Official FMS 1500mm P-47D Razorback Thread

[jetfool]

Your modifications are looking great. Gunsight is fantastic. Enjoy seeing this detail work. Rex

[davegee]

I started in on a medium redo of the cockpit. That goofy looking pilot that comes with the kit I'm keeping for the time being. I have performed some "surgery" on him to move the arms some, and "erased" the oxygen tube to make a scratchbuilt one more realistic when viewing it. I have ordered a 1/8 scale WWII pilot from Warbird PIlots and will see if he is usable for this plane, or not. You can remove parts of him as it is just a cloth body to fit planes, as necessary. These small pilots have real clothing, but it is tough to make something that small that doesn't look like he is wearing his big brother's clothing. I'll check it out when I get him and determine if he'll work for this project, or another one down the road. If not, I can modify the kit pilot so that it will work. Not great, but ok.

I don't plan on making a sliding canopy on this plane so I am limiting the amount of rework of the standard cockpit I need to do as it will just be seen through the canopy windows. But I'll attach some pics of what I am working on right now. For one, the color is all wrong. Republic used a "dull dark green" color for the cockpit. I cleared everything out and repainted and detailed the side panels, and the forward control panel. I removed the later model gunsight that comes with the kit (these didn't appear until months later with some of the bubbletop planes) and replaced it with a part printed/part scratchbuilt earlier gunsight used on the razorback P-47s and other fighters of the time. I had to cut out a JI-NORMOUS head rest molded into the back wall of the cockpit. It was like having a MY PILLOW back there, so I cut it out, filled and sanded and painted, and made a more scale looking head rest out of wood.

I have time to work on this cockpit some more, as I am in the queue to get my markings made by Callie, that will be a few weeks, and I had to buy some more rattlecan Tamiya paints, namely, the OD green. We don't have a hobby store in the little town that I live in so I have to order it online. I still need to tape off and spray the canopy frames once I get the paint. Other things to do are the bulletproof glass shielding in front of the pilot and other details, none of which I haven't done before, many times! Many other exterior details to the plane itself, too.

[davegee]

Very cool! My still-living father in law, now 100 years old flew a little north of your dad out of Polebrook (351st BG). My dad was east of your dad flying out of Bungay (446th BG) and later out of Alconbury 482nd BG. Small world.

Cheers

Davegee

I don't know if you're familiar with the works of Roger Freeman, a gentleman English farmer in Essex who was about 14 years old or so when the war was going on. He wrote some definitive history books on the 8th USAAF operating out of England. I got to meet and know him some many years ago when I got over to England on a fairly regular basis until he passed away. He was a favorite of 8th AAF vets who loved his books and personality, too, when you got to meet him. He was always accessible by phone or a visit.

Davegee

[Elbee]

Yes, Thurleigh for Dad. And you are correct, small world to us now, big world to them then. Dad didn't talk much about it with me growing up. He did share more with my step-Mom, not so much with my Mom. Consequently, took a couple decades to open up about his time in. He loved England and his time in the Philippines (13th AF, I think) equally, but for different reasons. Best, LB

[davegee]

What unit did your dad fly with?

Very cool! My still-living father in law, now 100 years old flew a little north of your dad out of Polebrook (351st BG). My dad was east of your dad flying out of Bungay (446th BG) and later out of Alconbury 482nd BG. Small world.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

8th AF / 306th BG / 423rd BS

[davegee]

Dave, I hear you. I will use the US Navy Pilot for USAAF fighters and change the paint colors as required. I have some of my Dad's B-17 flight gear.

The Summer helmet is khaki cloth just like the Navy's with leather straps and a darker chin strap.

The goggles are very similar, Mae West is a little different, but close enough, I think.

In my book, the Navy guy would suffice for a USAAF pilot without a definitive alternative.

I would like to have choices with one wearing an A2 that fit without it looking like it's a 'goose down' coat, though.

Best, LB

What unit did your dad fly with?

