I. D. Models 1/32 vac form AR-234

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Just cut out the parts.Lots of sanding ahead!

2

Great start, I’ll be following along for the build.

Your friend’s, Toshi & Ezra

3

Thanks Tosh!it should be interesting!

4

I ordered a paint mask set for the canopy assembly and a set of metal landing gear.Going to take a lot of weight to avoid tail sitting!

5

Ok made the bulkheads out if thick plastic and boxed in the wing area.Phil likes structure!

6

Mocking it up and checking the fit…needs work but I can deal with it.Compared to 1/48 it is huge!I will.definetly have to hang it !

7

Joined the fuselage halves fit was poor (might be my fault)so I put a .10 styrene plate on top of the fuselage and faired it in.Rescribed some panel lines and I think it will do!

8

Painted the resin engines flat aluminum.I suspect they may be repops of the Revell 262 kits engines.

9

10

Luckily I had a spare wheel well part for the nose. From a Revell 262 kit.

11

12

Engine nacelle and wing assembly ongoing…

13

Mounted up the wings with brass tubing that I flattened in my bench vise.Usef JB Weld to secure them.Will add putty to smooth out the joint.

14
  • Ok got the horizontal stabs and rudder installed.
15

I cut the openings for the wheel wells and made them by wrapping a 12mm socket around a sheet if aluminum.I made flanges so that they could be installed from the outside.Took awhile to figure out how to do that .

16

Aftermarket metal landing gear has arrived.

17

Mocked up the landing gear…this is a surprise !No tail sitting!The only thing I can think if is that the vac form plastic is thinner and lighter than conventional styrene.If course once the engines are installed it will.likely change the balance and weight will have to be added.

18

In answer to your query re blocking your thread – apparently not…or it was a temporary issue.

Cheers

19

How is the integrity of the fuselage and wings with these vacuform kits? Is the plastic firm like a traditional kit? I’ve been thinking about buying an old kit and seeing what I could do with it just for fun. When I was a kid, these were for advanced modelers only.

20

Well you have to reinforce the wing to joints with tubes or spars but the integrity is fine.