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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

FPL Avenger


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On 12/7/2019 at 3:45 AM, Bomber_County said:

Gravy on fries, something just a little out there for me...........:respect:

No different than gravy on your mashed spudz at Christmas.................... same thing only a little different.... 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ok, this build will no longer be pushed under any other builds.  I'm pausing my Mustang and Pave Hawk until this gets built.  I owe it to a few INCREDIBLY generous people, mainly Jeff that this gets built.  Check out what the mail lady brought today!!!!!!!

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So it begins.   First thing was removing the gun sight molded onto the glare shield.   In photos of my aircraft there is a blanking plate there instead so I've cleaned up to that point and used some apoxy sculpt to fill the leftover hole.  Another notable issue is the kit instrument panel does not match the panel as seen in later photos.   So, I ordered some Airscale decals and placards and I'll scratch build a new instrument panel. 

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On 11/22/2019 at 5:51 PM, TJTX said:

Had some time this evening to work on ol' 22 while paint on the Mustang was drying.   I'm pretty much knee deep in contemplation and planning right now.  I did a quick fit of the wings and main interior section.  I wanted to check size, fit, and work through the mods in my mind.   First observation is its certainty a Trumpeter kit.  But, certainly workable.   Second observation, I don't think my display case is big enough! 

 

I also am fairly certain as to the major panel line cuts for the rear canopy conversion and have highlighted them.  If anyone disagrees please let me know!

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Just eying it up, it looks like they used the lif on the ball turret opening as the start for the cockpit cover. I think you went one bulkhead back too far. Hard to tell, but it’s just my opinion.

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7 minutes ago, 1to1scale said:

Just eying it up, it looks like they used the lif on the ball turret opening as the start for the cockpit cover. I think you went one bulkhead back too far. Hard to tell, but it’s just my opinion.

There are two types of canopy mods seen on the fire bombers.  One is a short version that starts ahead of the ball turret and one as seen on 22 starts farther aft.  The picture is from 23 which was the same as 22.

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I've also started marking out the tanks dimensions.   I had to see where they modified the bomb bay to accept the tank and there was a front/back change.  I marked on the model where the tank will start and end.  Then I'll build aerodynamic fairings on the front and back according to pictures.  I've circled the two areas that need to be built.

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Jeff had a brilliant idea to use the bomb bay doors as a basis for the rear bomb bay aerodynamic fairing.  Worked a charm and will be perfect after clean up and sanding.  Of course it looks a little rough right now.   I also began work on the tank....

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Worked a bit on the prop today.  Theres a few different metal "looks in the rerearereal deal I'm trying to replicate.   The blades are very worn down and oxidized looking with a little shinier hub.  I'll go back and spray a very thin coat of grey on the blades to try and get a better replication of the real deal, then add the yellow tips and black on the back half.  I'll also knock down the shine on the hub a bit with a wash.

 

The two photos are straight from FPL themselves.   They've been a phenomenal help in research. 

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18 hours ago, TJTX said:

Worked a bit on the prop today.  Theres a few different metal "looks in the rerearereal deal I'm trying to replicate.   The blades are very worn down and oxidized looking with a little shinier hub.  I'll go back and spray a very thin coat of grey on the blades to try and get a better replication of the real deal, then add the yellow tips and black on the back half.  I'll also knock down the shine on the hub a bit with a wash.

 

The two photos are straight from FPL themselves.   They've been a phenomenal help in research. 

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Tony, did you notice in one of those pics, the BACK of the prop had different colors about half way on each blade?

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29 minutes ago, Jeff said:

Tony, did you notice in one of those pics, the BACK of the prop had different colors about half way on each blade?

Yea.  The black anti-glare paint it on the top half of the prop.  I'll paint that on last.

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Tony, just a thought, but have you looked to see if there are any diagrams from the various books on RCN aircraft that may shed light on a starting point from how the RCN performed their initial mods?  Then you could just work from their, just as FPL did when they bought these as surplus.

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43 minutes ago, Clunkmeister said:

Tony, just a thought, but have you looked to see if there are any diagrams from the various books on RCN aircraft that may shed light on a starting point from how the RCN performed their initial mods?  Then you could just work from their, just as FPL did when they bought these as surplus.

Jeff tracked down the manual for the tank mods but I haven't seen anything for the Canadian mod.  I mocked up the fuselage and canopy to see how much you can see of the internal fuselage.   The good news is none! So I dont need to worry about what back there.  All the external photos have shown what I need to know for mods such as a few external gauges as seen below.  You'll also see the slightly modified area around the exhaust stack.  That's something I haven't figured out if I'm able to tackle yet or I'll leave it be. 

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17 hours ago, TJTX said:

Now it's a party, I've got the good stuff!

Even on the end of the year you should go for a champagne instead of drinking Mr. Surfacer :D.

Great work on the firefighter so far. I like the dedication, showing the different materials of the prop. Material appearance is what changes a plastic model into something special.

Cheers (No Mr. Surfacer) Rob

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Thanks for all the kind words and supportive suggestions.   You guys are helping immensely.   I mocked up the canopy and noticed I'll need to trim the last frame of the rear canopy.   The rear door area angles up and forw6and "eats into" the old greenhouse.   I also see in the photos some of the framing was removed/covered a little more forward.   All this will be done in time. Below is the areas of note.

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