[davegee]

Dave, I hear you. I will use the US Navy Pilot for USAAF fighters and change the paint colors as required. I have some of my Dad's B-17 flight gear. The Summer helmet is khaki cloth just like the Navy's with leather straps and a darker chin strap. The goggles are the same, Mae West is a little different, but close enough, I think. In my book, the Navy guy would suffice for a USAAF pilot without a definitive alternative. Best, LB

The Navy pilot that you printed up is excellent, having all the details that I look for in a pilot figure. There are some pretty good pilots from Warbirds PIlots online that have cloth and leather looking clothing, and I have used 1/6 and 1/5 scale pilots like these for bigger planes in the past. I hate the prospect of using one of the-kit supplied goofy looking pilots that I am able to make somewhat presentable, but are a far cry from the excellent Navy pilot that you printed up for your Corsair.

I'll keep looking, maybe I'll find a 1/8 scale pilot body where I can find clothing that will fit it. I couldn't think of a better pilot for your Corsair, it is a stunning addition to the work!

Cheers

Dave

[Elbee]

Thanks so much for that link, LB. I looked at him carefully, very well done. I think I'm looking for a pilot more with lighter clothing for my P-47. I got to know many P-47 and P-51 pilots over the years, and both airplanes had great heating systems keeping the pilots comfortable even at altitude. They generally wore their thinner A-2 or B-15 flight jackets, even during the winter. I think I'll keep this 3D pilot in mind for a plane where they really needed them, like in bombers. A smaller version would be perfect for a B-17 or B-24, for instance.

Cheers

Davegee

Dave, I hear you. I will use the US Navy Pilot for USAAF fighters and change the paint colors as required. I have some of my Dad's B-17 flight gear.

The Summer helmet is khaki cloth just like the Navy's with leather straps and a darker chin strap.

The goggles are very similar, Mae West is a little different, but close enough, I think.

In my book, the Navy guy would suffice for a USAAF pilot without a definitive alternative.

I would like to have choices with one wearing an A2 that fit without it looking like it's a 'goose down' coat, though.

Best, LB

[davegee]

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-mo...-mustang-pilot




Dave, He has a USAAF pilot named "P-51 Mustang Pilot". The print is good-lookin' and the pilot is dressed for "The Winter Campaign" if that is not an issue. Not certain what head and arm options there are. Check it out. Best, LB

Thanks so much for that link, LB. I looked at him carefully, very well done. I think I'm looking for a pilot more with lighter clothing for my P-47. I got to know many P-47 and P-51 pilots over the years, and both airplanes had great heating systems keeping the pilots comfortable even at altitude. They generally wore their thinner A-2 or B-15 flight jackets, even during the winter. I think I'll keep this 3D pilot in mind for a plane where they really needed them, like in bombers. A smaller version would be perfect for a B-17 or B-24, for instance.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/figurines/p-51-mustang-pilot

Thanks, LB! Question: I was looking at the Max Grueter lineup of pilots and thought I had seen STLs available for a WWII USAAF fighter pilot figure. But tonight I didn't see one. Do you know where those STLs might be found so I can purchase the files to make a decent pilot?Happy New Year!Cheersdavegee

Dave, He has a USAAF pilot named "P-51 Mustang Pilot". The print is good-lookin' and the pilot is dressed for "The Winter Campaign" if that is not an issue. Not certain what head and arm options there are. Check it out. Best, LB

[davegee]

Looks like you will have your own squadron before long. Hope Motion introduces some new 1600 warbirds this spring. A nice Zero, George or Jack would be great. FW- 190 too. Rex

If they do, we'll have to do battle!! (LOL) Seriously, I would really like to see some new warbirds come out soon.

cheers

davegee

[jetfool]

Looks like you will have your own squadron before long. Hope Motion introduces some new 1600 warbirds this spring. A nice Zero, George or Jack would be great. FW- 190 too. Rex

[davegee]

My basement is starting to resemble the Republic factory!! Hoping to get the maiden on Thunderbolt number 3 (furthest one away in picture) once I get a break in the weather and winds.

Cheers

davegee

[davegee]

davegee seriously beautiful work, Dave, as per your usual. Best and Happy New Year, LB

Thanks, LB! Question: I was looking at the Max Grueter lineup of pilots and thought I had seen STLs available for a WWII USAAF fighter pilot figure. But tonight I didn't see one. Do you know where those STLs might be found so I can purchase the files to make a decent pilot?

Happy New Year!

