RC model repaints and mods

Modelling advice and photos of your latest creations
Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

RC model repaints and mods

Post by Wbirdnut »

Been flying rc for some time, big warbird fan, here's a few, mainly ultra micros,
all the below under 40cm wingspan and mainly painted in Antipodean schemes.

My first UM that doesn’t get in the air so much these days, an oldie but a goodie.
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You will noticed she is armed, some aggressive L4 Grasshopper drivers fitted Bazookas
to there aeroplanes one chap even destroyed a few tanks with them. Charles Carpenter
probably the most famous, see link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Carpenter_(lieutenant_colonel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

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Snoopy on the tail of the Red Baron.
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Not Von Richthofen’s scheme but similar.
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Spitfire painted up as a Mk IX that flies currently in New Zealand.
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The mighty P51 seen below with a pic of the only Mustang to be painted in camo
in Australia. The Mustang was also made in Australia by the Commonwealth
Aircraft Corporation.
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My favourite WW II fighter this one received Royal New Zealand Airforce markings.
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I swear the white stripes have saved a lost orientation situation on more than
one occasion.

Another that I favour the “Wooden Wonder” painted as an Aussie Mossie!
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The Corsair got a bit more aggressive nick name “Whistling Death.”
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Another American radial powered beast, this Thunderbolt painted in Royal
Airforce markings of an aeroplane that flew in the South East Asian Conflict.
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Keeping an American/RAF theme painted as a Brit, a coastal command B17.
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The little jets use a small 30mm ducted fan unit run on 2 cell lipo batteries.
A4 in a short worn scheme the Royal New Zealand Airforce purchased some
Royal Australian Navy Skyhawks and for a brief time these machines had
RAN camo with RNZAF roundels.
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Scratch built the undercart just for looks, all my UMs which had retractable gear
are hand launchers and belly landers, not only for looks but for less drag.
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This one was a big job not only the paint but also the mods, wanted a FA18
Hornet so modded an EFlite Habu to a Hornet. As you can see added the
twin fins, thought about it but decided to leave the wing so not 100% scale.
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The Royal Australian Airforce painted a Hornet with an indigenous Aboriginal
scheme from the local people of the area where RAAF Williamtown the Hornets
are based.
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A Viper as a Kiwi, the RNZAF where going to get the Fighting Falcon to replace
their retiring A4 Skyhawks at the last minute the politicians killed the deal.
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As she came out of the box.
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Re-painted this one on the first high performance warbird to fly in New Zealand
since the 1950s. In 1985 this Mustang was imported into New Zealand and painted
in the markings of one of the three Territorial Squadron Mustangs that served in
the RNZAF. Have modelled her as a bit of a triple tribute, Sir Tim Wallace a legend
of the warbird scene in New Zealand. Ray Hanna, more on him soon and the mighty
Canterbury Crusaders my Rugby team who won their seventh Super Rugby comp
in 2017!
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The late Ray Hanna a true legend aviator and star pilot of many a movie, one of
my favourite movie scenes from “Empire of the Sun” Ray Hanna flies past a young
kid waving. So I made my little pilot so he can wave, has a simple wire link off
the rudder to his arm.

Ray Hanna scene “Empire of the Sun.”
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Ray Hanna waving from Mustang Warbirds over Wanaka 1996.
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Here’s another Mustang this time raised the back and back dated her to a C model
or Mk III when with Commonwealth countries. The Royal Australian Airforce had
both P51 Ds and Cs in Italy during WW II. Mine painted in the markings of a 3 Sqn
aeroplane. Here she is painted but pre weathering, the three Sqn P51s had the
southern cross on their tails.
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And after adding weathering using pastels.
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Here she is with a stock one, mods included obviously raising the back, cockpit
detail, including seat, radio and instrument panel, paint and moving the battery
hatch from underneath to on top, much better access.
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Next on the list, found myself infatuated Reno races, especially seeing a Kiwi bird,
Graeme Frew’s Yak 3 made the final. The final race was awesome with “Voodoo”
leading for most of the race then “Strega” coming through on the second act lap
to take first place, yeah I know the little Yak 3 came last and was lapped, but hey
she’s got a stock Alision under the hood!

