Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138")
12-19-2009, 11:50 AM
#51
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RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Kram,
Don't count out flying together, I need to see that side of the country someday.... The color scheme will be from the 493th bomb group, 861st squadron with the serial number and markings of my Dad's aircraft. It is a natural metal finish with red group markings. Planning on going with Aero-foil, similar to Flite-metal. He flew 26 combat missions and 6 food missions (The chow hound missions into occupied Holland) all in early 45. God willing, he will see it fly this coming Summer. Doubt it will be of much help, but there is an extensive thread on RCScalebuilder. http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...TID=10569&PN=1. Keep the builder motivated.
Scot
Don't count out flying together, I need to see that side of the country someday.... The color scheme will be from the 493th bomb group, 861st squadron with the serial number and markings of my Dad's aircraft. It is a natural metal finish with red group markings. Planning on going with Aero-foil, similar to Flite-metal. He flew 26 combat missions and 6 food missions (The chow hound missions into occupied Holland) all in early 45. God willing, he will see it fly this coming Summer. Doubt it will be of much help, but there is an extensive thread on RCScalebuilder. http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...TID=10569&PN=1. Keep the builder motivated.
Scot
12-19-2009, 06:53 PM
#53
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Scotsman:
Help??? You should should put all that on a DVD and sell it! I woulda paid for it 3 years ago. Really nice job of building and recording.
And what a great legacy for your dad. Tell him THANKS from me and all those who remember and appreciate what they did for us.
Frenesi II is also a late-war bare-metal G with red and yellow markings. We are going with aluminum epoxy paint, which means yours will probably look a lot better and be a lot more work.
Pictures: Fuse/empennage in putty and glass, Wings done and ready for panel lines and base coat, view from below of the chin turret mount, view from below of bomb bay....doors and mechanism removed.
mt
Help??? You should should put all that on a DVD and sell it! I woulda paid for it 3 years ago. Really nice job of building and recording.
And what a great legacy for your dad. Tell him THANKS from me and all those who remember and appreciate what they did for us.
Frenesi II is also a late-war bare-metal G with red and yellow markings. We are going with aluminum epoxy paint, which means yours will probably look a lot better and be a lot more work.
Pictures: Fuse/empennage in putty and glass, Wings done and ready for panel lines and base coat, view from below of the chin turret mount, view from below of bomb bay....doors and mechanism removed.
mt
12-20-2009, 03:03 PM
#57
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RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Kram, Frank,
What have you guys figured out for a bomb drop mechanism? I haven't tackled that yet. This airplane is worth about 6 normal sized projects, I figure once I get the outside done I can start on the 2 year project of doing the inside!!
As for Dad, I'll pass on the thanks, they are always humbly appreciated. If you want to thank a vet, here is a great program to get involved in:
[link]http://www.honorflight.org/[/link]
I was lucky enough to be able to escort my Dad and a number of other vets from home on an honor flight this fall. It is an unforgetable experience for the vets and guardians!! But if you are to "man enough" to not cry, don't volunteer. I watched 90 year old men who haven't gotten out of a wheel chair in months, stand and walk. Their honor, pride and duty still is unyielding! All of them still insisted they were only doing their jobs..... That's one he!! of a job to have to do, and especially for the aircrew!! Pass the word, the Honor Flight network can use all the help they can get. They need volunteers for the upcoming flights in the Spring and on.
Forge on!
Scot
What have you guys figured out for a bomb drop mechanism? I haven't tackled that yet. This airplane is worth about 6 normal sized projects, I figure once I get the outside done I can start on the 2 year project of doing the inside!!
As for Dad, I'll pass on the thanks, they are always humbly appreciated. If you want to thank a vet, here is a great program to get involved in:
[link]http://www.honorflight.org/[/link]
I was lucky enough to be able to escort my Dad and a number of other vets from home on an honor flight this fall. It is an unforgetable experience for the vets and guardians!! But if you are to "man enough" to not cry, don't volunteer. I watched 90 year old men who haven't gotten out of a wheel chair in months, stand and walk. Their honor, pride and duty still is unyielding! All of them still insisted they were only doing their jobs..... That's one he!! of a job to have to do, and especially for the aircrew!! Pass the word, the Honor Flight network can use all the help they can get. They need volunteers for the upcoming flights in the Spring and on.
Forge on!
Scot
12-20-2009, 06:06 PM
#58
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Scotsman:
I have seen the bomb door mechanism assembled and working, but afraid I didn't get pix.
Will do that as soon as possible. Frank had to substitute carbon fiber rods for the usual dowels to get enough stiffness to keep the wind from overpowering the mechanism in flight.
I think Mike at Wingspan was selling a "bomb-sequencer" that was pretty cool, but we're just gonna dump them all out at the same time by opening the bay doors. From the ground, it actually looks pretty cool that way if you stack 'em right.
This pic of my B-25 made the FlyRC centerfold two years ago. All the credit to the photog, not me.
mt
I have seen the bomb door mechanism assembled and working, but afraid I didn't get pix.
Will do that as soon as possible. Frank had to substitute carbon fiber rods for the usual dowels to get enough stiffness to keep the wind from overpowering the mechanism in flight.
I think Mike at Wingspan was selling a "bomb-sequencer" that was pretty cool, but we're just gonna dump them all out at the same time by opening the bay doors. From the ground, it actually looks pretty cool that way if you stack 'em right.
