Well, I decided to replace the first engine that I built. For those that don’t remember, it looked like this
While not terrible, there was room for improvement.
So I decided to find an AM kit and came across the Contact-Resine kit. Nice sharp detail and over 30 pieces - and that doesn’t include pushrods for the pistons or an exhaust system.
Well, here’s what 30+ hours over 2 1/2 weeks can produce
The pushrods are .040 round styrene rod and the exhaust is the stock exhaust from the original hasegawa kit. The ignition wires are .022" solder.
Ok, Fred, come clean - how did you manage to shrink the real thing that small? [:O] That level of detail is incredible, it is a model unto itself! All I can say is WOW!!! [bow] [bow] [bow] My hat’s off to you, thanks for sharing!
Fred, great job. Nice to see another “round engine” fan. Nothing sounds better than a PW R-2800 at idle. I had the opportunity to stand next to various Corsairs and other 2800 engined planes at some airshows and they make a hurricane of wind just at idle. The pilot’s handbook for these planes shows that they burned about 120 gallons of gas per hour on take off and about 70 in cruise. Then about 5 gallons of oil as well. After the war, some of these Pickled (Protected) planes sold for about 2 thousand dollars as surplus along with P51’s, etc. Makes you cry.Greg
While there are some fit isuses with the intake pipes (and subsequently the exhaust stacks), I’m pretty darn happy with the results - especially since it’s only my second engine (the first one being the one at the top of the page).
This kit will be my first real model in over 17 years. I did build a 1/72 TIE fighter a few months ago, but that was a stricyly OOB. This bird is getting a lot of personal upgrades that I have been photo-documenting for the final presentation.
SteveK, I most likely won’t glue the cowling down, that way I can display it either way. I was originally considering cutting into the cowling to open the access panels, but I really didn’t feel like doing that much work. I’ve already gone bonkers adding the ammo bay and upgrading the .50 cals.
She should be going for a final primer and sanding in the next day or so and first top color by the end of the week and hopefully finished by the weekend after.
I probably have over a hundred hours invested already (wait’ll you get a look at the 'pit), so it’ll be nice to take a rest after it’s done.
Fred, that is really cool, and very realistic! You’re showing an amazing amount of progress from the first to what is only your second engine…and of course I must ask how you got the copper finish on the wiring. Looks spot on, and really stands out without looking out of place. Nicely done, my friend…nicely done! [tup]