Nice u tube clip of the 2017 race, love the on board from Voodoo!
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Paint scheme, had to be the current champ “Strega” another reason did some
research she’s an ex Aussie RAAF Mustang in a former life A68-679.

“Strega” in her former guise, this pic taken in 1968 at a museum in Mildura Australia,
in the back ground a Wirraway an Australian designed and built WWII training aircraft.
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Here she is with the electrics mocked up, moved the electronics rearward so I can
conceal the battery inside rather than out side the fuselage.
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Went for the Lucas Oil stickers as the current sponsors don’t mean much to us
Downunder. Ready for some turn left, down low and fast!
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Often regret not taking, how she started out, pic’s remembered this time just
forgot to put them at the start. So mods include 2cell electrics and motor, twin
carbon fibre spars in the wing, you can see in the pic below. Spar in the tailplane
and rudder, added ribs to the wing and sheeted in foam, clipped wings and tail
plane. Razor back and cockpit scratch built, pilot and paint, new graphics.
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Last edited by Wbirdnut on Sun 30 Jan 2022, 2:20 am, edited 2 times in total.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Congratulations to Graham Frew and his Yak 3m “Full Noise” made it to the
Gold Unlimited race for the second year in a row came 7th behind some Sea
Furies and Mustangs with a lot more power. Decided to modify an ultra micro
Mustang (410mm span) into a Yak 3.

As much as it looks like not much, have done heaps! (Aussie stand for lots!)
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Mods include the wings with radiator intakes in the roots, scratch built rudder
and fatter fusy sanded to shape, three bladed prop with spinner, canopy cut
down from Mustang.

Have flown her as she sits, had to add weight to get CG, a pity but to be expected
with all the additions to her rear end.

Paint on waiting for decals, also pilot and a bit of cockpit detailing, yes that black
arrow with the white surround was a curse to paint!
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Really wanted access to the insides so created a magnet held hatch, have to
play around with CG.
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Last edited by Wbirdnut on Wed 17 Oct 2018, 10:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

As is often the case have a couple on the go at present, repainting my EFlite
ultra Micro (515mm span) Wildcat to a Fleet Air Arm version, interesting fact,
FAA Wildcats flew the last combat mission in the European theatre in WW II.

Not only paint, first slight mod, the later model FM-2 (Wildcat MK VI, sometimes
called Martlet) had a taller and less broad rudder, bit of blue foam on the top
sanded to shape then cut a small section off the rear.
Image[/url]

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Paint the hardest part the invasion stripes, started out trying low tack masking
tape and airbrushed them, too much bleeding under the tape and the tape lifted
the paint and exposed the white foam underneath. Solution thin pencil line then
hand painted the stripes, do not ask me how many times this had to happen nor
how many times I used colourful language!
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Bit to go, pilot and cockpit details and decals, minimal weathering as she is an
airshow machine and kept in pristine condition apart from a bit of exhaust stain.

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Modeling her on the real one that flies in the UK with the Fighter Collection. Very
lucky to bump into her recently at Flying Legends, July 2018.

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Wes_Howes
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wes_Howes »

Nice to see some original markings on these RC models, rather than the OOB ones :clap:

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ericbee123
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Location: Blackpool

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by ericbee123 »

The skill and patience ( not to mention the amount of free time you must have !!) is amazing.

The fact they all actually fly as well is mind blowing to me.
Disclaimer-I have spell/grammar checked this post, it may still contain mistakes that might cause offence.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Thanks folks, time on my hands, self employed in the busy one day flat out the
next tourist industry, I do live on a little island hidden away and occasionally have
some time for my hobby.

Also finished my Wildcat repaint, she represents the airworthy job that flies with
the fighter collection at Duxford in the UK. Was fortunate to attend the most
recent Flying Legends in July and this nuggety little machine impressed me.
The Fighter Collection's machine this one is based on flew off the aircraft carrier
Tracker with the Fleet Air Arm.
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My 515mm span foamy, mods include the taller less broad fin of the latter FM2
version of the Wildcat and of course paint. Don't ask me about those invasion
stripes, I'll tell you. Started out trying masking tape and an airbrush, one the
tape lifted the paint so tried low tac take then got bleeding so hand painted
the lot, what curse that was!
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The real one.
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

My P40N done and dusted, did her up as a fighter that has a bit of history, the
last aeroplane to claim a victory in the New Guinea campaign, flown initially by
Ft Lt Dennis Baker by a who named her. Then the mount of the only indigenous
Australian to fly in the Australian air force, WO Len Waters flew over 90 combat
missions in the south west pacific conflict.

