The Argus has started with the construction of the props. They require minor sanding, primer and paint. This is another slow project which may last well into next year.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF2244.JPG)
Second step has been initiated with the selection of wood for the model.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF4508.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2291
With the first snowfall on the ground, my creative juices are flowing.
Lou
I need more clamps.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF4882.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2388
She don't look like much at this stage. Black ruler is 12 inches long for comparison
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF4978.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2387
Starting to take some shape and look like an Argus(at least to me it does). Lamination is in the vertical plane rather than the usual horizontal.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF4993.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2386
I am planning for a late 2009 roll out.
Lou
The tail planes is cut and the edges being sanded before reducing the thickness.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF5230.JPG)
Progress report on the Argus. Roll out schedule for no later than June 2009.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF5232.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2454
June 09 may have been an optimistic date. we will see. Here the nacelles are rough cut to say the least. Final cutting, gluing and carving will not occur this month.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF5394.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2512
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF5662.JPG)
Nacelles are laminated three piece affair. Each piece is cut on the scroll saw and then glued for final shaping.
Lou
It has been a while, but I finally put 3 hours work on the Argus tonight. I started to contour the fuselage, tail and radome.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_DSCF7071.JPG)(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_DSCF7072.JPG)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=2
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=3
At 1/48 she is a fairly large bird, way too big for the shelving I have.
Lou
Another few hours were spent getting the horizontal plane ready for installation. The fuselage has been notched and sanding has begun at the front end of things. I will sand the fuselage to shape over the next few weeks to enable the fitment of the main plane.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF9254.JPG)
The 18 inch ruler shows the relative size of the beauty. Roll out delayed until late 2010.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF0039.JPG)(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF0041.JPG)(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF0047.JPG)
The radome to fuselage joint is being worked on with wood putty and super glue to harden the putty. Once shaped, I will remove the tin foil and use lots of glue to attach it to the fuselage. The vertical tail is ready for gluing. I don't normally do control surfaces but the Argus at 1/48 scale is quite large.
Progress continues at a slow pace. The engines have been cut to slip over the wings. The final fit will come shortly and then gluing, putty and sanding. The wing tip have yet to be curled up and control surfaces engraved. Another 2011 completion date for this one.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10004/normal_DSCF2307.JPG)(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10004/normal_DSCF2305.JPG)
The wings are held in with two screws making it relatively easy to put on and take off.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10004/normal_DSCF2308.JPG)
Other than a few swipes with the sand paper, the Argus is also at a crawl.
Lou
The wing to fuselage fillets are quite large for this aircraft.
Lou
Very impressive Lou. Is this the largest solid you've made? Did you go down to the museum to photograph the real thing?
Mark
Beautifully made Lou,is that a Bristol Britannia in the background ?
Barry.
Thanks guys.
Mark, my biggest aircraft is a 1/32 Argus which is now in the local museum.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/502473393_6bca6faa64_o.jpg)
Barry, the model in the background is a 1/72 Yukon which is based on the Britannia.
Lou
A wonderful model Lou.
Cliff
Beautiful model and a very attractive colourscheme as well.
Barry.
Well done, Lou. It is nice to see this one finished after watching her progress over time.
Ken Pugh
Sorry for the confusion. The Argus that I placed in the museum is 1/32 scale. The one I am currently working on is a mere 1/48 scale.
Lou
Lou,
Did you airbrush or hand-paint the 1/32 version? Acrylic? I remember you building it, but have forgotten the details.
The first Argus was brush painted acrylic. I took a colour sample to my local hardware store and they matched the colour perfectly. I made the 1/32 version while we were still on the old SMM site, hence no current data other than my failing memory.
Lou
Oops! I think now I remember you talking about the two over the years. My memory is fading as well. Oh well, don't really need it to be too good to build daily.
Ken Pugh
Memory fade is so annoying Ken,especially when you forget peoples names ? do you ever do that ? I usually end up working my way through the alphabet to try and remember them !
Such is life.
Barry.
The wing joints are slowly coming along.
Lou
Lou,
After seeing the Argus photos in the Century Jets Cookup thread, I was wondering if your Argus wing will be removable.
Cheers,
Mark
PS Clear coat painting disaster on the P-80A ....more decals to make!
I do plan on making the wing removable.
Lou
Good grief guys! Hang on to the Memory as long as possible. I also have tried to go through the alphabet as an aid - if I only could remember how it goes!
Cliff.
