Checking the fit of the engine nacelles prior to covering them…
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And finally testing the fit of the plastic panels…looking promising…
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And there it is; the unmistakable shape of the P38, unique.
This looks like a nice tight-fitting arrangement. Will you provide a cockpit area cut into the fuselage, I guess thru the top of the wing?
Well, I have two options really… I can use their “cardboard cutout” as a template (because I am not using it) and scratch build the cockpit…or I can paint the inside of the canopy grey and do nothing! 
I most likely will scratch build the cockpit, which requires a lot of research and scratch building of parts. I believe the required cockpit area will fit above the wing and not require me to cut out any of the upper main wing. But I won’t know for sure until I start on it. It’s certainly not shown in the instructions.
I have the same dilemma for the landing gear bays.
I most likely will scratch build the cockpit, which requires a lot of research and scratch building of parts. I believe the required cockpit area will fit above the wing and not require me to cut out any of the upper main wing. But I won’t know for sure until I start on it. It’s certainly not shown in the instructions.
I have the same dilemma for the landing gear bays.
Good morning Dean. Fantastic guitar collection. I am curious as to how you play those tiny ones. Yep we all get banished to our man caves once in a while and it’s like quiet time ….finally, whew.
. I am with Johan (@RDN1954) that unique shape of the P38 is starting take some form- love it. Cheers Grant
. Yep we all get banished to our man caves once in a while and it’s like quiet time ….finally, whew.. I am with Johan (@RDN1954) that unique shape of the P38 is starting take some form- love it. Cheers Grant
Thanks Grant. The tiny guitars I scratch build out of wood and wire. I made my first one when I was in high school. They are 1/8 scale. I just made one of them this year. I will probably make more.Good morning Dean. Fantastic guitar collection. I am curious as to how you play those tiny ones
I have always had a hobby room, it’s my escape to work on models or play music. However my granddaughter has a desk in there that I got her for her birthday, and she paints and does crafts at her desk. So it’s not all mine, I have allowed her to be in there. But you remember she likes to build models too.
Making progress on the first engine nacelle…
I cut out the landing gear bay opening. And I have covered quite a lot since last night.
I cut out the landing gear bay opening. And I have covered quite a lot since last night.
HI DEAN MY SHE RIP WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR AND MAY HER MEMORIES BE A BLESSING. GOD BLESS STAY SAFE ALL DON
Thank you Don!
Getting there…a panel at a time!
Good morning Dean. I dogranddaughter has a desk in there that I got her for her birthday, and she paints and does crafts at her desk. So it’s not all mine, I have allowed her to be in there. But you remember she likes to build models too.
.It is really special she enjoys time doing crafts and painting with her Grandpa. Cheers Grant
Not a lot to show, a few more panels on the engine nacelle. There are a lot of scrap pieces from making panels. Hopefully I can use them somewhere, I hate wasting wood! If not I can keep them for future projects.
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Can you imagine how many different aluminum panels were applied to airframe for same reason you have so many small wood panels.
At least they could easily recycle scraps of aluminum back in the day.
At least they could easily recycle scraps of aluminum back in the day.
I'm the same way Dean.
Worst part is I have to do it twice, once with wood and once with aluminum!
But the plastic panels will save me some work, although I’m not sure if that’s correct after cutting them out and painting them.
I just hope I can get a decent match with the actual aluminum. Only time will tell.
I have to cover up to the next bulkhead and stop there. The reason being, the very end or tip, is the intersection of the horizontal stabilizer and the tail. A busy intersection that will require some fit adjustments. Only then will it be safe to cover that area. It will be more obvious when I get to that step.
As good as it feels to be near completion on the engine nacelle, I have to do it again on the other one! Yikes!
Then I can finally start work on the horizontal stabilizer and the two tails, which all have flaps.
At that point I can fit and glue everything together and finally cover the end of these engine nacelles.
Then a lot of tedious work will begin after putting a few coats of paint and sanding. That will fill in any wood grain and give me a very smooth surface to work with. Then I can start to get into all of the details and application of panels. So much work ahead and I just keep chipping away. We all know how that goes. Keep your sights on immediate goals and don’t get overwhelmed thinking about the full scope of work ahead!
Note - due to the inconsistencies of the wood color, grain, etc. and multiple panels, it gives the illusion in photos of being unlevel in some areas, but I assure you it’s sanded flush at all joints and as smooth as a babies bottom. Once painted it will be more obvious.
Ok…back to work…
As good as it feels to be near completion on the engine nacelle, I have to do it again on the other one! Yikes!
Then I can finally start work on the horizontal stabilizer and the two tails, which all have flaps.
At that point I can fit and glue everything together and finally cover the end of these engine nacelles.
Then a lot of tedious work will begin after putting a few coats of paint and sanding. That will fill in any wood grain and give me a very smooth surface to work with. Then I can start to get into all of the details and application of panels. So much work ahead and I just keep chipping away. We all know how that goes. Keep your sights on immediate goals and don’t get overwhelmed thinking about the full scope of work ahead!
Note - due to the inconsistencies of the wood color, grain, etc. and multiple panels, it gives the illusion in photos of being unlevel in some areas, but I assure you it’s sanded flush at all joints and as smooth as a babies bottom.
Once painted it will be more obvious.Ok…back to work…
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That is correct Johan. I am going to cover the airplane with aluminum panels.
So this is all preparation for that. The balsa wood skin is the foundation for the aluminum panels. Except for where the plastic parts go, they will be painted to simulate aluminum.
If I tried to cover the bare frames with aluminum panels, it would have facets due to the stringers, unless I used thick aluminum panels. And that would be harder to work with and cut. There is a lot of ways to cover it, but I have chosen this method to have a smooth surface and profile for the panels. I think it’s going to yield good results and hopefully look realistic.
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This is a picture of the kit provided wood and plastic pieces. Unfortunately, as I said before, all of the plastic pieces have to be cut from sheets and of course painted.