Cheers

davegee

[Elbee]

davegee seriously beautiful work, Dave, as per your usual. Best and Happy New Year, LB

[davegee]

Got the wings back on today. Did a CG check in the shop, ran the controls through and moving closer to taking it outside for range check, taxi tests, and a full power static check. Not sure when the weather will be ok to do the maiden, I want very low winds and almost perfect conditions to do that. But I'll be ready whenever I get a window to go out to the field and fly it.

Callie emailed me today and we are now in the queue to get the markings done as her schedule permits.

davegee

[davegee]

Another detail I like to do, going back to big gassers at contests I used to participate in, is articulating the trim tabs slightly on the model. For instance, on the P-47 aircraft, they had two or tandem elevator trim tabs, one on each elevator that were moved together as the pilot turned a small wheel in the cockpit. For aileron trim, just one tab was standard on the left aileron, not the right. And I think this method was used on most fighters of that era. For rudder trim, a single rudder trim tab was installed on the rudder, and moved with a knob in the cockpit, same with the aileron trim, a knob in the cockpit.

There was a fixed trim tab adjusted at the factory on the right wing, which had no actual moveable trim tab as the left wing had. There were a couple of small factory fixed trim tabs on the back of the elevators, not adjustable by the pilot.

Anyway, all these tabs can be moved "slightly" to give the impression that they actually work. The effect on the airplane in flight is negligible, and I've done this on every plane of this type, for many years. The early Corsairs have a more complicated elevator trim system. They have two trim tabs, one on each elevator like the P-47 and other aircraft, but they also have a balance tab on each elevator, which is mechanically linked to the movement of the elevator up and down to lessen control pressures to the pilot. Another cool thing about the Corsair is that the horizontal stabilizer/elevator assemblies are completely interchangeable. In other words, if say a right elevator got damaged and had to be replaced, if they had a replacement on base, it would fit and operate properly. There was no "left" or "right" horizontal stab/elevator. That certainly helped in far away island bases in the Pacific where getting supplies like replacement airplane parts were tough to get sometimes, if you had "One" in stock, you were in business!

[davegee]

user deleted

[davegee]

Wow Davegee. Its starting to take on a real plane look. I'm interested in how you do the exhaust color overlays to get the real look. I used my airbrush w/ different shades, (Wildcat) but not happy how it looks. I probably need more practice. Also am looking forward to the supercharger weathering detail to see how you blend it all together. Interested in airbrush vs chalk too. Great tutorials keep it up Rex

Thanks, Rex. For the exhausts at the wastegates, for instance (or the exhaust stacks on your Corsair), that is something you want to practice on a sheet of paper first with your airbrush. I have used a dual action Iwata Eclipse airbrush for years, and am pretty proficient using it by now. I start with the exhaust color from AK in the airbrush, beginning at the wastegate with a medium back pressure with my finger on the trigger, moving in a sweeping motion towards the rear of the aircraft, slowly releasing pressure on the trigger until at the end of the stroke, I am not spraying any paint out. I do this process several times until it gets to my liking. The whole point is to have a thicker exhaust stain closer to the wastegate, and then trails off as the exhaust is pushed by the airstream and progressively gets thinner on the fuse. I bring it back about half way down the fuse, which seems to be justified from period photos I have used for reference. The exhaust stains should follow the natural path of the airflow as it would in flight.

Some of these aircraft were even lovingly "simonized" with car wax and buffed out to give a slick appearance but more importantly maybe give it a few extra knots of speed that in combat, might be the difference between life and death for its pilot. Not all OD painted planes were waxed, but some crew chiefs did this in concert with their pilot's wishes. I've heard from crew chiefs that they really considered the aircraft "their" airplane, and they "allowed" the pilot to take it up once in a while, They were sometimes although relieved that their pilot came home safely, were chagrined that the plane was shot up which meant he and the rest of the ground crew had a lot of work to do out in the cold weather to make it ready to fly again for its next mission.

Some parts of the plane, like the turbo hood for instance, are almost an art, and I frequently come back to adding some more chalks or even paint if the hood scraped the runway on landing. That doesn't happen often, but if the landing is firm and a bit nose up, it can contact the ground which scratches it and that has to be addressed.

I believe the old adage on scale models, "you're never really done building them!"