Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum

Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: Pen-Pusher on August 25, 2015, 09:13:36 PM

Title: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on August 25, 2015, 09:13:36 PM
Mulling over a possible 'modelling project' to complete a series of aircraft Neil Armstrong flew through his time with the US Navy and in aeronautical research. Neil died three years ago today and he actually flew 209 different aircraft. I think I'll stick with maybe half a dozen single seat fighters, F9F Panther, F104's etc and rocket planes, Bell X-1B, X-15 and the like. If anyone can point me in the direction of 'actual' aircraft details/photos/ref, I'd be obliged!! (Note: The 'present' Mrs D says this should cut down my 'stash' somewhat!!)
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: zak on August 26, 2015, 07:20:18 AM
Welcome, Pen Pusher, I look forward to your posts.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: MSea on August 26, 2015, 09:32:31 AM
Welcome to our group of ???? (I don't know the correct word to cover our group - but its fun )
Stash - thats not a stash thats a collection of empty boxes, you keep them for sentimental resons (you can try that but I don't think you will get away with it !!!!)
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on August 26, 2015, 02:14:13 PM
That might have worked until the 'present' Mrs D discovered half a dozen bagged Mig-21's in an old Lancaster box... is nothing sacred these days?
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: MSea on August 26, 2015, 06:36:10 PM
some you win some you don't !!!!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Bigkev on August 26, 2015, 07:38:54 PM
Hi Pen Pusher,

You need to find another method of camouflaging those hidden gems, even my wife has developed anti-model purchase counter-measures!

Welcome aboard!

Bigkev
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Haddock on August 26, 2015, 10:44:00 PM
That might have worked until the 'present' Mrs D discovered half a dozen bagged Mig-21's in an old Lancaster box... is nothing sacred these days?
You could try to convince her that they are an investment and can only increase in value, just like exotic sports-cars and oil-paintings!!
Haddock.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on August 27, 2015, 04:46:09 PM
Okay guys 'n' gals, received my Bell X-1B (Trust my hero not have flown the basic X-1 of which I have three!!) so the fun begins...

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on August 29, 2015, 06:06:21 PM
Welcome to the utterly mad forum and I am looking forward to seeing this get built!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on August 30, 2015, 10:52:29 AM
Me too... (Here's a couple of diag's to show you some of the specs.

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on August 30, 2015, 05:47:39 PM
Do Bell still produce jets, and if not was the last on the Bell -- End ;)
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on August 30, 2015, 10:43:14 PM
 ::)
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on September 08, 2015, 09:57:49 AM
Second a/c in my X-1 project underway. This is the 1/72 Special Hobby kit of the Bell X-1E, second generation series of the X-1 planes. The Bell X-1E was actually a redesigned/rebuilt first generation X-1 (The second a/c produced) that was withdrawn from the testing programme early. The rebuild incorporated new avionics, a new engine and cockpit design. The 'E' also flew with two different wing platforms to evaluate flying characteristics beyond Mach two. This model will hopefully be finished to represent the final configuration...


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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: zak on September 08, 2015, 10:44:22 AM
Looking good.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Wizzel on September 08, 2015, 03:10:15 PM
It's very futuristic looking in a strange "vintage" sort of way.  Lovely finish on it so far too.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on September 08, 2015, 03:55:51 PM
Neat!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on September 14, 2015, 09:32:24 AM
Posting this to let you see progress so far! X-1E is almost complete - a bit of work still required on cockpit and u/c but that shouldn't take too long. Decaling the X1E was significantly harder than it's stable-mate. The X-1 in the orange finish had very little in that way as far as I can tell from close-up photos. After Mach-1 was attained, '62 was repainted in white as were '63 and '64. After the varied successes of the second generation X planes (X-1B/C/D) it was decided to rebuild the second X-1 ('63) as the X-1E (New fuelling system, wings, u/c and cockpit with ejector seat) which is represented by my humble effort here. Next will be the X-1B (As flown by Neil Armstrong) which is very different followed by the Skyrocket.... but more boring stuff on that later. Thanks for looking. (Both models brush painted with 'multiple' coats of Tamiya acrylic gloss)

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Wizzel on September 14, 2015, 10:15:23 AM
Lovely aircraft and bot very different in their own ways. Nice to see such a clean finish with brush painting as well.  I still haven't got into the world of airbrushing so it's good to see there's more than me and Tony Wilson who still do things as they used to be done in the olden days.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on September 14, 2015, 03:35:19 PM
...and me!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Wizzel on September 15, 2015, 07:51:44 AM
...and me!
You ARE the olden days Kitey!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Haddock on September 15, 2015, 09:07:15 AM
Lovely aircraft and bot very different in their own ways. Nice to see such a clean finish with brush painting as well.  I still haven't got into the world of airbrushing so it's good to see there's more than me and Tony Wilson who still do things as they used to be done in the olden days.
Well at least we don't send little boys up chimneys anymore so we have made some progress.

That's an amazing finish for a brush and Tamiya paint, love to know how you do it.
Haddock.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on September 15, 2015, 10:38:27 AM
Thanks for those kind comments chaps - but maybe the photo looks better than the real thing? You can judge for yourselves at next meeting? Both a/c required 'many' thin coats of paint - in the case of the white, the first were matt white and then gloss on top! the X-1B next on the production line will be silver (aluminium) so that presents a whole raft of new problems!!

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on September 15, 2015, 04:38:42 PM
Steady Wizzel, just coz I make my own glue from melted down horses hooves!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Wizzel on September 15, 2015, 05:57:25 PM
Steady Wizzel, just coz I make my own glue from melted down horses hooves!
Melted Woolly Mammoth hooves more like  :P
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on September 16, 2015, 11:58:33 AM
Finished...

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: zak on September 16, 2015, 12:35:29 PM
Looking good.
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on September 16, 2015, 01:33:38 PM
You can see here the difference in fuselage design from first generation X-planes (X-1 / X-1E) and the second (X-1A/B/C/D). In 1/72 the X-1 is available from three manufacturers: (1) Tamiya which comes with complete clear fuselage and interior (The solid version is illustrated at top of photo) (2) Hobby Spot, a re-issued Tamiya distinctive by only one fuselage half provided in clear plastic and inferior decals; and (3) Hobby Craft, a nice kit but require deeply inscribed lines to be filled. Curiously the latter two are usually more expensive than the original (and preferred) Tamiya issue.

Special Hobby from Czech-land make several X-planes. The X-1A/B versions are very welcome (The 'B' version again in the photo showing the redesigned and longer fuselage) and all come with alternative markings suited to particular flights or periods in the individual a/c's history. Their decals are second to none in my opinion and adhere well with or without Microsol's assistance. Special Hobby also provide for later X-planes including the Douglas D-588 Skyrocket which is on my 'wants list' now. The X-1C/D are interesting from a historical point of view but differed little from the X-1A/B and anyway, were lost to accidents before they could contribute to the programme.

You airbrush experts will have great fun with these but if like me you're still wallowing in the mire of pre-history, I'd suggest using gloss white/orange for brush application. So what are you waiting for....?

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Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Wizzel on September 16, 2015, 06:48:56 PM
These are very interesting looking aircraft.  Although my 'thing' is for prop powered, I do have an attraction to the early jets too as I find the look of them is fascinating.  I may have to consider finding one of these.  :)
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Kiteman on September 17, 2015, 04:03:42 PM
Go around to pen pushers house there are a couple there!
Title: Re: Beyond the blue horizon...
Post by: Pen-Pusher on November 22, 2015, 11:09:12 AM
Adding this link for your enjoyment. Some nice detailed shots too...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N646XdTl3w