Last time I was home I went to the National Library looking for info on the Beaufort and came across a paint scheme
for the Dolphin in RAAF colours.
This has basically grown out of the bits box.
Undercarriage is brass rod , wheel discs from 1/32 basswood ( cut with a hole cutter- best 10 bucks I've spent) .
The tyres are from my supply of neoprene rings in varying sizes obtained from the "reject shop" for 2 bucks.
http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/dolphin/douglas-dolphin.htm
Inspirational Sir! well done!
Peter
Thank you Peter.
Gordon
Well done indeed. Your subjects stir the imagination.
Lou
A bit of work done.
Floats from balsa . Propellers from bamboo skewer the remainder of which has been sanded down for the engine struts.
Engine nacelles from balsa dowel with a piece of 1/16 balsa wrapped around to give the required diameter using the hot
water method. The hole at the back done with a rotary tool.
The method for the cowling rings is 1/32 basswood ( soaked in hot water) wrapped around the aluminium tube which
fortuitously matches the inside diameter required. When dry , joined using superglue and a superglue applied to the inside to
provide some strength. Had made two but one failed the handling test. The remaining one has been sanded to shape using
the tube for support. Waiting for the replacement to dry.
Engine cylinders from bamboo skewer sanded to shape and wrapped with thin copper wire. The small piece of dowel
in the pic is for the engine crankcase.
Manufactured another cowling ring.
Started putting an engine together.
Propellers have been sanded to final shape
Cleaned up the floats a bit and have given them a coat of primer. A suitable length of bamboo skewer has been sanded
down further and primed for the float struts . Wing and tailplane attached .
Gordon
Achieved a bit over the last couple of days.
One engine done.
Both cowling rings done
Floats and strut material finished.
Made up the engine struts from sanded down bamboo skewer but one failed the handling test.
Rethinking the engine struts. Might end up made from brass.
In the attached pic the pins are definitely not to scale. Just my usual "clip it together " to see how it is all going method.
Cheers
Gordon
That engine look very realistic in the close-up photo. Waiting for more.
Lou
Another set of cylinders have been manufactured. These will be attached to a crankcase and made to fit the remaining
cowling ring. I'm going to do the engine struts in brass. Bit more fiddling with the cockpit and that will be pretty
much it. Hopefully get some primer on to it next week when I get home
I would love a photo of the finished engine.
Lou
Gordon, while it's been said before, I'm really impressed with your engine on your Dolphin. Hope that you intend to give a detailed account of how you have built it. The model is in itself a great model of an outstanding historical aircraft.
Cliff.
Thank you Cliff ,
I'll see if I can put something together for the engine.
I know I should take more pictures but when I get into the "zone " I'm at the finished stage of a part before I know it.
Cheers
Gordon
I'll put it down to a seniors moment but I've misplaced my info on the Dolphin ( drawing and colour scheme).
Nothing that cannot be overcome. Means I have an excuse to go to the National library when I get home next.
Basically all that needs to be made has been. Finished the other engine yesterday.
Manufactured a couple of exhaust rings But i need the drawing to remake the engine mounts out of brass rod.
Progressing
Replaced the missing drawing.
Manufactured engine mounts out of brass rod. The forward strut is wrapped with sticking plaster ( sort of water proof).
The rear struts were covered with the insulation material from some black plant tie wire. Looks OK from 3 feet away.
same material used for the lower on the lower struts for the U/C and the upper part of the main strut is a bit of insulation
from some multicore wire.
Attached is the usual clip together pic ( motivation). Floats have been made but aren't shown attached.
Bit more cleaning up to do. Have to wait till I can get to the library to get my camouflage drawing.
Apologies for the clarity of this pic and the beaufort pic. Had to use my phone camera.
Cheers
Gordon
Forgot to mention that I've made the landing lights from some clear sprue from an old plastic kit which was the right diameter
Sanded to a conical shape at the rear and a polished (1200 wet and dry with a bit off toothpaste) ,slightly convex front with
a bit of silver paint added when I finished them.
Gordon
This one is really coming together nicely.
Lou
Gordon, I really do think that your Dolphin is great. But what has really prompted me to comment is your apparent great fun that you seem to have in making your models. I only wish that other modellers would realize the fun that they may be missing by not joining our group - time marches on.
Cliff.
Thanks Cliff,
I guess its like everything else "one" does. You get that feeling that it is all coming together and then its finished.
I've added the landing lights. Put the struts on the floats and manufactured a tail wheel out of plant tie wire, thin copper wire
bamboo skewer and aluminium take away food container. The description might be a bit lacking in detail but when I get my
camera sorted out i'll put up a pic. The floats will be the last to go on as I'll either do the underwing serial by hand or
homemade decals.
Cheers
Gordon
Landing lights fitted
Bit more work around cockpit required.
More strut material needed for Floats
Gordon
Just a general construction picture . Bit of a follow up from a question that Cliff asked about wheels.
I've endeavoured to keep it simple. There were three small wheels made when I took this pic. They are now in a what I call a
project bag. All the drawings and info plus any small bits that happen to get made . Keeps it all together.
The DH 5 engine has improved somewhat since this pic was taken. I'll update the DH5 board later.
cheers
Gordon
A very busy picture and quite informative. Thanks for the update.
Lou
Thanks very much, Gordon. Lots to think about there.
Cliff.
A very interesting picture and techniques to think about, thanks for posting Gordon.Regards Paul J.
Some progress made.
Beautiful Gordon.
Lou
Thanks Lou
A bit of progress made. Cleaned up the upper surface paint job. Had to cut it back and redo in parts.
Canopy framing and side windows have been done.
Masked off the area for the decals and gave them a coat of white.
I'll print the decals next time I'm home.
The rear hatch is "believed " to have been in "primer" so that s what I've done.
Cleaning up and painting the floats.
A couple of pics to follow.
Gordon
Pics referred to above. Not the best. Taken with camera phone. Still sorting out probs with SLR.
The "J" on the port side is done with permanent marker.
I'll see how things go. If I decide to do the underwing serials with marker pen I'll leave glueing the winglet and floats till last.
Cheers
Gordon
Finger trouble with the attachment. Sorted
What are the roundels made from? They look white in the photo.
Lou
Beautiful model!
As per Barry's demo. Masked off and a spray of white. When I get a home I'll print them off in clear and apply them over.
At least that's the theory at this stage.
Gordon
A bit of progress and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting larger.
Everything that needed to be stuck on has been. tail wheel and floats, winglet and engines.
All that's needed to done are the rear inner float struts
Underwing serials done with permanent marker.
I'll leave the fuselage serial and roundels till I print them off.
Cheers
Gordon
A couple more
Excellent!
Lou
All Finished.
That's an attractive model of an interesting amphibian.
Congratulations.
Will
A beauty!
Great job!
Excellent modeling skills. A project to be proud off Gordon. How many models in your collection now and how do you display them?
Lou