Iris Vlieghe Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Hi John, First of all sorry about your loss... We all have to go eventually, but I know how hard it is losing a person you love. No, we haven't tied the knot. Both me and Chris have had a prior somewhat unpleasant experience (and in my case that's even a big understatement!). So we have decided to live in sin! Thanks for your comments and we are pleased to have you as a friend here... I hope the mods also excuse this answer... With kind regards, Iris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 Hello again to all, The electoral duties are boxed again, the ‘bubbles’ got evaporated and the hangovers are… over. Time to get back to Vicky. This is an ol’ family portrait from my Ballerina days when I started experimenting with the pilot’s PU castings. Some of them were quite nice, some acceptable and of course a few total disasters as well. Still I managed to please some local builders with a home made ‘Pierre’. The mould I used was a latex rubber one, quite cheap but of course not that strong and after a dozen of them, the mould deserved its retirement. As a new mould was needed and the fact that I wasn’t totally happy with Pierre’s ‘stiff’ appearance - looking frozen and straight in front of him - I thought it was time to try to do something about it. Compared to the earlier one, Pierre II just looks a bit ‘sideways’ and ‘down’. Easily projected in theory but this took a lot of ‘plastic’ surgery, including decapitation, filing, filling, sanding and other nasty stuff that the Mods wouldn’t like to see described down here… Nevertheless, I think it gives a more ‘natural’ result. Apologies for the effect of the wide angle lens as they now look both like being heavily hydrocephalic… Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Lens Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Brilliant stuff Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share Posted October 24, 2018 Thank you for your nice words, Martian. I had another ‘silly’ idea regarding Pierre II as he will be flying in open air without canopy or even windscreen… But still quite busy with that, so in the meantime, I prepared a wooden box - split in two halves - to be used as a ‘casting box’ for the upcoming silicone rubber. No Duplo blocks this time as the format is quite small and my intention is to have a rotational casting which wouldn’t be possible with the Duplos. Well yep, right... It would probably be possible, but then just 'once' and I would have to look for some Duplo blocks all around La Grotte... Dimensions are just 60 x 90mm with a height of 80mm, leaving around 10mm wall to the Pierre plug. Please don’t ask about what kind of (scrap) ply I used for it. The only thing I know is that both external laminations are ‘red-ish’ and it’s certainly not Finnish Aerograde modellers quality… Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Ply Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 Hi again to the gents out there, Poor Pierre, not even having some eye protection just behind that furious prop and that nasty oil spitting Gnome Monosoupape. I decided to help him by Dremeling away some goggles from a ‘disaster’ colleague, to cut half of his face away and give the radical implementation of both parts my best ‘transplant’ try out… followed by some careful removing of the previous goggles. I’m quite surprised to be able to write this down in a single sentence as it took me several hours of hard labour before being able to give it a first coat of primer. Not that perfect really, but at least it’s purely homemade… and pretty sure Pierre III will be happy wearing them. Too late for regrets anyhow as the silicone rubber is now waiting to cure… fingers crossed & good luck in there, Pierre. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Job Conditions & Eyes Protection Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 26, 2018 Author Share Posted October 26, 2018 Hello to all, I guess the forumites all started building a Masterclass Hawker Fury or at least are preparing their Mexican F1 GP at Fantasy GP… We’re back at working ‘hard’ in La Grotte, so the good news is that Pierrot survived his immersion and the silicone mould is looking very operational. Next is to prepare a cover/lid for the mould bits, with a central screw enabling it to be ‘slowly’ rotated with a cordless drill. