Grumman FF1

[Glenn]

Hi,
 As you can see, the FF1 is close to flying, well it will be, once I fix one mistake. Silly me, built it as if it were a land version of a Duck, wrong! The lower wing is shorter than the top. I worked out that if I cut off the lower tip, just outboard of the 'N' strut, and cut it just before the curve of the tip, and rejoin, it will be 100% better.
Getting the right decals will also be a pain, but.......'life wasn't meant to be easy' was it!
Lyn

[Captain Canada]

Duck !

I saw one commit hari-kari at the CNE as a kid....stalled during a loop....Ouch ! RIP>

What decals are you looking for ? The red-centered star ?

And what's your secret for editing your photos ? I need help !

 

[Glenn]

Capt'n,
     The model I'm doing is the Squadron book on P.9 showing an FF1 about to join the USS Lexington (CV-2) The USN black code numbers will be the problem. I'll just have to scout around, no problems!
As to the photo, I just set the camera on Macro, and shot. I don't know about you, but outside, I can't see through the LCD monitor, so I switch it off, and use the viewfinder, as if it's an SLR. One other thing about the C-760 is that it has two macro settings. The first, to arms' length, which has zoom, and the second, real close-ups, where you move the camera to where you want it.
Hope this helps,
Lyn

[Ollie]

Really Toad?  When was it?  In Lake Ontario at the CNE, right?



Lyn, that Grumman looks awesome!

   

[John Howling Mouse]

Very nice change of pace, your biplane is.  That's looking great already and it's not even done yet!

How do you do the rigging?  Thin wire hooked and glued at connecting points?

Come to think of it, does anyone here know of a good source for tips on how to do the rigging for sailing ship models as well?

I bought a couple I'd like to build for my father-in-law but the rigging has me all tied up (sick) with worries...

Anyone?

 

[Captain Canada]

I've got a Duck/ Lysander in the half start pile.

I've got waaay too many half starts !



And it was at the CNE. If I recall correctly, we've got some old 8mm film of it, doing the same loop, just before it crashed.

And thanks for the photo tips, Lyn !

 

[Glenn]

As to the rigging, I use the thinnest of Piano wire, (1/32nd~1/48th sc. models) and glue it together with Model Canopy glue. This glue is used by flying modellers, but unlike superglue, it doesn't 'fog'. Takes about 15 minutes to cure, perfectly clear.
Sailing ships, yuk! I know the problem, all the ships I build, I sell, and seeing every second model is a sailing ship, I know that feeling of dread!
Back in 1979, I was standing on the deck of the Cutty Sark in London, and thinking, "Thank God I'll never have to build this bloody thing", well, it took 22 years, but finally I was given the 1/96th sc. Revell model to do as a commission. I spent 18 months, and once finished looked grand, but it was no joy to build. I used cotton and the canopy cement to glue the rigging in place.
At this very moment, I'm on a 1/120 Keil Kraft wooden model of the Golden Hind!
Son of a Bitch! I know it's not lady like, but it is a Bitch to build!
Lyn

[John Howling Mouse]

As to the rigging, I use the thinnest of Piano wire, (1/32nd~1/48th sc. models) and glue it together with Model Canopy glue. This glue is used by flying modellers, but unlike superglue, it doesn't 'fog'. Takes about 15 minutes to cure, perfectly clear.
Sailing ships, yuk! I know the problem, all the ships I build, I sell, and seeing every second model is a sailing ship, I know that feeling of dread!
Back in 1979, I was standing on the deck of the Cutty Sark in London, and thinking, "Thank God I'll never have to build this bloody thing", well, it took 22 years, but finally I was given the 1/96th sc. Revell model to do as a commission. I spent 18 months, and once finished looked grand, but it was no joy to build. I used cotton and the canopy cement to glue the rigging in place.
At this very moment, I'm on a 1/120 Keil Kraft wooden model of the Golden Hind!
Son of a Bitch! I know it's not lady like, but it is a Bitch to build!
Lyn

But aren't there any "tricks" to the best way to succeed at rigging ships?

 

[Glenn]

JHM,
  This is a rundown on how I build ships. Now, it's probably not the same as anyone else, but here goes. Start with the hull, and deck, and add everything to the deck, as once the rigging is done, there won't be any room to glue anything. Paint as you go, and finish with the masts assembled.
My problem in the past was always reading the instructions, but half of them say to add the sails before you've finished rigging. Trying to rig with a sail in the road is a no go situation.
Start with the 'Standing Rigging', these are the heavy ropes that run from the Bowsprit to the 'top' of the forward mast, (the TOP is the crows nest) and up to the 'crosstrees'. (just under the flag)  of the main mast. This is repeated from the base of the 'foremast' to the 'top' of the 'mainmast' and to the 'crosstrees' of the Mizzen mast. (The standing rigging is there to strengthen the masts under stress)
Also, there should be ropes to hold down the 'bowsprit', 'ganmmoning', I think it's called.
Once the 'standing rigging' is finished, you can start the 'running rigging', but that will be next time.
Lyn

PS there is a bit more standing rigging, like 'the back stays', but we won't worry about that just now!

[The Rat]

And it was at the CNE. If I recall correctly, we've got some old 8mm film of it, doing the same loop, just before it crashed.

Yeah, I've got some too, from sometime in the 70's. At the end of his show he landed on the water - big mistake. The waves were a little rough that day, so rough in fact that he couldn't take off safely! I have footage of him taxiing around madly wondering what to do. He finally disappeared around Ontario Place and I presume he putt-putted all the way back to the Island Airport.    

[Captain Canada]

Hey, that's cool, Rat !

The old CNE shows were fabulous......get any good pics from back then ? My favourites were the Vulcan, SR-71 and Voodoos. Man, those were the days !

 

[The Rat]

The old CNE shows were fabulous......get any good pics from back then ? My favourites were the Vulcan, SR-71 and Voodoos. Man, those were the days !

Tons 'o pics, most lousy! The trouble with the setup there is that you're looking into the Sun, so everything is backlit.

BUT...

I do have some good stuff from when I worked at Pearson during airshows. Believe it or not I don't have a scanner, and most of them are slides anyway, but one day I'll get some posted. Sadly, the neatest possible pictures were the ones I was unable to take. When I worked with the USAF ground crews launching and recovering the U2 and SR-71 I was way too busy to lift a camera to my eye!

I do have Vulcan shots, including cockpit, Connie, Nimrod, Tornados, Voodoos, F-106 and cockpit...

Sheesh, too many to think about now. When we get back to our place in Pickering next year (where most of the pictures are anyway) we'll have to have you up for a movie and slide pig-out. I'll fill the canoe with ice and beer!