Main components have been cut out and roughly shaped. Everything is Balsa except tailplane which is 3 ply.
Proposed colour scheme is VB -3 3-B-13 USS SARATOGA 1939 "Top Hatters".
Pictures to follow.
Cheers
Gordon
Looked up 3 B 13. The green should look great.
Lou
Where the Vindicator is at.
The magazine was my fathers so it provided a bit of inspiration.
the cowling I've done separate using balsa dowel trimmed down with a suitably sized brass tube. The inner has been cut with another tube. I propose to clean it out and insert a disc with half cylinders and the crankcase. The Fine rudder have been started with some cotton thread doped on. The tailplane is marked ready for the same treatment. The pin holes on the wing are preparatory
for the same treatment. I will attempt to do the same on the fabric areas of the fuselage.
Early thoughts are to make the wings fold and undercarriage down.
Cheers
Gordon
Found it on Wings Palette.
Lou
Looks good.
Fraser
I just noticed the mag illustration has 3 S 13 rather than the 3 B 13 seen everywhere else. Looking forward to see how you wing fold turns out. We save on shelve space. I found out that S stood for scout, F for fighter and B for bomber. The entire article is here https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/usn_preww2.shtml
Lou
Simulated fabric on tail, wings and fuselage done .
Undercarriage wells cut out. Just have to marry the cowling to the fuselage.
Pictures to follow.
Cheers
Gordon
Thought I had better put something up .
Progress so far.
Yet to make the undercarriage. Wheels have been done with 1/8 balsa disc's ( cut with a suitably sized sharpened brass tube) smeared with super glue.
Cheers
Gordon
Where the Vindicator is at.
Centre section attached . Outer wing panels removed. Working on undercarriage. Propeller in progress.
Engine crankcase done using 2 part epoxy in a blue tac mold with olive oil as a release agent. The shape is from the end of a "Sharpie"permanent marker pen which worked out as close enough.
I'll work out attaching wings in folded position. If it all becomes to difficult I will reattach them .
The undercarriage is a work in progress. For the leg covers I'll mold some polystyrene sheet to the required shape.
Cheers
Gordon
Really nice airfoil shape can be seen in this shot.
Lou
Great progress Gordon, nice idea using the epoxy for casting, regards Paul J.
I like how it is turning out. Balsa is not always the most fun to work with.
Thank you Dave.
Plodding along.
More work needed on engine and propeller.
Still have to do undercarriage and some mental gymnastics for the wing fold.
Cheers
Gordon
Nice work Gordon.
Lou
Thank You Lou.
Plodding onwards
Gordon
Looking great! Great use of the sharpie and bluetac for the engine mould. The wing folding will be interesting.
Fraser
Looking good Gordon, regards Paul J.
Thank You Fraser and Paul.
Engine attached. Tail hook made. Propeller needs more work. Started on the undercarriage.
Cheers
Gordon
Doesn't look like much but have made the Bomb Displacement gear with bomb using brass tube and wooden dowel.
The fins are from PVA impregnated paper with a coat of dope.
The other two "bits" are the upper undercarriage leg covers sometimes referred to as knees.
Made from paper again. Whilst wet shaped around a suitably sized brass tube . When dry cut to shape and a coat of dope.
Cheers
Gordon
Your detail work is awesome Gordon.
Lou
Nice detailing Gordon, regards Paul J.
Thank you Lou and Paul.
Plodding onwards
Cheers
Gordon
Wet paper and glue for compound curves. Definitely filed that one in the techniques arsenal. I guess it is essentially paper mache on a small scale.
Great idea.
Thanks,
Fraser
Working on all the wobbly bits for the wing fold.
Found this on the internet. I've used various bits of wire and plastic sheet. The curved bits of brass constitute the strength members.
Seems to fit together.
Cheers
Gordon
Appears to b a workable solution.
Lou
Looks great Gordon, excellent detailing on the wing stubs, regards Paul J.
Decals applied. Clipped together. Needs a tail wheel. More work on Main undercarriage.
Cheers
Gordon
Also need to do the wing fold jacks.
From what I can see on the net these were painted red.
Cheers
Gordon
The wing fold mechanism really worked well. Congratulation on it successful accomplishment.
Lou
Thank you Lou.
Main undercarriage legs have been done with a bit of flattened copper wire the soldered in place. Arrestor hook attached.
Still need to do the tail wheel and Wing fold jacks followed by a bit of quality control.
Cheers
Gordon
Except for some minor touching up and reapplication of two small decals that decided to part company with the air frame I've finished it.
Could also go into the anniversary cook up I suppose.
Cheers
Gordon
And a couple more. I will do the touch up and decals replacement in due time.
Cheers
Gordon
Looks great Gordon, excellent detailing, regards Paul J.
Very realistic wing fold mechanism. A magnificent addition to your collection.
Lou
Thank You Paul and Lou.
Enjoyed it and learnt a bit.
Cheers
Gordon
Having achieved some semblance of wing fold I guess I'll have to do a 1/72 Fairey Gannet. I have the vac form canopies that I picked at a model show a few years ago. With everything else on the bench at the moment it will be a "little" while.
Cheers
Gordon