The real machine.
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Mods include lengthening the tail and modding the cockpit to portray a P40N,
paint, decals and weathering, recessed the exhaust and added the aerial. Yet to
fly, expecting her too be a little tail heavy so have allowed for the battery to fit
well forward if required.
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Len Waters story
https://alchetron.com/Len-Waters

P40 A29-575
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P02808.001

Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Always been impressed by the P47, just big and brash, got a second one cheap
in an end of year sale, had a spare Mustang canopy, converting her to a bubble
top, yeah posted this a while back, lost my motivation and now I’m back! Used
some blue foam for the lowered back sanded to shape.
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Here she is mocked with my SEAC RAF razor back Thunderbolt, was a little
surprised how much smaller the canopy is compared to the Mustangs.
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Lots of schemes to choose with this job, decided a warbird needed warpaint so
going with Gaby Gabreski’s mount as she would have appeared flying with the
8th AF out of England in July 1944.
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Did some searching on the net and it seems there are various versions of this
scheme, went with one that only had invasions stripes on the bottom as they
are a curse to paint!
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The camo on this one is really a bit of a mystery, quite unusual from what I have
found on the net. Now I know camo is supposed to be uneven but it seems this
machine had a really randome paint job, little peaks and troughs all through it
wonder if was a personal thing for the crew and pilot. Of course what I have
found out about her on the net could be completely wrong?

Fortunate to bump into a real one in the UK early this year and let me tell you
there is nothing like a Thunderbolt both taxiing on by and flying!
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Big friend with not so little “little friend.”
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Gabi’s P47 Thunderbolt pretty close to taking flight, just need to glue the canopy
and flat seal the decals.
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Wonder if anyone knows why the canopy would have been sky blue?
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Here we go again, couple of beautiful British biplanes, well the conversion of
a couple of classic American Biplanes into a couple of classic British Biplanes?

Something about British aviation back in the day, classic, beautifully simple
yet complicated all at the same time! One of my favorite quotes, way back in
1953 a journalist asked Edmund Hilary why he climbed Mt Everest, his answer
plain and simple “because it’s there!” Love it, so why cut up a perfectly good
ultra micro rc plane, because you can!

Flew the Stearman and she was nice even landed her nice on the grass.
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Haven’t even flown the Waco just bound her to see all was fine then went to it
with the exacto, have done a lot even though it doesn’t look like it!
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Anyone out there game to guess what we are aiming for here?
Last edited by Wbirdnut on Mon 22 Apr 2019, 7:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

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Been plodding along with my Stearman to ???? ????? conversion, slapped on
some paint, need a few coats to get over the original yellow and blue. The ?????
had top and bottom wing ailerons, so cut then slaved via wire, will be interesting
to see how she rolls now? Next get stuck into some detail, engine, cockpit and
pilot. Interesting how a different manufacturer used what looks like a De Havilland
rudder??!!

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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

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Slapped on some paint on my second British biplane, all brushed I have tried
airbrushing, you need so many coats to get things even. One coat of base white
then three coats of top coat to get a good look. I must weight one of these before
and after to see how much actual weight I am adding?

The scheme from all I can find on the net is accurate, the North African desert
flown with 3 Sqn RAAF, I like how the wings are different browns and while you
can’t see she has half black half white undersides, you can just see have added
flaps, more on this later. Hand painted fin flash was a curse, turned out better
than I expected.
Last edited by Wbirdnut on Wed 16 Jan 2019, 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Artec STOL, around 1,100 span, comes with some unique features including
drooping leading edge that comes down with the flaps, she also has a parachute
hatch. Came with tricycle undercart modded to a tail dragger added some sharp
teeth and spotty paint, just for fun. Great plane to fly, quite slow, handles rough
ground and long grass quite well and the kids love her!
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Have the a bit of a biplane bug at present, the little Waco is by Airwing can’t find
much on her on the net, one thing I will say about her is way better quality than
other micros, really good hinge and control surface set ups. Came RTF with a
2.4 radio which is also the charger, converted her to a Spektrum set up, added
a pilot and changed the colour to racy red.

