Lsjim posted a Strombecker plan for the SBC-4. See:
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_plans.jpg)
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2290 (http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2290)
This is pretty interesting, because it looks like they took blocks from the Navy ID model plans, along with blocks from their How-To guide, and made a single-sheet plan out of them.
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_B-1_Curtiss_SBC-4_plan.gif)
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/normal_B-1_Curtiss_SBC-4_patterns.gif)
At one point, I was working on a plan for a Yak-1000 (I finished the model long ago), which would be in the style of the old ID plans. Someone (Lou, Kenny, Dave Tunison or Ray) called it a "Neo-ID Plan". We even located a font for the old Leroy-style lettering. I spent a lot of time looking at how the ID plans were laid out, and it looked like the style changed a bit between the early sets (A, B) and the later ones. We noticed that there were definitely kits based on the ID model plans, very similar to this one, and the fonts and layout would be different than the originals.
Garet
I'm an old timer that just joined the forum. For what it's worth, I started out working with Piasecki Helicopters in Morton, PA in 1952.
I was in on the development of the CH-46 SeaKnight and CH-47-Chinook Helicopters.
I worked in the tech manuals department "BC", before computer using the Leroy Lettering set, which I still have and use at times. It :) was common practice in the aviation industry when a new aircraft was being designed to produce "three views" of the design for engineering design studies. Example, would the aircraft fit the elevator dimensions of an aircraft carrier ?
The "Three View" also provided production engineering a tool in deciding where the splice points would be for the sub assemblies. The SeaKnight was built in three major sub assemblies, the greenhouse that included the FWD Pylon or cockpit which was joined to the cabin which was joined to the tail with ramp and AFT Pylon.
We did a lot of technical illustrations for the flight handbooks. I did the original axonometric structural repair drawings on the CH-46 SeaKnight Cockpit, FWD Pylon, Alighting Gear, and Stub Wing Assembly.
Rotary winged aircraft do not have landing gear, they have alighting gear.
If I have a three view, I can build a model from it.
Those were the fun years for me............. :)
Welcome to the group. How shall we address you Spider Web? I hope to see some of your work sooon.
Lou
Just call me Jim..........
One thing I remember about the Strombecker kits was that pine was the common material. I found out a broken double edged razor blade was not the tool to use in shaping the wood !
Can you imagine in today's world a father giving his son a pen knife at age seven ? My father did and this was my first right of passage in life learning how to sharpen and use this tool.
It was now much easier in cutting the pine.
Anybody ever play "Mumbly-Peg" at school recess ?
The pocket knife would have been a blessing for me. I used to steal/borrow mom's paring knife. If it was missing, they knew where to look. If it was dull, she also knew why. Unfortunately, none of that early work survived my departure to the RCAF. The joke after 55 years is still Lou and mom's paring knife(S).
Lou
"Ah the memories !"
Yesterday I found and downloaded SBC-4 plans and started working on the model.
I remember being up close to this bird at Lakehurst many years ago. As a kid I can remember being awed at the monstrous size of this airplane.
The only difference this time as a senior citizen who just had his cataracts removed and replaced with plastic lenses and can see 20:20 for the first in his life and along with a large collection of modeling tools built up over a life time now makes it much easier and faster in making a model.
The thrill of taking a block of wood and actually coming up with a presentable model still remains.
It's a shame you lost the paring knife that could now be included in your personal museum.
Before I forget, I still use broken bits of glass who's sharp edges are great for making fine shavings on a model.
Hi Jim,
As a senior citizen its nice to have company. The cataracts and their correction will be my next step to becoming a new teenager. Then I'll be able to actually see what I'm carving. There are indeed a lot of memories to be compared. The younger guys don't know what they've been missing but, this Group is providing a great opportunity for some of them to "catch up". Welcome.
Cliff
Thanks Cliff.....
Cataract removal and replacement was the easiest surgery I've ever experienced. The operations were two weeks apart. I was operated on starting at 7 am in the morning and was having breakfast at "Bob Evans" at 8:15 am.
