Second of three new projects is a Stearman PT-27 Kaydet in 1/32 scale. I anticipate slow progress but intending completion by year's end. Drawings printed and wood for the wings have been cut.
Lou
Finally found a few hours to work on my Kaydet, mainly the engine. I made two different engines, one that will be used on my Kaydet, a Continental R 670-1 and a Lycoming R 680-17 engine I have seen on other PT-17. The R 670-5 has a really clean frontal view with no pushrods or manifolds. I still need some work to do before painting. The R 680-17 with the red manifold needs to have the piping reduced in size and the slant reversed.
The crankcase is seven sided and started as a 1/2 inch dowel. The cylinders are 1/8 inch X 7 mm with 1/16 inch X 5 mm pegs to secure to the crankcase.
Cooling fins are telephone wire. I removed 7.5 cm insulation and wrapped it around a 1/8 in dowel. I also did some by wrapping the installed cylinder. I also drilled a very small hole just behind the cylinder and inserted the wire in it for security. It gives me 5 winds of thin with 3 winds of thick wire.
Rock arm covers are bamboo on the R-670-5 and 1/16 dowel on the R 680-17.
Lou
PS Engine stands took half an hours using round toothpick and bamboo sticks. Quick dry superglue reduced much of the time required.
Moving along, I painted the engines and a stand. Also the prop is ready for mounting. As long as I was at it, I made a prop stand too. Now if I had a fuselage and some wings ...
Lou
Fuselage block glued and awaits carving. Engine nearly done. Can't find pictures showing intake manifold.
Lou
Great work on the engine and propeller Lou
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
I really learned a lot by this engine build. Great idea on making the valve covers! The engine stands are cool too.
Fraser
Thank you Fraser. I like doing maintenance equipment when I can and add it to my hangar once the project is completed.
Lou
Fuselage and wings starting to take shape. This will be a long project.
Lou
Upper wing nearly done and bottom one is in block form. Ribs are done by sanding with sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. These are big projects for me.
Lou
Did some fuselage carving this afternoon. I am debating if I should open up the cockpits.
Lou
Coming along nicely Lou, regards Paul J.
Looking forward to when the airframe is married to the engine.
Coming along very nicely.
Cheers
Gordon
Thank you Paul and Gordon.
Lou
Decided to open the cockpits. Still a few pieces to do: sticks, throttles etc.
Lou
That looks great Lou, nice work, regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Lou
Well done Lou!
Looks great
Cheers
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
Cockpit details. The port side is not attached until I do the instrument panels. Coming along.
Lou
Nice job Lou.
What did you use for the seat belts ?
Gordon
Thank you Gordon. I used brown wrapping paper and copper wire for the seat belts.
Lou
Excellent detailing Lou, looks great, regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Lou
Undercarriage attached and wing being test fit.
Lou
Outstanding !
Well done so far Lou.
Gordon
WOW! the cockpits are models unto themselves, Lou. Your use of on-hand type materials is very cool. Some people see a scrap of wire and some people see a set of seatbelt hardware. Love it.
Fraser
Thank you Gordon and Fraser. I prefer to make details rather than just buying aftermarket items.
Lou
I like the interior details as well. Have you done that before on other models?
Just the 1/32 biplanes and my P-26.
Lou
Looks geat Lou, the bigger models have more scope for detailing, I wouldn't have any room to put them at that scale, I struggle to find room for toon size, regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Lou
I had to take the glued tail feathers to drop the tail plane lower on the fuselage. Compare to the previous photo.
Lou
initial yellow mist coat applied.
Lou
Looks great Lou.
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
Second coat of yellow. I anticipate another two coats. The top wing has yet to be fully primed.
Lou
Painting is completed and awaiting assembly and rigging. The wind screens has black undercoat followed with yellow. Note the center panel has the yellow already applied over black. When viewed from behind the frame work will be visible. I have since done the remaining frames.
Lou
Kaydet is fully assemble and awaits the decals that are printed and yet to be sprayed with clear gloss.
Lou
Roll out 7 June 2021.
Lou
Wow!! Lou that looks amazing, the open cockpit detailing is excellent, overall a fantastic build. Regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Lou
Stunning result . Well Done Lou.
Gordon
Thank you Gordon.
Lou
Just some questions Lou.
What glue did you use for the windscreens?
Directly glued or with a tongue and slot?
Cheers
Gordon
I used Lepage Super Glue directly between the plastic and the fuselage. Don't look to close, the front windscreen is crooked.
Lou
Thanks Lou. I'll see how I go with the windscreen for the Dewoitine.
Cheers
Gordon