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Stearman to Avro Cadet all done also, mods, lengthened rear of fusy, scratch built
tailplane and fin, added upper ailerons via a link, new working undercart as in it can
move to take landings, detailed the engine with exhaust-pushrod tubes added, pilot
and RAAF trainer scheme paint job. Yet to fly will wait and see may be interesting
with the longer fusy!?

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Asked before but be interested to hear why Avro used a De havilland fin, from
what I have found on the net the Cadet was a direct competitor to the Tiger Moth.
The RAAF evaluated both and choose the Cadet for various reasons, you would
think in the spirit of competition the last thing you would do is use a fin that looked
like the competitors machine?

Georgeconna
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Georgeconna »

Nice Repaints bud.

I tried re doing a Foam Corsair I have bout found the masking tape pulled the Paint off off the foam, What is your process for painting these foamies can I asK?
Cheers

George

Zero shows for 2018 Giving in a Rest.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Georgeconna wrote:Nice Repaints bud.

I tried re doing a Foam Corsair I have bout found the masking tape pulled the Paint off off the foam, What is your process for painting these foamies can I asK?


Thanks George, had the same issue yes and if you use low tack tape you get
bleeding when you airbrush so I just brush paint, a lot more control and no
overspray. Can be fiddly when I did the invasion stripes on the Wildcat you
will see further up the page, man that was super tricky.

I found it easier to draw a thin pencil line then paint to that line, couple of
long sessions and got there in the end.

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The other thing is I find you need at least three coats to get even coverage, the
enemy of all things that fly is weight, so yes you add weight but I live with this,
willing to sacrifice flight times for scale look?!

Wbirdnut
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Maidened the little Cadet needed a bit of lead in the nose, got her putting around
the sky as only a basic trainer should.
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Been getting some okay results pulling still shots off go pro video, they turn out a
bit soft, can’t complain the grainy look gives a bit more realistic feel to the images.
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Gabby Gabreski’s late model Thunderbolt operated out of the UK in 1944.
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Royal Air Force South East Asian Conflict Thunderbolt.
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Wbirdnut
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Bit of a progress report on the Waco to Gladiator conversion, again I’m going
a bit over the top on this job! Top and bottom wing flaps will be linked like the
ailerons, pilot will be linked to the rudder so he look where he’s going! Top wing
has been shortened, cowl fattened, cockpit detail, guns, rear wheel moved to
scale position mains as well, paint, decals and weathering etc.
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Bit more progress with the Waco to Gladiator conversion, have held off refitting
the top wing to get the fuselage detail done, pilot is attached by a simple arm to
the rudder link, he turns and looks the way the rudder points the plane. Cockpit
with gunsight, dash with gauges, seat with straps and canopy covers.

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Panel lines with a pencil, yet to fit the under wing 303s, fuselage guns fire up the
channels in front the name. “Sweet Sue” named after Peter St George Turnbull’s
personal 3 Sqn mount that flew in Egypt.

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Underside, exhaust, and air intake and you can see the lower flaps will be linked
to the also added upper wing flaps via a wire similar to the ailerons.

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Getting closer the upper wing will be taped so I can take it off, flaps and ailerons
linked up, motor in and she is ready for test flying, gulp!

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Have the Gladiator ready to maiden after mods but been way too windy, wind can help with
maiden flights but not 20 plus knots of the stuff! So in the meantime started on another
project that has been bubbling away in the back of my brain!

