Airwolf Turbine - My Build

[ssmith512]

Well, it's been awhile. Got very busy at work, and went out of town this past week to take the wife on a much needed vacation, so have been away from The Lady for a while. Got a couple hours with The Lady yesterday and this morning and worked on getting the pitot tubes and refueling probe installed.

I show the construction of the pitot tubes and refueling probe earlier in this build thread. Here we are positioning them while the epoxy putty on the back side dries. These things are solid and shouldnt be easily damaged by normal "hanger rash" incidents.....








The filling, sanding, blending process........






And after the first coat of primer.......





I think it should be good enough for Government work, which is OK since Airwolf was a Government "black" project LOL!

On the next step.........

[Bm421]

You do exceptional work, a true craftsman!

[ssmith512]

Originally Posted by Bm421

You do exceptional work, a true craftsman!

Thank you!!

[aziz76]

Amazing work Steve

[ssmith512]

Originally Posted by aziz76

Amazing work Steve

Thank you sir!

Only 1 million rivets left to do and then I can paint!

[helikas]

Steve, one word; AWESOMENESS !

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[Ramflames]

Your an artist.

[ssmith512]

Thank you friends!

[Bm421]

How do you set your windows, And what's a good material to make them out of?

I'm currently doing a uh-60 600 marine one full exterior detail. The presidential heli from scale flying is a generic fuse and is missing windows.

[helikas]

Originally Posted by Bm421

How do you set your windows, And what's a good material to make them out of?

I'm currently doing a uh-60 600 marine one full exterior detail. The presidential heli from scale flying is a generic fuse and is missing windows.

I am running into the same problem, and I have the UH-60 model as well, hopefully steve have the answer we are waiting for !

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[ssmith512]

Originally Posted by Bm421

How do you set your windows, And what's a good material to make them out of?

I'm currently doing a uh-60 600 marine one full exterior detail. The presidential heli from scale flying is a generic fuse and is missing windows.

I would suggest clear styrene.........

http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/...m#Clear Sheets

You can get these at Tower Hobbies or most Hobbytown's stock them if you have one close by.

Most of my windows will be permanently fixed using Formula 560 canopy glue. Doesnt take much and dries crystal clear, My front windshields will be held in place with micro screws. I want them to be removable for various reasons so tiny screws will be used (bonus the tiny screws will simulate the window frame rivets on the full size).

Hope this helps!!

[ssmith512]

Well it's been a while eh? Been super busy at work, then I cut my finger pretty badly which made my left hand basically useless, so between the two, have not had much time with the Lady as of late.

Here's what I've managed to get accomplished recently.........

Got all the loose pieces primed. They are done and ready for color coat.....



Tail boom and vertical stab are primed. They are ready for glue rivets and then color coat....






Dog house pieces are primed. They are finished and ready for color coat....










And primed the small detail parts. They are ready for some color as well. These parts will be the last pieces to be glued on after final clear coat on the fuse. These tiny pieces were painted by sticking them to a piece of tape. Take some wide masking tape, lay it down sticky side up. Place the pieces down on the tape and presto, you can paint them without them blowing away.





So far VERY happy with how the final coat of primer is going on. It is laying down very nicely and very smoothly. No runs, no junk in the primer, no fish eyes. I'd be happy with it if it were the final coat ready for clear. Getting lucky I guess. Hopefully color and clear turn out as nice when I get around to those steps.

Next step is spraying the final primer coat on the fuse. Still dang busy at work and it takes a whole day to set up the "paint booth", spray, and then clean up; so not sure when I might get the opportunity to get it sprayed. Not gonna rush it, will get to it when I have time. But man I am anxious to get it primed and then start on glue rivets! LOL!!

[Ah Clem]

AMAZING!

[ssmith512]

Began therapy today,...doctor's orders. Slow process, just a start and was more of a "test" session for me to see if the process and results would be satisfactory. Pretty happy with it. Bad news is the doctor said that based on today's progress, he wants to triple, maybe even quadruple my therapy sessions. I cant decide if I am looking forward to that or not!!!

[aziz76]

I always look forward to your updates Steve, and you don't disappoint!

[ssmith512]

Originally Posted by aziz76

I always look forward to your updates Steve, and you don't disappoint!

Oh dear,.....I didnt realize there were expectations!

[aziz76]

Originally Posted by ssmith512

Oh dear,.....I didnt realize there were expectations!

No pressure

[helikas]

Super !, amazing attention to details. Question , would you prefer the glue rivets method over the half dime acrylics ?

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[ssmith512]

Originally Posted by helikas

Super !, amazing attention to details. Question , would you prefer the glue rivets method over the half dime acrylics ?

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My preference is the half dome acrylics. The problem with them though, in my opinion, is the time involved using them. They are a pretty slow process, but I really like the consistency they offer.

The glue rivets are faster, but at least in my experience, consistency is an issue. Getting the same size and round look is challenging for me.

So, I am "modifying" the glue rivet process. I am using a pre-cut vinyl "mask". It is pre cut to the size and spacing I need for this model. I simply locate the rivet line on the model, apply the adhesive backed vinyl mask, and then apply glue where needed. I pull the mask and I am left consistently sized and spaced glue rivets.

I'll do a short video showing my glue rivet process. I think it is a nice compromise of speed and consistency.

[helikas]

Originally Posted by ssmith512

My preference is the half dome acrylics. The problem with them though, in my opinion, is the time involved using them. They are a pretty slow process, but I really like the consistency they offer.

The glue rivets are faster, but at least in my experience, consistency is an issue. Getting the same size and round look is challenging for me.

So, I am "modifying" the glue rivet process. I am using a pre-cut vinyl "mask". It is pre cut to the size and spacing I need for this model. I simply locate the rivet line on the model, apply the adhesive backed vinyl mask, and then apply glue where needed. I pull the mask and I am left consistently sized and spaced glue rivets.

I'll do a short video showing my glue rivet process. I think it is a nice compromise of speed and consistency.

Please do, that will be awesome to watch.
Okay I am off to grab some popcorn :cool:

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