Lancair 235

Modeling Subjects Scratchbuilding
1

I’m in the process of carving and painting a Lancair 235 that my dad and I built 25 years ago. I plan on giving it to him on Fathers Day.

This is what the final model will look like

I’m waiting on a paint chip from the guy who painted the real Lancair so i can get a perfect match.

2

Hi,

That looks like its coiming along really nicely.

Pat

3

Thanks Pat,

Here’s the base.

4

Hi,

I’m really impressed with your work. What kind of wood did you carve the body from and how did you do the shaping of it?

Pat

5

Looks great!

I love making wood aircraft. When I got started in modeling, there were no plastic models yet. Flying models were balsa sticks and tissue, solid scale (non-flying scale) were indeed solid balsa or pine. Kits came with fuselage sawn to profile and planform. Builder carved the thing to section. Wings and tail were flat sheets- you had to carve the airfoil.

It is so restful. I find my central nervous system takes over the work of carving, and my mind just wonders- sort of a meditation, while the hands, arms, and nerves do the carving.

Plastic models had long been on the scene when I discovered basswood- god’s gift to carvers!

6

Made a mold of the Wing Tip and cast the wing light lenses in clear acrylic. After they cured for a few days, I polished them. The first pic shows before and after polishing.

This is the Left Hand Lens cut to shape and the section removed from the Wing. The hole in the Wing Tip is for the Strobe Light.

Cheers

7

Well this look familiar![t$t]

That was one of my favorite planes on the field…even before I knew it was your Dads!!!

How is he doing, by the way? Hope all is well!

8

I loved flying that plane. It was driving a Ferrari. He’s doing OK. He’s been my moms primary care giver for a few years and we worry about him doing too much. My mom is in the Hospital with pneumonia and had a pretty bad seizure 2 days ago that she has not recovered from and my dad feels helpless. I guess we all do right now.

Thanks for asking Fermis. How you doing?

9

Thoughts and well wishes for them both![t$t]

Doing alright here. Just coming out of my Winter break, getting business ready to roll…starting work on the 1st.

10

It took awhile, but I was able to mix several colors to get a match.

11

I am with you on that !

I still get the bug once in a while . Mine are " what ifs " based on Hummingbirds. That plane looks awsome . T.B.

12

She’s got paint.

13

Looks real nice, Rob.

14

Hi,

That’s really looking good.

Pat

15

Hmmm;

That’s Pretty awesome ! T.B.

16

First if the Blue Trim added today.

17

Canopy and Windows painted

18

Hi,

That looks really sharp.

Pat

19

Are you going to gloss coat the canopy and windows, or leave them matt?

20

The entire thing will be gloss coated with Future