When the drops wore off, I had 20:20 vision. Now I have to wear reading glasses for the close stuff. I'm not complaining !
One of the benefits of our peer group that grew up building models was that we learned how to be independent.
The satisfaction being able to cobble a model out of a piece of wood, no matter how ugly it was percieved, was our reward. Every model presented new challenges and learning experiences.
Using broken glass pieces was suggested to me by my slightly older sister some time around late 1954. I think I was doing an Ouragan jet that I had seen on TV. B&W of course. I keep telling myself I will do another some day.
Lou
Cliff, received my first CPP check today.
Cliff, didn't you build a really big Hindenburg model?
Jim witnessed the crash I believe. :o
I was almost five years old when I saw the Hindenburg as she flew low over West Philadelphia in May, 1937.
For some reason, I can remember some things back to when I was two years old.
I was living on Ithan Street, a typical row house street. Trolley car routes were in easy walking distance for everyone in this era.....you were rich if you owned a car. mom & pop grocery stores, bakeries, delicatesens and tap rooms were common.
The streets were narrow with no automobiles. When anything happened of note, someone would come into the street and shout. Soon, everyone would gather in the street and in this case looked up to see the Hindenburg as she quietly glided over our street like a slide show on her way to Lackhurst. I remember hearing the engines an see the passengers waving as she slowly glided by. To me she was a huge silver wonder........what stuck in my mind was the huge tail painted red with the huge swasticas.
Later that evening I remember hearing the famous newscast on our Philco Radio and again everyone gathered in the street talking about what just happened. Everyone waited for the latest newscast and the morning paper.
I remember Gabriel Heater and all the other radio serials. Jack Armstrong, The Shadow, Amos & Andy, Little Orphan Annie and a lot more.
Another bench mark in my life is when I was living at 204 Moore Street, Darby when the Japanese attcked Pearl Harbor on December 7 th.
Now I have a question on the SBC-4..............Inspired by the forum, I decided to build a model of the SBC-4. I downloaded the plans and have yet to decide what size I'll make her. As a test of my computer system, I hope to make and post visuals of the step by step process.
My question is, "What was the color scheme used on this bird ?"
I know the Navy painted the wings yellow during this period.
If some of you folks are interested in some of my and sharing your anecdotal tales I would be delighted. I assume this subject matter would be better posted under a new heading like, "Do you remember ?"
Happy Thanksgiving to all !
Happy Thanks Giving Jim and all my American friends. I for one would love to hear of days gone by.
Lou
I've heard of "Mumbly-Peg" Jim but I've never known what exactly it was. In the meantime - and I suppose that this is not really the place for this - did you guys ever play "Pullaway or Tackle Pom Pom Pullaway", "Buck Buck, How many fingers Up?", "Anti anti I - over", or "Jailer"?
I've listened to all those radio shows too. My favourite was either Jimmy Allen or Howie Wing. One of these days I'll post a copy of the flying instruction manual that was provided by Captain Sparks and Little Orphan Annie through Quaker's Puffed Wheat. Yes, I'm afraid that a lot of Solid Scale is remembering. And as Lou has received his first cpp cheque he'll soon be sitting around reminiscing too.
Cliff
Hi Jim,
To have actually seen the Hindenburg is something beyond words. About a year ago I was lucky enough to be able to buy a copy of a recently published Photo History of the airship. Talk about travelling first class! And what size! Even to build a model in 1/72 nd scale would be daunting.
Cliff.
"Mumbly Peg" was a pen knife game that was basically an elimination game.
It was literally made up on the spot and any number of players could participate........for instance, I would start off by positioning the tip of the blade on the end of my left index finger, holding the pen knife upright by my right index finger. Then I would quickly move away my right hand away while at the same time pushing up my left hand and flip over the pen knife a watch to see if it stuck in the ground. Everybody followed suit until they succeeded or was eliminated. The first person to succeed in sticking the blade now dreamnt up a way to stick the knife in some other unusual way........and so on it went ! Marbles had a lot of fixed rules.....remember "knuckle-down ?"
