Zenrat's Flying Circus

zenrat · May 25, 2015, 04:21:06 AM

Remembered another Mil/Civ build I plan to do at some point - Civilian Turboprop Catalina.

Better pics of the two cars. I'm not going to start full threads for them as the FJ40 is RW and the pics of the dragster are not very good as black is a pig to photograph.
1/24 Italeri Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser as driven by Richard Hammond during the Top Gear Bolivia challenge.

Shadow Boxer Dragster. This ones a 1/25 AMT chassis under a body made from parts of an AMT '51 Chevy Belair and an AMT '41 Willys. Decals are home made and engine is plumbed and wired.

zenrat · May 29, 2015, 01:06:23 AM

So, today I painted the weapons load for the Mohawk and contemplated slinging a torpedo under it. Decided given it's timeframe an anti ship missile would be more appropriate and none of the ones I have will fit.

I also started scrubbing at the paint on the Kawanishi. I'm trying the hairspray technique and it's looking OK although I might have got a bit carried away and removed most of what I put onto the wings.

After rummaging through the stash i've reduced the possible Mil/Civ GB builds to a choice of 2. One Sci Fi and one an aircraft. As we're not allowed to start until Monday I instead began scratching up an engine nacelle to mount on top of the Hotspur glider I got at the weekend.

Captain Canada · May 29, 2015, 10:05:11 AM

Love that FJ pretty sure its real

zenrat · May 30, 2015, 01:07:25 AM

I wish it was.

I had trouble sleeping last night so while lying there thinking about Rotodynes (as one does) I had an epiphany and now have the solution to a number of problems with my planned jet-dyne build.

Captain Canada · May 30, 2015, 07:32:34 AM

Nice. Every time I see that kit it's upwards of $30 so I shy away. Then later I get mad at myself for not just grabbing one when I see it. Next time....

BTW what was your sleep deprived epiphany anyway ?

kerick · May 30, 2015, 04:26:07 PM

Quote from: zenrat on May 30, 2015, 01:07:25 AM
I wish it was.

I had trouble sleeping last night so while lying there thinking about Rotodynes (as one does) I had an epiphany and now have the solution to a number of problems with my planned jet-dyne build.

Keep a note pad by the bed or you'll forget by morning!

zenrat · May 30, 2015, 07:17:38 PM

The problem with simply replacing the turboprops on a 'dyne with jets is that the vertical tails are directly behind the existing nacelle position and would thus be in the jet exhaust. I was thinking about whether to move the nacelles inwards or outwards on the wings or to move the vertical tails when it occurred to me that if I put the undercarriage in sponsons I could move the engines up top either side of the rotor pylon. It also occurred to me that a Pegasus in between the two Nenes would supply more than enough air to power the rotor tips plus adding thrust.

zenrat · May 31, 2015, 01:29:43 AM

I don't know if they were that sophisticated. I don't think they were designed to hover and do helicoptery stuff but rather to take of and land vertically with the rest of the time being spent in conventional flight.

I did some sketches today of my ideas for the upcoming Mil/Civ GB.

zenrat · June 02, 2015, 02:04:33 AM

Cold and dank today on the Northern slopes of Mount Martha.

Here's a rare photo of a tidied bench. It won't last long.

Finished the Mohawk. More pics later.

Engine and nacelle to power the Hotspur glider.

And some progress on the Jet Rex. I'm experimenting with the hairspray technique.

I've also started an FW 189 for the Mil/Civ GB.

zenrat · June 05, 2015, 05:10:47 PM

So, for the first time I have entered models at Model Expo. I've not entered a judged contest before so i'm interested to see what occurs.
I don't expect to win anything. That's not why I entered. To be honest I entered because if I did it meant I didn't have to pay to get in on Monday. That and to hopefully inspire others to get whiffing. If one person goes home and gets creative with something they would otherwise have built OOB then I consider that a win.

PR19_Kit · June 06, 2015, 12:37:47 AM

Quote from: zenrat on June 05, 2015, 05:10:47 PM
To be honest I entered because if I did it meant I didn't have to pay to get in on Monday.

Sound thinking Fred.

zenrat · June 06, 2015, 05:06:26 AM

Captain Canada · June 06, 2015, 10:03:43 AM

That Jet Rex is very cool ! Love the weathered look !

zenrat · June 06, 2015, 07:11:09 PM

Thanks Cap'n. I'm currently putting the meatballs on it. I probably should have painted them on before I scrubbed the paint off but it didn't occur to me. So what i'm doing is drawing a circle with a pencil & a stencil and then with a very fine brush painting red all the bits inside the circle that are not metal coloured.

Captain Canada · June 06, 2015, 07:29:04 PM

Good idea, that will blend in nicely.