Cliff do you think it is the wood dust getting into the crevices of the brain ? !
Barry.
The filet on the main wing is all but done. This one was bits and pieces of wood and lots of glue. I may still try the same method used on the Yukon if that works out.
Lou
The way to go Lou,sometimes these fillets require the most intricate of pieces to get the shape right,that is some project.
Barry.
Some minor putty work being done.
Putty has been sanded and now await some more primer. A test area has been selected to use brush on primer, but that does not appear to be working out.
Some of these new acrylic brush on primers are a bit fickle Lou.
Barry.
I made a command decision to glue the wings in place and proceed from there. I have added a bit of putty and will commence final sanding next week. I need to finish some of these projects to make room on the bench for more.
Lou
Lou your multi engined division has been busy lately !
Barry.
I have so many I would like to do, but alas so many models so little time.
Lou
You are not doing too bad Lou,a representative collection is building up.
Barry.
The Argus is not forgotten and will rest next to the navy shipyard when I get back to it.
Lou
Just a few more spots to sand. Hopefully priming can begin in the New year.
Lou
I do like your multi engine builds Lou, I see your roll-out date has now slipped a little from your original forecast of June 09 ;D, being evacuated doesn't help! . Regards Paul J.
I forgot to ask, did you give up with the brush on primer?, I was looking at it myself as I spray outside with rattle cans, but it's a problem at this time of year being too cold, and thought I might give it a try.Regards Paul J.
I have been brushing lately especially with the Bonnie and Argus due to their size. I am still spraying primer on my Caribou in my basement.
Lou
First coat of "Argus Grey" primer brushed on. Next a few weeks of sanding using shaped blocks to get into recesses and curves.
Lou
Great finish with a brush Lou, did you thin the primer down before applying?. Regards Paul J.
I did not thin it down. I just used it straight from the can. I had it mixed to the same colour I would be using on the bottom half of the fuselage and top/bottom of the wings.
Lou
Nice Argus, Lou. I enjoyed seeing it in it's multicolored primer state as well as its all-gray state!
Garet
Thank you Garet. It has been a very long project but not quite as long as the Bonnie. I hope to get them both complted or close to completion by 2014. The Argus does not need much more work, just time consuming sanding and them paint. It is too big to fit the paint booth so I may wait until the garage gets warmer next spring.
Lou
I can't believe that my last post was over one and a half years. I occasionally do a bit of sanding but the 2014 roll out may have been a bit premature.
Lou
Messy sanding at this point. Large models make for large amounts of dust.
Lou
A bit more sanding with lots yet to come.
Lou
The Argus is back on the bench. I had some new paint mixed at the local hardware store and painting has begone. I still see many areas that need some attention but at least I am moving forward. I await further progress before photos are taken.
Lou
Base colour has been painted and some putty added. This is the driest climate I have ever lived in and it is causing cracks in models that never had any before.
Lou
First coat of top white applied. I am brushing it on so a least two more coats then a clear sealer over the entire aircraft. Decals will be a big job as I cannot afford to purchase them commercially.
Lou
Wow impressive. Where are you living now? it got to 49 degrees Celsius here last summer in Australia. That's 120.2 Fahrenheit......
That is a bit warm for me. Mind you we were within power the last two days and the house temp in the morning was down to 13C and no water for bathing. Things are ok now. Moved to a small village called Cap Pele New Brunswick
Lou
Yes I just lay around panting too......
Sheesh I hope you had extra blankets!
After seeing Ken N's 1/72 engines, it shamed me into making some for the 1/48 Argus. I was going to use decals to replicate the engines. I took a slightly different approach but hopefully achieve the same end. Since I needed 9 cylinders per row I use MS Word to make a template. I made 9 boxes and grouped them into one image. Using Pi I found I had a 1.57 inch circumference. I sized the image to 1.57 inches, printed and wrapped the image around my dowel. I then marked the cylinder location on the first row and then moved the paper 1/2 cylinder space and marked the second row and then cut the engine crankcase 8 mm thick. Each row is 2 mm from the edge of the case.
Lou
I then use a sharp point to begin the hole, followed by a small drill and then 5/64 drill which is the size of a round toothpick. Trying to use the larger drill first results in uneven spacing.
Lou
I then placed round toothpicks in the cylinder location and wrapped three strands of telephone wire.
I have since started wrapping a long length of wire around a toothpick and then cut three wraps for each cylinder.
