Building Guillow's 1:28 PBY 5/5A kit.

[Guest]

I Swear, this Yank is Crazy!

I just didn't like having nice, big waist-bubble's and not being able to see through from one side to the other; the card-stock background pasted onto the hull just will not satisfy my compulsive desire for detail!

Of course, this means cutting into the fuselage, and therefore it must be re-inforced; the first step was to make a tear-drop frame from 3/32in balsa:



To have enough strength for this operation, the fuse between F6 and F8 must be planked:



Once the above-the-side-keel planks were in, I worked the starboard-side frame first, the hard way, without first wet-forming the frame, and had plenty trouble including grain-splits in the broad front edge:



I did the next one right (only broke it once while handling), and sprayed the frame with water to get it flexible, then used an elastic velcro catheter-bandage as a clamp for wet-forming (and forgot to put wax-paper over the hull):



Once dry, it was easy to glue to the hull; the same technique was used to clamp the glued frame, with wax-paper over the glued object:



Once sufficient areas have been strengthened, the hull could be cut open and part of former F7 could be cut away:



Cutting away the rest of the former and shaping it in some appropriate manner will wait for the last planks under the side-keel.

Having been bit by the "planking-fever" out of necessity, I don't know if the entire fuselage will be planked, or only major mod areas; I believe I will definitely tissue-cover the wings, and maybe parts of the fuse, maybe not!

Regards, John (p.s. more insanity to come!)

[Guest]

The next bit of insanity was experimenting with two-part resin for casting the tail-fin base. First, the kit plastic base covers were duck-taped together, then over their area of the fuse:



Next, the two-part mix was prepared and poured into the mold.



Mold poured through the stringers:



Did the patient survive the operation? Looks like she will be able to play the violin again! ("That's great Doc; I never could before!"):



And looking from the side:



I am toying with the idea of taking a mold from the nose-piece, and casting that in solid resin, so I can customize the nose-turret!

Now it will be a little while until I have more to post on the PBY.

Regards, John

[Guest]

Thats looking great, John. It will be a great looking bird. I like your velcro clamp too. Marvellous idea!

Keith

[Guest]

Very naughty John.I think you are leading me into areas that I really should not go. This really looks interesting work especially your desire & imagination to improve the lot.

I would really like to have a go at this but wonder if my impatience & therefore frustration will stand it all.

You are right Keith that velcro idea could make things so much easier. I have been thwarted recently trying to use clamps & having to hold things for 10 minutes with my fingers for want of a clamping method.Nice idea John.

By the way I have started on my PBY Catalina. You will say shame all in plastic. You are right in all ways.

Laurie

[Guest]

Which Catalina Kit? I made many a plastic kit, many decades ago, and it was a lot of fun!

John

[Guest]

A Revell 1/48. Although John who knows who put the thing together & who manufactured it is any body's guess. But not to be pessimistic about it so far things are going well.

Me thinks I will be complete before your model as there is a lot of work in your wooden model.

You must have lots of patience.

Laurie

[papa 695]

Some great work going on there John i'm watching with interest

[Guest]

Great idea with the mold John,its coming along nicely!

[Guest]

A Revell 1/48. Although John who knows who put the thing together & who manufactured it is any body's guess. But not to be pessimistic about it so far things are going well.Me thinks I will be complete before your model as there is a lot of work in your wooden model.

You must have lots of patience.

Laurie

I seem to have the patience; I don't seem to be able to avoid it, these things just happen and take mucho time! BTW, for sheer patience, have a look at this Monogram Pro-Modeller PBY by someone who has probably more patience (and a lot more skill) than I have; mucho customizing (which did not exist for the plastic models set 50 years or more ago):

PBY-5A Catalina- Revell-Monogram -1/48

That guy's work will be very useful for me, to get at some of the detail I'm going to have to deal with.

Regards, John