This pic of my B-25 made the FlyRC centerfold two years ago. All the credit to the photog, not me.
mt
12-22-2009, 03:48 AM
#59
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
I noticed on the Wingspan website they offer a dummy radial for the 1/9 scale, and it's diameter is 6.5 inches. I measured the cowling diameter and radial from a 1/48 plastic kit (Revell which is usually very accurate) and multiplied by 48 for the full size and then divided by 9 and that leaves a cowl diameter of only 6.33 inches, and an engine diameter of about 5.2 or 5.3 inches. The 1/8 scale would be 5.8 inches, still smaller than the radial sold by them, for a larger airplane size. Frank Tiano Enterprises in Florida sells a 1/8 scale radial at 5.75 inches, which would be correct. Can any one explain the discrepancy? Thanks
12-22-2009, 07:40 AM
#60
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RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Kram,
Awesome picture. I'll have to noodle on this for a while, as I want to be able to make passes with just the doors open and have not dropped the payload yet. I think the key to them looking good is 1 quantity and 2 that they all get released at once. Would be a hoot to have 3,4,5 or more in the air at once and drop on the lead bombers mark. Looking forward to seeing her in silver!
Scot
Awesome picture. I'll have to noodle on this for a while, as I want to be able to make passes with just the doors open and have not dropped the payload yet. I think the key to them looking good is 1 quantity and 2 that they all get released at once. Would be a hoot to have 3,4,5 or more in the air at once and drop on the lead bombers mark. Looking forward to seeing her in silver!
Scot
12-22-2009, 01:32 PM
#61
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
I noticed on your bombs that they don't appear to have fins like the real thing. Is there a particular reason for that, or is it just the type of bombs simulated?
12-22-2009, 03:01 PM
#62
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Wait until you see the scratch built bomb sight! I forget to get a picture last time I was there... Frank went way way over the top on it. Its amazing....
12-22-2009, 03:57 PM
#63
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
What is the diameter of your 1/9 cowlings? If they are scale they should be 6.3 inches, scaled up from a 1/48 Revell kit. I was told by Michael at Wingspan that the 6.5 inch diameter dummy radials do not have to be trimmed down to fit, but they would be larger than the scale nacelles. Can you measure your cowlings for me? Thanks
12-23-2009, 11:25 PM
#64
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
foodstick: There's kinduva distant view of the scratch-built bomb sight in Post # 14 of this thread, but you're right, I should get a close-up to post.
Pilotdude: I may not get down to the "Hog Works" due to weather this week, but will try to get a measurement on the cowls for ya when I do. It may be altered by the fact we got two sets of cowls from Mike to duplicate the scale look and to ease access into that part of the plane.
mt
Pilotdude: I may not get down to the "Hog Works" due to weather this week, but will try to get a measurement on the cowls for ya when I do. It may be altered by the fact we got two sets of cowls from Mike to duplicate the scale look and to ease access into that part of the plane.
mt
12-24-2009, 01:17 AM
#65
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Ok, thanks when you get the measurement. Mike already let me know that his cowlings are slightly oversize, but didn't mention the reason. Frank Tiano Enterprises in Florida has dummy radials that are 5.75 inches in diameter, which would be closer to scale for I believe $22 each.
12-25-2009, 07:54 PM
#68
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
ORIGINAL: kram
I bought Saito 1.25 FS's for this project. Frank has the tanks, the throttle servos, the throttle rods, the engine mounts and the engines and both cowl rings for all four engines fitted and ready, but temporarily removed for the finishing/painting phase. Yes, the tanks and
mt
I bought Saito 1.25 FS's for this project. Frank has the tanks, the throttle servos, the throttle rods, the engine mounts and the engines and both cowl rings for all four engines fitted and ready, but temporarily removed for the finishing/painting phase. Yes, the tanks and
mt
12-29-2009, 12:11 AM
#69
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
I got a few photos of Frank's steady progress on the finish.
The entire plane (minus some small parts) is in sanded primer now, ready for panel lines, then the aluminum base coat.
We spent some time designing and measuring for decals (Callie Graphics)
Pilots and glass are in the cockpit, although they are quite in the dark now!
mt
The entire plane (minus some small parts) is in sanded primer now, ready for panel lines, then the aluminum base coat.
We spent some time designing and measuring for decals (Callie Graphics)
Pilots and glass are in the cockpit, although they are quite in the dark now!
mt
01-11-2010, 10:37 PM
#74
RE: Wingspan 1/9 scale B-17 (138
Thanks for the kind words, but you can address them to the singular. I have settled into the role of Chief Gofer. Frank is doing all the work.
We have the decals from Callie. This thing will really come to life with decals and trim paint on.
Frank has most of the mechanicals pre-fit and fabricated, so assembly to the point of "ready to fly" may be done by Feb 1.
I'm starting the thought process of how to best transport this beast: two heavy wings with fragile-looking roots and a very long fuse. My 6 X 12' trailer is plently big enough, but I'm thinking some kind of combo cradle/jig that will keep it safe and allow two guys to load and unload it easily and safely.
Ideas are welcome.
mt
We have the decals from Callie. This thing will really come to life with decals and trim paint on.
Frank has most of the mechanicals pre-fit and fabricated, so assembly to the point of "ready to fly" may be done by Feb 1.
I'm starting the thought process of how to best transport this beast: two heavy wings with fragile-looking roots and a very long fuse. My 6 X 12' trailer is plently big enough, but I'm thinking some kind of combo cradle/jig that will keep it safe and allow two guys to load and unload it easily and safely.
Ideas are welcome.
mt