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Member Projects => Dave T Projects => Topic started by: Dave T on March 22, 2021, 09:40:25 PM

Title: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 22, 2021, 09:40:25 PM
I am planning to carve a 1930s Soviet aircraft Stal-7 (pronounced like steel) designed by the Italian engineer and émigré Roberto Bartini. There are very few photos of the aircraft, but it was a high performing design for the period.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on March 22, 2021, 10:21:08 PM
Looking forward to the build progress, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 22, 2021, 11:01:56 PM
Inverted gull wings. Looking forward to it.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 23, 2021, 07:53:49 PM
Cut out and began shaping the fuselage. The first version of the Stal-7 has oddly shaped inverted front windows.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 23, 2021, 08:26:45 PM
Taking good shape.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 24, 2021, 11:38:52 PM
Made adjustments to the contours.
Started a stabilizer from 1/8" basswood sheet.
Cut blanks for the wings.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 25, 2021, 12:29:03 AM
Good progress. Keep those photos coming.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 25, 2021, 03:44:55 PM
Tapered the wings, but not contoured yet.
Nacelle blocks started.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 25, 2021, 11:37:57 PM
I like to see these type of progress shots.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 26, 2021, 05:37:09 PM
Hollowed out the fuselage for the wings. I used a small gouge to remove most of it and finally a Dremel tool.
Shaped the wing roots and joined them together. Each one is bevelled 15 degrees.
Started shaping the airfoil on the outer wing panels.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 26, 2021, 05:38:13 PM
Dry fitting the wings.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 26, 2021, 09:05:14 PM
Looking great.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on March 27, 2021, 10:12:26 AM
Impressive workmanship Dave, looks great, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 28, 2021, 06:57:02 PM
Glued the wings on.
Worked on how the get the nacelles to fit over that bend in the wing.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 28, 2021, 07:17:34 PM
Thanks for the progress shots.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on March 28, 2021, 09:58:07 PM

Enjoying this Dave.

Cheers

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Gearup on March 30, 2021, 02:08:28 AM
Very graceful wing construction.
Fraser
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 31, 2021, 12:43:07 AM
Still trying to get the nacelles to fit.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Gearup on March 31, 2021, 12:54:05 AM
Nicely done engine nacelles. What is the tool you have shown?
Thanks
Fraser
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 31, 2021, 11:27:41 AM
It is a small chisel made from hardened piano wire (1/8" wide"). It was made and sent to me many years ago by Garet, one of the carvers here on SMM. The other tool is a Stanley thumb plane, circa 1900, which I found on eBay.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 31, 2021, 03:15:16 PM
I have a set off those chisels from Garet. I use them often.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on March 31, 2021, 03:37:49 PM
By set, do you mean different sizes? I use mine all the time because of it's narrow width. It is not easy to find those on the market.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on March 31, 2021, 08:57:20 PM
Some are  scribing  tools for control surfaces. My favourite is 1 mm wide.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 01, 2021, 01:13:19 PM
Attached nacelles.
Added filler pieces.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 01, 2021, 03:26:53 PM
Love how you indented the windows. I tried that a few times and reverted to decals. You have mastered the technique.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 02, 2021, 06:54:54 PM
Sprayed a coat of primer.
I plan on painting the Stal an aluminum or silver color with blue trim.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on April 02, 2021, 08:32:18 PM
looking great, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on April 03, 2021, 09:01:11 PM

Excellent work ! coming along nicely.

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 03, 2021, 09:09:31 PM
Nacelles nicely faired to the wing.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 03, 2021, 10:30:17 PM
Thanks all. I had to do the nacelles in pieces as they didn't fit using the usual methods.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 03, 2021, 11:04:00 PM
Regardless you were very successful.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 06, 2021, 04:56:22 PM
Still filling and priming the model.
Shopping for paint.
Making the landing gear.
Trying to get the landing gear to fit on the model.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 06, 2021, 09:03:42 PM
The tail wheel needs a bit of attention, otherwise, the detail on the windows and control surfaces is fantastic Dave.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 06, 2021, 09:16:07 PM
 :)
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 06, 2021, 09:17:51 PM
I turned the wheels on a Dremel mounted to the workbench.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 06, 2021, 09:20:40 PM
Turned out well.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on April 06, 2021, 11:34:38 PM

Looks great Dave.

