I have 1/24, 1/32 and 1/144 Expeditors. I also made a 1/72 under glass case for a friend. Now I will do a 1/48 version for my twin engine collection. Blocks are rough cut. This was the first aircraft I ever worked on back in 1966.
Lou
I wonder if that aircraft is still flying somewhere?
Fraser
I kept seeing one at airshows. It was dressed up in traditional RCAF marking. Many are still in civilian hands. Like the Dakota, it seem to go on forever.
Lou
Parts are rough block form. Fuselage and engine nacelles require laminating to get the proper thickness.
Lou
A bit of time spent on my Expeditor. Nacelles will have generic P&W Wasp Junior engines.
Lou
Wing contoured. I drew parallel line to check the shape.
Lou
Nacelles mated to the wing and the fuselage carving has begun .
Lou
I like how nicely you rough out the shapes. Especially the window facets.
Fraser
Thank you Fraser. This was the very first aircraft I worked on in Aero engine training course back in 1966.
Lou
Fiddling with the engines. Push rods will be straight pins. As the engine compartment is somewhat smaller than the engine diameter, the rocker arm covers will be omitted. I am using a relatively new method of lining up the cylinders by using a 9 point star sized to fit over the tip of the crankcase dowel.
Photo 1 - 1mm wooden pins inserted in to 5/16 dowel.
Photo 2 - cylinders are 1/8 dowels hollowed to accept 1// pins. The bottom are are narrowed to fit.
Photo 3 - engine fits snuggly in the carved out nacelle.
Lou
The engines look authentic. The slight taper you gave the cylinders at the base does make a difference in how they look.
Fraser
Thank you Fraser. The 1/8 dowels were to wide for the cylinder placement.
Lou
Excellent engines Lou.
Gordon
Thank You Gordon.
Lou
Major components mated but yet to be glued. Every thing is rough sanded.
Lou
Subassemblies are glued, puttied and sanded ready for primer coat. Components are tight fitting and final filler will proceed after priming and fine sanding.
Lou
Looking good Lou!
Cheers
Gordon
Thank you Gordon. All three models on the bench have the same priority so I feel it should be finished mid April.
Lou
Missed my original estimation on completion by a few weeks, or more. Expeditor is ready for [paint. First will be red then the metal finish with black de-icing booths.
Lou
White upper fuselage masked and red sprayed on tail and wings tips.
Lou
Lower fuselage/wings painted red. Next will be masking and application of metallic finish. I have yet to decided what brand I will use. The chrome I have looks good when originally sprayed but does not dry to a hard surface and needs a clear coat which take away the shine. I was looking at the chrome pencil seen on line and was wondering if anyone else has every tried it.
Lou
White and red sections were masked followed by the first mist coat of metallic silver.
Lou
I like the idea of painting the trim coats first and covering the silver last. It seems that silver does not like to masked over.
Fraser
Silver will lift no matter what your do. I use Tamiya tape on Future wax over silver to mask for the windscreen. And event then, care is really essential.
Lou
Upper surfaces have their first sliver coat. Decals printed and await clear spray. Shadow lettering is my own creation.
Lou
Silver came up well.
Gordon
It will be a bit duller once I have the clear coat, but that is the nature of metallic silver.
Lou
Out of the paint shop.
Lou
De-icing booths painted on main and horizontal wings. I will need some flexible tape to do the vertical stabs.
Lou
Very nice job
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
Wow. Looks like a carved aluminium block. Nice work.
Fraser
Rustoleum metallic silver does a pretty good job. However, it needs a very smooth finish to apply it to otherwise every imperfection shows through. A dark back ground works best. I my case, red.
Lou
Roll out 19 May 2022. This is the first aircraft I was allowed to work on during my tech training in the fall of 1966. The aircraft would have worn this scheme except perhaps the rounders and tail flash could have been the new one adopted in 1965, however I can't remember for sure. I do know this serial number was a training airframe in the Tech Training School in Borden while I studies there.
Lou
PS additional photo of my 1/24, 1/48 and 1/144 Beech Expeditors.
Excellent work ! Well Done Lou !
Gordon
Thank you Gordon. Your comments are always appreciated.
Lou
Love the way the model is photographed. It really brings it alive. Great job Lou.
Fraser
Thank you Fraser. With this one I have made 1/24, 1/32, 1/48, 1/72(no longer in my collection and 1/144 Scales.
Lou