Official FlightLine 1600mm B-25J Mitchell PNP Thread

[Elbee]

borntoolate Copy that.

[borntoolate]

borntoolate,

Thank you, Bob, very kind, but that's not necessary.

If I figure a way to fabricate the part to my satisfaction, I imagine one would find its way to you.

Best, Steve

Thank you, Steve. However, my offer stands!

[Elbee]

borntoolate,

Thank you, Bob, very kind, but that's not necessary.

If I figure a way to fabricate the part to my satisfaction, I imagine one would find its way to you.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

Thanks, I will look into this. Best, LB

Steve, I would be willing to share this cost with you - within reason!

Bob

[Elbee]

I would get the plastic from a local hobby store, but ePlastics seems to be a good site.

If you have room, and depending on how much you plan to make, you can always source an old oven from a scrap yard, or a big box store that is just throwing them away. Typically, you may have to spend $20 to $30 dollars for a heating element, but sometimes you can get a good working one that someone traded in for an upgrade.

Some vacuum form companies like https://cwthomas.com/ may make you a vacuum formed part if you send them a plug at very little cost. As long as they don't have to engineer something, they are very customer friendly. (STM Plastics – Let Us Shape Your Project is in your neck of the woods).

Huge Selection of Clear Polycarbonate Sheets In Stock & Cut-to-Size at ePlastics

Thanks, I will look into this. Best, LB

[rlcamden]

I would get the plastic from a local hobby store, but ePlastics seems to be a good site.

If you have room, and depending on how much you plan to make, you can always source an old oven from a scrap yard, or a big box store that is just throwing them away. Typically, you may have to spend $20 to $30 dollars for a heating element, but sometimes you can get a good working one that someone traded in for an upgrade.

Some vacuum form companies like https://cwthomas.com/ may make you a vacuum formed part if you send them a plug at very little cost. As long as they don't have to engineer something, they are very customer friendly. (STM Plastics – Let Us Shape Your Project is in your neck of the woods).

Huge Selection of Clear Polycarbonate Sheets In Stock & Cut-to-Size at ePlastics

[Elbee]

Gentlemen,Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

RLC, not at all, there's no apology needed.

I have been thinking about this for some time.
She, whose authority exceeds my rank, won't allow me within 2 feet of the oven unless I'm cleaning the stove-top.

So that is not an option here.

Where did you source your Lexan. That would be my preferred material.

I looked online at vacuform machines, but the price is out there for something I might use a couple of times a year.

I did not look for services, but again, costs are a concern for one-offs or two-offs.

Best, LB

[borntoolate]

Gentlemen,

Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

https://youtu.be/ooVBJbYac_4?si=pRIiUBEvbe2tZEPI

This pretty much describes what I built to form parts. The wife, of course, was not too happy with me heating plastic in "her" oven!

[rlcamden]

Gentlemen,

Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

https://youtu.be/ooVBJbYac_4?si=pRIiUBEvbe2tZEPI

[Elbee]

Hey, Bob,

After your earlier post I got to thinking about vacuum-forming (again).

As a kid in the '60s, I had a Mattel Vac-u-Form and loved it, but like most 'kid' things I tossed it out somewhere in my early idiot-teens.

I have everything I would need around here to build a larger version,

I have watched u-toob vids ad nauseum over the last few years about how to build one.

The thing is, I do not have a place to keep it after I build it and use it.
.
So, I might reach back into my childhood and pickup an old Mattel Vacu-u-Form.

This part isn't going to be very big, I think the build plate on the Mattel is about 4" x 4".

Clear sheets I could get from Evergreen Plastics, I think.

The part could be perfectly smooth and the panel lines applied with a thin tape after.

Anyway, those are my current thoughts.

Still in thinking stages.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

borntoolate, Absolutely, sounds like a plan.

The rear fuselage glass is a challenge.

I've been thinking about building a small vacuum-forming machine for doing 'clear' parts for a couple years.

I figure this is now a good time to start that project.

Stay in touch.

Best, Steve

Steve, I built a simple vacuum form box to form some parts for my FMS B-25s. I made a plug out of balsa for both the B clear tailcone as well as solid noses for the B-25 gunship versions. They came out pretty nice.
I suppose I can try to make a tailcone plug for this new FL model. The clear parts were a bit more difficult than the nose parts but I did manage to complete both. I am looking forward to finally getting back into the build/mod action. Of course, if you manage to achieve this before me (highly likely), I would certainly like to buy one from you!

Bob

[flazz]

HEADS UP GUYS...........SPARES ARE IN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elbee]

borntoolate, Absolutely, sounds like a plan.

The rear fuselage glass is a challenge.

I've been thinking about building a small vacuum-forming machine for doing 'clear' parts for a couple years.

I figure this is now a good time to start that project.

Stay in touch.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

F4u, Yes, I have this beautiful Mitchell.

I am probably going to convert mine into an early war "C" Model.

I am waiting for Motion to get in some spare parts for this airframe so I don't have to reinvent the wheel on the second turret.

The rear tail fuselage glass is different so I might have to improve my vacuum forming skills, we'll see.

In any event, I hope this is my Winter project, but I have not ruled out the Tomcat which was going to be my Winter project until Motion surprised us with the B-25.

Good news is it is still January, which is also the bad news...I really dislike the cold any more.

Best, LB

When I am recovered enough physically, I will be modding my B-25 into a "B" model. I did this on one of my FMS B-25s.
Like my FMS, I will be relocating the top turret rearwards, removing the "cheek" guns and rear gunner position and adding the clear tail cone. I did vacuum form a rear glass for my FMS.
it was not easy but it can be done. I did order and receive the spare parts from Motion to help me along with the mod.

I am curious to see how you fare on your conversion. Maybe we can help guide each other!

Take care, LB.

[jetfool]

Oh Man Hugh you are just rubbing it in! Been 0 below last week in Indiana. Sweater at 75 in jan.,I feel for you. LOL

[Elbee]

[QUOTE=Hugh Wiedman;n395698] I love the winter cold weather, gets down to 75 and I can break out the sweaters. 😎

Keep killin' me.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Come on Elbee, get those old bones a-move -in. Missing my daily dose of modification where I learn many new things . I hate this cold weather also.

Best Regards, Rex

I'm with you J Fool, how else am I going to learn stuff! As for me, I love the winter cold weather, gets down to 75 and I can break out the sweaters. 😎 Better than the 98 in the shade coming back in the summer.

[jetfool]

Come on Elbee, get those old bones a-move -in. Missing my daily dose of modification where I learn many new things . I hate this cold weather also.

Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

Yes welcome mjg3 that time with ya son is irreplaceable... i went fishing with my son till he was around 24 hese discoved girls,, now i fly foam .... eellbb u have one of thes?.. i think any pics yet,, or still in box,, r u doing repaint.?.

F4u, Yes, I have this beautiful Mitchell.

I am probably going to convert mine into an early war "C" Model.

I am waiting for Motion to get in some spare parts for this airframe so I don't have to reinvent the wheel on the second turret.

The rear tail fuselage glass is different so I might have to improve my vacuum forming skills, we'll see.

In any event, I hope this is my Winter project, but I have not ruled out the Tomcat which was going to be my Winter project until Motion surprised us with the B-25.

Good news is it is still January, which is also the bad news...I really dislike the cold any more.

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Yes welcome mjg3 that time with ya son is irreplaceable... i went fishing with my son till he was around 24 hese discoved girls,, now i fly foam .... eellbb u have one of thes?.. i think any pics yet,, or still in box,, r u doing repaint.?.