Mike James

The source of the tubing diameter was the Cessna maintenance manual, which gives all the major tubing diameters. I won't be producing any RC-related drawings, but, you can look around the net, contact Cessna, or write to some of the same people I wrote to, and create your own. A 2D drawing isn't enough, because there are internal pieces (diagonal "cross-braces" and other small sub-assemblies) not shown in the Cessna manual. For this, you need to search for photos from restoration projects, etc.. You would need top, bottom, and side views, along with those photos, to produce your own drawings for an accurate RC model. Google will help you find most of what you need.

If you just want the outlines to show through your fabric covering, to look scale, then it's not the (structural) tubing that's really the issue... It's the many (non-structural) small wooden frames that are attached to that tubing truss, which support the fabric, and give the actual aircraft it's external appearance. Most of those aren't shown on my 3D model, because I haven't created them yet.

My 3D model really has nothing to do with RC, but I post it here, since I know a lot of people love the aircraft, and have some friends here who don't visit 3D modeling-related sites. If you want to build an RC model that shows all of these parts, I urge you to do your own research, and make your own decisions as you go. It's the only way to be sure that what you're doing is accurate, and important, for your own needs. That's how I'd do it.

Avaiojet

Mike,

Just knowing the structual tube diameter would be great! Could you kindly tell me what the book calls for in the major tubing for the fuselage?

I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Charles

Mike James

Most of the major truss tubing is between 1/2 inch and 1 1/8th inch.

Mike James

I've started on the cockpit seats.

The military version had very simple tubing and canvas seats, because the crew typically work seat-pack parachutes. (first and third images) The second image shows a spartan civilian arrangement, with the seat cushion. Of course, some modern restorations are quite a bit fancier, for comfort.

This is trickier than I expected, especially trying to get the fabric wrapped around the top part of the seats, and look authentic. (Later, I'll add the stitching and harnesses.)

Mike James

Hi everybody,

Here are two renderings of the new instrument panel faces. The first image shows the overhead cranks, for trim control, and the second one is a closer look at the panel. I think that with the photos behind glass, they look realistic.

The photos were taken from photos of actual T-50 restorations, so they're accurate.

Mike James

Hi everybody!

Lots of things added this time around...

Pitot tube and venturi under the nose, rebuilt tires with real tread, antenna mast and wire, seat harness hardware. (no belts yet) rear passenger seats and compartment details, along with general refining of the wing and tail. (moved the front spar forward, and adjusted the rest of the wing to the correct fit)

The "LSJ Restorations" is just for fun, to thank Jon Larson ("L") and Terry Sullivan ("S") for all the help they've given me ("J") with the documentation.


This is huge fun!
If you want to follow along with the article (and see more images) the latest updates are at http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/cessna_t50_08.html

Thanks, everybody.

Mike James

Here's a much-improved render of the hangar setup. Fun!

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Mike,

It just gets better with every post. I love the hanger with the large 3 view hanging up, the lighting, a model of the restored UC-78. The drip coffee maker( a must in any shop). Just need some oil spots on the floor (those radials leaked a lot), maybe a couple of rags laying around. How about and old wooden prop hanging on a wall? Finally a hanger would not be a hanger without a roll of flight line and a bucket of prop wash (old airforce joke).

Please keep it coming.

Mike James

Here you go, Zipman!

There's a dirty rag near the coffee machine, some cardboard on the floor to pick up the oil, and a couple of chairs for the guys to sit in. (I'll keep adding these things as the project goes on.)

The plane now has the aft side stringers added, better seat belt hardware, and some new wing parts, including the wing tip lights. i also built the luggage door and lock, and the hinge for the pilot's "clear view" window.

Mike James

I finally feel comfortable enough with modo to start on the real engines. (I've been using "stand-in" parts, just for scale purposes)

I've never done a radial engine before, and to me, the trickiest part is all of those curvy little cooling fins. Here's my start on them...

Mike James

I've corrected the spark plugs and their conduits, added the exhaust manifold, the "Jacobs" logo on the valve covers, (modo's text tool, not a texture map) and started to experiment with some of the materials.

The second image is the model's engine ID plate, made using a photo of Terry Sullivan's actual engine. Fun to add these things, especially in modo!

Mike James

Hi everybody,

Here's the latest.

Quite a bit of improvement on the engine, and some subtle changes to the airframe exterior (wood parts) and the hangar items, and new (rounded tip) propellers. I've also created a 10-second turntable of the airplane, with the new engines installed, which is at http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/modo_m..._turntable.mov (8.5 MB QuickTime - H.264) This movie loops, so stop it when you've had enough.

BMatthews

OK, I caught you! ! ! ! !