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Immersion Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C. Posted October 28, 2018 Share Posted October 28, 2018 Do you think that Pierre should have a scarf or something across his face to keep the castor oil output from the Gnome being ingested. I believe that this had an unwanted effect on the early fighter aces of WW1 Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 28, 2018 Author Share Posted October 28, 2018 You're totally right, Paul. Some people think that those large scarves they used was some kind of 'aristocratic' or 'aesthetic' touch, but in fact it was very mandatory to be able to clean one's goggles during flight. I might try to make one for Pierre, but I have no idea what 'scale'-like material to use for it. Hakuna matata & thanks Chris BE - BRU / CTR Oily Gnome Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 29, 2018 Author Share Posted October 29, 2018 Hi again, I had some nice progression lately with different small bits. The pieces for the silicone moulding box were prepared and glued. I started some rework on a wooden prop - basically a Turnigy 12x7 - with modified tips and an as accurate as possible sanding and staining afterwards. The main wing rigging post has been stained in a similar way to the control surfaces and is now ready for duty. I couldn’t resist to installing Pierrot III in his updated ‘office’. More pics to come when the glue of the box and the staining of the prop are dry. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Small Bits Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 all coming along nicely Chris must be nearly finished then you can start the Fury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Excellent work as always Chris. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Thank you both for commenting, gents. Still a lot to build, Martian. Things like the u/c, the battery hatch, the GF cowl, but I decided to work on the smaller bits nowadays as I don't have 'long' sessions at La Grotte for the moment. As for the Fury, that seems still 'far' away. To be honest, I don't really like the way some builders are rushing ahead. Danny is busy resolving some fuselage formers 'mishaps' on the plan while others seem to make a race out of it with trying to finalize fuselages or even wings... and obviously also accumulating 'mistakes'. If I'm allowed, that isn't the idea of a Master Classroom at all. Not "excellent" at all, DD. But just the best I can with my available knowledge and the lack of time at my disposal those days. But then, I don't believe rushing it up would make it better, anyhow. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Slow Progress Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I build quite quickly compared to some I suppose, but then I will spend ages on a small scale addition. Our projects take us on a journey, sometimes a quick jog around the block and other times, a long stroll through the wilderness.................either way, as long as we enjoy the trip, what the Hell !! As long as there are interesting build blogs, I for one, will be reading them. A big thumbs up to anyone who puts there efforts out there for public viewing. Don't sell yourself short Chris, I love your take on things Matey, keep up the good work. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Thank you a lot, Dwain. To be honest, I'm still waiting for that "quick jog around the block". My journey is looking more like a double marathon in the Sinaï desert... And yes, it takes some effort to take those blog pics and to write these few words, certainly being in a foreign language. But as you wrote, "as long as we enjoy the trip". Receiving comments from readers is then certainly worth the effort. I'll try to remember your words when I encounter a building 'dip'. Thanks again, young man Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Double Marathon Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 3, 2018 Author Share Posted November 3, 2018 Hello to all, I had a start with the first PU casting. I’ll give a bit of explanations for those who might be interested in the process. The silicone mould went back in the ply frame and I prepared a piece of acetate with a hole allowing me to pour in the casting resin. The PU curing time is really short - mostly less than 5 minutes at 20°C – so it’s really helpful to start the rotation asap. The acetate sheet gets parcel taped to the frame and the construction goes in the drill chuck. For that purpose, I made a poplar lid for the underside with a M6 screw epoxied in place with two ply roundels. When ready, the frame is held ‘filling’ side up, the resin is poured in, a small piece of tape closes the hole and the rotation can be started, turning rather slowly in the beginning of the process and accelerating progressively. For this first attempt, I started with 9g of each A+B component, being (I suppose ?!) a total of 18g resin. I guestimated this could be about right but a total disaster is never too far off… Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Rotation Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 4, 2018 Author Share Posted November 4, 2018 … well, believe it or not but the cordless drill kept quite busy at La Grotte since the first moulding attempt. Hope to be able to post some ‘visual’ results tomorrow… Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Casting Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirk tinck Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Nice work there Chris !You have a lot of courage to mold parts that aren't even part of the plane and who are availeble right off the shelf. It would take me ages to make a 1/4.5 scale pilot ,all dressed up ,for my plane !