1/144 HMCS Bonaventure Started 1 April 2008

[lastvautour]

The prototype Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System is on display for comments and suggestions for improvements. The light need to be slightly smaller and the mirror made more realistic.


http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1165

[Oceaneer99]

Lou,

I haven't seen one of these close-up, so I'm not sure if this is a good idea for this application, but I've seen the flying scale model guys put a drop of white glue on instrument panel dials to make them look like they have glass covers on them.

[lastvautour]

Good idea to simulate the lens. The glue will bead better than future wax and give that rounded lens look. Thanks

Lou

[gera]

Good idea to simulate the lens. The glue will bead better than future wax and give that rounded lens look. Thanks

Lou

Yep, that´s the best trick for lences and also windows

[lastvautour]

Here is the start of the flight deck. Four recycled baseboard pieces glued together with biscuit joiners embedded in the edge. I had to purchase the tool at quite a high cost so using recycled wood is a must on this project to keep me out of the poor house.


http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1424

Flight deck planking being glued together.
Adhesive to glue planking $0.05
Biscuit joiner to align planking $112.00
Satisfaction priceless

[lastvautour]

Moving right along, the deck has been cut out and awaits minor shaping and major sanding.






The fleet is also starting to take shape with the first Banshee and Tracker. 1/48 scale Skyhawk placed for comparison. The Skyhawk was trialed on the Bonnie but did not go any further. The Australian did fly the Skyhawk off their carrier HMAS Melbourne sister ship to the Bonnie





The 18 inch ruler gives an idea of the size.

[teddon61]

Lou, I really like the idea of displaying a well built Carrier with the aircraft she deployed. I have large plans (very detailed) for the converted Wolverine. This was a side wheeler converted to a carrier for training purposes from Navy Pier in Chicago. Many of the great planes found in lake Michigan off Chicago fell from the decks of the Woilverine.
However, it seems to me that a carrier is a big committment, requiring time and space. My fear is that I will never get it built.
I have viewed excellent Carrier models, such as the one displayed at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, they are very impressive.
Ted Billings

[lastvautour]

Ted, I plan on taking a few years to complete my Bonnie. As to your paddle wheel carrier, I believe there was an article in Fine Scale modeller a few years back on that ship.


The first deck level is siting on the workmate behind me. It needs to be planned down 3mm and cut to shape. I will do this within the next week or so. I hope!!!!!

[cliff strachan]

It almost seems trivial to say it but your carrier deck certainly is impressive. Together with any aircraft that you propose to man the carrier with you will definitely have a great presentation. It will take more time than I can imagine. There goes the golf.

Cliff.

[lastvautour]

The flight deck and # 1 deck have been cut out. While doing the #1 deck I realised that the drawings were 1/146 scale so I had to modify the already cut flight deck and apply plugs to compensate. Measure twice-cut once. I keep forgetting that one!!!!!!!!

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1492
The prototype Banshee is used to see how I will approach mass production of the remainder of the air fleet.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1490

[lastvautour]

And the work continues.
The front, sorry, the bow of the flight deck is being readied for gluing to no 1 deck.


Lots of glue to ensure a good bond


The space left is used to insert support structure for the catwalks and the safety nets.

[animek]

You are coming along, this will be a great ship to look at.

Last year I found another Bonaventure ship on the web, Phil Warren's carrier made 100% of matchsticks, you probably know his work.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j297/APinn/Matchstick%20Fleet%2005/?action=view&current=DSC00036.jpg

Ben

[Kenny Horne]

Lou,

You are a going concern!  I can't get my small models finnished and here you are kickin' carrier butt!  It's all looking good as usual,

Take care in the sunshine,

Kenny

[lastvautour]

The Banshee fleet is coming along with blank blocks being made and photocopies of the 1/144 scale drawings glued in place.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1513
Carving can be tedious with so many of the same pieces being done over and again, but then the end product should be quite satisfying. The prototype revealed that the engine placement need some re-engineering and that adding the canopy piece after the drawing was lined up with the top of the fuselage was a better way to go. All in all thing should come out OK.


http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1512

[cliff strachan]

That certainly is inspiring, Lou. I have no doubt that it will be successful and a great contribution to the hobby. Your observation that the satisfaction of the end result justifies all the repetitive labour entailed beforehand is a philosophical incite that all need to be reminded of periodically - especially in regard to this hobby. God luck and have a great Canada Day. Guess I know how you will be spending the holiday.

Cliff