on the plugs. I have yet to receive the upperside of the fuelage. It's the most difficult part to cut and will take another 1-2 weeks.

aldousyuen

I'm putting panel lines, position lights etc onto the plugs. Quite a lot of work.

RAPPTOR

My Feedback: (41)

HI. I HAVE A 3D LASER SCANNER. CAN SCAN MODELS. 30 INCHES BY 30 INCHES 16 INCHES HIGH.CAN SET TO .001 SCAN STEPS. FULL ROTATION. MORE STEPS ,MORE TIME. $200. PER HOUR. 11 INCH A-7 , .020 SCAN STEPS TOOK,2 HRS. CAN PUT ON ANY FORMAT ,,RIGHT TO G CODES .. RD

SJN

Looks fantastic Aldous [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

aldousyuen

Hi Sonnich,

The more I put into the plugs, the better the kit will be. Hope it saves the kit builders' time.

Hi Rapptor,

Can you estimate how long it takes to scan the large scale Tamiya F-14? I think it's around 26".

Thanks, Aldous.

aldousyuen

I carved the 'basic lines' in the upper nose plug where I think should come with the kit. For those DIY fans, there is still lot of room do make it better (best of the best).

Spray 1 more layer of primer, sand it with 400 grit water sand paper and ready to pull the molds.

aldousyuen

Wing was drawn. I'm planning nice looking molded wings with panel/spoiler lines.

I have touched based with a manufacturer, targetting to produce the all composit ARF kit at around $350-400.

aldousyuen

The underside mold is done. The panel lines will make all the parts pulled looking nice.

aldousyuen

All the plugs are ready. The hatch is one piece providing access for wing sweep, engines and taileron servos.

I've prepared the underside mold for a layer of gelkote. The first part will be pulled by the end of week.

SJN

Looks perfect

aldousyuen

Hi Sonnich,

Thanks to CAD/CAM. Unfortunately laying fibre glass is still a tedious manual process.

You will receive your kits soon. Both are for 90mm EDF, not toki .18 that I originally designed the model for. FYI, I'll visit a factory this weekend for making clear canopy, and hope they also can mass produce the kit. By all means I don't want to set up my own factory for hobby.

Cheers, Aldous.

aldousyuen

An underside part is pulled, test fit with engine mount and taileron servo formers.

cmjets

Hi friends:

Congratulations for the JOB. Which scale is your F-14 ?


Regards from Spain.

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Yes I would like the size toooooooooo

aldousyuen

The scale is 1/13.5, around 4'6".

Cheers, Aldous.

aldousyuen

Test fit 6061 machine aluminium wing pivot and build-up wings into laser cut formers. All aligned very well and the one piece hatch (black in color) provides convenient access. I'll pull the rest molds (under side nose and intake) this week end.

SJN

Sweet! what else can be said