Roger Gray

Just trying to see if anyone is building the PBM by Keith Sparks. I am having a great time with my build! I'm hoping to maiden this Spring.

Avaiojet

Post photos!

Charles

cublover

My Feedback: (47)

Look up CPT NJ...here on RCU...he is working on one....his name is Norm and from here in Reno....want to talk about impressive!!

cublover

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here is the link....

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_97..._1/key_/tm.htm

Roger Gray

Cpt NJ has a great plane!  I've seen his site before and felt very humbled.  He is a very true scale builder in every way on his PBM.  I'm trying to build mine to look good and fly well.  I have been able to learn a lot from all the different techniques used to build this plane.  This is my second scratch build.  Last year,  I built an 81" ws Spitfire from borrowed plans using foam construction where I could.  Turned out great!  I've just installed the nacelles on the wing center section today and am moving right along.  This is a very involved build with lots to figure out as you go.  I'll post some pictures.

Roger Gray

Roger Gray

Anyone else doing the PBM build? From Keith Sparks plans or scratch build from someone else's plan.

(RC)Tanker

Very impressive. Im assuming very stable flight?

Roger Gray

I've just installed the motor mounts for the 52 four strokes and I still have not decided on the orientation. Sparkey has the head at the 10:30 position so the exhaust will work down the side of the nacelle. I have a 6" flexible exhaust tube available and am trying to see if I could put the engine at the 9 or 12 o'clock position. The addition of the radar pod adds a lot of character also.

Roger Gray

I'll add the mounted engines photo soon!

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Wow, lookin' good!

Roger Gray

Engines are installed and I am building a plug to build fiberglass engine cowls.  i'll post some pictures when the cows are installed!

Props4ever

Roger that is one very very different and interesting subject, in my whole rc modelling carrier yours is the first model of PBM Martin Mariner that i have seen, i didn't even thought anyone would have made plans for it.
Your model is looking fantastic and very appealing too.....I'm Subd....

Roger Gray

The weather is really holding things up as for as glass work.  I finished the plug, waxed it, then spread on the film release agent which took forever to dry, its been raining all day!  I hope to get the mold prepared and get the first cowl produced tomorrow.  I've really been running my brain as to how I can install the cowls without having any screws showing.  I'll go in through the front and use a four point connection of course but getting four blocks glued to the cowl positioned in the correct position will be a trick!  Photos to follow.

CESARSKYDIVER

ROGER,

Where could i find plans for the magnificent Martin Mariner, please.

bear 57

Model Airplane News did sell a version approx 100"

Roger Gray

Cesar if you can't find them at MA News, try Keith Sparks-Parkflyerplastics.com-he designed and drew up the plans for mine!

Roger Gray

Installed the first fiberglass cowl I built today from 2 oz. glass cloth. It turned out just the right weight and strength. I laid up the second one this evening and will complete it Thursday. I may offer these to anyone wanting something better than the vaccuum formed part supplied, I haven't set a price yet.

Roger Gray

Well, I finally have the cowls installed and now it is looking like something that could fly! I hope to finish the tail feathers and then install the receiver and servos and get the hardware to work next. Maybe the photos will inspire someone to start this great project for themselves.

old bird

Hey Roger nice...... Norm Cptn NJ

Roger Gray

Thanks for the kind words. I started the fusegage and tail feathers painting today. Painted the bottom yesterday. Having a ball. Can't wait to start the panel lines and weathering. I can't imagine all your rivets and the time spent on the scale work you did. I wish you would show us a completed photo or two here on my page to get others to see how well this plane can be built to scale! Their all great looking planes that any builder will be proud of.

Roger Gray

It's amazing the difference a few hours can make at certain points of construction. Now I am somewhat able to see a glimps of what this great build is going to look like! The photos attached were made this morning and I spent the whole day adding panel lines and redoing certain paint spots that weren't "just right" to me. Tomorrow I'm going to do a little bit of shading along certain panel lines. I truly believe this is one of the most important steps to bring a plane to life. Shading gives a plane visual HISTORY (realisim). It lets your eye see signs of age and service time. I'll post those pictures when completed.

Military Planes

Looking awesome mate, it certainly does have some character about it. So much so that I'm now looking at getting a set of plans/parts from Keith. Please keep the photos coming.

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

What are you using to make the rivets and panel lines?

She's looking great

Roger Gray

Thanks fellas-Military Planes it's great to hear that you might order from Keith-you will enjoy it, if you do so let me know I can share a few things along the way with your build if you would like. Scale only 4 Me to answer your question about panel lines and rivets "I love warbirds" but I haven't brought myself to the scale plateau of 50,000 rivets marked on a fuselage like Norm Cptn NJ. That much time put into a plane would keep me from flying it. I keep it simple. I have built several planes using latex paints over primer and fiberglass using a simple #2 carbon lead pencil with a sharp point to draw the lines! I use flat, rigid or flexable rules for straight lines, masking tape for curved lines, and 1/4" masking tape for compound curved surfaces. Just mark the line right next to the tape with a slight pressure on the pencil toward the tape. If you draw each line with just a little more or less pressure it gives a great effect. If a line is to dark or extends too far you can rease it just a little to adjust for the "look" you desire.Please note the entire plane receives a seal coat of flat finish polyurethane!I have a few photos from yesterdays shading work. Please realize the extra effect on the engine nacelles is due to engine exhaust.