P-40SP

[B777LR]

Join it into the Airfix GB!

[Brian da Basher]

Hey, Spatman, I'm doing a P-38 as an air-racer, sanded smooth and I'm going to see if I can crash mould a streamlined canopy too. If I was going to fit a fixed, low-profile gear with spats (saves weight on a retracting mechanism, that's my reasoning anyway!) what's the best way to make them?

Cheers

The Cat

P.S. loving the biplane P-40! Finish it in sky blue overall with white stripes. Mmmm.    ^_^

>>WARNING<<

Temproary Thread Hijacking in Progress
(apologies to Mr. Miller)

Well Cat, I use two main methods for making spats and it depends on what kind you want:

The straight-leg variety are easiest. Just use an old piece of sprue for the front  and cut two pieces of sheet plastic for the sides. I glue the two pieces of plastic to the sides of the sprue and join them together in the back, using a clothespin to hold them tight until the glue sets. You can either glue the wheel to one of the sides or to the front piece of sprue. This is what I used on my Strike Shrike Here.

The other method I use is molding globs of Squadron white putty by hand. I apply a glob on a wheel and try to mold a general spat shape out of it. Then I let it set and cure. Squadron putty usually cures in 24 hours. Once it cures, I refine the spat shape by gently carving and sanding it until I get something I'm happy with. Then I cover the entire spat with CA to fill in any little imperfections. This is how I made the spats on my Me-109 biplane Here.

I've also tried smashuforming spats but it's very difficult to get ones that come out nice and smooth. I'd reccomend the putty method if you want that really racy look.

You can also use spare drop-tanks to fabricate spats. I just cut the wheel in half and glue it to the bottom and voila`!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Brian da Basher

[Eddie M.]

Since I was going to ask you to design some spats for this one, your tutoral came at the best possible time B) I want to make some for this but I want mine with a serious rake in them. Chopper style.   Thank you for the instructions!
   Eddie

[datguy]

Well Eddie, another masterwork in progress.    Great concept.  How do you come up with these?  

Spats would be a perfect match to your airframe!    Raked Forward or raked back?

A couple of follow-up notes on making spats.  It sound like Brian's got some really good methods.  For larger scales, you might think about the cylindrical part of drop tank half for the leading edge of the spat attached to  the styrene strips pinched together at the trailing edge for an airfoil shape.  The tip of the drop tank or bomb half can serve as the top and front of the wheel fairing.  I can mock something up at the modeling desk and post a pic if the words aren't giving you the picture.

Instead of Squadron or the other auto body type fillers, consider two-part epoxy like Milliput or A+B, which can be worked smooth with water when wet for awesome streamlining. Another plus is that they aren't as brittle.  If there's a hobby shop near you that sells 'Warhammer' miniatures-based gaming by Games Workshop, they should have a two-part epoxy called Green Stuff, which is unrelated to Squadron Green Stuff.  

DG

[lancer]

Spatman,

Nice one Cat man. YOu've just given Brian his new name....

[The Cat a.k.a Meowbag]

What can I tell you, I'm a razor wit, me.  B)  

Pics of my P-38 Airracer coming extremely soon to a thread near you, btw!    

[John Howling Mouse]

Believe you've just opened up a whole new vein of Whiffery there, Mr. Miller!

Biplane Mustangs, Spits, Corsairs, P-36, P-39, etc. etc.

Heck, I might finally know what to do with the few German models I've got:
Biplane Me-109's and FW-190's...!

Great idea!

[Eddie M.]

Believe you've just opened up a whole new vein of Whiffery there, Mr. Miller!

Biplane Mustangs, Spits, Corsairs, P-36, P-39, etc. etc.

Heck, I might finally know what to do with the few German models I've got:
Biplane Me-109's and FW-190's...!

Great idea!

A biplane Corsair? I love the sound of that! B)
   Eddie

[Brian da Basher]

A biplane Corsair? I've got one in the planning stages. I'm gonna use the leftover Stuka wing and spats on it. Stay tuned.

Brian da Basher

[Eddie M.]

For those of you who are model history buffs, does this look like an old kit? The directions had a copy right of 1965, but could have been a reissue. What do ya think?
   Eddie

[K5054NZ]

For those of you who are model history buffs, does this look like an old kit?

Does Brian love spats?



OF COURSE it's an old kit! Eddie, there's only one thing for it.............MONOPLANE...........with RETRACTS!!!!!!!!!!!! :ar:  

[SimonR]

Brilliant idea! I love it. Perhaps a two bladed prop?

[Brian da Basher]

Here's what I'd do, keep the SPAD as a biplane, but remove the prop, add an exhaust nozzle and enclosed canopy for a jet powered, biplane SPAD!!!

Brian da Basher

[B777LR]

Spad with single wing!  B)  

[Eddie M.]

I know it's still pretty fuggly, but I thought I'd show my progress as it slowly takes shape.
   Eddie