Lou
Once all wire wraps are in place with a bit of glue, a large nail cutter is used to trim the top so they will fit the nacelles. Four engine will need 72 toothpick pieces, 72 wire wraps and 4 engine crankcases and 4 gear cases but will look a lot better than decal facings. So again, thanks for the inspiration Ken.
Lou
Now you are causing me to review my approach with the Halifax engines. I as going to be happy with a faux engine with only one row of cylinders. But you are going for the full meal deal with two rows of cylinders! They certainly look great!! Dare I say, it's tough to keep up with a Master Craftsman.
The engines are certainly taking shape.
-ken
1/48 and 1/72 engine are quite different in appearance. I have yet to try making 1/72 scale engines and would use your method as simulating fins at that scale is out of my skill. Now Cliff is the one with skills at making 1/72 scale engines. I searched for one of his articles but could not find it. He had push rods, exhaust pipes and electrical harnesses.
Lou
Moving along. The propellers have been ready for at least seven years. Just needed some final sanding and paint.
Lou
Lou
The engine and propeller look great. How did you make the propeller? Did you carve the hub and insert the blades?
-ken
I just realized I never did a tutorial on making my style of propellers. To answer your question, the hub is four piece dowels joined with round toothpicks and the individual blades slip over the end of the toothpicks, Lots of glue make it a solid unit. I have a tutorial on doing my blades at http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/SMF/index.php?topic=933.0
I am surprised I did not do the hubs
Lou
Very nice! I have just started a scale flying model of a Bristol Blenheim, Its quite big for me at 1.4m wingspan so some scale radial engines are in the works.
I want to see that when it is done. Please post to the Officer's Lounge. Will this be a display engine to be replaced when you want to fly?
Here is a photo of my Bollingbroke(Blenheim) engines in 1/32 scale.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSCF0944.JPG)
Lou
Yes I will post when its done. I think the engines will stay on, I found a magazine article on the construction of 9 cylinder radials out of foam. they will not be as detailed as yours though!
Started the decal process. I scanned a Voodoo decal sheet and will adjust the size and colour balance for the Argus. I cannot get a decent scan out of this printer and I can't afford the $50.00 to get an aftermarket decal sheet. However here is the current progress shots of the engines and props.
Lou
Coated in future wax ready for the CanMilAir decals.
Lou
Looking good Lou.
Gordon
Very nice indeed Lou, looking forward to the decals .Regards Paul J.
Eeeeexcellent!
Still waiting for the decals that were shipped on 25 March. Canada is famous for it's dog sled mail delivery during winter months.
Lou
The dog sled drove by the post office this morning. More to come.
Lou
Decals started.
Lou
A summary of the Argus build.
Lou
Roll out 21 April 2017. I started the project 12 June 2008 with a projected completion date of late 2009. It was enjoyable and that is what this hobby is all about.
Lou
Looks awesome as usual Lou!
Peter
Thank you Peter.
Lou
Lou
A very impressive model. Although it took you longer than expected the finished model is impressive!! Well done.
-ken
Thank you Ken.
Lou
Well Done Lou! It looks great.
Doesn't matter how long it it takes it is the end result that counts.
Cheers
Gordon
Another first class model Lou, very impressive. Regards Paul J.
Thank you Gordon and Paul.
Lou
Beautiful, Lou.
Thank you Mark.
Lou
Very nice Lou!
What was the full size Argus used for in those colors?
Magnificent, Lou! A museum piece!
Thanks Fingers.
Biggles - The Argus is a sub hunter/killer.
Lou
Ah so the Canada version of our P-3 Orion.
I concur with Mark - Very Impressive Lou!
The Argus was replaced by the Aurora (P3C Orion airframe - S-3 Viking electronics).
A quote from an article by John Boileau, Chronicle Herald
http://thechronicleherald.ca/books/95855-author-uncovers-hidden-tales-of-the-argus
Another Cold War tale describes the role of the Argus in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, when American intelligence learned that Soviet ships were carrying ballistic missiles to Cuba.
Because prime minister John Diefenbaker was not convinced of the seriousness of the threat (and probably in part because he did not get along with president John Kennedy), he had to be forced to put RCAF NORAD assets on high alert. But he refused to do the same for Canada's maritime naval and aviation assets.
These important resources did participate however, through the subterfuge of participation in an exercise, which had already been scheduled for November and was simply moved forward.
Argus crews provided essential assistance to the U.S. navy during the crisis, especially since the stalwart Canadian airplane was more capable than American ASW aircraft.
Lou