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 5, 2018 Author Share Posted November 5, 2018 Thanks, Dirk. I guess I became slowly 'insane' since my membership to the forum here. Too late now for my mental health obviously, but I really enjoy 'making' stuff... and of course, laminating some bits of balsa or ply. Indeed I could buy a pilot, but unless they're quite expensive, most of them are a bit toy-ish or even childish. ... and at least, the Pierrots are 'homemade'. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Sanity Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 5, 2018 Author Share Posted November 5, 2018 Hello everybody, Just one pic to show the casting progress, but at least it’s a ‘family’ reunion. The first Pierrot came out neatly and weights 17,4g, probably around 16 after cleaning up the base of his chest. The only polyurethane resin I have seems perfect for ‘full’ casting but a bit on the thick/dense side for rotational purposes. Hence I tried to liquefy it a bit by adding Isopropyl before mixing the B-component… It seemed fine at first but while curing it started to foam up… with the spongy and incomplete figurine at the right of the pic as a very faulty result. Back to the normal procedure and with a bit less mixture, the third Pierrot is the ‘best’ one at 15,2g. I’m still convinced there must be a way to get it more liquid, but I’m really not a chemist and some other Vicomtesque tasks are waiting as well. Now, anybody out there with some proper polyurethane resin diluting solution is of course very welcomed to jump in and share some comments. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Chemistry Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 First class Chris , I 'm not sure with poly resin but maybe warming it up my make it more fluid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 Thank you for your suggestion, Martian. It would certainly work with 'slow' epoxy resin, like the 1 hour or even the '30 minutes' one. But if you increase the temp with PU - which is already curing in 4-5 minutes at 20°C - it would without doubt end in a premature 'cooking' without giving any latitude for a proper rotation... Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Cooking Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven S Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Your pilot is looking very promising Chris. I tried making a simple carved foam one for my Wiggo, but it turned out pretty bad and I ended up buying one. Luckily my nephew bought a 3-D printer and made me a pilot for my [still unfinished] Grumpy Tigercub, which I am modifying to look like a WWII fighter. It needs a bit of filling, but turned quite nice and only weights 5 grams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 Thank you Steven, I really tried my best on this Pierrot. I can only manage 'short' moments of free time at the moment. With hindsight it seemed quite a bit of work but I'm glad with the result so far. It's not 'final' of course as it still needs some priming and painting. I guess 3D printing would be a lot easier and faster if one is having a correct file, but unfortunately I don't have a printer... neither do I have a helpful nephew. By the way, can someone give good advice how to paint some 'realistic' goggles... ? Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Goggles Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 8, 2018 Author Share Posted November 8, 2018 Hi again, Vicky’s wooden propeller got stained and weathered some time ago. Now I also balanced it without issues. I decided to present the prop to the projected motor together with the included accessories. Well, that ‘rocket’ type prop nut doesn’t really look appropriate for a WWI bird. I guess I’ll have to ponder a bit about that. In the meantime I prepared the wing bold fixings. I don’t know the exact name, but let’s call them ‘kitchen cabinet joiners’ !!? I used them before with my Ballerina build and it’s just an easy solution. I drill the female part through, in this case with a 4mm drill and they offer a nice bolt tunneling and a surface washer for the wing retaining nylon bolts. Simples & cheap. Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Cabinet Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 10, 2018 Author Share Posted November 10, 2018 Hello to all, Looking for an acceptable solution for that prop nut, I raided my scrap bits box(es) and came up with this. A standard M6 nut, an appropriate ali washer and a simple plastic rounded nut ‘cover’ will do the job. I gave the washer a coat of flat black and the nut ‘cover’ a spray of 'stainless steel-ish' paint. No idea why, but Gaston insisted to make a spare one right away… The agenda is a tiny bit overloaded at the moment, but I do hope to find the opportunity next week to have a start at the u/c. I never did bend or solder any piano wire. I also never had a look at that supposedly ‘magic’ wire bender I acquired already ages ago… Hakuna matata Chris BE - BRU / CTR Nut Cover Control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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