That coffee maker is hardly a proper period piece. And don't try to weedle out of it by saying that it's a current time restoration project. I expect to see a proper period piece percolator or you're BUSTED! YOU HEAR ME? BUSTED ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Mike James

You're kiling me, B! Geeeeeez....

Just finished shoveling about a foot of snow, and thought it was time for an update here.

Here are the newest renderings. New items are the engine air intakes and filters, the control system linkages, new propellers, new structural parts for the horizontal and vertical stabilizer, and lots of wooden stringers on the outside, which are there to support the fabric covering.

Happy holidays!

BMatthews

This is a fantastic project you've got going. I've been looking at my drawings for a while and dreaming about my own 3D version but in balsa and tissue. Seeing this virtual build is really getting me close to the edge.

....now it's time to go shovel the foot of snow from my truck so I can go pick up some groceries. WHAT A WINTER! ! ! !

Can you add some snow to the airfield and a tree with decorations in the corner of the hanger? It IS the Christmas season after all....

SDCrashmaster

Excellent Mike. Pure eye candy. Can't get enough. Look forward to popping in to see your progress.
Hopr you're staying warm and...Happy New Year!
Paul

Mike James

Thank you, Paul! (I'm getting ready to reveal one I've been working on in the background... A personal business-class-type spaceship... probably tomorrow, on my site)

It's been frosty here! (15 to 25 below zero at night, for the last couple of weeks... Yikes!) It always does that here for a week or two each winter, then it'll go back to an average of 15 or 20 degrees for a while. LOTS of snow, too, a couple of weeks ago.

Happy New Year to you too!
Take care.

Mike James

Hi everybody,

I'm starting to work on the exterior skin of the T-50 now, and will have new updates in a day or two. For you 3D fans, here's another one I'm working on, called the "Quantum Cruiser".... kind of an executive transport for the far future. I've made it into the usual (for me) "follow-along" article, at http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/qc1_01.html and here's a little sneak preview.

Have fun!

allanflowers

Cool piece of work. I love this kind of stuff. Don't get me started...

Sharku

this thread almost makes me to open C4D .... o.0 i feel im in a type of 3D heaven [8D]

SDCrashmaster

Certainly fascinating imagery. All from a guy that that Buddy Rich would be proud of! The multi-talented Mike James.
Yer head must hurt with all that code running around it.
P

Mike James

Thank you, Paul! I do have "code brain" sometimes... When I'm sleeping, after a day of doing this stuff, I continue to "edit" in my dreams, only to wake up and find that I need to do it again. (Arghh.)

Anyway, here's the latest, working on the external skin.
Usually, I build the exterior of a model first, so this one is really different for me, in that I built it the way you'd build the actual aircraft... Tubing structure first, then wooden formers and stringers, and now, the external skin. As a way of checking the shape, I used vertices on the wooden parts to form pieces of the skin, and then connected them into what is now nearly a single-piece skin.You can see a few un-bridged parts around the windows, but it came out far better than I expected, but is far from finished. One thing I'll do for authenticity is slice it as needed, to produce the fabric "sag", near the end of the project.

So, here's my plan...
Get the overly-smooth skin's shape right, then move a few of the wooden parts in the interior to match, as they should be. Then, add the fabric sag. Here are e few renders, to show you this stage. (Still have to add the cabin interior walls, carpet, etc., too.)

SDCrashmaster

Man, those lighting effects are astounding. Keep it coming bro.

Mike James

Thank you, Paul and everyone!

You guys might appreciate this...
I've installed the elevator and rudder controls, as they are on the actual T-50. (Ailerons and trim controls next) Here are a couple of renders, and the latest is at http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/cessna_t50_12.html if you'd like to follow along.

Stickbuilder

Mike,

Great work and great progress. I, too have a little story about the Bobcat. Growing up during the latter stages of WW II as I did, I was acutely aware of airplanes. Dad was a pilot in the USAAC and so I had a double shot of it. This little story applies to our next door neighbor though. William (Bill) Ferguson grew up right next door to us in Hendersonville Tennessee. We had a farm out on Walton Ferry Road, about a mile out of town. The Ferguson family lived next door. Bill was a pilot too. The neat thing about him was that he worked for a company named Cessna. Bill was employed as Cessna's Chief Pilot. When Bill would come home to visit his Mother, he would usually fly home in either a 195, or Bobcat. He would use our pasture as a landing strip, and would taxi up to the fence by his Mom's yard, and tie the plane down there. I was all over the plane before he could get out.

Bill did all the flying shots for the Sky King television show. I really loved to hear the announcer say, "Out of the Blue of the Western Sky comes......Sky King."

I last saw Bill about 5 years ago at the Yacht Club on Old Hickory Lake. We had our annual raft up, and Bill and his lovely Wife were once again next door to me. We talked late into the evening. I retired to Florida soon thereafter, and have heard nothing from him since. Hopefully, he is still among us.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1