What if

Hi all.

First hat thrown into ring.....

This is what Tophe envisaged

(https://i.imgur.com/TRnEGSb.png)

And I'm going to attempt to get somewhere near it using this pile of bits.

 (https://i.imgur.com/H2luUBL.jpg)

There is also a mk5 on standby to provide some parts.

I think the biggest worry is the undercarriage.  I'm hoping having the tail wheels on the booms will give me enough clearance on the rear prop

We shall see.

Mog
>^-.-^<

Great recycling project! 

Damn I've been rumbled ! :rolleyes:  ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<

If you place part of a fin under the boom it would lift the back end. That and the tail wheel would give better clearance. Tophe never drew the wheels anyway so you're free to imagineer what you need.

Make it a nosewheel? That'd mean moving the mainwheels back, but to a Whiffier of your calibre that'd be a matter of moments.   ;D

That's pretty much exactly what I've got in mind for the Mustang and the landing gear was the reason I was going for the float plane layout...solves that problem very quickly.

Quote from: Robomog on June 30, 2024, 08:56:32 AMI think the biggest worry is the undercarriage.  I'm hoping having the tail wheels on the booms will give me enough clearance on the rear prop

The rear end of the fuselage pod could be significantly shorter than Tophe drew it, which would help. There's a dirty great fuel tank between the engine and the cockpit on a Spitfire: if you eliminated that for the rear engine and just had it mounted straight off the rear cockpit bulkhead, it would be way shorter. That would help with CofG too.

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm envisaging this as as fast PR aircraft. Unarmed ( obviously) but I want to try and keep the fuel tank for the rear engine to give it some endurance, although this might make it too long as you rightly pointed out.

Good idea about extending the rudders down so that I can hang the tail wheels off that and get more clearance.

The test fitting will decide weather I go for a plausible design or suspend reality and go for looks alone  ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<

Underslung vertical tails will work as well as ones in the usual position.   ;)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fseawarpeace.ru%2Fdeutsch%2Fseaplane%2Fimages%2Fhansa_brandenburg_w12%2Fbig%2Fw12-4.jpg&hash=c17e92eb42cc21c9830664d56c87ec62147c7dc3)

Hi all

I've done the first fitting and I think I'm going to have to reconsider the design

(https://i.imgur.com/riCFjRQ.jpg)

It's looking decidedly asymmetric fore and aft,  and yes, the rear is sitting on the rear prop so i'm' going to have to rethink the undercarriage and decide whether to go for aesthetics over practicality.

Respect to Warduckw for going with floats he saw this coming long before I did.

I've sourced a couple of tail booms from a Venom which are a bit short but will hold the tail surfaces ok

(https://i.imgur.com/YDCyXfY.jpg)

PR19_kit :- I may yet go for a nose wheel undercarriage, time will tell....


More when it happens...........


Mog
>^-.-^<

Moggy mate that rear prop is going to be a pain for you landing gear..I'll be very interested to see what you come up with .
Now the weather has fined up I can use the wifi and get my build listed 😀

Hi all

A bit more progress, the main body and wings are together now and the first of probably many layers of putty has been administered. I've decided to stick with the asymmetric body as a small nod to Tophs asymmetric tendencies.

(https://i.imgur.com/4XnaKHx.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/GnO4xvw.jpg)

I've also worked out landing gear configuration, it's going to be a tricycle undercarriage with the main wheels housed in the booms, the nose wheel will be housed in a nacelle under the nose behind the engine. I may need to give it a bit of forward rake.

Here's a quick mockup of the booms. They are not going to be as aesthetically pleasing as Tophs design. They have acquired some depth due to the curvature of the Spitfire wing. But I can use that to my advantage for the undercarriage solution.

(https://i.imgur.com/RnqKJeI.jpg)

I've extended the booms with sprue and part of a drop tank. When your kitbashing you can never have too many drop tanks in your stash :)

Thanks for looking

Mog
>^-.-^<

Drop tank are so useful!!
Looking good!

nice evolution !

Very very cool Moggy 😎 😀

With your knife in the pic you really get an idea of how small a Spitfire is in 72nd  :wub:  :o

Thanks guys

First PSR session done and the air intakes fitted

(https://i.imgur.com/Q5jrxel.jpg)

Radiators fitted, I might fit a third depending on how the nose wheel solution resolves it self

(https://i.imgur.com/1r66TNS.jpg)

The booms are nearly finished, I just need to add a little filler to level all the surfaces up

(https://i.imgur.com/MmpvQc3.jpg)

More when it happens.........