Pee-wees were a lot of fun to shoot ! Of course there was always the wise guy who'd try to shoot a ball bearing !
Yes, I also played "Buck-Buck".......lucky we didn't break our necks !
Today, we'd all wind up in court teaching or playing these games with our grand kids for child abuse or endangerment !
Ever make a skooter out of an old orange crate, a 2 x4 and some broken, shoe clamp on rollerskates ? How about a rubber band gun that used a cut up inner tube ?
Anybody else interested in making a spotter plane group cook-up? I assume that even the OV-10 would qualify. L4 or L5s?????????
Lou
I'm in if you'll tell me what the OV-10 and other birds you're speaking of look like.
F.Y.I. I found a listing of the US Naval Aircraft Paint Jobs at www.aerofiles.com/USNcolors.html
I also found sample paint swatches on another website but misplaced my note.
What is the time limit on doing a cook up?
I look forward to a little challenge.
Jim
Yes Jim, I've played Mumbly Peg but I just didn't know the name. And yes if I personally I didn't build a scooter from an orange or apple crate there were plenty around. The wood and rubber guns - the rubber from inner tubes held in place by clothes peg triggers - even rifles were also part of the gang arsenal.But you are right if we played some of those games today we'd all land up in jail - that is until everything was appropriately taken over and commercialized.
More but later. We have enough to do just getting Solid Scale back.
Cliff
Cook-ups never end here Jim. ;D
Jim, here are a few links to some Spotter or now called observation aircraft
OV-10 Bronco http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-10_Bronco
OV-1 Mohawk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-1_Mohawk I think Rafa would like this one
O-2A Skymaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-2_Skymaster
O-1/L-19 Birddog http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-1_Bird_Dog
These are fairly modern observation craft and there are many other spanning all of aviation history. A google search for "Observation aircraft", "Spotter aircraft" and Forward Air Controller Aircraft" will reveal many more. So there are lots to choose from. You have already chosen the SBC-4, so that could count as your submission.
Let's start a cook-up post and carry on from there.
"A slap to my forhead!" It just dawned on me that "OV" stands for observation!
"Duh !"
I just bought myself a Christmas present the wife doesn't know about ! A gift certificate for $10 off came to me from Wood Crafters yesterday and it was so hot in my pocket I just had to go out and get rid of it. And I did !
I went to Wood Crasfters in Delaware, no sales tax, and bought myself a small Flexcut draw knife and a couple of other neat little tools such as four 4" quick release bar clamps that will help in doing a "Cook Up!"
The razor sharp 5", curved draw knife came with it's own leather pouch to protect the blade, not me.............I chuckled to myself when the clerk told me to be very careful with this tool because it is very, very sharp.
I told the clerk the old axiom, "a sharp knife cuts one way a dull knife two !"
I don't think he understood me.
After doing a few test cuts in the shop this afternoon, rough shaping a fuselage or wing will be even more fun.
Regarding Spider Web's question about Curtiss SBC color schemes, below are links to a couple of color photos from the Life magazine photo archives:
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=1940+Aircraft+Carrier+source:life&imgurl=2c92563635dac534
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=1940+Aircraft+Carrier+source:life&imgurl=3dcbdd2bb0e47b50
Lots of other interesting airplane pictures in there too.
Hope this helps,
JeffH.
http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Aircraft/YellowWings/index.html (http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Aircraft/YellowWings/index.html)
Good site too ;D
Thanks fellas, I saved the pictures and color spec chart.
I visited the last of the remaining hobby shops in the region yesterday to get some cyro cement and epoxy. They had on display some terrific, finished plastic models of WWI aircraft. All was needed was to install the wings with a screw and screw driver supplied in the box.
The models retailed for around $12.
Even as nice as these models were, yet they didn't have the feel or appeal of a hand made item. Craftsmanship is one thing, artistry, something else.
There are people who have all the latest tools and material and still make splinters.
The Spider