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on April 07, 2021, 09:39:37 AM
Looking good Dave, those recessed windows really stand out, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 14, 2021, 01:39:27 PM
Sprayed a coat of Krylon's "Metallic Aluminum".
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 14, 2021, 03:32:41 PM
Nice finish. Aluminum needs a smooth surface and you managed to get it right.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 16, 2021, 08:22:02 PM
Painting in progress.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 16, 2021, 08:55:50 PM
Looks wonderful Dave. I like the Russian stewardess.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 18, 2021, 08:57:44 PM
Still a lot to do but having fun...
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 19, 2021, 12:09:43 AM
Magnificent Dave. Love the passenger line.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on April 19, 2021, 11:31:01 PM

Excellent work Dave

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 22, 2021, 08:17:39 PM
Added exhausts made from brass tubing, twenty four of them.
Made Landing gear doors and attached them.
Made a tail wheel finally.
Fabricated my first ever three-bladed prop and I am satisfied with the outcome. One more to go.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on April 22, 2021, 11:43:51 PM
Awesome project Dave. Congratulations.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Gearup on April 23, 2021, 02:35:58 AM
Fantastic model!  I have been remiss on commenting on you build, but I have been following your build with great interest. You workmanship is excellent. I like the negative rake cockpit on this aircraft. It is unusual, but I think it was a feature on some early Boeings. The design is very clean looking and your finish really shows the nice lines of the aircraft. Keep up the fine work.

Thanks,
Fraser
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on April 23, 2021, 03:59:25 PM
Thanks! I have wanting to carve this plane for a long time.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on April 23, 2021, 08:41:29 PM
First class modelling, looks great, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on April 24, 2021, 08:37:04 PM

Excellent model Dave. Well Done.

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 03, 2021, 01:29:32 PM
Just discovered that Russian props ran opposite of American types, so I had to make new ones. Wonder why they don't fly backwards? ;)
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on May 03, 2021, 03:29:01 PM
Very nice props even if they turn counterclockwise.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 10, 2021, 03:45:41 PM
Painting markings and other details.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: lastvautour on May 10, 2021, 07:10:38 PM
Outstanding David. Always a pleasure to see your finished work.

Lou
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Boomerang on May 10, 2021, 10:54:05 PM

Terrific model. Excellent workmanship.

Well Done Dave

Gordon
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on May 11, 2021, 08:53:36 AM
Excellent model Dave, top workmanship, regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 11, 2021, 10:54:31 AM
Thanks, it was a fun project.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Gearup on May 14, 2021, 03:35:39 AM
You have certainly built a fine model. Using a diorama base with the passengers really sets the mood for the aircraft in use. Beautiful workmanship.
Thanks,
Fraser
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 14, 2021, 11:07:39 AM
Thanks Fraser. The figures kind of bring a very obscure aircraft back to life.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 16, 2021, 01:07:39 AM
The plane's designer, Robert Bartini, discussing the Stal-7 with an Aeroflot official and the pilot.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: buccfan on May 16, 2021, 09:11:34 AM
That view really accentuates the wing shape, that looks like a very relaxed discussion, a bit different to some of the meetings I have seen in the Aerospace Industry!!!. Regards Paul J.
Title: Re: 1/72 Soviet passenger plane "Stal-7"
Post by: Dave T on May 16, 2021, 10:32:57 AM
You are so right and I can say that after reading the history of this aircraft. Stalin wasn't the easiest of bosses.
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