Mog
>^-.-^<

I DO like the look of this one.  :thumbsup:

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 12, 2024, 03:13:49 PMI DO like the look of this one.  :thumbsup:

Yup, coming along really nicely  :thumbsup:

 :thumbsup:

It is very cool 😎 😃
Needs contras  :wacko:  :wacko:

Like this one too... so many exotic builds in this GB

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 12, 2024, 03:13:49 PMI DO like the look of this one.  :thumbsup:

YES. It will be pretty when completed.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Started to attach the booms and came up with this........

(https://i.imgur.com/PZR0DvR.jpg)

Can anyone remember this configuration on other aircraft?

I was sorely tempted to run with this but the booms are too short and the inner tailplane would get shredded by the rear prop.

So back to the original plan.........

(https://i.imgur.com/2f0qUIT.jpg)

Both the booms are attached but are a bit flimsy, I'll need to add a bit of reinforcement

Thanks for looking....

Mog
>^-.-^<

😆 🤣 😂.. freaking love this 😀

I'm still thinking of a twin engined Mustang Moggy but one behind the other with contra-props...like the
Italian Macchi-Castoldi M.C. 72 ...that will look nuts and id still be able to have landing gear ⚙️  :wacko:  :wacko:

 :thumbsup:

Hi all, working on the undercarriage now.

I've constructed a pod under each wing to house the man wheels which will fold forward. The pod will open to receive or let out the wheel and then close behind it so that the only doors open when the undercarriage is fully extended will be around the base of the undercarriage leg.  There is a fairing behind the leg to make things more aerodynamic.

(https://i.imgur.com/WPCotET.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/5xAldCF.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/K6mVswI.jpg)

I will need to work a similar construction for the nose wheel.

More PSR to smooth every thing out  (sigh)

More when it happens.........

Mog
>^-.-^<

Dude, that's looking sweet mate 👌  ;D

So glad I didn't have to worry about landing gear 😄

Fairings are always good.  :thumbsup:

Wardukw :-  Good call on the floats, I think they would have made this build a lot more elegant, but, hey-ho, that's life  ;D  ;D


Kit :- absolutely!  As I have said before, you can't have too many drop tanks in your parts stash  :thumbsup:

Mog
>^-.-^<

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 19, 2024, 01:25:30 AMFairings are always good.  :thumbsup:

And they look perfect for this build  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Robomog on July 19, 2024, 03:22:51 AMWardukw :-  Good call on the floats, I think they would have made this build a lot more elegant, but, hey-ho, that's life  ;D  ;D


Kit :- absolutely!  As I have said before, you can't have too many drop tanks in your parts stash  :thumbsup:

Mog
>^-.-^<

Moggy I consider that a lazy way out fitting floats but as lazy goes I very happy about it 😊
I wanted a float plane build and I've got that  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

I definitely got a race plane kick going at the mo ..I will be building te twin engined Mustang and I very been laying it out in my squishy bit ..i even got a set of contra props for it ..well the blades ..it's going to be an entirely new experience scratch building a hub for it  :wacko:

Woo!  scratch building a prop, respect if you pull that off

Could you not source a Spit 14 prop, or pinch one off a sea fury ? Or for that matter make a contra prop from two standard props like the Vertistang

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51089922307_1b4df65c70_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQDcXr)by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Save a lot of time and swearing  :rolleyes:  :o  ;D


Mog
>^-.-^<

Hi all

Finally finished the PSR (for now) and all the fairings for the undercarriage .....

(https://i.imgur.com/2LRyEkK.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/aueFKcq.jpg)

It's off to the paint shop for the primer coat.

Thanks for looking......

Mog
>^-.-^<

That's looking magnificent already WITHOUT The paint!  :thumbsup:

Thanks.  :thumbsup:

Mog
>^-.-^<

 :thumbsup:

Well done  :thumbsup:

lovely !  :thumbsup:

Thanks guys

The Spitfire has had its first primer coat and as predicted its thrown up a few faults.

For example one side of the rear engine where it joins the fuselage has a noticeable concave section on one side and a small step on the other. Various small holes and scratches on the  booms and a little bit more smoothing required on the wheel pods.

Nothing major but annoying all the same  :-\

More when it happens....

Mog
>^-.-^<

Hi all,

Priming and tidying up of the filler is done .

(https://i.imgur.com/wcVNOJh.jpg)

And the spray rig has been constructed, next job, COLOUR !

I'm spraying this one light blue much like the original Spitfire prototype .

Thanks for looking..........

Mog
>^-.-^<

That's still so damn cool mate  ;D

That's going to look awesome!

I have to say, I think the spray rig is pretty good, too!  :thumbsup:
Must 'Take Inspiration from the Idea', as it were... ;)

Thanks guys.

That spray stand was re-adapted from one I did for a Red Arrows Hawk, hence the pinky red colours.

Making a stand is a habit I got into when I took up spraying and sprue is a free medium to create it with.

