Deconstructing and Rebuilding a Kingfisher.......need some help

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Alright, I’ve begun the adventure of building a very detailed and resonably accurate 1/48 Kingfisher.

The plan is to put in the Lonestar Models cockpit set and main float. But, the corrected and open cowl is no where to be found. I’ll have to do surgery on the kit part and remove the kit engine, open the cowl flaps and build a fire wall and engine mounts. The plan is to install a Quickboost R-935 engine and make the cowl and it work. That alone should be a challange.

So, if anyone knows of any additional things the Monogram High tech kit needs I will attempt to add it to the to do list. I figure this hack and slash build will take a minimum of 6+ months.

I would also like to know if there are any major components that the OS2U shares with other planes, if any. This may help in kit parts.

Here is the list of parts I will be using:

I will have two full kits of the Monogram kit to build one bird.

LoneStar resin cockpit set, front and rear and all the bits

LoneStar resin main float

Squadron Canopy

Quickboost R-935 engine

Stencil set for the markings, decal set yet unknown, undecided, most likely Grey scheme.

What I need to locate are:

The cowling from Cutting Edge, if anyone knows where one is or see’s one for sale somewhere, please let me know. Otherwise I’ll have have to do it the hard way.

Reference links, technical drawings, etc. This will be crucial for the rigging especially and the firewall and engine and its various bits.

Outer floats, what is not right about the kit part and if there is a way to fix them.

Above all else, I’ll need ideas and suggestions along the way of things to do and NOT to do so this turns out really cool.

There is just something about Kingfishers that I really love. Hope you all follow me on this journey.

BK

2

I will be folowing avidly Brandon as this is one of my fav’s.

I have a 1/48 Revell started but had problems with losing the Lone Star pit set in the mail and have yet to reorder one. My Revell kit sorely needs the pit since I think that 's the main focal point with this OS2U so it’s on hold for the moment.

Is the resin main float much of an improvement? I thought the kit one looked pretty good.

I am planning to do mine in the pre war yellow wings config.

3

Once you get this sorted out, I anxiously await for the WIP build.

Toshi

4

Looks to be an interesting build of a unique aircraft. I’ll be following along.

FYI, Kitty Hawk has a 1/32 scale kit scheduled for a 2015 release, although they’re running out of time. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the subject.

Mike

5

This ought to be fun to watch. =] 6 months might be optimistic! lol, depends on how much time you have on your hands. I feel like I could make a full time job out of these builds some days. I’m surprised your were able to find an AM canopy for it. Squadron really comes thru, huh.

I would recomend you stock up on some varying widths of plastic sheet/strip and some Tamiya: Extra Thin Cement. Quite handy in scratch building! After my last couple of builds, I feel like I could take on just about any problem at the 1:48 or higher. With enough extra plastic sheet/strip and rods/squares and such…it can get done! =D And imagination…can’t leave that out.

6

From what I understand the kit float is grossly undersized and the resin one gets it back up to proper scale. It looks longer and fatter to my eye anyway.

BK

7

I’ve seen photos of the sprues for the Kittyhawk, it looks quite impressive. I’m excited someone is finally doing another release.

BK

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My biggest concern is the engine and firewall configuation. I plan to have the two side engine panels open to display the super nice resin engine so a proper firewall and engine frame are very important. And ya, I’ve got lots of sheet stock and round rods in various sizes as well as several sizes of brass rod. I may need some square stock but I’ll figure that out as I go. It’ll be a fun build. Maybe 12 months might be more realistic.

BK

I said Ultracast engine, it’s actually a Vector engine.

What I need now is to see if I can locate both right and left exhaust manifolds. If not, scratching them out will be a HUGE chore.

9

This is the new KittyHawk kit, it’s kinda what I had in mind for the Monogram kit. Making those manifolds is gonna take some time.

10

Brandon scratch build the manifolds with the correct diameter solder. Should be able to bend and flex John

11

BK,

This is the kit to which you and Mr.Mike refer, correct?

http://www.kittyhawkmodel.com/#!kh32016/c1oo5

Mike

12

Yup, thats the one.

BK

13

Wow, this will be epic. Can’t wait to see it come together

14

The first kit I have for this is the 1967 mold/cast on blue plastic. It’s very thin, quite flimsy, and of generally quite poor quality. I ordered another reboxing in the grey plastic in hopes that the newer plastic will be somewhat better. I know the molds used are the same so the fit and all those issues are gonna remain the same, but this old blue kit is really,… crap. It’s gonna take just as much work to put it together as it will to pimp it out.

BK

15

That’s a great idea for the exhaust manifold construction. Maluable and shapable. Cool.

I also figured with the new correct to scale engine I won’t have room in the the cowl for the cylinder heads. I was thinking of keeping the cowl flaps and making them open, keeping the very nose piece for size and shape, but using soda can to make the actual cowl panel. It’s thin and shapable and hopefully will allow enough room to just clear the cylinder heads. Looking at photos with the covers off, if the scales are reasonably close it should work. Fingers crossed.

BK

16

Here is the kit float problem, it’s just too small and not the correct shape.

17

Referencing the exhaust manifold: You might try to look up chuk who pops up here on Finescale every so often. He had a plane not too long ago where he outlined some soldering techniques. I made some use of them for the Dauntless I still have on the bench. Really not as hard as it looks. I would recommend you take the time to set yourself up for success though. Don’t rush…if you need a jig/mold of some sort to manipulate or control certain parts to solder, then do it. Trying to wing it and shoot off the hip will more than likely create more problems than they solve. =]

18

That’s a really good idea. I will go back and reference that build.

Thanks,

BK

19

Great Subject Brandon. I look forward to your progress.

20

Where in the world did you find those LoneStar parts? I have been wanting their cockpit set for a loooong time. I’ve yet to find one.