Finished this Christmas gift to my father JUST in time - Christmas Eve!!
This was a very fun and challenging build and I have to say that I certainly learned a LOT as well as developed a lot of skills and really gave my confidence a boost. I can’t hesitate to say that this is definitely my best build so far!
I think the best thing about this was how great the paint job turned out. The cowling did get messed up a little bit because I was struggling with my airbrush at 2:00 AM last night trying to get it to shoot well, but it’s not too bad. Other than that, everything is like glass!!
The electrical hookup works perfectly and what’s more, the switch seems to have loosened up from the heat of soldering and now it throws very nicely, rather than being quite stiff like it was before.
Here’s a summary of everything that went into this build:
Kit: Williams Brothers
Kit Modifications/Additions: Engine upgraded with wires and pushrods using electrical wire and .015 music wire; Pitot tube created with a cut-off push-pin; Control cables added with 2-lb monofilament line; Seat headrest changed from Square to Round; Rigging line from .015 music wire.
Glue Used: MM Liquid Cement, BSI Maxi-Cure, BSI Insta-Cure (Thin and Gap Filling), E6000 & Generic brand epoxies
Paint Used: Interior - Tamiya Red and White, MM Leather, MM Flat Black, and MM Chrome Silver; Exterior - Tamiya Red and White, overlayed with approximately 15 coats of MM Acryl Clear Gloss and 5 coats of Future. Trim line done with black trim tape. Engine done with various MM colors, and the prop was done with Alclad Aluminum.
Base Construction: Fully scratch built using Evergreen sheet styrene and Plastistruct materials, as well as square brass rod. Base wood from Hobby Lobby and finished with stain and polyurethane. Grass is sand material from Hobby Lobby painted dirt colors, and the grass itself is straight, unpainted grass material, also from Hobby Lobby. Hangar colors are custom-mixed with MM paints. Decals are custom-printed, depicting the name of my father’s hometown where his father owned an airport, a city & airport which actually no longer exists and is now a suburb of Indianapolis.
Enjoy the pics!
And one last one showing my personal touch on this - a memento to the old “wrecked” Gee Bee R-1 that inspired this build.
Thanks to all of you for your continuous support and encouragement - I really appreciate it!!