Sometimes you have to get quite creative, almost a model within a model  ;D

The spitfire has its colour now and decals.

Just a coat of matt varnish and the undercarriage to sort out and it will be ready for presentation.

Watch this space..........

Mog
>^-.-^<

👀👁👀😀

Is the stand glued to the model and removed later or does the model just rest on it?

Very sharp idea the paint rig. And could laso be used to adjust the correct angle for the wings while building. I'll rob your idea.
AND, of course, the buld is mucho interesting, looking forward to seeing it completed.

Hi all

The aircraft just sits on the stand usually with the uprights in the wheelwells. For tail draggers I make an inverted V and insert a cocktail stick or small sprue through the propellor hole like this.

(https://i.imgur.com/k0TbFYN.jpg)

If its a bit loose I add some blutack to the ends.

Obviously each aircraft is different  that's part of the fun  ;D

Feel free to adopt, adapt and improve  :thumbsup:

Mog
>^-.-^<

Would you keep that jig for other Spitfire builds or is each one bespoke?

Some of the rigs are kept like the Spitfire and Hurricane rigs as I build a few Spitfires and the Hurricane rig is often used for other tail sitter fighters.

Most are bespoke or re-adapted from old ones, like the swept wing Zero rig which was originally an EE Lighting rig..


Mog
>^-.-^<

Quote from: Robomog on August 09, 2024, 09:14:37 AMSome of the rigs are kept like the Spitfire and Hurricane rigs as I build a few Spitfires and the Hurricane rig is often used for other tail sitter fighters.

Most are bespoke or re-adapted from old ones, like the swept wing Zero rig which was originally an EE Lighting rig..


Mog
>^-.-^<

Worthy of a build post in its own right.

Thx, I take that as a great compliment  :thumbsup:

Mog
>^-.-^<

Hi all.

Well with a big push over the weekend I'm proud to announce I have completed the twin Spitfire.

Here's the pics :-

(https://i.imgur.com/ugsrv8p.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nWgXuRi.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XMIk1e9.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1AjA58r.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/rAHoleg.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/tTBVPbC.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/aYPFonk.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Cg5IjLO.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/FWvd7ji.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TISDI3Z.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/J7gRfoD.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MyTgOZQ.jpg)

Had to give enough ground clearance to clear the prop  so the undercarriage became a bit leggy

(https://i.imgur.com/uAxtjrq.jpg)

Finally for comparison..........

Tophes design.

(https://i.imgur.com/TRnEGSb.png)

Finished  article

(https://i.imgur.com/QQAJTCa.jpg)

Really enjoyed the challenge of this one and how it came out. Hope it does Tophes design justice

As always all comments and criticisms gratefully accepted.

Mog
>^-.-^<

Nice!  Do you have a source for the P in a circle prototype markings or did you make your own?  And the spray jigs are brilliant!

That is fantastic and a great tribute to Brother Tophe!

 :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

very beautiful !

the front wheel reminds me of something : would it be from a Skyhawk maybe ?
It does give a very refined appearance to the whole.

 :thumbsup:
Came out well.

A BIT leggy?  :o

They'd have needed some SERIOUS crew ladders to get aboard, but the overall look is 'Pure Tophe' and really looks the part. A superb job.  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

elegant looking there.   :thumbsup:   from here

Thanks chaps, much appreciated

Andrew :- the Prototype markings are from an extradecal sheet. You can get them here 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X72213?result-token=vQzqJ


Ericr :- I don't know what aircraft that came from it was in my parts stash and was long enough. But I agree with you it could be from a Skyhawk

PR_19 :- Absolutely!  :thumbsup:


Mog
>^-.-^<

 :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

Quote from: Robomog on August 12, 2024, 03:18:05 AMAndrew :- the Prototype markings are from an extradecal sheet. You can get them here 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X72213?result-token=vQzqJ

I didn't know they did that sheet, that's very handy, thanks.  :thumbsup:

That really does look good  :bow:

Simply yummy 😋 😍
Everything about that rocks  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

Thanks chaps !

Mog
>^-.-^<

 :thumbsup:  :wub:  :mellow:

That is great!  Tophe would love it!

Thanks again chaps

Forgot to take the scale shots, rectified here :-

(https://i.imgur.com/lHJdLk7.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/I9EbY6B.jpeg)

And one for PR_19 Kit

(https://i.imgur.com/wepLYwQ.jpeg)

Yes! The pilot will need a pretty substantial ladder to get to the cockpit (although still not as bad as a Heyford)


Mog
>^-.-^<

 :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

That really does look the part.  :thumbsup:

It's looking  so good now ...awesome stuff matey 👍 👌

Super good.. the colour really suits this

 :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

Thanks guys much appreciated

Mog
>^-.-^<