I find it's best to use something with low gloss to get the best effect. Add high gloss to the lips and eyes only.

Great stuff, i completely afree regarding the use of flat paint...It makes all the difference.
Those are some impressive busts!

I was just in the new air and space center in Virgina , wow for warbrds , ww2 jackets , the P40 writing is very similar to richard L pilots on the Flying tigers is very cool .
Great hellcat , P40 and corsair hangiing in the sky rafters, I will post some pics if interested when I get home

Where in TN will you be, Dion?

Luke, received all your "accessories" for my hellcat yesterday. I am simply amazed. Your detail is second to none. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Pete

hey guys, i can't seem to locate my manual and was wondering if someone could tell me what the distance is supposed to be from the fuse to the prop washer on the engine, not including the plywood engine mounting plate. I am getting ready to drill the holes and mount my magnum 108 in mine and don't know the distance. Thanks.

160 MM

I mounted my magnum so the prop washer is 160mm from fuse as you state. When I slide the cowl over and position it, there isn't much overlap of the cowl onto the fuse. I would say like 1/2" or less. Is that what you guys are ending up with? Just checking.

The manual states that from the thrust washer to the leading edge of the cowl should be 10-12 mm. Is your cowl back that far ?

Just took some measurements on mine. At 6 o'clock distance from leading edge of cowl to the thrust washer on my BX-1 is 5/8" (14 mm?). Cowl overlap is 11/16" at 6 o'clock. Hope this helps.

allright, i did some measuring on my mount setup. The distance from the LE of the cowl to the thrust washer is 11mm. The amount of cowl that slides over the fuse is 17mm, so it looks like I am right on the money with what you guys are telling me.

Let me ask another question. I mounted that plywood piece on the fuse. As far as positioning, I pretty much just guessed and centered the two holes the best I could (the hole in the plywood and the hole in the fuse). It looks like I am pretty close to where I should be, although maybe my engine could move to the right a little bit. Since I already drilled the mounting holes and everything, i am tempted to just leave it alone. It looks like the fuse has right thrust built in, but maybe I should put in some more with my magnum 108? Sorry for all these stupid questions, but i don't have a manual for this plane. Thanks/.

Hi From The Land Down Under,[sm=bananahead.gif]

How do you think the Saito FA-90 AAC 3-Cyl Radial do you think it will have the right power for the plane[sm=confused.gif]

Luke I am still interested getting those accessories for my Hellcat. I have started doing some work to the plane glued the wings together and made a former for my air tank order my Robart 615 retracts and set Robart oleo struts 663.

Damo.[8D]

I have the new canopy painted and installed. Here is a before and after pic. The big difference will be more apparent when I get the plane outside for some overall shots, but it sure does look better. Thanks Luke!

Your airplane sure does look much better.

I have a cowl that came with a Bob Holman/Brian Taylor kit and it is nearly identical except the BH one is much sturdier. The fuselages are nearly identical even the wing saddle is the same. The Holman one has no bulkheads inside the fuselage. By using Brian Taylors plans one could build a much closer to scale wing and tail surfaces. The CMP kit could be purchased and then the plans and wing /tail ribs could be purchased from Holman seperately. Considering what I paid for my CMP it would amount to a saving of almost $100.
It would be best to buy all of Dion's upgrades to make a really nice model.

Sorry for the interruption guys but I hope someone can help me on this, I have a set of CJM air retracts that I ordered for my CMP Corsair.
I'm hoping to receive the Hellcat sometime soon and plan to start working on it immediately. Do you think the Corsair retracts will fit.

I am using a set of CJ retracts which were in a hangar 9 Corsair. The struts is a little shorter than what you ideally need for the hellcat, however you have two options here. Move the retract body to the rear of the mounting block. This will decrease your ground clearance by about 1/2 inch, which in my case will be fine. I plan on using mine in this fashion. The other alternative is to send them back to CJ and have them put a longer leg on the unit, which they will do for you, and I have heard it is not very expensive. The body of the retract fits very well and much better than the standard Robart rotating retract which I also had available.
Tommy

Why not just build the Taylor bird with the glass fuse?

I guess a $100 doesn't mean anything to you. We have modified the CMP Hellcats to the point where they are pretty darn nice and they are cheap. I was only saying that one could easily make a very scale model by just buying the wing/stab parts and building a new wing for the CMP Hellcat.

I got it now, misunderstood the part about it being $100 cheaper to buy the CMP/Holman laser parts than to buy the complete Holman kit. I assure you, $100 means a substantial amount to me. My question was a legitimate one and was not meant to offend.

As all of you know the Hellcat, P-40, AD Skyraider, and Corsair use rotating retracts. They require cutting away part of the wing spar. I have made from carbon fiber plates that I am installing to reinforce the area that had to be removed.

Can any one tell me the web site for Sierra Precisions retracts and the part number ? for the retracts..

Thanks
Damo

Here ya go!

http://www.sierragiant.com/prod30.html

Cheers Mate

www.sierraprecision.com Then go to 60 size rotating retracts.

Hal great idea , I did not think of the carbob fiber for that area can you please give me your source for CF , hobby shops are scares in Pa
Thanks
Lou

Pro Flyer: His site is sierraprecision.com.There is no part number but what need are the 60 size 100.His number is (440)476 4885.His name is darrell,call him and he will hook you up.He also can put links and doorcollars on them for you,dont forget you will need a retract valve also.Just tell him and he will do the rest.His are the best on the market.You get what you pay for.
Fred