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NHI Kolibri N-3, scale 1:48, scratch build

Peter Voogt said:
Comparisons are always nice, Johan. And it's good to see that there is another person who has taken up the challenge.
Regards, Peter
Click to expand...
I think I'll try to meet with this guy again, once I've completed this build. A few pictures of both models together would be nice.

Dean62 said:
Isn’t there a frame with glass for wind protection, etc? Will you be adding that? I didn’t see one on the other model.
Click to expand...
There is a windshield, although I know the Israeli Kolibrie's flew without during summer. The windshield will definitely be added, actually the basic frame work has already been fabricated. The picture below shows the 1:24 windshield left and the 1:48 windshield trial fabrication on the right. I had to discontinue work on the frame once I realised I needed to have the entire main structure to be completed first, before I could finish the canopy's framework.

IMG_0157.jpeg
 
RDN1954 said:
I think I'll try to meet with this guy again, once I've completed this build. A few pictures of both models together would be nice.


There is a windshield, although I know the Israeli Kolibrie's flew without during summer. The windshield will definitely be added, actually the basic frame work has already been fabricated. The picture below shows the 1:24 windshield left and the 1:48 windshield trial fabrication on the right. I had to discontinue work on the frame once I realised I needed to have the entire main structure to be completed first, before I could finish the canopy's framework.

View attachment 561369
Click to expand...
Nice start Johan!
 
Being fed up with the fabrication and installation of flight controls, I set those aside and turned my attention towards the component I started my build with; the canopy.
Again the lack of dimensioned drawings was felt, I had to use the model, which is effectively an accumulation of inaccuries, to extract some essential information.
After a lot of tinkering and wasting a lot of 0,5mm drills (note to self: avoid 0,5mm holes like the proverbial plague) I was finally able to do my first dry fit and I was again pleasantly surprised by the result. A lot of fine tuning is still required before being able to turn my focus to the transparancies, but I'm confident the canopy will turn out just fine.

Canopy frame seen from (almost) the side, looking towards the right.
The frame is build from brass tube and bar.
IMG_1598.jpeg

View on the unfinished frame, seen from port front, looking aft.
IMG_1597.jpeg
 
RDN1954 said:
Being fed up with the fabrication and installation of flight controls, I set those aside and turned my attention towards the component I started my build with; the canopy.
Again the lack of dimensioned drawings was felt, I had to use the model, which is effectively an accumulation of inaccuries, to extract some essential information.
After a lot of tinkering and wasting a lot of 0,5mm drills (note to self: avoid 0,5mm holes like the proverbial plague) I was finally able to do my first dry fit and I was again pleasantly surprised by the result. A lot of fine tuning is still required before being able to turn my focus to the transparancies, but I'm confident the canopy will turn out just fine.

Canopy frame seen from (almost) the side, looking towards the right.
The frame is build from brass tube and bar.
View attachment 562903

View on the unfinished frame, seen from port front, looking aft.
View attachment 562902
Click to expand...
That is a very nice fitted frame, Johan. A lot of small parts and bendings.
Regards, Peter
 
RDN1954 said:
Being fed up with the fabrication and installation of flight controls, I set those aside and turned my attention towards the component I started my build with; the canopy.
Again the lack of dimensioned drawings was felt, I had to use the model, which is effectively an accumulation of inaccuries, to extract some essential information.
After a lot of tinkering and wasting a lot of 0,5mm drills (note to self: avoid 0,5mm holes like the proverbial plague) I was finally able to do my first dry fit and I was again pleasantly surprised by the result. A lot of fine tuning is still required before being able to turn my focus to the transparancies, but I'm confident the canopy will turn out just fine.

Canopy frame seen from (almost) the side, looking towards the right.
The frame is build from brass tube and bar.
View attachment 562903

View on the unfinished frame, seen from port front, looking aft.
View attachment 562902
Click to expand...
This is great Johan! I love the detail, so many nice features you have added. You have made a model that's better than any kit...congratulations on your accomplishment!
 
Peter Voogt said:
That is a very nice fitted frame, Johan. A lot of small parts and bendings.
Regards, Peter
Click to expand...
Indeed Peter, lots and lots of small parts went into this model and my forming technique improved quite a bit during the last few months.
dockattner said:
Impressive! How in the world did you keep the parts in place for soldering???
Click to expand...
Thanks Paul. I have to mix soldering and use CA in some of the joints. So first solder using a so-called third hand and the other joint will be bonded using CA. Still, it's all a bit fragile...
BradNSW said:
Really impressive work with such tiny brass tube!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful build!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your compliments. I found working with brass was a necessity; I tried polystyreen sheet and profiles, but that didn't give the required rigidity.
Dean62 said:
This is great Johan! I love the detail, so many nice features you have added. You have made a model that's better than any kit...congratulations on your accomplishment!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much Dean. Changing the scale from 1:48 to 1:24 became the game changer: it opened up the possibility to add a lot of details. Now having added to framework of the canopy, the model definitely resembles the full scale helicopter.

Getting closer and closer to the finish line, I find myself confronted with the all too familiar question: what's next, and I don't have a clue yet.
 
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RDN1954 said:
Indeed Peter, lots and lots of small parts went into this model and my forming technique improved quite a bit during the last few months.

Thanks Paul. I have to mix soldering and use CA in some of the joints. So first solder using a so-called third hand and the other joint will be bonded using CA. Still, it's all a bit fragile...

Thanks for your compliments. I found working with brass was a necessity; I tried polystyreen sheet and profiles, but that didn't give the required rigidity.

Thanks so much Dean. Changing the scale from 1:48 to 1:24 became the game changer: it opened up the possibility to add a lot of details. Now having added to framework of the canopy, the model definitely resembles the full scale helicopter.

Getting closer and closer to the finish line, I find myself confronted with the all too familiar question: what's next, and I don't have a clue yet.
Click to expand...
Changing the scale was the right decision! As far as what’s next, for me is another airplane! ROTF But there are so many nice things to choose from, you just have to go where your inspiration leads you! ;)
 
Dean62 said:
Changing the scale was the right decision! As far as what’s next, for me is another airplane! ROTF But there are so many nice things to choose from, you just have to go where your inspiration leads you! ;)
Click to expand...
I find myself attracted more to aircraft than to ships. I also realized that I enjoy building models which do hold significance to me: either historical, with no or few known model kits around, or aircraft I've been professionally close to, like the F35 for instance. The third realization is that I enjoy scratch building.
 
RDN1954 said:
I find myself attracted more to aircraft than to ships. I also realized that I enjoy building models which do hold significance to me: either historical, with no or few known model kits around, or aircraft I've been professionally close to, like the F35 for instance. The third realization is that I enjoy scratch building.
Click to expand...
This F-35?
IMG_1323.jpeg
 
RDN1954 said:
Impressive line up! And of course 1:72. Just a bit too small for my liking; 1:48 has my preference, especially for fighter aircraft.
Click to expand...
I used to have a jet fighter collection in 1/48 scale. Excellent scale for detail. But they took up too much room.
Now wanting to have a collection from WW1 to present, I had to compromise and go with 1/72 scale. But the newer kits are far more detailed than they used to be! The size of the parts can be frustrating, mostly handing them with tweezers and searching for dropped parts, painting with magnifying glasses, etc. But I am used to it now. ;)
 
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