Purchased a couple of these a while back in a clearcut sale, sadly they are now discontinued,
pitty as they are one of the better 1 cell 3.7 volt flyers. First one stayed pretty stock apart
from adding a few guns and a new uniform! Must have been terrifying being on the end of
twelve .05 cal machine guns!
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This one a bit more extreme and perhaps a little modelled aeroplane?Should be
pretty easy to work out where this one is going, the small blue foam bits should be
a fair hint?
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Bit more progress on the Neppie, first coat of paint, doing her as a RAAF early
model, the white paint was added to decrease internal temperatures.
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The RAAF had from the early model P2V-4s with gun turrets to the later model
P2V-7/SP-2H, most of the earlier model RAAF Neptunes where upgraded. I’m
doing mine as a bit of an interim, the earlier models had a none raised canopy,
jets added and less streamlined wing tip pods. I left the mid upper turret even
though they were removed with the upgrades, it is linked to the rudder so it turns
with the rudder.
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So far one coat thinking at least two if not three coats will be required, especially
the white.
Last edited by Wbirdnut on Mon 25 Feb 2019, 8:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Neptune ready for maiden after conversion from Mitchell, used some four bladed
props from the V2-1S Mustang, may not perform as well but look more scale. Had
to add three coats of white and two blue to get decent coverage.
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Mods include nose, tail and wing tips, underwing jets, radar randome, sanded off
the cowl flaps to look more Neptune like. New fin, used the original tailplane with
tips from the Mitchell twin rudders, added a link to the rudder so the turret moves
with the rudder. To achieve the nose area and cockpit panels painted satin black
then dry brushed silver over the top, not fantastic but will do.
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Made the removable nose longer so I can access the electronics, you can just see
a length of wood in there, this is one piece in the shape of the under fuse randome,
figured this will cope a bit of action belly landing so quite long and therefore strong.
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In the below pic you can see how I got around protecting the fragile fins to the Mitchell
these interchangable wire skids will be used to protect the underside of the Neptune.
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She fits in the og box with a few mods, made the wing tip pods so they are removable
and cut some foam out of the foam carrier to suit the jets and randome.
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Mitchell and Neptune, where she came from.
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Want to do some weathering, add serials and spinners she's ready for flight been a
little windy of late. We just got a bit of a hammering from a cyclone called “Oma” 68
knot gust recorded down at the airport, bit beyond this little foamy those winds!

Wbirdnut
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Finally finished the Waco to Gladiator conversion, haven’t flown this yet waiting
for the right place and day, wasn’t going to finish her until I’d flown but got the
urge and here she is in all her glory. Does anyone else get those pre maiden
gitters, spent all this time making the thing now too scared to commit her to
the air in case I destroy the little beauty!
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Weathered with artists pastels, didn’t go to crazy mainly white so she looks
like she has been bleached in the Egyptian desert sun
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Went a bit over the top with additions and details, added flaps both top and bottom
and a link off the rudder so the pilot turns.
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No not a mistake with the two shades of brown, the early RAF aeroplanes has a
three colour camouflage.
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Modded the cowl making it longer so getting to the battery is easier.
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My chubbie hand just to give an idea of size, now just got to get some guts to
commit the little beast to aviation!
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Mods include shortening the top wing, moving the undercart, re shaping the cowl,
adding pilot, flaps, guns, exhaust and scale details, paint, decals and weathering.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Mate took a couple of pic’s of my bubble canopy Thunderbolt in the afternoon sun.
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Wbirdnut
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Re: RC model repaints (pic heavy)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Managed to score a mini mother load of these long gone (discontinued) 1cell,
3.7volt ultra micro warbirds, as is often the case a bit of modding in the wings.
Spitfire with the pointed fin that some Mk IX’s had and all the Mk VIIIs this will
be a Mk VIII.
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P40, always been a fan, especially of the long tail P40N, all I did was add 1cm
of foam to the rear of the fusy, moved the fin back and lengthened the rudder
control link.
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Like the Spitfire above modded the top of the fusy so the whole top forward
section is removable held on by a magnet.
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Finally a 1cell mini Mustang modded to be a ???? notice used a cut to suit Stearman
tail section. Anyone game to guess what she is, more on this thoroughbred soon?
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Bit of paint and some decals on the Spitfire and Kittyhawk.
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Have bumped into the real one of this model a few times, recently even managed
to sit in her, please excuse the contents of the cockpit distracting from the sinister
beauty of the machine.
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Used Ventura Publications decals for this version, great product and service.
http://www.venturapublications.com/stor ... cts_id=295

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